grin and bare it
A blog by Matthew Dicks
Solving problems
My wife recently described my writing process like this: You approach writing like you approach life, as a problem solver. You create complex and elaborate problems for your characters, and then, after you’ve gotten them…
Read MoreSecond review!
The second review of SOMETHING MISSING was forwarded to me today, a starred review (the highest praise a book can receive in this publication) in the June 1st issue of Booklist Magazine. Even more positive…
Read MoreFirst review
My first review came out today in Publisher’s Weekly. Though it contains some criticism which I will attempt to process over the coming days (is the book really rambling and repetitive?), the review is quite…
Read MoreMy new hero
Anonymous, brilliant and brave.
Read MoreLatest adventures with my book club
I’m a member of a book club that I enjoy very much. We are currently reading Death with Interruptions by Jose Saramago. It was chosen by my wife, Elysha, who views her opportunity to choose…
Read MoreMuch improved
Just after complaining about my ability to write dialogue, I receive an email from a friend who just finished reading a draft of UNEXPECTEDLY, MILO. Finished the book last week. It’s a good story –…
Read MoreNew Yorker insider
Dan Baum has been twittering about his brief career as a staff writer at the New Yorker, and it is fascinating for anyone interested in the literary world and learning more about how freelance writers…
Read MoreTwo. Period.
In the recent debate over how many spaces should come after a period, I unequivocally come down on the side of two. In the words of this blog’s author, “Taking the extra space away from…
Read MoreBad dialogue
Each time I sit down in front of the laptop, one of my goals is to craft dialogue that is crisp, well paced, realistic and original. A daunting task depending upon the day. I’m much…
Read MoreAbbreviated
Another amusing Twitter application: Converting classic novels into 140 character tweets. From the Guardian comes an article about this new medium and this treatment of Pride and Prejudice, one of my wife’s favorite books: Woman…
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