On working with writers
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Working in themes
So last week’s post was a little short on specifics other than the admonition to do the damned work. It’s a good admonition, and you really can’t go wrong with it, but here’s one thing I do to impose some sort of shape and coherence on all of the things that want my attention. I…
On my low-tech life
This is a pocket watch. Not just any pocket watch, but my pocket watch. I’ve carried a pocket watch for years because I destroy wristwatches within twenty-four hours of acquiring them, but a good pocket watch can last a long time. This one I got in Paris last year because I forgot my then-pocket…
How a Book Is Born, Part 8
Writing this way has required me to change my process a little. As I’ve said, I normally write an extended outline that blocks out the major action of the plot and the emotional turning points, and then I layer in the details in as many as five or even ten complete revisions. But I don’t…
How to distinguish between useful and useless perseverance
Yesterday, I talked about how difficult it can be to distinguish between useful perseverance (you’ll eventually find the right person for your project if you just keep trying) and useless perseverance (you’ll never find anyone who’ll want this project, so you should move on to the next one.) Through experience, I have come up with…
On manifestos, redux
So a friend of mine read On Manifestos and wondered if I really think my audience reads Nietzsche and smokes Gauloises and cares about the ravings of a long-dead Dadaist, to which my only possible response is, I believe, “Bite me.” Or possibly, “At least they don’t read Ayn Rand like your audience, neener-neener.” Anyway,…
Things that make me smile
A friend mentioned to my daughter that she was turning fifty later this year. My daughter paused, then said, “Why?” Which I think is an excellent question. Instead of my chronological age, think I’ll turn 39 this year, or even 29. Because apparently, getting older is a choice.