Author Archives: Mrs. Fitz

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About Mrs. Fitz

Hello! I'm Michele Fitzpatrick, a Chicago writer. Like our town, a work in progress. As a journalist, teacher and writing coach I think all of us live our stories and sharing them creates moments that remind us we're connected. And that is enough.

Reason #14 Why Folks Don’t Write

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

There are many reasons folks don’t write. lack of talent isn’t one of them. The notion that writing can’t be defined is. The notion that it’s magic or elusive is bunk. Writing is incredibly define-able. Take any story, any story … Continue reading →

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Hope Floats

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

Boats won’t be back to the harbors hugging Lake Michigan for a while. Chicago isn’t done with winter; or rather, winter isn’t done with Chicago. Diversey, Belmont and other harbors are deserted but not lonely. The empty slips and pokey … Continue reading →

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The Good News

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

The good news about the bad news is that more good news than bad happens. Tisn’t news that news delivers the bad stuff in barrages. That’s it’s job. Been that way since drum beaters alerted tribal brothers that warpainted bad … Continue reading →

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Stairway to haven

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

An impressive number of my aunties have lived with their families in the same houses for years. Decades really. Visiting now marries space WITH time: There’s me-self of today and there is the me of yesterday tagging along, small but … Continue reading →

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Surprising

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

Some people I know react badly when surprise is bestowed upon them. This is because I am one such. My auntie once engineered a surprise party for me on the occasion of my 16th birthday. Only someone of great courage … Continue reading →

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Does it count?

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

When words are off on holiday someplace you are not, numbers can abide the time. Here’s a few: 50The average age of authors (1955-2004) when their novels hit #1 on New York Times bestseller list. 27The number of publishers who … Continue reading →

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Reason # 9 Why Folks Don’t Write

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

There are many reasons folks don’t write. Lack of talent isn’t one of them. Self indulgence is. Self indulgence can be disguised as other things…writer’s block, lack of motivation, need to take care of other business, fear of failure. These … Continue reading →

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In the Nick of Names

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

I was named Michele instead of Lisa (a name Mom liked immensely) because Mom judged “Lisa Larson” put folks in a sing-songy frame of mind. “Lisa Larson,” “Lisa Larson,” does have a tweety-bird ring to it, I agree; yet I … Continue reading →

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Elocution

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

It behooves us to honor elocution (a manner of speaking in public) as learning opportunities, what eloquent teachers might call teachable moments. Lately there have been several turns of phrase by speakers of English I never heard before. This may … Continue reading →

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Sitting pretty

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

I set undue import on my office and what it looks like. I’ve occupied a variety of them and note now that what I thought was the finest office was, in fact, the worst. Teaching at a parochial girls’ high … Continue reading →

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