Combonyms
Okay, please don't send me any more. I will NOT post them anymore. But here are three that were sent by readers recently:
From J.E.G:
Scrumtitious, adj. Not as tasty as the advertising would have you believe. (scrumptious + fictitious)
Semaphoreshadowing, n. Tip-off that later on in the movie, there might be some guy waving flags around.
From Anonymous:
Mantrum - when a man throws a tantrum.
That contributor adds: If you list it on your site, please list it as from anonymous.
Wonder why?
11/11/2005
11/09/2005
It was forty years ago today...
That the East Coast blackout occurred. The DJ on WABC radio (Dan Ingram) was confused about why his records were moving so slowly...and then everything stops. It's somehow captured for everyone to hear. Worth listening to:
http://musicradio.computer.net/images/ing11-9-65blackout.ram
That the East Coast blackout occurred. The DJ on WABC radio (Dan Ingram) was confused about why his records were moving so slowly...and then everything stops. It's somehow captured for everyone to hear. Worth listening to:
http://musicradio.computer.net/images/ing11-9-65blackout.ram
11/08/2005
11/07/2005
Maximum overdrive
Dear Diary,
Why does everyone think the New Jersey Highway Department is corrupt?
(Note: Since I work for a newspaper, I must add this disclaimer: I was only joking, and I'm sure the sign is privately owned or at least privately paid for by Corzine's campaign. It has been used for elections in this area before. I just thought that was funny.)
Dear Diary,
Why does everyone think the New Jersey Highway Department is corrupt?
(Note: Since I work for a newspaper, I must add this disclaimer: I was only joking, and I'm sure the sign is privately owned or at least privately paid for by Corzine's campaign. It has been used for elections in this area before. I just thought that was funny.)
11/06/2005
11/03/2005
Guess what the cover of the New York Post says is the hottest dog in New York City right now??
PUGGLE!
PUGGLE!
From an article I read yesterday:
Although bought within a month of completion, Prep was rejected by 14 of 15 publishers and, in one case, was rejected, then un-rejected, and then rejected again.
So you want to be a published writer, eh?
Curtis Sittenfeld was a Times writer, among other things, and still she had to engage in the above battle...as do we all (except maybe Tom Wolfe). Spending several years writing is sometimes the easy part!
Although bought within a month of completion, Prep was rejected by 14 of 15 publishers and, in one case, was rejected, then un-rejected, and then rejected again.
So you want to be a published writer, eh?
Curtis Sittenfeld was a Times writer, among other things, and still she had to engage in the above battle...as do we all (except maybe Tom Wolfe). Spending several years writing is sometimes the easy part!
11/02/2005
11/01/2005
Wiki wiki wiki wiki...
Sometimes I think that people making lists on Wikipedia are tempted to invent a few of their own additions...
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ethnic_slurs:
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ (Subcontinentals in U.S.) "American Born Confused Desi Emigrated From Gujarat Housed In Jersey, Keeping Lots of Motels, Named Omkarnath Patel, Quickly Reached Success Through Underhanded Vicious Ways, Xenophobic Yet Zealous": Extended version of ABCD used for American-born Indians who are confused about their culture, implying greater racial and cultural disparagement.
Ahhh-Jew (U.S.) Indicating that a Jew is present with a false sneeze
Americans Americunt/A Merry Cunt (UK) an American tourist
...and those are just the A's.
Sometimes I think that people making lists on Wikipedia are tempted to invent a few of their own additions...
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ethnic_slurs:
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ (Subcontinentals in U.S.) "American Born Confused Desi Emigrated From Gujarat Housed In Jersey, Keeping Lots of Motels, Named Omkarnath Patel, Quickly Reached Success Through Underhanded Vicious Ways, Xenophobic Yet Zealous": Extended version of ABCD used for American-born Indians who are confused about their culture, implying greater racial and cultural disparagement.
Ahhh-Jew (U.S.) Indicating that a Jew is present with a false sneeze
Americans Americunt/A Merry Cunt (UK) an American tourist
...and those are just the A's.
10/31/2005
Jess's poll
What's more demoralizing - dating, or job-hunting? Jessica poses the question, and gets some interesting answers!
What's more demoralizing - dating, or job-hunting? Jessica poses the question, and gets some interesting answers!
10/30/2005
10/29/2005
Writing
I had a writing project that I wanted to fix all week, but I didn't have time, and I hate the idea of working on it a little before work or a little after. So it ate at me all week. But after some work tonight and this morning, it's where I want it. That's quite a relief.
In other news, Vidiot told me that where I made a reference to homonyms earlier, it was actually homophones I meant. HomoNYMs are slightly different. I told my dad, and he said he was going to sue his elementary school teachers.
By the way, "Vidiot" is a combonym.
I had a writing project that I wanted to fix all week, but I didn't have time, and I hate the idea of working on it a little before work or a little after. So it ate at me all week. But after some work tonight and this morning, it's where I want it. That's quite a relief.
