Writers Block Party

My Thursday night critique group, in the front yard. So many of my students here have been with the group for a long time, progressing with their work. A really bright, fun, bawdy group. Tonight was Peter's birthday and Holly's last night (Holly's in the pink sweater). She's going back to NY/CT for the fall/winter/spring and will return next year. We will miss you, Holly!

Annie Dillard

Grete Semb Kempton sent me this link to a New York Times essay by Annie Dillard on writing till you drop.

Yellow stack

...and here is Pen on Fire, Danielle, quite rumpled and used.

More Grace

I like this Salon interview with Grace. A lot of great stuff here on process (voice, content/context). What an interesting writer she was.

The Green Shelf

More on Grace Paley

A lovely essay about Grace.

I got out two of her story collections last night. Plots may not have figured highly in her work, but man, does she have voice, that most elusive--and vital--of all writing elements.

Grace Paley died

I've loved her writing since I discovered it in the late '70s. She has died of breast cancer. Here's her obit

My wonderful students

In the summer when it grows too warm to sit around my dining room table, we meet in the front yard. Here is my essay class, now over, though some of my students will continue in the fall with the memoir class. We do have fun.

Are you more cat or dog?

Light Sunday fare....

I'm a sucker for these sorts of silly quizzes. You can click on the link below to take the test. Here are my results:

You Are: 40% Dog, 60% Cat

You and cats have a lot in common. You're both smart and in charge - with a good amount of attitude. However, you do have a very playful side that occasionally comes out!

Are You More Cat or Dog?

Report back with your results.

Harry Potter Harry Potter Harry Potter

At an Angels game last night, as we took our seats, I turned around and saw yet another person reading the latest Harry Potter.

Am I the only person I know who has not finished an entire Harry Potter novel? It's great that J.K. Rowling gets kids reading, and entrances adults as well, but I just cannot get into these books. I don't tend to not go for fantasy or science fiction (though I loved Dune and Stranger in a Strange Land) and never have. Not that I haven't always had a ton of things in my life from which I'd like to escape.

When I read fiction, which is most always, I'd rather spend my time with realism (however far-fetched): a literary/main stream novel or suspense. (I just read Diana Abu-Jaber's Origin, which fits both of those categories. She was just on the show. I loved the book.)

I have a good friend that adores Harry Potter. She is bright, funny and well-read. We talk about how reading inclinations evolve.

You Harry Potter fans out there--is this your favorite type of writing? Has it always been? Or was there a transforming moment where one minute you were, say, a lover of D.H. Lawrence or Lawrence Block, and the next moment it was Harry Potter? Seriously....! Inquiring minds want to know. This mind, anyhoo.

A few writerly web sites

If you are in need of prompts, here's a great site. Check it out.

Also, are you familiar with GoodReads.com? Writers and readers talking about books. I quite like it. Click here.

And paperbackswap.com (thanks to Judy) is a great place to request books and swap them for books you want. Read more here.

At the site for the American Society of Journalists and Authors, you can read the public section of The ASJA Monthly, which I edit. Click here and scan down the left side for The ASJA Monthly.

I know I missed a ton. I will post more in the coming days. And if you know of one you like, or even your own, please post it here.