Publishing
Why Write About THEM?
Every now and then someone asks me, why do you write about people like that? I ask, people like what? Well, these folks say, you seem like a pretty happy person, more or less, and you have a great marriage and you like where you live and you love your dog and you don’t worry…
Read MoreWill I Write Again?
Perhaps it was Philip Roth’s announcement that he’s throwing in the pen that got me thinking about retiring from writing, but the thought has been skittering about in the darker corners of my mind over the past few weeks. It could also be a merely my usual pre-publishing state of mind. My Best Beloved assures…
Read MoreYou Had Me At "Torture."
On this snowy morning, rather than spend my time out frolicking with the Rescuepoo in the drifts (which I promise I’ll do in a few minutes, really, Dog… try and be patient!) I feel compelled to enter into the ridiculous fray surrounding what may be the most unlikely literary pairing I’ve heard in a long…
Read MoreThe Spirituality of Imperfection
I’m re-reading a great book right now, called THE SPIRITUALITY OF IMPERFECTION. Sounds tailor-made for me, doesn’t it? I know, I know. This books speaks to me on several levels — as a person staying sober one day at a time, as a writer, and as someone seeking a closer relationship with the Sacred. In…
Read MoreWhat To Do? What To Do?
I had a phone chat recently with a writer friend of mine. We both have books coming out this spring and are both dealing with the pre-publication jitters. His editor called him to say a blurb for the book had come in and it was a really nice blurb, but the ‘blurbist’ had suggested “a…
Read MoreThe Next Big Thing: Find Out What I'm Working On
Writers are tagging writers in this new questionnaire going around the web. What’s the next big thing we’re working on? Thanks to historical novelist Sandra Gulland for tagging me! What is your working title of your book? “The Empty Room” — it’s the final title. Where did the idea come from for the book?…
Read MoreNova Scotia Bound
I’m off to Halifax on Saturday to take part in the wonderful “Word on the Street” events on Sunday as well as doing a reading at “The Inside Story” in Greenwood, Nova Scotia on Wednesday evening, Sept. 26. I’m excited. I LOVE Nova Scotia and look forward to seeing old friends. One of the things…
Read MoreOUR DAILY BREAD & The Giller Prize
Well, today started out pretty darn well. I heard OUR DAILY BREAD was longlisted for the Giller Prize. All prizes are, of course, as much a matter of luck and timing as anything else. I know there were some wonderful books published this year that didn’t make it onto the list. I also know it’s…
Read MoreAnd Just What, May I Ask, Are Your Intentions?
There’s an interesting piece about literary criticism in the Aug. 15, 2012 New York Times, written by literary critic Dwight Garner, called “A Critic’s Case for Critics Who Are Actually Critical.” It’s a fun article to read, peppered as it is with just the sorts of anecdotes that make us want to read critical snark…
Read MoreWe Remain Faithful
“Talent is long patience.” — Gustave Flaubert A few years ago I lay on the couch in my living room, curled up into a fetal position, intermittently groaning and blinking back tears. I felt as though everything I had worked for had been ripped away from me, as though I had arrived at the party…
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