It’s a typical Friday night, and I’ve just finished putting on my tails – an archaic costume that most male orchestral musicians are required to wear for their concerts. Cummerbunds, bowties and white vests are not the usual attire that you see on the streets of San Francisco (except at certain times of the year […]
On Playing, Listening, Writing & Reading: (Guest Blog) by Robert Ward Read More »
When you’re in doubt, emulate. This week in the Book Writing World, we are bringing in to class our favorite passages from our favorite published books, and sharing them — as a way to appreciate good writing, but also to learn new techniques. To study and (hopefully) pick up how to create effective dialogue or
“Liberating Literature:” by Devi Laskar Read More »
Recently I was watching the HBO movie called Hemingway and Gellhorn. In one scene, Martha Gellhorn quizzed her “Papa” on how he could possibly write after a night of raucous drinking and gallivanting. Mr. Hemingway explained that standing (he stood when he wrote) and punching out page after page was a great way to keep
Productive Procrastination: (guest blog) by Tim Monti-Wohlpart Read More »
No one ever asks another person, ‘So why did you take a shower today?’ or ‘Why is it necessary for you to have lunch?’ The red flags are raised, so to speak, when the tasks of bathing and eating are not completed regularly, when there is an absence of action. But with writing, it’s different.
Art for one’s own sake: by Devi Laskar Read More »
Revision. It’s not exactly the same as writing. Writing is hard, and writing consistently every day is harder. It’s an art. But being steeped in revision is different than writing every day. You have to be a certain sort of artist to revise, one that’s willing to set yourself adrift in a sea of electric
Electric Uncertainty: by Devi Laskar Read More »
Now I know I wanted to get caught. One evening in my forties, I stared at the man writing, as usual, at the fourth table from the door by the window. My husband and I were in Hunan Pan, long since gone from Hudson Street, at our usual table two over from his, in the
Caught: Guest Blog by Melanie Lee Read More »
Four years ago today, the whole of the television-watching world tuned in to glimpse China and watch one hell of an Opening Ceremonies for the Olympic games. On 08-08-08. Who could forget the spectacle of the multitudes of synchronized drummers and dancers? It was a mesmerizing to watch, and I can still remember exactly where
Milestone Moment: by Devi Laskar Read More »
One of the decided and unexpected pleasures of being a parent is reading aloud to my daughter. One of the less pleasurable aspects of this job is having to read that one book again and again and again and, “once more!” We are saved by writers like Maurice Sendak who wrote poetry in the disguise
Wild Things: Guest Blog by Julie Rappaport Read More »
In the Book Writing World, we have learned this about story structure: “The CRISIS is when the choice is made and the CLIMAX is when the choice is acted on.” That sounds good. Now, to the difficult question: What are your protagonist’s choices? What happens after your main character makes the first set of choices?
Bookends Revisited: by Devi Laskar Read More »
You know the saying, “tension so thick, you could cut it with a knife.” And there’s truth in that old cliché. What you’re working for, as a writer, is to grow plot, and make the scenes and setting and relationships in your characters’ world so untenable that you can taste the sweat and fear that
Tension so thick: by Devi Laskar Read More »
Please confirm you want to block this member.
You will no longer be able to:
Please note: This action will also remove this member from your connections and send a report to the site admin. Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete.