Monthly Archives: December 2005

LITERATURE: The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

I have no idea why it’s on so late, but am watching Jim Carrey and an adorable little Molly Shannon as Cindy Lou Who in this movie that I hadn’t seen.  It’s based on Dr. Seuss’ poem, of course, and … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Ploughshares: Parallel Plots

In the next to last story I’m reading in this issue, Lady of The Wild Beasts by Debra Spark, the narrative structure is a case of braiding two stories together.  The opening story is of a man in an office … Continue reading Continue reading

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REALITY: Income & Inspiration

Well my extra income job of unbuckling, lotioning-up, and resetting into position the right leg of my neighbor after knee surgery will be coming to an end this coming Tuesday when she gets the velcro cast off to enter rehab.  … Continue reading Continue reading

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WRITING: First Draft Level

I don’t have a clue (although I have read books and articles and weblogs) as to how many writers write in the same method, but I tend to start from an opening paragraph and try to make it into a … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Ploughshares

S’um bitch.  One of the stories I really didn’t like because it seemed just another neurotic sitting at a desk with his memories and daydreams and problems with alcohol is included in a newly published collection by this writer.  While … Continue reading Continue reading

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REALITY: Production

Sitting in the frameshop with no expectations of anyone showing in soft fluffy snow that’s already at least twelve inches deep.  But between nailing frame corners together, I spend time with Tim Dawson and Jessie, willing to share my freshly … Continue reading Continue reading

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WRITING: Stepping Out

Okay, same dark garage and yet another cup of coffee, morning light moving in tiny patches of white snow, and what would I do if I wasn’t me? Instead, I’m a 68 year-old, 6 foot-four black man with a wife … Continue reading Continue reading

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WRITING: Plot

This is so hard; freeing the mind to go wherever it wants, and yet keeping control on the story.  I’m writing differently than I’ve written before, and I’m writing differently too.  In the first case, hopefully improving the use of … Continue reading Continue reading

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BLOGGING: Joining

One of the best things I’ve done is join MetaxuCafe, the lit community blog because it has a great side effect: just as with inviting the relatives over for a holiday dinner, you have to clean the house up as … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Aristotle’s Poetics

From Section 1, Part I (Yes, I did get further along than this, the second paragraph, but figured I’d better start posting on it): Epic poetry and Tragedy, Comedy also and Dithyrambic poetry, and the music of the flute and … Continue reading Continue reading

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WRITING: Tension and Conflict

What happens if, the light you finally see at the end of the tunnel…goes out? If the black bear that chases you in dreams shows up in the backyard one morning? When you discover that the gypsies really did steal … Continue reading Continue reading

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WRITING: Writing the Rollercoaster

It is no secret that I have been exceedingly pushy to the point of being annoying on the theory of read and write to learn to write something that someone wants to read.  There’s no sense of entitlement in me, … Continue reading Continue reading

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WRITING: Backstory

Got some good advice from a friend last night regarding Big Tim Dawson, and I recognized it immediately as the path I should have taken yesterday in my thousand-word romp with him. We can start out with a great opening, … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Aristotle’s Poetics

One thing I do like about what little I may have read of Aristotle, is that it does seem fairly clearly laid out.  The opening: I propose to treat of Poetry in itself and of its various kinds, noting the … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Ploughshares – Nameless

Why in the name of all that is sacred and hallowed do I feel this great need to finish every story I start to read?  Is it the artist granting his fellows due respect?  Is it to learn how not … Continue reading Continue reading

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