Chair Glue for Writers
Lawrence Hill, a good friend and hugely successful writer, wrote to me recently to congratulate me on the success of my recent novel, OUR DAILY BREAD, which has been named to the Boston Globe and and The Globe & Mail as one of the best books of the year. (Yea!) Published by Wordcraft of Oregon,…
Read MoreWhy Penguin may be the smartest publisher around
Oh, Penguin, you’ve found my soft spot. Books, books, beautiful books, as alluring on the outside as you are on the inside. Take a gander at these beauties: Penguin has come out with special edition classics, with stunning covers created by acclaimed designer Coralie Bickford-Smith. Their web page says, “Penguin Classics presents beautiful hardcover editions…
Read More"Are you there already?"
Writing a novel is, of course, a mad undertaking. It begins with an effervescent, glimmering vision of perfection, which sets the writer off on her ink-stained quest, assured that THIS time she will reproduce the vision exactly, and as scintillatingly as it first appeared. This mirage is quickly followed by the mossy-toothed skull of doubt,…
Read MoreGlimpse into the process
Pat Summers, a journalist here in Princeton, has written a lovely article about OUR DAILY BREAD, which also offers a peek into my writing process and the mysterious world of publishing. The article appears today in THE PRINCETON PACKET. Thanks very much to Pat, and to Michael James Redmond, the editor at THE PACKET. You…
Read MoreOUR DAILY BREAD named one of the "Best of 2011" by the Globe & Mail
I’m absolutely thrilled to pass on the news that OUR DAILY BREAD has been named one of the best books of 2011 by The Globe & Mail. I’m in pretty heady company, with Christoper Ondaatje, Elizabeth Hay, David Bezmozgis, Antanas Seleika and others. Thanks to everyone who believed in this book when others said it…
Read MoreOh My, The Things I Don't Know
How many times are we told to write about what we know? Too many. I’ll be honest — I’m a magpie, by which I mean I’m someone who’s easily distracted when previously unnoticed bright shiny objects catch my eye. I believe this is a wonderful quality for a writer. Sure, we need discipline, stick-to-it-ness, focus…
Read MoreBailey Day
Today is the one-year anniversary of the day Bailey-the-Rescuepoo came to live with My Best Beloved and me. The Best Beloved is in Europe just now, but he sent an email requesting I give Bailey a few extra treats for him on what he calls “Bailey Day.” He said he can’t believe how his heart…
Read More10 Hard Truth for Grub Street Daily
Good morning everyone — I hope that, if you live in the North East US, you’ve got your power back on by now. Zounds, what a storm. Just wanted to share that I have a guest post — 10 Hard Truths About Writing — up on the Grub Street Daily website. Also, you might want…
Read MoreWriting lessons — with laughter
Last night The Best Beloved and I had dinner with Haitian/Quebec writer Dany Laferriere. Dany has written a vast number of books, including the well known and critically praised “How To Make Love To A Negro Without Getting Tired.” His new book, a brilliant memoir entitled “The Return” has been short-listed for the 2011 Giller…
Read MorePsychology Today article
I have an article about forgiveness up on the “Psychology Today” website . . . . many thanks to my friend, wonderful writer Ethan Gilsdorf, for making this happen. You can read the piece by clicking here. thanks!
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