In other news, Vidiot told me that where I made a reference to homonyms earlier, it was actually homophones I meant. HomoNYMs are slightly different. I told my dad, and he said he was going to sue his elementary school teachers.
By the way, "Vidiot" is a combonym.
10/26/2005
Political
This blog never gets political, so maybe it's time.
Opinion:
That plan to give NYC subway riders a break around the holidays is stupid.
Thank you.
Recent quote from Dad
"I thought of a good homonym the other day: Summary and summery. Think of the ones you saw first, like waste and waist. That would be a good homonym."
Goatwatch
The goat does not wear a watch. But I will find out his/her name by the end of the year. Even if it's just Billy or Nanny.
This blog never gets political, so maybe it's time.
Opinion:
That plan to give NYC subway riders a break around the holidays is stupid.
Thank you.
Recent quote from Dad
"I thought of a good homonym the other day: Summary and summery. Think of the ones you saw first, like waste and waist. That would be a good homonym."
Goatwatch
The goat does not wear a watch. But I will find out his/her name by the end of the year. Even if it's just Billy or Nanny.
10/24/2005
Really lost
My brother reports: "The next new episode of 'Lost' isn't until three weeks from now. That's annoying. At the end of the last episode, they showed scenes from the next episode. So if they have it, why can't they show it??"
In other news...
I thought 2006 would be the Year of Malice, but apparently he's starting early on his fanclub.
My brother reports: "The next new episode of 'Lost' isn't until three weeks from now. That's annoying. At the end of the last episode, they showed scenes from the next episode. So if they have it, why can't they show it??"
In other news...
I thought 2006 would be the Year of Malice, but apparently he's starting early on his fanclub.
10/22/2005
ORDER NOW!
The collection containing the Carrie Pilby sequel is available on-line, and should be in stores in a week. You can also review it if you've read it (and have something nice to say, hopefully!)
Click:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0373895372/qid=1119277915/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/002-0170990-1772057?v=glance&s=books
The collection containing the Carrie Pilby sequel is available on-line, and should be in stores in a week. You can also review it if you've read it (and have something nice to say, hopefully!)
Click:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0373895372/qid=1119277915/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/002-0170990-1772057?v=glance&s=books
10/17/2005
Apostrophe Catastrophe
Does Veterans Day have an apostrophe in it? And...why the confusion? The Black Table published an article today that I wrote about this topic. I didn't write the headline...apparently their editors are even angrier about the apostrophe situation than I am!!!
Update....
Willllma!
Tropical Storm Wilma is expected to become a hurricane, and has helped tie a record for most storms. Oh, and it's raining again.
Disclaimer:
I post this every once in a while: I use this blog for concise thoughts and to keep readers updated on my projects; it only represents a small smidgeon of my personality and sometimes doesn't represent it at all, so if you are someone who only met me recently, please try not to make too many assumptions. There is more to me than what you see here. Also, I try not to get overly personal on it, so don't worry that you'll be blogized. Thank you, and now back to our program.
Does Veterans Day have an apostrophe in it? And...why the confusion? The Black Table published an article today that I wrote about this topic. I didn't write the headline...apparently their editors are even angrier about the apostrophe situation than I am!!!
Update....
Willllma!
Tropical Storm Wilma is expected to become a hurricane, and has helped tie a record for most storms. Oh, and it's raining again.
Disclaimer:
I post this every once in a while: I use this blog for concise thoughts and to keep readers updated on my projects; it only represents a small smidgeon of my personality and sometimes doesn't represent it at all, so if you are someone who only met me recently, please try not to make too many assumptions. There is more to me than what you see here. Also, I try not to get overly personal on it, so don't worry that you'll be blogized. Thank you, and now back to our program.
10/16/2005
Wedding
I was at a lovely wedding today. Many people whom I have become friends with in the last few years were also there, so it was fun. Here is a shot from this morning, where the bride and other members of the party are getting made up...I chose a photo where you can't see the faces clearly because the bride should be the one to decide if she puts up photos or not, but I know that a few people who were there like to read blogs, so this still gives the idea.
I was at a lovely wedding today. Many people whom I have become friends with in the last few years were also there, so it was fun. Here is a shot from this morning, where the bride and other members of the party are getting made up...I chose a photo where you can't see the faces clearly because the bride should be the one to decide if she puts up photos or not, but I know that a few people who were there like to read blogs, so this still gives the idea.
10/14/2005
10/13/2005
10/12/2005
10/09/2005
Thursday, December 1, 2005
7:30 pm
Barnes & Noble
Eighth Street and Sixth Ave, West Village
(396 6th Ave at 8th Street)
NYC 10011
The book will be in stores and shipped from on-line orders in just two weeks!!
Click the link to order or read about it on Amazon.
