Posts Tagged ‘writing’
On Stone Roses and other teachers: Yeah, I’m talkin’ to you
Having done this journalism thing since high school — and now for over 25 years beyond — it's probably safe to say I've done thousands of interviews. In the recent vast cleaning out prior to a move I finally dumped most of the old ones, recorded on 90 and 120-minute cassette tapes, into the bin,…
Read MoreTruth and consequences in flying drunk, or: Fly me, Denzel Washington
I enjoyed "Flight," for the most part. I wasn't sure what Hollywood had still to tell us about the dangers of alcoholism, and I was concerned it would turn into a big-ticket version of an Afterschool Special. But as most everyone recognizes, Denzel Washington is a terrific actor, deeply felt and not hard on the…
Read MoreGetting rekindled, and no, not in the e-book way
Feeling a little stuck lately with the writing. There, I said it. Also: Not feeling it at all with the writing. Which, I'm sure most people would say is a signal to take a breather. Thing is, I've been breathing a while. The fiction just isn't coming as easily these days, which makes me extremely…
Read MoreReading all the words
I'm juggling a lot at the moment, but two of the things I'm juggling at least give me a significant amount of pleasure: I'm in the middle of two books at once. "Earth Abides" by George Stewart is possibly one of the first of the modern postapocalyptic novels; it came out in 1949 and is…
Read MoreGotta get up, gotta go to work …
They say writing first thing in the morning is a good habit to learn to get into. Get up earlier, sit down at the keyboard, and just start writing. That's kind of what I'm doing at this point. But even I can see there are problems with that notion: 1. If you already get up…
Read MoreAnd now for something completely different in 2013
It's a new year. It's time for new resolutions. Things you plan to do but which fall by the wayside in the light of life and other shiny objects. Like many, I'm going to undertake to create a few new neural pathways, which can become routines, which can become habits, which can become ruts. But…
Read MoreReleasing stories into the wild
There is something unseemly in the practice of self-promotion. Oh, I'll give it to you — in America today we're taught that the individual is No. 1, and that in order to get ahead you need to know how to sell yourself. Brands! Marketing! Business! Faster, pussycat, sell, sell, sell! Yet it is uncomfortable to…
Read MoreNo. 5!
We're No. 5! We're No. 5! (I'll take it.) Not to brag or nuthin', but "The Law & Order: SVU Unofficial Companion" is now No. 5 on Amazon's TV show book list! Hurrah! Thanks to everyone who bought one … or 10 … or 20 (hi, mom!) If you don't have one yet, why not?…
Read MoreGood news, bad news
So, it's been one of those days. On the good side, I now have a new story up on podcast at the wonderful Well Told Tales. It's called "Can't Keep a Dead Man Down," so please head on over there and comment on how much ya liked it. (Or not!) On the less good side,…
Read MoreThe Eagle has landed
Proof of life So, remember roughly about a year ago, where you were? I remember where I was: Sweatin' up a storm in Ft. Lee, New Jersey and eatin' up the yummies on the set of "Law & Order: SVU" in between watching the filming, taking notes and interviewing cast members. Some of the most…
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