Writing Blog
My to-read list has just lengthened – the Bailey’s Prize Longlist is out!
I’m always thrilled for the announcement of the Bailey’s Women’s Prize for Fiction. Every year, the Bailey’s Prize recognizes the best fiction of the year penned by women authors. You may ask yourself, Why a separate list for women? Some feel women are not yet equitably represented on the lists of other major literary prizes.…
Read MoreBook review: Cold Comfort Farm
I can’t believe I didn’t discover this brilliant comic novel by Stella Gibbons, first published in 1932, a bit earlier. A friend of mine was reading this and telling me about it, and I recalled the film version I’d seen and enjoyed quite a years ago – without having realized the film had been based…
Read MoreBook Review: Germinal, Émile Zola
I don’t know how I’ve managed to wait so long to read one of Zola’s most famous works – and the thirteenth novel in his Rougon-Macquart series. Published in 1885 and set in 1866, this is the story of Etienne Lantier, whose inability to find a job as a mechanic leads him to take on horrendous,…
Read MoreDrink too much coffee when you write? Don’t feel bad…
For those writers who may guzzle a bit more coffee than they should during the writing process – don’t be too hard on yourself. After all, writers often seem to be a strange bunch and this excellent post in the Writers write blog entitled 58 Famous Writers and their addictions is required reading. From Byron’s obsession with…
Read MoreTake pride in what you wrote – because you wrote it
“The stories weren’t brilliant. But I wrote them, I began and ended them.” -Joy Williams Love this sentiment from Joy Williams, an American novelist and short story writer I admit I didn’t know when I read this quote. I like this idea of taking pride in your work – not just your best work, but…
Read MoreThe art and joy of creation
“It’s the most exciting moment when you discover life in what you’ve created.” Mario Vargas Llosa Thoughtful words from Peruvian/Spanish author Mario Vargas Llosa, whose works I’ve long admired. I believe most authors would agree with this sage observation. After all, many of us spend an inordinate amount of time living ‘in our own heads’…
Read MoreBook review: Fractured
I greatly enjoyed Fractured, a novel by Catherine McKenzie. I understand the author prefers to give one-word titles to her novels, but perhaps, if she would consider sub-titles, Ode to city living might be appropriate. Although the book was a psychological thriller, it was the fear of ever finding myself within such a meddling, invasive suburb…
Read MoreBook review: Julian Fellowes’ Belgravia
Unlike Dante’s warning at the entrance to hell, all hope is not lost to ‘ye who enters here. I am speaking, of course, to those of us who find ourselves adrift now that Downton Abbey has come to an end. For Downton creator/writer/producer Julian Fellowes has a new historical fiction novel out – Belgravia. Like…
Read MoreCan books teach their authors?
“A good book is more intelligent than its author. It can say things that the writer is not aware of.” -Umberto Eco Yet more wisdom from the recently deceased Italian author Umberto Eco (1932-2016). I’d never thought of this before, but once I read it I knew it to be true. How many of us…
Read MoreThe “perfection” of first drafts
“Every first draft is perfect. Because all a first draft has to do is exist. Jane Smiley Love these wise words from talented author Jane Smiley. It’s a new year, and you probably have been mulling over your writing goals (dare I call them resolutions?) for the year ahead. What a nice way to keep…
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