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 #41 Why Folks Don’t Write

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

There are many reasons folks don’t write. Lack of talent isn’t one of them. Format training is. Not always, but sometimes. Format training varies, but one that most of us have met is the essay-question format. The word “ESSAY” literally … Continue reading →

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Reason # 17 Why Folks Don’t Write

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

Folks don’t write for many reasons. Lack of talent isn’t one of them. Approval is. It must be human to seek approval, else why would we seek it? However, writing isn’t approvable. It’s renegade and messy and formless in its … Continue reading →

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Snow Flakes

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

Some things done are difficult to undo. I learned this during a 1963 snowstorm in Elmhurst Il in the company of my brother Mark, seven years younger than me, and thus not liable in any way for the DO, which … Continue reading →

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Courtship

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

At Immaculate Conception high school during Elmhurst, Illinois’ aging 1960s, girls basketball provided a glimpse into tomorrowland, if you are optimistic by nature. Then, the rules were just like boys’ basketball except for dribbling. Girls could take three steps. Three … Continue reading →

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Snow White

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

I casually am acquainted with a woman whose hair is snow white, like a bunny-fur muff, like a June cloud, like pearls. She dyes her hair carrot orange, like an Arizona sunset, like faded rust, like the chubby fruit called … Continue reading →

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Deliverance

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

This is the abbreviated account of the parcel. I placed an online order for a smallish product. The day the parcel was scheduled to arrive, it did not. I decided the seller was fraudulent. I decided the postal service was … Continue reading →

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In a manner of speaking

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

I can’t figure out if dialects and accents that differentiate us from each other are good or bad. I know some folks take lessons to lose their accent so they can be accepted on some level, say into a broadcasting … Continue reading →

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In all fairness

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

It has taken me about a week to have a reaction to President Barack Obama’s 2011 state of the union address. I’m troubled by the theme of “fairness” that he espouses. Not troubled by fairness, of course. It’s a noble … Continue reading →

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The funnies

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

When books morph into movies, sometimes it’s really funny. Have you ever watched a movie in which the characters TALK the book? Usually, it happens in a sci-fi or fantasy film where the world apparently must be explained. Say, the … Continue reading →

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Reason #10 Why Folks Don’t Write

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

There are many reasons folks don’t write. Lack of talent isn’t one of them. Thinking they should write is. It isn’t that they have nothing to say. They do. It isn’t that they can’t put words together well. They can. … Continue reading →

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