If you haven’t read Jhumpa Lahiri’s “Trading Stories” in The New Yorker, I suggest you do it now. It’s one of those pieces that made me exhale and remember why I love writing. And, most importantly, it reminded me that I am a writer (even when I feel like a hack). This is my favorite — Read More
Advice I don’t take
Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Don Murray says the three worst pieces of advice he was ever given were: 1. If you like it, cut it out. 2. Know what you are going to say before you write it. 3. Don’t write what’s been said before. I’ve been given these gems of advice before myself and they — Read More
Quote of the month
Writers are always questioning/struggling to find/analyzing their “voice.” Whenever I’m doubtful of how authentic my characters are, I think of this quote: “Imagine yourself at your kitchen table, in your pajamas. Imagine one person you’d allow to see you that way, and write in the voice you’d use to that friend.” ~ Sandra Cisneros And — Read More
The book tour
I would guess that every writer glamorizes her future book tour. She imagines 4-star hotels, complimentary meals, limos ushering her from one destination to the next, each audience filled with adoring fans clamoring for autographs. I would also guess that any writer who has actually published a book and gone on a tour would laugh — Read More
Are you DONE yet?
When people ask, they don’t do so maliciously, but what the writer hears is impatience, criticism, and judgment. The question I’m referring to?: “So, how’s that book coming along?” Whenever I get this inquiry, a slew of AKAs run through my head: – What the hell is taking so long? – Is this the same — Read More
Writing like a man
Picture this: I’m 23. I’ve just recently completed the Master’s in Professional Writing program at USC. Another graduate is working as an editor for a reputable New York agent. She takes a liking to me and my writing. She invites me to a party at her house in the Hollywood Hills to meet this agent. — Read More
Short stories vs novels, relationships vs flings
In the introduction to his short story collection, Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman, Haruki Murakami says this about writing short stories versus novels: “To put in the simplest possible terms, I find writing novels a challenge, writing short stories a joy. If writing novels is like planting a forest, then writing short stories is more like — Read More
Behind every great writer…
… is a lazy, indifferent cat. This is evidenced here. (Thanks, Meredith, for this link). Some of my favorites: For the record, this is my cat:
Most-rejected novelist dies
My mom sent me this article, saying she thought I would appreciate it. And I do. Here’s a guy, Dick Wimmer, whose first novel, Irish Wine, was rejected 162 freaking times over 25 freaking years before it was finally published in 1989. He laid claim to being history’s most-rejected novelist, with his closest competitor being — Read More
Dealing with rejection
If you’re a writer who has dared to submit something for publication, then you have dealt with rejection. Unless you’re some lucky bastard, in which case go away. Writers, like most creative people, are sensitive, so it’s a cruel irony that the writing business is so insensitive. It’s like bootcamp for those of us born — Read More