Category Archives: books
“I think there are a lot of American critics who try to pretend that I don’t exist at all.”
I’m at Ledig House up near Hudson, New York, with my edits on my second novel, going over them, preparing to turn them in soon. I printed it up single-spaced with wide margins, so it looks more like a book, … Continue reading
Filed under books, fiction, novels, what I am working on
On Getting Your Name Out There: Author Blogging
There is a great deal of pressure for writers to blog, for themselves and for others. Typically, whoever’s asking you has the presence of mind to be a little ashamed: “We can’t really pay you for this, but you’ll get … Continue reading
Filed under author's own, blogs, books, writers, writing
Refresh, Refresh
During the semester I read approximately 250 pages a week, to as much as 600, if it’s thesis season–and that doesn’t even include my own writing or my email. But I also don’t notice it–I just do it, like breathing … Continue reading
Filed under author's own, blogs, books, comics, essay, fiction, fox demons, graphic novels, novels, writers, writing
Orhan Pamuk Writes By Hand. Hillary Mantel, Before Her Coffee.
The arts section of the WSJ is turning out to be a must-read for writers—kudos to whoever the editor is. This week brings us the writing habits of 11 top authors. I liked this section on the habits of Dan … Continue reading
Filed under books, fiction, writers, writing, writing exercises
Go Ahead
[photo via Gothamist] 1. On the train down to New York Thursday, in the seats across from me, a 26-year-old American soccer player who works on an organic farm and a 30-something Turkish artist talk to each other for most … Continue reading
Filed under books, letters from away, media
Mary Gaitskill, circa 2000
Mary Gaitskill, on victimization and personal responsiblity in viewing art.
I’m Turning Myself Into a Demon
When I moved back to New York City after graduate school I lived for a while in a 3-bedroom apartment on the Upper West Side with my brother and sister. I am the oldest—my younger sister was a student at … Continue reading
Filed under books, essay, fiction, fox demons, novels
All Over the World, This Is How People Tell Stories
Tomorrow, I’m going to wake up and go buy a copy of The Moviegoer, by Walker Percy. I’ve gone too long. * * * At the gym, where I watch TV news, I could only find news on how a … Continue reading
The Rhys-Ford Affair, Over at Granta.com
My correspondence with Maud Newton on the novels Jean Rhys and Ford Madox Ford wrote after their affair is up over at Granta. For more, check out several of Maud’s posts on Rhys leading up to this, here, here and … Continue reading
What’s Wrong With the American Essay?
I’m spending some time at lunch today reading Christina Nehring’s excellent essay over at truthdig.com on what is wrong with the American Essay, and she’s making some excellent points: Are we, as readers, responsible for the decline of the American … Continue reading