10/08/2005
That's Italian
Italian Carrie Pilby reader-turned-friend Alex P. was in New York for a trip, so we met up. Since he revealed he was a concert pianist, I forced him to play a song in my living room. He played "My Way." Appropriate choice!
Italian Carrie Pilby reader-turned-friend Alex P. was in New York for a trip, so we met up. Since he revealed he was a concert pianist, I forced him to play a song in my living room. He played "My Way." Appropriate choice!
Moonlighting
"Gimmie Madonna. Nobody's gonna want her number next year, anyway." - Bruce Willis, episode 14, "Moonlighting"
I've been watching more episodes. It really was a brilliant show. Except when they screwed it up.
What's interesting about stuff circa 1985 is that it mostly looks modern. Go back a year or two before that and it's pure '80s -- the hair, the pop culture, etc. But by 1985/86, the hair was shrinking, some people had computers, and there were VCRs and cable (both mentioned in the 2nd season of Moonlighting).
But what's different -- and funny every time I see it -- is that whenever Maddie and David are in their car and need to make a phone call, they have to stop and use a pay phone. No signs of cell phones anywhere. So odd.
"Gimmie Madonna. Nobody's gonna want her number next year, anyway." - Bruce Willis, episode 14, "Moonlighting"
I've been watching more episodes. It really was a brilliant show. Except when they screwed it up.
What's interesting about stuff circa 1985 is that it mostly looks modern. Go back a year or two before that and it's pure '80s -- the hair, the pop culture, etc. But by 1985/86, the hair was shrinking, some people had computers, and there were VCRs and cable (both mentioned in the 2nd season of Moonlighting).
But what's different -- and funny every time I see it -- is that whenever Maddie and David are in their car and need to make a phone call, they have to stop and use a pay phone. No signs of cell phones anywhere. So odd.
Gone phishing
Over the last several months, I've gotten many e-mails that look like they're from eB*y or PayP*l telling me to change my password because someone is trying to fradulently use my account, etc. But the e-mails themselves are fraudulent. The thing is, they use the proper logos and even e-mail address, so they look real. It would be easy to be suckered in, click the link and give financial information.
In the last few days, I've gotten some from AOL. But today was the best - I got one that totally looked like it was from the Red Cross. It has all the Red Cross logos inside, copy that was clearly stolen from a Red Cross website, and pictures of devastated houses and starving dogs. What gives it away is this sentence in the beginning:
Dear sir,
This are some of the tragic events wich we ask you to support all those people wich houses and all they had it is history :
Then it talks about measles, both hurricanes, etc. Then the last line is:
To help all this peoples click here.
Riiiight.
Over the last several months, I've gotten many e-mails that look like they're from eB*y or PayP*l telling me to change my password because someone is trying to fradulently use my account, etc. But the e-mails themselves are fraudulent. The thing is, they use the proper logos and even e-mail address, so they look real. It would be easy to be suckered in, click the link and give financial information.
In the last few days, I've gotten some from AOL. But today was the best - I got one that totally looked like it was from the Red Cross. It has all the Red Cross logos inside, copy that was clearly stolen from a Red Cross website, and pictures of devastated houses and starving dogs. What gives it away is this sentence in the beginning:
Dear sir,
This are some of the tragic events wich we ask you to support all those people wich houses and all they had it is history :
Then it talks about measles, both hurricanes, etc. Then the last line is:
To help all this peoples click here.
Riiiight.
10/07/2005
Suffered for his art
A 22-year-old poet named Dennis Kim was learning over the railing on the Christopher Street pier on the Hudson River, admiring it with his friend Jennifer two days ago, when his backpack full of romantic poetry fell in. He told her he couldn't let it go and jumped in to get it. Then the currents took him away.
It's such a sad thing. I wonder if some of his poetry is on-line. The Hudson River often looks pretty calm when you're standing over it, so people don't realize how strong those currents are...but it's very hard to get back out when you've gone in. I wonder if there should be signs at random points reminding people of that. Yeah, yeah, I know, you might think that's a stupid suggestion, but I'm just saying "maybe."
A 22-year-old poet named Dennis Kim was learning over the railing on the Christopher Street pier on the Hudson River, admiring it with his friend Jennifer two days ago, when his backpack full of romantic poetry fell in. He told her he couldn't let it go and jumped in to get it. Then the currents took him away.
It's such a sad thing. I wonder if some of his poetry is on-line. The Hudson River often looks pretty calm when you're standing over it, so people don't realize how strong those currents are...but it's very hard to get back out when you've gone in. I wonder if there should be signs at random points reminding people of that. Yeah, yeah, I know, you might think that's a stupid suggestion, but I'm just saying "maybe."
