No, this is not a post about books, or writing. This is a post (actually an edited re-post) about something entirely different. And personal. Ahem. You may want to look away now. So, fair warning having been issued… … the nurse was awfully nice. She asked me what I did, how long had I been in the States for, did …
A Place to Write
When it comes to writing, I am a creature of habit. I need my routine; equally important, for me anyway, is where I write. I know people who can dash off stuff in trains, waiting rooms, and especially in coffee shops. This always baffles me. Perhaps I’m just too nosy, or feckless, but I am unable to concentrate on what I’m …
Is Writing Fun?
Interesting piece here from a while back in the Guardian. Authors respond to the question Is writing fun? with varying degrees of pretentiousness. Most delightful, and surprising, was Will Self’s unabashed glee at writing novels – perhaps he’s being his usual brilliant, perverse self by taking a position so at odds with most of his long-suffering colleagues, for whom …
The Loneliness of a Long-Distance Novelist
People sometimes ask me what characteristic is most important for a writer to possess. I expect they’re waiting for me to say that you need a felicitous turn of phrase, an outrageous imagination, an overweening ego, or something similar. Now, perhaps all of those things might help, in some shape or form, but if I had to choose the one …
Thin End of the Labrador
We always had pets growing up. My childhood can be divided up into a succession of eras defined by the canine presence in my parents’ home. First there was Sam, who was around before I was. Then came Benji. Then Sophy, and now Purdy. All labradors. All wonderful, affectionate, loyal and fabulous creatures. My wife, on the other hand, never …
Monday Morning Novelist
Been there, done that.
Blue Note Lives!
Haven’t had any jazz on here for a while, so here’s something I’ve been saving up for you. When most jazz enthusiasts talk about “Miles”, the chances are they’ll be referring to one, Davis, M. But there’s another Miles whose influence, while perhaps not so far-reaching, still had a profound effect on jazz and its iconography. I’m speaking of Reid …
Good Question
For more of the same, go here.
Better Titles
Given my on-going struggle to find the right title for my book, I was excited when I read about this site. It’s done by comedian Dan Wilbur, who might just be on to something. The idea is that these new titles “cut through the cryptic crap”, as Wilbur puts it, and tell you what the book is really about. I …
Time Passes
Ridiculously, school starts today. Our children, typically, have adopted diametrically opposite approaches to the glorious vistas of educational opportunity opening up before them this morning. Catherine is more excited than she was last Christmas Eve. The prospect of entering kindergarten is possibly the most thrilling thing ever to have happened to her; there was much debate on the way home …