Writing Blog
Book review: The Dinner
I had never heard of Herman Koch’s novel The Dinner before picking it up in a bookstore. I admit I was attracted by the cover and the interesting back cover description, and I’m so happy I took a chance on this novel, since I was very quickly engrossed in this disturbing tale. Originally published in…
Read MoreIt’s here! Beach reading season 2018
I always love this time of year. The spring sunshine blesses us, and it’s time to start heading out to the beach once again with a good novel tucked in the beach bag. Earlier this week my younger son had a track meet in Ostia, the small city west of Rome and on the sea.…
Read MoreGarcía Márquez on authors and pilots
“I’m happy when I’m traveling to know that the pilots are better pilots than I am a writer.” —Gabriel García-Márquez I love this quote from brilliant Colombian novelist Gabriel García-Márquez (1927 -2014). While García-Márquez, a truly gifted and original writer, is being modest, he also raises an important point. A pilot must demonstrate technical skill and mastery to…
Read MoreHappy National Library Week!
“The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.” -Albert Einstein If that isn’t a fitting tribute to libraries, I don’t know what is. This week, we celebrate National Library Week, when it’s important not only to know where your local library is, but to show up and demonstrate…
Read MoreWhen I really don’t like a book…
I’m a big fan of books. Paper books, that is. I do far too much reading on computers at work, and when I return home or travel, I want to read real books, turn crisp pages, watch the number of pages accumulate as I work my way through a novel. Sadly for me, I don’t…
Read MoreLonger days, happier campers (and writers)
Last weekend in Italy we set our clocks forward, and oh!, what a difference an hour makes. I’m sure it says something about my simple-mindedness, but my mood improves markedly with the lengthening of the days. For those of us who love to write, perhaps it seems counter-intuitive, but I find these longer days to…
Read MoreAuthors as Martians, according to Martin Amis
“I think all writers are Martians. They come and say, You haven’t been seeing this place right.” —Martin Amis An interesting take on writers by talented British novelist Martin Amis. I like this imagery of a novelist as a Martian – giving his or her unique take on (perhaps oft visited) subject matter, with the…
Read MoreA hilarious take on the literary classics from Thug Notes
Way back when I was in high school, Cliff Notes were the preferred reviews both for kids like me who loved to read and wanted to learn more and those who hoped to avoid reading the full novel by instead skimming the short summary and the accompanying literary themes. Today there’s a hilarious new take…
Read MoreWho controls whom? Vargas Llosa on characters who have a mind of their own
“It becomes apparent that the author cannot mold characters as he pleases, that they have a certain autonomy.” – Mario Vargas Llosa A wonderfully insighful observation by brilliant Spanish-Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa. I doubt many authors would question this wisdom. After all, as writers, you may have clear ideas on how your characters should…
Read MoreShivers on the slopes: Book reviews
I spent last week skiing with my sons. I always enjoy skiing, but one of the activities I enjoy most after an exhausting day of physical activity is curling up in a warm space with a steaming cup of tea and reading a good novel. When we ski, my kids and I ski from the…
Read More