Though it must be said...I spent much of the afternoon working on a story that I hadn't looked at in months, and I now get why and how it needs to be fixed. And only minimal IMing. Go me! Anyway, on with the show:
This isn't the Junot Diaz article I was talking about before, but it's worth a look for similar reasons. Even though the second last question really irritated the hell out of me...since, after all, women NEVER write about science fiction, fantasy, adventure stories or comic books. That said, I fully intend to pick up The Brief and Wondrous Novel I'm Certain I Will Love today. And looking forward to anything else author reading reporter extraordinaire Callie has to say about the Diaz reading she went to.
Armand offers his list, and this: The least number of times that I have submitted a short story before it was accepted was about 12 times. The most was about 65. My writer-mood meter goes up accordingly! I get why no one talks about rough submitting your work can be...but sometimes? It's good to hear it from outside the confines of your own cranium. That said, the rejection slip mentioned here has to be one of the best. That one, I'd print out and pin up if it was mine.
The first installment is so good (featuring Rachel Swirsky, who's done Clarion and is currently at Iowa, which makes me think of that old Reese's peanut butter cup commercial for some reason...) that I'm very much looking forward to more of Conversations with the Bookless.
One that will surely make the rounds...the government watches what you read on airplanes. And is anyone else bothered by the news items that seem to hit on Saturdays lately?
I signed up for this beta, mostly because I'm a beta signup whore. But it could be interesting, we'll see. That reminds me...if you've been looking to get a Grand Central invite, drop me a line.
I've been trying to cut back on saying mean things, and it's working. But trying to cut back on laughing at mean things other people say? Pretty much a lost cause for me. Exhibit A (Note to Whitney: click on this one, if no other).
I don't know who does the Morning and Afternoon Headlines at The Morning News, but...damn. They're always awesome -- subscribe, already.
One answer to this question: a t-shirt from this place signed by this author.
Soon to be YA author Dale Peck talks about The Outsiders.
Someday I will stay up until 4am doing something besides playing video games, and I will create a blog entry about writing as theology. For now, though, here's an interesting read. (via ... okay, Whitney, I lied. You will also want to see this one, courtesy of the same blog.)
Maud offers an interesting take on day jobs and guilt.
Today's PSA: I'm glad when people link older blog entries of theirs, because then I get to read terrific entries that I missed before I was a regular reader. So do this more often, everyone.
Sneaking in some more video game stuff...do you suppose they met at a bar called O'Malley's? (via)
Today's location envy: Toronto!
And finally...u can has meme fusion at its finest.
"Once the house is sold, St. Joseph should be dug up and put in a place of honor in the new home."
Heh. Heh. Heh.
Posted by: Whitney | September 22, 2007 at 05:19 PM
Why, thank you! I love your linkbucket posts so much and now I'm in one!
I have been envying Toronto myself lately, too.
Posted by: nova | September 22, 2007 at 10:47 PM
Check out an exclusive interview with Junot Diaz about his life before becoming a successful writer in Slice, a new literary magazine, which is available now. www.slicemagazine.org
Posted by: Celia Johnson | September 23, 2007 at 11:18 AM