Articles from November 2004

The Confession

November 30th, 2004 · 7 Comments

We failed. We started strong, wrote regularly, felt confident, and, despite best intentions, fell prey to the most evil of holidays: the long weekend. It started with a sojourn in the kitchen to cook. Then we drove long hours to the mother’s house. Wherein we supervised such important activities as mashing potatoes (this requires much […]

File Under: Square Pegs

Paradigms: Not An Author’s Best Friend

November 29th, 2004 · Comments Off on Paradigms: Not An Author’s Best Friend

Sarah has an interesting post (and subsequent discussion) at the Idiosyncratic Mind on the effects of globalization when it comes to breaking into new international markets. She starts with a message from Lindsey Davis, who has lost her U.S.-based published. Davis indicates it’s due to sales via Amazon.com UK that resulted in her publisher’s reluctance […]

File Under: Square Pegs

#128,631, Come On Down

November 29th, 2004 · 1 Comment

Those who have been paying attention know that Jill’s book will be released in mere days*. It is the culmination of much hard work and many discussions (voice, IM, email, drives across states we didn’t know existed), and, like any good author, Jill is obsessing about things we don’t fully understand. Not that we’d ever […]

File Under: Tools and Craft

‘Tis The Season

November 29th, 2004 · 3 Comments

This past weekend, we engaged in the most painful of tasks (no, not trying to fit into our jeans after overindulging)…the semi-annual book purge. We have spent years trying to add more elasticity to the walls so they’ll expand as more stuff enters the house. As it turns out, wood is not much on expanding […]

File Under: Square Pegs

And A Happy Tryptophan Coma To All

November 25th, 2004 · 2 Comments

We are headed north for the day. The husband has made CDs for the trip (Camper van Beethoven, Robyn Hitchcock, Luna, and Elvis…apparently he wants us to sing while we drive). He’s also made a rather intriguing DVD gift for the sister — it’s entitled “Music”. We can only guess what that means. We hope […]

File Under: Square Pegs

Even Navel Gazing Requires Perspective

November 24th, 2004 · 1 Comment

We admit it: we wanted to be a child prodigy. When that didn’t work out (due to a minor disconnect between fantasizing and doing), we entered what some like to call the Real World. Now, anyone who’s spent any time in the Real World knows it is quite different from other worlds (College World, Family […]

File Under: Tools and Craft

Ethics, The Touchy-Feely Approach

November 24th, 2004 · Comments Off on Ethics, The Touchy-Feely Approach

If you’ve been writing for any length of time, you have realized a sad truth: it’s not necessarily a great get rich scheme. Freelancing, particularly, requires tossing a lot of balls up in the air and hoping one or two of them land on a rent check. It is common for freelancers to repurpose their […]

File Under: Books/Mags/Blogs

Agenting: The New Editing

November 24th, 2004 · Comments Off on Agenting: The New Editing

Paul Bresnick struck out on his own not too long ago after various stops at the editorial desk, dot-com world, music writing, and agenting with others. The agenting was especially alluring because it allowed him to fulfill his first desire: editing. “By the end of my career as a trade editor, I felt that I […]

File Under: Agents

Where We Enjoy A Moment of Irony

November 24th, 2004 · Comments Off on Where We Enjoy A Moment of Irony

Apparently, it’s okay to publish breathless exposes celebrity cellulite (which we would sincerely appreciate not having to see, thank you), but not okay to write about what it’s like to work in a fictionalized place that may or may not be Star magazine. Oh sure, there’s something about a confidentiality agreement, but that seems awfully […]

File Under: Square Pegs

A Goodbye

November 24th, 2004 · 2 Comments

We encountered Larry Brown via a particularly enthusiastic writing teacher, and are saddened to learn of his death. In the manner of Flannery O’Connor, Brown explored ordinary people in his world, uncovering the unexpected way they lived what the casual observer would call a normal life. Brown’s humor and direct voice made his characters come […]

File Under: Square Pegs