10/06/2005
The debate
The NJ vs. NYC debate was a lot of fun tonight. It was a silly issue, and thus a silly debate (I didn't realize that NJ has a high percentage of sliding doors that are dangerous to bears). I think New Jerseyans get a bit tired of hearing their state maligned, and of Manhattanites constantly being afraid to leave Manhattan for a few seconds to come to NJ - usually because Manhattanites have to justify their high rents by spending every minute in Manhattan. Well, that was my premise, anyway. I also said NYC is a lovely place to visit, but I mentioned the murder rate of 600 per year. Disclaimer: I love Manhattan too, which is why I live near there (for now)...I just don't think NJ is inferior.
My debating opponent, poet Boni Joi, was very clever and funny and had a good response to a Frank Sinatra question from the audience. Someone tried to say that they slaughter pigs in Secaucus, but I pointed out that that stopped 50 years ago (or thereabouts). Oh, snap!
I have to thank all of the people who turned out, no matter which side they were on - including Anonymous Bob, great blogger Brother Lawrence, brilliant writer Ned (who was largely a few blocks down for the Happy Endings reading series, where he was reading with the talented Will Leitch whose debut novel "Catch" comes out in two months), and some people who I'm not sure have their own web pages: Carly, Matt, Joel, moderator Todd, and probably several others. If I forgot you, I appreciate it.
I don't usually namecheck (or namedrop), but I wanted to thank those folks. And you, if you were there, too. Surprisingly, a large Jersey contingent came out! We still lost 12 to 13, but what the heck.
Some of the debate will appear on the fabulous TV cable show Across the Hudson, soon to be airing on both sides of the river.
Okay, it's around midnight and I should really start getting to work (ha ha).
The NJ vs. NYC debate was a lot of fun tonight. It was a silly issue, and thus a silly debate (I didn't realize that NJ has a high percentage of sliding doors that are dangerous to bears). I think New Jerseyans get a bit tired of hearing their state maligned, and of Manhattanites constantly being afraid to leave Manhattan for a few seconds to come to NJ - usually because Manhattanites have to justify their high rents by spending every minute in Manhattan. Well, that was my premise, anyway. I also said NYC is a lovely place to visit, but I mentioned the murder rate of 600 per year. Disclaimer: I love Manhattan too, which is why I live near there (for now)...I just don't think NJ is inferior.
My debating opponent, poet Boni Joi, was very clever and funny and had a good response to a Frank Sinatra question from the audience. Someone tried to say that they slaughter pigs in Secaucus, but I pointed out that that stopped 50 years ago (or thereabouts). Oh, snap!
I have to thank all of the people who turned out, no matter which side they were on - including Anonymous Bob, great blogger Brother Lawrence, brilliant writer Ned (who was largely a few blocks down for the Happy Endings reading series, where he was reading with the talented Will Leitch whose debut novel "Catch" comes out in two months), and some people who I'm not sure have their own web pages: Carly, Matt, Joel, moderator Todd, and probably several others. If I forgot you, I appreciate it.
I don't usually namecheck (or namedrop), but I wanted to thank those folks. And you, if you were there, too. Surprisingly, a large Jersey contingent came out! We still lost 12 to 13, but what the heck.
Some of the debate will appear on the fabulous TV cable show Across the Hudson, soon to be airing on both sides of the river.
Okay, it's around midnight and I should really start getting to work (ha ha).
10/05/2005
Reminder
I'm debating tonight (Wed) whether "New Jersey is inferior to New York City." Of course it isn't. Debate starts at 8 p.m. at Lolita bar, 266 Broome St, New York, NY 10002-4509 (212) 966-7223.
The gig is up
Or is that jig? Anyway, Two people e-mailed me today to tell me that combonyms are "portmanteau words." Wikipedia says:
A portmanteau (plural: portmanteaux or portmanteaus) is a word that is formed by combining both sounds and meanings from two or more words. It can also be called a frankenword. The term used in linguistics is blend ... This word was coined by Lewis Carroll in Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There, in which it is likened to a travelling case. He used the French word "porte-manteau" (coat hanger). Carroll has Humpty Dumpty say, "Well, slithy means lithe and slimy... You see it's like a portmanteau—there are two meanings packed up into one word."
Interestingly, Wikipedia also notes that "Californication" is an example. Those guys sure have a sense of humor.
I still think combonym is a better term.
I'm debating tonight (Wed) whether "New Jersey is inferior to New York City." Of course it isn't. Debate starts at 8 p.m. at Lolita bar, 266 Broome St, New York, NY 10002-4509 (212) 966-7223.
The gig is up
Or is that jig? Anyway, Two people e-mailed me today to tell me that combonyms are "portmanteau words." Wikipedia says:
A portmanteau (plural: portmanteaux or portmanteaus) is a word that is formed by combining both sounds and meanings from two or more words. It can also be called a frankenword. The term used in linguistics is blend ... This word was coined by Lewis Carroll in Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There, in which it is likened to a travelling case. He used the French word "porte-manteau" (coat hanger). Carroll has Humpty Dumpty say, "Well, slithy means lithe and slimy... You see it's like a portmanteau—there are two meanings packed up into one word."
