The “time seemed appropriate” for the hieroglyph version, due in April, translators said, as the story had already been published in 35 languages. Peter Rabbit gets hieroglyph tale: Beatrix Potter’s classic children’s book The Tale of Peter Rabbit has been translated into ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs by the British Museum.
In a move surely designed to throw us off our pace, Publisher’s Weekly has named Sara Nelson as editor-in-chief. Since Nelson has provided us much fun and amusement (plus actual usable information), we’re concerned that this move will lessen the New York Post’s commitment to journalistic exc….uh, anyway, we look forward to seeing Nelson’s editorial stamp on PW. New Chief Editor at Publishers Weekly Publisher’s Weekly
If you’re looking for a few craft classes to meet one or more New Year’s resolutions, Salon has helpfully come through for you. Choose from a variety of options (satire, chicklit, screenwriting), and start your year off write! Yes, too much coffee. We promise, that will hardly happen again. Salon eClasses
Even as we predicted the continued health of the library, we knew of one situation where that was not to be the case. The irony that libraries are shuttering in Salinas cannot be escaped, unless, we suppose, you’ve chanced to drive through the area recently. Then it might make sense, but not in a good way. There is sufficient blame for this situation to go around. Everyone has their favorite scapegoat (we certainly have ours), but the bottom line is that libraries, like hospitals and schools and parks, exist for the good of the community. In this case, the community
‘Cause what is she gonna do? There’s no way she can be here before morning, and by then, we’ll be filled with appropriate remorse and promising to never disobey her again. Besides, we were quite intrigued by this article about endings — something we, strangely, do well. Do not burst our bubble. Usually we have a clear idea of that final line of dialogue or that last joke or something long before we have a clue about the beginning*. That’s not to say we know the climax of the novel — that little aspect is generally a surprise to us.
Ray Rhamey works through the idea of compelling openings in the best of all possible ways. Yes, pictures. Not only does he explain the various approaches, but the helpful photographs make it crystal clear. Okay, fine, we couldn’t resist the kittens. We all have our weaknesses. Open your novel with kitty-cats in action
Yes, we’re giving ourselves points for laziness here — we’ve let someone else do the work. We think it is time for American literary commentary to raise the bar: the British have taken pretentious fiddle faddle to new heights. Next year, we want to link to a similar piece, but one compiling the works of U.S. critics. We know they can rise to the task. Literary reputations on the line: John Dugdale is amused by pomp, pretension and piffle in his annual awards
And unlike retiring from a job, one can’t simply stop being a writer. “I always get an idea, and then I say, well, maybe I’ll just do this one. I think if the idea turned out to be a novel, it would be different. But once you do one story, you get more ideas, and pretty soon you’ve got half a book,” [Alice] Munro says. “So what are you going to do, stop there?” Alice Munro
Try as I might, I have not found any other way to get actual recorded written words than by sitting down and writing them. Someone once coined the phrase BIC-HOK (butt in chair – hands on keyboard). A painful, yet true sentiment. For me, tackling a manuscript best works very early in the morning. After making some appropriate South Beachy breakfast I sit down and stare at my monitor. I do not check e-mail. I do not check my stats. Okay, I don’t do those things much. Actually, at 5:30 in the morning, I’m pretty self-disciplined. One advantage to writing
We don’t know how the New Year is celebrated in other parts of the world, but around here (the Center of the Universe), it begins in earnest in mid-December with acres of scaffolding and bleachers along a major thoroughfare. Soon, we have the March of the Mobile Homes (this will be followed by the even more interesting Exodus of the Mobile Homes). A round of celebratory parties, beginning at 4 p.m. and ending around midnight. A fly-by at the crack of dawn by U.S. military jets. And a five-mile hike to see human ingenuity at work — we can only
