https://www.albany.edu/offcourse
http://offcourse.org
ISSN 1556-4975
Published by Ricardo and Isabel Nirenberg since 1998
"Writer's Guide", by Lois Greene Stone
“Focused.” My acceptance e-mail came with the editor’s one-word approval. He knew that wasn’t easy for me. I just don’t identify as an slr camera, mounted on a sturdy tripod, that has a lens carefully opened to the intended position. I’m more of my ancient point-and-shoot Argus Argoflex tucked in a snap-open leather case with a shoulder strap.
A seasonal picture of a front porch often appears on the website. This timeless addition to a house is built and used for a purpose, facing outward as if greeting the street, focused. Me? I’m the wrap-around porch that circles the house not caring whether the back views are north and possibly facing only a neighbor’s fence. I ramble. Focus is hard.
Lois Greene Stone's collections of personal items/ photos/ memorabilia are in major museums including twelve different divisions of The Smithsonian. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History’s current ‘Girlhood’ exhibit has a large showcase where Lois’ photo represents all teens from the 1950's; her hand-designed clothing and costume sketches are also displayed. Her poems have been widely published.