[tweetmeme source=”jjdanz” only_single=false service=ht.ly] A conversation between a subject and an artist about how the artist works: I said, “It’s difficult for me to imagine how things must appear to you.” “That’s exactly what I’m trying to do,” he said, “to show how things appear to me.” “But what,” I asked, “is the relation between […]
Maps is a different thing altogether. Published by Trinity University Press, I had this book on my wish list based on a recommendation from VanderMeer (not personal, mind you, but from his book, Booklife). I’m excited about this one.
Much-Anticipated Books Read Post »
Wrap your hands around a warm mug of coffee and then wrap your mind around this: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2mId99XQYg] [tweetmeme source=”jjdanz” only_single=false service=ht.ly]
Coffee Break No. 6 – John Irving: How I Work Read Post »
[tweetmeme source=”jjdanz” only_single=false service=ht.ly] “We are all the mucky aggregates of all our influences.” China Mieville discussing reading while writing. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvFJr-oy50w] Enjoy! Update 4/28/10: China Miéville’s The City and the City has won Miéville the UK’s most prestigious SF prize, the Arthur C. Clarke Award, making him the first author ever to win three times.
Coffee Break No. 4 – Mieville Read Post »
Been listening to Bonnie Prince Billy while writing lately, courtesy of my brother. Turn the lights down and the hi-fi up. Sip your java and just listen. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG2PL2zO034] And just to show that Bonnie Prince Billy has an upbeat side: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxQuH910xc4] For what it’s worth, this guy (real name Will Oldham) played a young preacher
Coffee Break No. 2 Read Post »
Way back in the beginning of the new decade (Jan. 15 to be precise), I was reading Albert Zuckerman’s Writing the Blockbuster Novel. Although there were some useful bits in there, it was Ken Follett”s successive outlines for The Man From St. Petersburg that caught my eye. When people talked about outlines and writing I
Writing from an Outline (or summary, if you will. And I know you will.) Read Post »
[tweetmeme source=”jjdanz” only_single=false service=ow.ly] Have you ever come away from a conversation discombobulated, wondering what happened? Listen to how people talk and you’ll know why that happens. You’ll find this advice in so many books about writing. But what happens when you actually do that? What happens when you listen in on your own coversations?
[tweetmeme source=”jjdanz” only_single=false service=ow.ly] Now you may believe you are so bright, And you may not see how they confine your sight, And maybe you wake up late at night, Wondering why you feel so tired, Well my dear, let me tell you now, Do you hear, It’s only fear, only fear, it’s only fear,
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsAFdZRRAFk] [tweetmeme source=”jjdanz” only_single=false service=ow.ly] Yet more brilliant writing from Cormac McCarthy in cinematic form. McCarthy originally wrote No Country for Old Men as a screenplay, so the dialogue you’ve seen here is pretty much directly from the book. And it’s solid. Beats sit neatly between the lines. Subtext simmers under the spoken words. The
Writing Dialogue That Does Heavy Lifting Read Post »