That's no idle question. I’m borderline desperate for an answer, because, once again, I find myself without a clue. While clumsy floundering is my standard procedure, there’s a difference this time: I've accomplished something. Something worthwhile, even. I wrote a children’s book. Me. The lazy, unmotivated slug put in the work and followed through with an … Continue reading : okay, i’m done, now what? :
Tag: publishing
: the latest boondoggle :
For years, I wanted to be Grace Slick. I’ve also, at various times, wanted to be Katherine Graham, Princess Grace, Dorothy Parker, Mrs. Tom Hanks, and Pippi Longstocking. Now, quite out of the blue, I’ve decided I want to be James Thurber, acclaimed author of My Life and Hard Times, among other things. My goal, … Continue reading : the latest boondoggle :
: hot off the presses :
Hot and freaking ginormous. City on Fire, the much-ballyhooed novel by Garth Risk Hallberg, is 944-pages long. A thumping doorstop. It contains 94 chapters, plus a prologue and a postscript. And it’s set to hit shelves (fingers crossed they’re buttressed) on October 13th. Comparisons are being made to Bonfire of the Vanities and Dickens and … Continue reading : hot off the presses :
: sorry, I’ve been busy banging my head :
I don't have good sense, you know? I whine and complain about falling short, not measuring up, then put myself right back on the same course for failure. That's not normal. Maybe pounding my head on keyboards and desks and walls has done some damage up there. Dislodged a part or two, frayed the wiring? … Continue reading : sorry, I’ve been busy banging my head :
: is it gold digging or grave robbing? :
Both, really. Publishing's been repurposed. Consider the case of Harper Lee, the adamantly reticent author of To Kill a Mockingbird. She’s 88 and in an assisted-living facility, mostly blind and deaf and in frail health. For decades, she refused to entertain the possibility of writing a second book. Flat out dismissed the notion. Right up … Continue reading : is it gold digging or grave robbing? :
: hipster or village idiot? :
Okay, the guy was wearing a kilt -- you know, a pleated wool skirt. Granted, it was a hot day, but a skirt? He had on knee socks, too, with the little tassels swinging in the breeze. Oh, and a wee purse thingy on his hip. He was young and tall with curly, dark hair … Continue reading : hipster or village idiot? :
Are libraries disappearing?
When you're a kid, nothing's as exciting as a trip to the library. Remember? Riding in the backseat of the car, mittened hands tapping corduroy-clad knees, anxiously watching the city roll past. After what seemed like a long time, but wasn’t, we’d finally get there. Bursting from the car I'd hurry inside, stick my coat … Continue reading Are libraries disappearing?