On a somewhat regular basis, I take Lorrie Moore’s collection, Self Help, off my shelf and read “How to Become a Writer.” It’s the first line I love: “First, try to be something, anything, else.” This is probably the best advice I’ve ever heard. Yes, perhaps it’s somewhat discouraging, humorously cynical, but that’s what being — Read More
Category: Writers on Writing
How we find our way to writing
A while back, a co-worker suggested I read a book called The Gargoyle. I’m wary of recommendations from most people, because according to book sales, most people like Twilight. However, I decided to look it up on Amazon and read the reviews. As I was scrolling down , I was subjected to my greatest weakness: — Read More
Quote of the month
I used to have this on my fridge (yes, the entire paragraph). Then I got a stainless steel fridge and my days of magneting random pieces of paper to the doors were over. “You are lugging something around that seems to be part of your being, or, as we would say now, is ‘hard wired’ — Read More
Quote(s) of the month
I’ve become obsessed with the HBO show “Bored to Death.” Created by Jonathan Ames, the series follows a writer (also named Jonathan Ames) who moonlights as an unlicensed private detective while struggling to get a second novel published. My obsession with the show led to an obsession with Jonathan Ames. Perhaps it would have been — Read More
Writing Tips from Chuck Palahniuk
I knew I liked Chuck Palahniuk when I read Survivor and Fight Club, but I knew I loved him when I read Choke. So, when Facebook told me to read his essay, “13 Writing Tips,” I listened. (Source) To summarize: Tip #1: When you don’t want to write, set an egg timer for one hour — Read More