I just spent an hour typing a new page into my novel while sitting in my underwear on the edge of my bed. I’m in bare feet, it’s ten degrees out, and there’s no heat in my bedroom. My skin is freezing. But my story is set on an island near Cuba where it’s eighty-five degrees in the shade, so I’m warm as a fetus . . . in my mind. My feet, however, are suing my brain for negligent affliction of frostbite and they want an immediate divorce. I’m hoping my heart will step in and adjudicate the matter, but it’s too busy being happy about the page I wrote. Sometimes writing is a form of abuse most pleasurable.
January 29, 2011
See If You Can Beat Me
I entered the 20th Annual James Jones First Novel contest. Not sure if this a good step towards sharing my writing, or an expensive lottery ticket. Will you try? Any first novelist may apply.
It will be awarded to an American author of a first novel-in-progress, in 2011, by the James Jones Literary Society. Novellas and collections of closely linked short stories may also be considered for the competition.
The award is intended to honor the spirit of unblinking honesty, determination, and insight into modern culture exemplified by the late James Jones, author of From Here to Eternity and other prose narratives of distinction. Jones himself was the recipient of aid from many supporters as a young writer and his family, friends, and admirers have established this award of $10,000 to continue the tradition in his name. Two runner up awards of $750 each will also be given by the Jones Literary Society.
Apply Here
November 14, 2010
Haibun and Novels
My fiction combines autobiography, short parables for children, history, travel writing, and poetry. It is related in this way to the Haibun form of 17th Century Japan. The Japanese poet, Bashō, known mainly for his haiku, was a writer of haibun. Haibuns may use a scene in a descriptive and objective manner or they may occupy a dream-like space. Realistic scenes may be faded into parabolic ones such as this which follows a paragraph of standard prose:
I am your mother. I give you life, I hold your life up, I give you life on your own. The last gift is the hardest to give. I caress your title page as it leaves my hand. I can’t imagine not giving you a little sister. It’s the third gift.
October 15, 2010
Rest in peace, poet Jack Powers
Rest in peace, poet Jack Powers, founder of the Stone Soup Poets. He was the Lou Gehrig of poetry readings—giving a stage for voices of thousands of poets.
My first reading was at his Stone Soup reading in the shadow of the old Charles St. jail. Better to shout out poetry, than to shout down a policeman and end up in the jail. Thanks, Jack.
October 6, 2010
Richard Eoin Nash has a Cursor
Richard Eoin Nash has got some interesting ideas about bringing the Internet towards traditional publishing and vice versa. His new publishing company, Cursor, he calls “a portfolio of niche social publishing communities.” The first imprint of Cursor is called Red Lemonade and his first list is three novels to be published in Spring, 2011. Check out his blog at: http://www.rnash.com/
September 14, 2010
Joe Island in her mind
My sister, Anne, just after she finished reading Joe Island (set on a Greek Island) said she felt inspired to go to the beach. Luckily for us, she took her camera.
It’s a gray day for you? Go to the beach anyway. Can’t get out? Try this: http://tinyurl.com/39atz36
September 12, 2010
Photo of Words
Here is a photo of a page in a book that speaks of the importance of stories. The photo is by Anne Abrams. The link to her photos is on the home page of this blog.
Book about the importance of stories
davidkrancher.com 