Monday 16 December 2024 The moment I finish grading the last student’s final exam (Finals Week begins this week), I will return to my Katyn manuscript. Although my slightly younger self would have liked to have had proofread the Summer 2024 revised draft this past September, I am glad I didn’t. I would have rushed […]
The Revision Diaries: Proofreading Travails Read More »
Monday 09 December 2024 You served as my Katyn manuscript reader. You bore witness when I conceived of the idea of writing a book about the Katyn Massacres and when I revised the manuscript to a memoir, not a scholarly work. You read several different versions of the manuscript: fragments of ideas, working and finished
The Revision Diaries: Interview with King Arthur, My Katyn Manuscript Editor Read More »
Monday 02 December 2024 The etymology of “acknowledgment” points to a recognition, a revelation, and a discovery. And when I think of all the people (and my dog, Laska) who have in their own unique ways inspired, coached, and helped me during the writing process of my Katyn manuscript, I must recognize their friendship, love,
The Revision Diaries: Reflections on Writing an Acknowledgements Page Read More »
Monday 25 November 2024 After convincing myself that I not only can but must write a children’s book, I next posed to myself the following technical questions: Whom would I be writing for? (target audience); What kind of story—fiction or nonfiction? (genre); and What would be the narrative drama? (in other words, What would be
What Kind of Children’s Book Will I Write? Read More »
Monday 18 November 2024 Since I have embraced the idea of writing a children’s book, I now understand that what my conscious mind dismissed as a silly impulsive “joke,” is what my unconscious mind insists I need to work on next. Numerous seasons of writing (and living with) my Katyn memoir have left both intellectual
Becoming a Children’s Book Writer Isn’t a Joke Any Longer Read More »
Tuesday 12 November 2024 I thought I was being funny, answering King Arthur’s earnest question: “What’s next after your Katyn book?” I quipped, “a children’s book… (cue in my laughter) … no, better yet… a children’s coloring book (continued laughter).” King Arthur wasn’t laughing. I didn’t understand. I thought I was witty. Honestly, I hadn’t
Am I Becoming a Children’s Book Writer? … I Think So! Read More »
Monday 04 November 2024 I would never teach Elena Kostyuchenko’s (2023) I Love Russia: Reporting from a Lost Country not because it’s a poorly written book. The book is one of the best nonfiction/journalism books I have come across. I refuse to teach it because it’s too well written. The writing is relentless and merciless;
Monday 28 October 2024 On Sunday 27 October 2024, I lit a Yahrzeit candle, or Jewish memorial candle for Steve. Yesterday was the first time I ever lit a yahrzeit candle for Steve, let alone for anyone else. Frankly, I didn’t know if I was performing the ceremony correctly; after all, I’m not Jewish. I
A Yahrzeit Candle for Steve Ressler Read More »
Thursday 24 October 24, 2024 Dear Student: Your request for additional literary books and/or movies about World War II and the Holocaust both pleased and frightened me. I interpreted your question for more literature from this era as an optimistic and reassuring evaluation of my teaching about war and genocide studies. However, I was scared
Paliwoda’s World War II And Holocaust Reading And Viewing List Read More »
Monday 14 October 2024 “…. It had taken me seventeen years after her murder to figure out why Politkovskaya matters… when I brought her back to my classrooms in Spring 2023… and now eighteen years, standing in this Fall 2024 classroom, I now understand her significance completely… and precisely right now after staring at this
My Russia File: Why Anna Politkovskaya Still Matters, Part Two Read More »