Often I must go back to my basics; to learn again before I move forward. William Zissner’s On Writing Well is a great book to read, especially when you are working on revision. Of course, it’s meant to be for writing nonfiction, but I find the sound and practical advice fits any sort of writing. Here is what I needed to read today: Clutter … Read More "Simplify, simplify."
I have been asked to be a feature reader at the Dire Literary Series on May 5th in Cambridge, MA. I don’t yet know what I’ll be reading and I realize this is still two months away, but if you live in the area, please mark your calendars as I’d love to see you there. More details to follow as the date approaches…
Okay, I know my friend Robin is going to think I’m a big loser but I can’t help it, I’m an Idol-holic. I missed the show last night but first thing this morning I went to the web site to see who My Top 12 are and I’m stoked to see my favorites made it! There you are, Taylor. I see you, Elliot. That’s … Read More Your American Idol
What is your relationship with your characters? Now, mine is distant, chilly, neglectful. I’m working on something mechanical and so this instant they are a nuisance to me. I am aggrieved that it is so. Here is what John Berger says in one of my favorite books And Our Faces, My Heart, Brief as Photos: What separates us from the characters about whom we … Read More "the power of knowing the whole"
Don’t know if you’ve been following the story of the Colorado teacher whose student taped him making comments about George Bush or not, but I would urge you to read this excellent piece–Apparatchik In America – The Colorado MP3 Teacher Trial, by Stephen Elliot: Here is something else you might not know. If you like George Bush then you love Ronald Reagan. Do you … Read More "You would have been feared. Under Stalin you would have been great."
What an absolute treat, and delight, and what perfect timing for me to read Ellen Meister’s Wednesday Essay on Jordan Rosenfeld’s blog: Show me a writer who’s 100% confident in his or her work, and I’ll show you a dreadful writer. I think it’s the nature of what we do that makes us second guess our own judgment.
Today it is time for some George Orwell, taken from his essay “Why I Write“–which is mostly about the struggle of finding the balance between message and aesthetic quality but also shows us the struggle of the artist in general–the pain that comes with the passion. I initially found this essay in the book Eight Modern Essayists–great essays in this one for sure and … Read More "Good prose is like a windowpane"
My friend Mark sent me info on this blogging project and I think it is really important to spread the word on it: Women bloggers in India are blogging against sexual harrassment (called in India “Eve teasing”): blank noise project Thanks, Mark!
Okay, I’ve known about this for a while but it hadn’t been announced until now–Debut Buy (scroll down on the linked page for the info). Not only is Ron Currie one of the nicest guys around, but he’s got mad talent to boot. And if you’re not salivating over when you can get your hands on this book, you should be because I’ve read … Read More Congratulations to Ron Currie for book deal on "God is Dead"
This morning I had a hankering for the sound of the peepers in the spring and lo and behold, Lang Elliot, who is a genuis at recording nature sounds, has it: Spring Peepers.
What do you do when you are at the point of your revision that you are convinced you are writing the most useless, boring, piece of crap ever written? Or maybe you don’t go there, but I do. Every time. I love you. I hate you. I love you. I hate you. Okay, so I am turning once again this morning to Stephen Koch’s … Read More "Then, if you’re lucky, it will let you go"
Check out Storyglossia where my pal Kat’s awesome story is featured today–Tracks that Heal.
myfanwy collins 