Interestingly, Wikipedia also notes that "Californication" is an example. Those guys sure have a sense of humor.
I still think combonym is a better term.
10/04/2005
Trivilous Combonyms
Melbow - n. the elbow of a guy named Mel.
Anyway, since this letter was from Norway, I should reprint it:
Hi Miss Lissner, this one’s for you:
If you write a book on combonyms, shouldn’t it be called a blok?
Blok Pronunciation: bl k \ nounAn idea that sprung out of a blog but eventually turned into a book project.
-Nils, Norway
I think blook is better.
Melbow - n. the elbow of a guy named Mel.
Anyway, since this letter was from Norway, I should reprint it:
Hi Miss Lissner, this one’s for you:
If you write a book on combonyms, shouldn’t it be called a blok?
Blok Pronunciation: bl k \ nounAn idea that sprung out of a blog but eventually turned into a book project.
-Nils, Norway
I think blook is better.
10/03/2005
Get your sequel now:
Apparently, you can order Scenes from a Holiday, including the Carrie Pilby sequel, and receive it a matter of moments if you go to the page below! And you get it really cheaply!
http://store.eharlequin.com/splash/reasons_to_shop.jhtml
Apparently, you can order Scenes from a Holiday, including the Carrie Pilby sequel, and receive it a matter of moments if you go to the page below! And you get it really cheaply!
http://store.eharlequin.com/splash/reasons_to_shop.jhtml
10/02/2005
More combonyms (TM)
Carl from Baton Rouge (who apparently has six animals and people staying with him post-flood) submits:
Novertime. n. Hours you work, beyond 40 per week, but for which you do not get paid.
OK. Other folks: If you have more, put them on your own blogs, so we can start a revolution of combonyms!
Maybe I should put together a book of these. It seems like everything has been done, but I'd do it.
C
Carl from Baton Rouge (who apparently has six animals and people staying with him post-flood) submits:
Novertime. n. Hours you work, beyond 40 per week, but for which you do not get paid.
OK. Other folks: If you have more, put them on your own blogs, so we can start a revolution of combonyms!
Maybe I should put together a book of these. It seems like everything has been done, but I'd do it.
C
9/30/2005
How to wake right up without coffee
I was listening to the news on the radio this morning and they said that former Reagan Education Secretary Bill Bennett had said something racist on his radio show. I thought, "Shouldn't they qualify that for saying it was something 'that some feel is racist' or 'supposedly racist'?" Then I heard the quote.
"But I do know that it's true that if you wanted to reduce crime, you could -- if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down. That would be an impossible, ridiculous, and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate would go down. So these far-out, these far-reaching, extensive extrapolations are, I think, tricky."
Yes, this is real.
I was listening to the news on the radio this morning and they said that former Reagan Education Secretary Bill Bennett had said something racist on his radio show. I thought, "Shouldn't they qualify that for saying it was something 'that some feel is racist' or 'supposedly racist'?" Then I heard the quote.
"But I do know that it's true that if you wanted to reduce crime, you could -- if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down. That would be an impossible, ridiculous, and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate would go down. So these far-out, these far-reaching, extensive extrapolations are, I think, tricky."
Yes, this is real.
9/29/2005
Buy the book
A description of Scenes from a Holiday is now up at Amazon. It includes the Carrie Pilby sequel. It should be out in four weeks!
A description of Scenes from a Holiday is now up at Amazon. It includes the Carrie Pilby sequel. It should be out in four weeks!
9/28/2005
9/26/2005
Critiquing writers
There was some discussion recently among my writing group about criticism that's unhelpful. I confess that I actually instigated the discussion. I've found that lately, people in my group have been asking me questions about the piece I've brought, rather than telling me what THEY think. And this was pissing me off.
For instance, I would bring chapter 3 of my novel and they'd say, "Is there a payoff to this later?" or "Who is your audience?" or even "Why did you choose this to bring?" I would rather hear what THEY think, not what *I* think, because an editor or reader is not going to call me on the phone and ask me whether a paragraph is justified -- they will either keep reading, or not. It would be more helpful if the group said, "This seems like it's targeted toward 12-year-old boys, because of the video game references" or "This part is a bit dull unless it's leading to some action soon."
I think this has been happening more because I've been bringing novel excerpts rather than short stories where the beginning and end are obvious. But that doesn't mean they should sit around and ask questions about what happens next. I want critiques on what I've brought, not an interrogation about my goals.
I could go on at length about the difference between helpful and unhelpful criticism in writing groups. Let me just say this:
1. Don't tell a writer his work is 'good' or 'sucks.' That's a) too vague, b) unnecessarily hurtful in some cases, and c) useless, as opinions on what's good or sucks can be as diverse as your freckles. Best-sellers can suck, too. INSTEAD, tell them where it sucks, and why, and what they can do to make it better. Be specific. If a page is boring and doesn't move the story along, say so. But comment on what's good about it, too, so a writer doesn't accidentally take something good out, and so that they understand what they're doing right.
