This is film director Eric Cosland. On the topic of creative work, he says: “If it feels good while you’re doing it, you’re not doing it right. You should be suffering a little bit.” So true, right? My nagging insomnia in the midst of writing/editing attests to that. My stories always keep me up at — Read More
Category: Nuggets
Oh, booze.
**BOOK UPDATE** My novel is out in the world again, searching for a publishing house to call home. Wish it luck. On another note, who feels like a drink? Thanks to Shortlist.com, I got to know the drinking habits of some famous authors. If you are too lazy to click on the link (after all, — Read More
Thirteen Writing Prompts — by Dan Wiencek
This was originally published in 2006, but I just discovered it over on McSweeney’s. As I finish my book revisions, I’ve been thinking about having some fun with writing prompts to get the creative juices going for a new project. Maybe I should try one of these. Ha. “Thirteen Writing Prompts” by Dan Wiencek 1. — Read More
Great book dedications
Looking at this funny gallery of book dedications makes me wonder who I would dedicate my book to, if I publish it. Or when–WHEN–I publish it. I’m still working on that optimism BS. These are my current 2 contenders: For all the trees who died so I could print out hundreds of drafts of this — Read More
Odd jobs of famous writers
In my last post about the daily lives of famous creatives, I pointed out that many of the greats didn’t have the pleasure/burden of a day job–at least in their heyday. I’m sure most had day jobs at some point. And thanks to the good ol’ Huffington Post, we know what some of those were. — Read More
Daily Lives of Famous Creative People
(If by “regular” and “orderly,” he means “boring,” I’ve got this covered) If you’re like me, you’ve read a great book or listened to a great album and thought, “How the hell did this masterpiece come to be?” It’s only natural to want to peek into the lives of the creators–in search of secrets or — Read More
Love letters from famous writers
I gotta say, if you’re a writer, a love letter is a tall order. There are expectations involved. I wrote my own vows when I got married last month, and my now-husband did the same. His friends told him he was crazy to attempt such a thing, since stringing words together is my daily life. — Read More
Wedding photos of famous writers
So, I’m getting married in 19 days. I just did that math and had a brief panic attack. I am so glad to have my latest round of book editing done because these wedding details (dress alterations! guest seating assignments! party favors!) are killing every brain cell I have taking up all my time. I — Read More
Food and fiction
Two things I love. So imagine my excitement when a friend told me about Fictitious Dishes: An Album of Literature’s Most Memorable Meals. It is now in my Amazon cart. The book features meals described in novels you probably know (and may love). It’s the brainchild of Dinah Fried, who cooks, art-directs, and photographs meals — Read More
Writers and their dogs
I’ve done a couple posts with photos of writers and their cats (here and here). I suppose I’m partial to cats, by the slimmest of margins. I grew up with dogs too. And now I love my fiancé’s doggie like he’s my own. This is Vinny: While he doesn’t sit on my lap as I — Read More