Literary vs. Genre

Great little article in the New Yorker on famous "literary" authors who loved reading mysteries & other "genre" material. Great (respectful) angles on how each offers great reading, if not different expectations.

Currently Reading: The Book Thief

...by Marcus Zusak with my 9th grader. It's about an orphan girl trying to survive Nazi Germany who steals books (from burning pyres, etc) whenever she can so her soul can survive. It's paced well, not especially quick, though the language is beautiful & feels original.

New Study: Fictional Characters Affect Real Life

Read a book, vote on election day! That's what a new study shows from the Ohio State University.

Because Mark Twain Said So, That's Why!

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover” — Mark Twain


A quote by Mark Twain is almost obligatory on a lit blog.

Writing as Belief

"The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe."— Gustave Flaubert

So what does your writing say you believe?

The Big Question About: Misery

Have you ever been so miserable you had to write?

It didn't have to be good or long or deep. It wasn't necessarily as an escape from reality. You just had to create something to prove to yourself that something positive could be made out of your misery. As if creation itself was an answer.

Have you ever been so miserable you had to write?

The Calling to Create Art

A rambling video about one author's need to write.

For 10,000 hours.

Before he--or anyone else--can be any good master the craft.

What do you think?

Mystery Winners Announced

The annual Edgar awards were unveiled over the weekend, giving mystery books for all audiences tappropriate prizes. Probably the most prestigious of mystery awards, the Edgar winners are listed here, with some quotes from winners here (and a great pick-up line if you think a single mystery writer is especially hot--"What's your favorite way to kill people?"

Storytellers or Authors?

"Only mediocrity can be trusted to be always at its best. Genius must always have lapses proportionate to its triumphs." -Max Beerbohm

Is it fair to say that most authors who crank out a book every year (or more) are mediocrities and our best authors only deliver a book once every few years? Or are those annual authors actually "storytellers" who fill our mind with wonder over a short period, while "authors" feed our soul forever?

Awful Person, Brilliant Artist: On Art

"Art is the elimination of the unnecessary." -Pablo Picasso