2. Criticism on how you feel while you're reading is important. If pages of it don't hold your interest, say so. If something sparks your curiosity, tell exactly where. If a character says something that puts you in suspense, mark that down on the paper. If something makes you laugh, put a smiley face. These are the things that determine whether readers keep reading. Did a poignant passage make you sad? I want to know that.
3. Okay, here's one. Someone wrote on my most recent piece, "So many visuals." Um, is that good or bad? Sometimes, people will put a check mark next to a sentence, or circle it - and I have no idea what that means. Can ya ^$#(* be more specific please?
4. Oh, this one's for friends. If you ask to see something I'm writing, don't then put it aside for two months. This happens to ALL writers: We give our friends something to read, and then they don't get to it and the issue kind of hangs in the air for a while after that. I know why it happens: Because you hear your friend talk about his/her book, and you're intrigued, and you like your friend, so you want to see it. Then you get it and realize it's raw and not a work of genius, and so you aren't as excited anymore. Especially since it's 300 pages long. Then weeks turn to months. But this is kind of tough luck - you asked to read it, and your friend went through the trouble to print it out, and now she/he needs your thoughts. Now that you've learned your lesson, next time, ask a friend if you can read 10 pages. That should save you the trouble of having a 200-page manuscript on a pile of things on your desk. (Note: Val, this was not directed at you. You're off the hook. It's a general reference.)
5. Don't make the mistake of thinking that because you're not a professional, your criticism doesn't matter as much. The editors or readers getting a manuscript don't have any magical powers or talents that you don't. They'll read the book just like you do. So if you find it really interesting, other people will too, and if you find it boring, other people might, as well. Your critique DOES matter.
6. Write stuff on the MS as you read it. Don't make up stuff later. Editors and readers will only read it once, and have their first impressions that will help them decide whether to keep reading. Then, when you get to the end, write your overall thoughts.
7. Read this just like you would a book in the library.
In short, you may be getting into a lot if you volunteer to read someone's work-in-progress, or if you join a writing group. Just remember, we writers lose perspective on our stuff, so just telling us anything at all about where it works for you and where it doesn't -- and why -- is invaluable to us. Just be specific, and give suggestions.
One more thing. On my last piece, I got two comments on my last line. Someone wrote, "Great last line." Someone else wrote, "I'm not sure I get this." This is good. It tells me that some will love the last line, and others won't understand it...depending on my aim, I may need to make it clearer. But I'm glad I know that it DOES make sense to some people. So both comments are useful.
Oh, and a big thank you to anyone who's read my unfinished manuscripts over the years, as well as to people who've read this blog and asked if they could submit a few pages to me (usually I follow my own advice and try to keep it to 5-10 pages, otherwise, I'll never get to it!)
finishing revisions two weeks ago...
There was some discussion recently among my writing group about criticism that's unhelpful. I confess that I actually instigated the discussion. I've found that lately, people in my group have been asking me questions about the piece I've brought, rather than telling me what THEY think. And this was pissing me off.
For instance, I would bring chapter 3 of my novel and they'd say, "Is there a payoff to this later?" or "Who is your audience?" or even "Why did you choose this to bring?" I would rather hear what THEY think, not what *I* think, because an editor or reader is not going to call me on the phone and ask me whether a paragraph is justified -- they will either keep reading, or not. It would be more helpful if the group said, "This seems like it's targeted toward 12-year-old boys, because of the video game references" or "This part is a bit dull unless it's leading to some action soon."
I think this has been happening more because I've been bringing novel excerpts rather than short stories where the beginning and end are obvious. But that doesn't mean they should sit around and ask questions about what happens next. I want critiques on what I've brought, not an interrogation about my goals.
I could go on at length about the difference between helpful and unhelpful criticism in writing groups. Let me just say this:
1. Don't tell a writer his work is 'good' or 'sucks.' That's a) too vague, b) unnecessarily hurtful in some cases, and c) useless, as opinions on what's good or sucks can be as diverse as your freckles. Best-sellers can suck, too. INSTEAD, tell them where it sucks, and why, and what they can do to make it better. Be specific. If a page is boring and doesn't move the story along, say so. But comment on what's good about it, too, so a writer doesn't accidentally take something good out, and so that they understand what they're doing right.
2. Criticism on how you feel while you're reading is important. If pages of it don't hold your interest, say so. If something sparks your curiosity, tell exactly where. If a character says something that puts you in suspense, mark that down on the paper. If something makes you laugh, put a smiley face. These are the things that determine whether readers keep reading. Did a poignant passage make you sad? I want to know that.
3. Okay, here's one. Someone wrote on my most recent piece, "So many visuals." Um, is that good or bad? Sometimes, people will put a check mark next to a sentence, or circle it - and I have no idea what that means. Can ya ^$#(* be more specific please?
