My father passed away recently. He had an idiosyncratic and formidable personality that is hard to capture in words. In some ways, we were worlds apart. But one thing we had in common was a love of books and writing. My dad was rarely seen without a book, often a doorstop-size biography of a presidentContinue reading “Legacies”
Tag Archives: Reading
Who Are You?
Recently a Twitter war erupted over the following rejection letter, which was sent to an author named Tallie Rose from a small publisher. The letter is remarkable for two reasons. First, based on a cold reading of a manuscript, the editor assumed that the author had no personal experience with the topics she was writingContinue reading “Who Are You?”
The Unreliable Journal
When it comes to journal excerpts in contemporary suspense, readers should be skeptical. Like the now expected unreliable narrator, journal entries are a device for the author to mess with perceived reality. The first time I encountered this was not in suspense but in literary fiction. In 2010, Louise Erdrich published Shadow Tag, a compellingContinue reading “The Unreliable Journal”
An Affair To Forget
My introduction to adultery was a very public affair. In the ’80s, rumors swirled that the fairy tale marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana was on the rocks. There were allegations, a separation, and finally an interview in 1995 watched by millions. “I don’t want a divorce,” Diana said. “(But) there are three ofContinue reading “An Affair To Forget”
I Like Her, I Like Her Not
One of the open debates in current reading times – in everything from casual book club conversations to literary agent circles – is how unlikeable a protagonist can be. The old-school rules instruct us that a story centers around a hero who undergoes a journey from innocence to experience. The antagonist is a supporting character,Continue reading “I Like Her, I Like Her Not”
How To Date A Book
Of the recent trends with books and reading, few charm me more than the idea of going on a blind date with a book. Bookshops and libraries have embraced this idea, setting up hopeful readers with potential matches. All it takes is a willing heart and a short commitment of time. How does it work?Continue reading “How To Date A Book”
Original Copycats
Every literary agent will tell you that they are looking for original voices: writers who have the ability to breathe fresh air onto the blank page. There is a loophole, though. If you are skillfully deceptive enough, copycats are also welcome. How does it work? No one wants to read a knockoff. But some giftedContinue reading “Original Copycats”
When Writers Lie
I once knew a pathological liar. She appeared at my doorstep, crying, the night she was fired unjustly from her job for stealing. She told me many warm stories about her mother, who took her to Indigo Girls concerts and gave her carefully selected gifts every time they met, like a leather-bound journal and brownContinue reading “When Writers Lie”
January
We have come to the end of what promised to be a better month in a better year. In addition to watching a televised attempted insurrection and a subsequent inauguration, I finished the following books. LA noir with some good twists. Kirkus starred review. 2. A black queer YA manifesto. Confession: I bought it accidentally,Continue reading “January”
When History Becomes Fiction
Recently on social media an acquaintance posted the following exchange: Officer: Why were you going 100 in a 60 zone? Me: You see, if your foot presses down on the gas petal, the car moves faster. Officer: Get out of the car. Obviously, the man who posted it was white. This scenario is humorous toContinue reading “When History Becomes Fiction”
Books Smitten 