A few summers ago, I took a class on personal essays at the Iowa Summer Writing Festival with David Bouchier of NPR fame. His dry humor and engaging personality led to a lovely week of pushing us to thinking deeply about seemingly mundane influences in our lives. For example, he had just scratched out an essay on the word “terminal.” Why, he asked, are the waiting areas in airports called “terminals”? As if the fear of flying wasn’t enough.

For warm and encouraging inspiration, read Bouchier’s Writer at Work: Reflections on the Art and Business of Writing. Available at Amazon.com

And see what I wrote for his class-“Iowa Summer Writing Festival – Personal Essay” under STORIES. See how pondering the everyday notion of “words” can become a thought-provoking and meaningful experience.