compelling and complete

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i read an interview of James Salter in the Paris Review and, man, what an interview. take a look at it here: http://www.theparisreview.org/interviews/1930/the-art-of-fiction-no-133-james-salter  this man is fucking smart. anyway, in the usual discussion of what makes short story writing so great, he is asked “what’s your idea of a short story?” here’s his answer: Above all, it … Read more

obsessed with shorts

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here are a couple links to people who review a short story/day ALL MONTH LONG.  that’s dedication/obsession. i like the idea of visiting with a story each day, kind of like catching up with an old friend and talking crazy stuff over.  like the time you played cowboys and indians through the dug up streets … Read more

it’s short story month

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okay, top 10 list of what i consider, in my  (warped) opinion, the best short stories i’ve read to date.  when i say best i mean memorable.  on this particular day and in no particular order. “Emergency” by Dennis Johnson “Paper Lantern” by Stuart Dybek “Pounding their Shadows” by Anthony De Sa “Swimming in Zanzibar” … Read more

gin

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recipe for a gimlet: 2 oz. gin 3/4 oz. rose’s lime cordial –throw these ingredients into a shaker, over ice, and shake briskly.  strain and serve–make sure the glass has a sugared rim.  for texture. PS  a lovely drink, especially in the summertime. PPS i may have a second. yes, i think i may.  

the long goodbye

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a noir gimlet. “The bartender set the drink in front of me. With the lime juice it has a sort of pale greenish yellowish misty look. I tasted it. It was both sweet and sharp at the same time. The woman in black watched me. Then she lifted her own glass towards me. We both … Read more

nothing

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i’ve got nothing, nada, not one thing to say.  this is a problem because i’m writing a lot and i wonder if this apathy translates into my work.  lordy, this writing business–it’s like walking through sludge. somebody bring me a cool compress, i’m swooning.  and a gimlet, whatever that is. do you have the recipe … Read more

a writer/professional

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this week, i’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be a writer who is professional. by that, i mean someone who takes their writing seriously, as opposed to a technical writer. i believe a professional attitude is key to success, however a writer defines success. what does this mean?  i believe in … Read more

letter to alice #8

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dear alice, i read an essay by Cheryl Strayed titled ‘Munro Country’ in which she describes corresponding with you and, further, goes on to discuss how she came to read your stories. it’s a long essay and Cheryl’s a good writer, a better writer than i’ll ever be. anyway, in her essay Cheryl talks, at … Read more

the reality of suicide

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when i was a psych nurse, i took care of a lot of different kinds of people.  ten years of work, on both the open wards and psych emergency, taught me a thing or two. i don’t like to talk about it much because i fear marginalizing people who are already, sadly, shoved to one … Read more