4. Oh, this one's for friends. If you ask to see something I'm writing, don't then put it aside for two months. This happens to ALL writers: We give our friends something to read, and then they don't get to it and the issue kind of hangs in the air for a while after that. I know why it happens: Because you hear your friend talk about his/her book, and you're intrigued, and you like your friend, so you want to see it. Then you get it and realize it's raw and not a work of genius, and so you aren't as excited anymore. Especially since it's 300 pages long. Then weeks turn to months. But this is kind of tough luck - you asked to read it, and your friend went through the trouble to print it out, and now she/he needs your thoughts. Now that you've learned your lesson, next time, ask a friend if you can read 10 pages. That should save you the trouble of having a 200-page manuscript on a pile of things on your desk. (Note: Val, this was not directed at you. You're off the hook. It's a general reference.)
5. Don't make the mistake of thinking that because you're not a professional, your criticism doesn't matter as much. The editors or readers getting a manuscript don't have any magical powers or talents that you don't. They'll read the book just like you do. So if you find it really interesting, other people will too, and if you find it boring, other people might, as well. Your critique DOES matter.
6. Write stuff on the MS as you read it. Don't make up stuff later. Editors and readers will only read it once, and have their first impressions that will help them decide whether to keep reading. Then, when you get to the end, write your overall thoughts.
7. Read this just like you would a book in the library.
In short, you may be getting into a lot if you volunteer to read someone's work-in-progress, or if you join a writing group. Just remember, we writers lose perspective on our stuff, so just telling us anything at all about where it works for you and where it doesn't -- and why -- is invaluable to us. Just be specific, and give suggestions.
One more thing. On my last piece, I got two comments on my last line. Someone wrote, "Great last line." Someone else wrote, "I'm not sure I get this." This is good. It tells me that some will love the last line, and others won't understand it...depending on my aim, I may need to make it clearer. But I'm glad I know that it DOES make sense to some people. So both comments are useful.
Oh, and a big thank you to anyone who's read my unfinished manuscripts over the years, as well as to people who've read this blog and asked if they could submit a few pages to me (usually I follow my own advice and try to keep it to 5-10 pages, otherwise, I'll never get to it!)
finishing revisions two weeks ago...
9/25/2005
Welcome back to E!
---It appears that Demi Moore and Ashton Kutsher have gotten married! Yay. I guess it's not a "rumer." Hee.
---I've been meaning to quote from this Liz Smith column in the Post on Sept. 12. Apparently, Liz is getting a bit morose. She takes issue with magazine caption of Jennifer Aniston walking on the beach because it says, "A solemn Jen...faces life on her own." Then Liz pontificates: "She couldn't just be happily on the beach doing her own thing. As for facing life on her own - in the end, we all do. And it is much healthier to get used to it early rather than later. But everybody should be prepared to 'face life' on his or her own."
Way to cheer us up, Liz.
---It appears that Demi Moore and Ashton Kutsher have gotten married! Yay. I guess it's not a "rumer." Hee.
---I've been meaning to quote from this Liz Smith column in the Post on Sept. 12. Apparently, Liz is getting a bit morose. She takes issue with magazine caption of Jennifer Aniston walking on the beach because it says, "A solemn Jen...faces life on her own." Then Liz pontificates: "She couldn't just be happily on the beach doing her own thing. As for facing life on her own - in the end, we all do. And it is much healthier to get used to it early rather than later. But everybody should be prepared to 'face life' on his or her own."
Way to cheer us up, Liz.
9/24/2005
Have you met...our most amazing pet?
I was shamed again by my animal-saving pal Jane after I posted that snoozing cat photo last week, so here are pets for adoption in the NYC/NJ area.
Also, fear not...I will still find out the goat's name. I still want to know.
I was shamed again by my animal-saving pal Jane after I posted that snoozing cat photo last week, so here are pets for adoption in the NYC/NJ area.
Also, fear not...I will still find out the goat's name. I still want to know.
9/23/2005
9/22/2005
Debate Oct. 5
I will be debating on Wed, Oct. 5 over whether New Jersey is better than New York. Of course, it is. More details to come. The debate, of course, will be in New York. Oh well.
Low pressure
The center of Hurricane Rita is 897 milibars, which is so low that this chart doesn't go there. I guess it's about 26 inches. Much lower than my room will ever get!
I will be debating on Wed, Oct. 5 over whether New Jersey is better than New York. Of course, it is. More details to come. The debate, of course, will be in New York. Oh well.
Low pressure
The center of Hurricane Rita is 897 milibars, which is so low that this chart doesn't go there. I guess it's about 26 inches. Much lower than my room will ever get!
9/21/2005
Category 5
Hurricane Rita is now category 5 with winds 165 MPH, heading for Galveston.
