i'm obsessed with shorts. short. stories.
The Top 10 Pieces of Writing Advice I’ve Been Given (Or That I’ll Pretend Were Given to Me)* by Sherman Alexie [10] Don’t Google search yourself. [9] When you’ve finished Google searching yourself, don’t do it again. [8] Every word on your blog is a word not in your book. [7] Don’t have any writing … Read more
a craft essay by the one, the only, George “no bullshit” Saunders. http://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/419391/george-saunders-on-story/
you never where to start. or end. the interruptions of daily life are difficult to manage, even when you need them. telling a story is one thing; finding the meaning in it is another. reading good books is extremely important because you need good sentences that linger inside your head. jealousy is problematic, both yours … Read more
“tempo, girls, tempo!” the lizard called. “count it out!” he skittered across the floor, skidded to a halt and stared indignantly up at them. “this is ridiculous! i shouldn’t have to remind you there’s a great deal riding on this!” the girls coughed and looked down at their hooves, embarrassed by both his sharp tongue … Read more
music drives my writing. and, for your listening pleasure, a mixed tape that inspired my short story collection: https://tapely.com/the-globe
there’s an artist in LA called Mark Bradford and he creates oversized pictures out of canvas and paper and paint. he calls his work “social abstraction” or abstract art with a social context “clinging to the edges”. (p.3) i can buy that; art should do more than one thing. the painting above is titled ‘Scorched … Read more
Stephen King says first lines are all about voice. i think a first line is knocking on the door. and i ask: who is there for me? will the door be thrown open with abandon? left ajar for me to enter at my own speed? or is there no one waiting? let me check the … Read more
this afternoon, i listened to a terrific podcast in which Ann Hood shares 10 tips on how to write a kick-ass essay. using two essays from Junot Diaz and Jonathan Letham as examples, she outlines: make sure you write about the thing that keeps you up at night. when you do come up with that … Read more
recently, i read an essay by Meghan Daum that really struck me. i’m still processing the essay for it’s honesty not the details, although the details are beautifully written. substantiative. the essay’s unsettling because it’s horrifyingly honest if that makes any sense–and it makes sense to me. here’s an excerpt: If you asked me what … Read more