It’s the end of the month, which means it’s time for my regular downloading extravaganza, courtesy of emusic. This month I have acquired the following gems: Seamus Blake – Live in Italy I’m not that familiar with tenor player Seamus Blake, but will be soon. This got a great review in this month’s Down Beat, and that’s usually good enough …
A Writer's most Precious Resource – Readers
I am a lucky man. I have a quartet of angels around me without whom this book would never have been finished. I am speaking of four true, trusted friends – all women, although that is coincidence, I think – who have read bits and pieces of the novel as it has progressed. They have offered advice and support and criticism …
Distractions and Prevarications
One of the many ways I have found to avoid doing any writing: indulge your children in utterly worthless and time-consuming (but fun) projects like this one: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDJlL6TSNgI]
Literary cartoon of the day
From the New Yorker:
The Creative Process (First of an occasional series)
One of the things I’ve been wanting to write more about is the process by which my books emerge. Now seems like the time to do it, since I am not writing at the moment. I have various ideas in my head about the next book but they need to percolate a little more before I begin again. Anyway, I’m …
Next hurdle jumped
Big news today. We heard from Emma Sweeney, the US literary agent in New York who has been reading the manuscript of Paradise. She was on holiday last week in Maine. What was she doing in Maine, you might ask? (Well, you might.) I’ll tell you: apparently she was reading my book, and apparently she liked it. Bruce has written …
What's for Dinner?
One summer afternoon about four years ago, my wife and I knocked on the front door of people we did not know, anxiously clutching a Tupperware box of spicy pork balls. We had been invited to the inaugural get-together of a new recipe club. Everyone was asked to cook and bring their favorite Asian appetizer. On the kitchen counter was …
No, really?
Last night was the finale of the 2009 “Hot Summer Nights” Music Festival which is held every year at the Missouri Theatre in Columbia. Second half of the program was Tchaikovshy’s Fourth Symphony in F Minor. So far, so mainstream. But the first half of the evening was given over to a world premier, no less, by the harpist Deborah …
From one musical masterpiece to another…
… This is from last Friday’s talent show at the kids’ school. No quite as cool as the SF Jazz Collective playing Wayne Shorter, but hey. It’s actually wonderful to watch Catherine listen to music. She sways, she beams, she sings along – she completely gets it. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6Nw77CQoB8&hl=en&fs=1&]
SF Jazz Collective
One of the best working bands today, playing the music of one of the greatest jazz composers ever. Check it out. Go orrrrrrn. It’s cool. SFJAZZ Collective at 58N6 from 58 North Six on Vimeo.