I think poets -- whether published, aspiring or just natural -- make the best prose writers. Once you hammer down that poetic economy and precision of language, that's more solid a framework than most published writers have. For some, popularity just begets popularity, and it seems to be a matter of networking and fluctuations within the industry more than genuine craft. And there are enough who don't care that their words are an affront to decency as long as they get paid doing it....

We just got done with our writing workshop before spring break and the consensus was that once a year wasn't enough, so we're already planning for October. They're an enthusiastic bunch. It's refreshing. And this is the perfect time to instill good habits -- some of them are still working on basic writing dilemmas, and some are just refining their style and voice. It's really encouraging. Help is on the way. Just...slowly.