Archive for September 2009
Subtitles be gone!
Robert McCrum of the The Guardian recently called for a cease and desist on the use of subtitles in books. He cited a newly published biography of William Golding, which includes the admittedly odd and somewhat limiting subtitle: The Man Who Wrote Lord of the Flies. I’d hate to think that a biography of me…
Read MoreTurkey for the win
My wife’s uncle and her cousin came to Connecticut to visit last weekend. My wife served sandwiches for lunch. Always looking to take care of me, she made me a bologna sandwich while she and her guests ate turkey. I’ve noticed lately that bologna is getting a bad rap. In the two times that I’ve…
Read MoreWhen death interrupts the writing process
I passed the manuscript for UNEXPECTEDLY, MILO onto a friend who has yet to read it. When I asked him what was taking so long to finish, he admitted that he no longer was in possession of the book. “I gave it to my aunt, who was afraid that she might die before the book…
Read MoreBrandi Terry is a big fat idiot
I’m a huge supporter of writing, regardless of the type, author or genre. Just yesterday I told my mother-in-law that I wish that everyone was writing a book. So many good stories and talented writers go undiscovered when people fail to pick up the pen. But there’s also a time to stop writing and drive…
Read MoreLuke and Luc
Have you ever noticed the difference between the names Luke and Luc? Luke, pronounced as it appears, is the name of a guy who could be my friend. Strong, independent, and manly, it is a name that bespeaks of confidence and vigor. Luke Duke from the Dukes of Hazzard, a man’s man even with his…
Read MoreThe half-finished book
Suzanne Munshower of The Guardian writes in praise of the half-finished book, celebrating her willingness to put a book down prior to finishing it if the story no longer captivates her. I’m not sure how I feel about this. Being a somewhat compulsive person, I often feel the need to finish a book even if…
Read MoreConsider the source
Sometimes the best compliments that you receive about your book comes from the most meaningful sources. High school English teacher Bob Stewart listed SOMETHING MISSING as #5 on his list of Top 10 books of the year. Having great affection for English teachers everywhere, this meant a lot to me. And last week, one of…
Read MoreVisiting Westport with Margot Berwin
Last night author Margot Berwin and I spoke about our recently published novels at the Westport Public Library in Westport, CT. As was the case a few weeks ago when we both appeared at the Wilton Library, it was great to be able to sit alongside Margot as we discussed our books, the publishing process,…
Read MoreThe Island of Misfit Books
Sometimes I ponder the fate of my books. Will anyone read them a hundred years from now? Will libraries still have them on their shelves? Will they even exist? Or even worse, will one of my books end up in a place like this?
Read MoreBe prepared.
Martin, the protagonist of SOMETHING MISSING, rehearses conversations. He must. He is socially inept, and the only way that he can function effectively in the world is through advanced preparation. Though I am not socially inept (I hope), I also rehearse conversations from time to time, but I do so in order to avoid this.
Read More