Chaos of Katrina
There were many stories about the suicide of New Orleans police spokesman Paul Accardo, but none of the ones I read said that someone told him his wife, from whom he was separated, had been killed in the storm. The information later proved false. Who knows whether that was why Accardo killed himself, but it shows once again how slow some information is late to get written about because of the chaos. Here is where I read it yesterday.
Hurricane Rita is now category 5 with winds 165 MPH, heading for Galveston.
Chaos of Katrina
There were many stories about the suicide of New Orleans police spokesman Paul Accardo, but none of the ones I read said that someone told him his wife, from whom he was separated, had been killed in the storm. The information later proved false. Who knows whether that was why Accardo killed himself, but it shows once again how slow some information is late to get written about because of the chaos. Here is where I read it yesterday.
Whoopsie
I sent an e-mail to one of the writers whom I edit, and I guess I also accidentally CC'd a friend of mine who has nothing to do with the paper. She wrote back anyway.
I think I got this by mistake, but yes, of course I will be extremely delicate and careful re noticing late captions!. also pull quotes. it's the verbal people vs. the visual people and we must win at all costs!!!
see you soon
The time and temperature
It is going up to 84 degrees today in New York. Yoo-hoo, autumn, where are you? Fall starts THURSday. (NOTE: Earlier today, I wrote that fall starts Friday. This blog regrets the error.)
For those bloggers who always complain that the media is lazy, stupid, etc.... The New York Times Co. is about to lay off 45 reporters. The idealistic young scribes are still out there, but there are fewer of them, and fewer newspapers for them to work at.
I sent an e-mail to one of the writers whom I edit, and I guess I also accidentally CC'd a friend of mine who has nothing to do with the paper. She wrote back anyway.
I think I got this by mistake, but yes, of course I will be extremely delicate and careful re noticing late captions!. also pull quotes. it's the verbal people vs. the visual people and we must win at all costs!!!
see you soon
The time and temperature
It is going up to 84 degrees today in New York. Yoo-hoo, autumn, where are you? Fall starts THURSday. (NOTE: Earlier today, I wrote that fall starts Friday. This blog regrets the error.)
For those bloggers who always complain that the media is lazy, stupid, etc.... The New York Times Co. is about to lay off 45 reporters. The idealistic young scribes are still out there, but there are fewer of them, and fewer newspapers for them to work at.
9/20/2005
9/19/2005
9/18/2005
9/16/2005
Up all night with AIM robots
Lizzner: Hey, Secret Sparkle.
SecretSparkle: Nice to see you again, Lizzner. What can I do for you?
Lizzner: Seems to me the only ones awake are you and Austin Powers.
SecretSparkle: Seems to you the only ones awake am I and austin powers? Why did you say that?
Lizzner: Never mind. Spoke too soon.
SecretSparkle: No problem.
Lizzner: Hi.
Austin Powers: Cheers. I'm takin' a little breather right? I'll be back in action soon. In the meantime why don't you say 'ello to my friend SmarterChild. Grrrr baby.
Lizzner: Hi.
SmarterChild: During the course of our conversations you may see sponsored messages. These messages have the word "sponsorship" at the end. Sponsors help me remain free of cost to you. To learn more about sponsored messages, click here.
Lizzner: How smart are you?
SmarterChild: "Artificial intelligence" means different things to different people. Some consider Conversagent-powered interactive agents to demonstrate artificial intelligence. I like to think that they demonstrate the intelligence of the people who built the software platform and the scripters of the interactive agents themselves.
Lizzner: Wow. Now I'm tired.
SmarterChild: lol! Whatever!Tell your friends about me. I love to meet new people.
Lizzner: Hey, Secret Sparkle.
SecretSparkle: Nice to see you again, Lizzner. What can I do for you?
Lizzner: Seems to me the only ones awake are you and Austin Powers.
SecretSparkle: Seems to you the only ones awake am I and austin powers? Why did you say that?
Lizzner: Never mind. Spoke too soon.
SecretSparkle: No problem.
Lizzner: Hi.
Austin Powers: Cheers. I'm takin' a little breather right? I'll be back in action soon. In the meantime why don't you say 'ello to my friend SmarterChild. Grrrr baby.
Lizzner: Hi.
SmarterChild: During the course of our conversations you may see sponsored messages. These messages have the word "sponsorship" at the end. Sponsors help me remain free of cost to you. To learn more about sponsored messages, click here.
Lizzner: How smart are you?
SmarterChild: "Artificial intelligence" means different things to different people. Some consider Conversagent-powered interactive agents to demonstrate artificial intelligence. I like to think that they demonstrate the intelligence of the people who built the software platform and the scripters of the interactive agents themselves.
Lizzner: Wow. Now I'm tired.
SmarterChild: lol! Whatever!Tell your friends about me. I love to meet new people.
9/15/2005
9/14/2005
Rock you like a
Okay, so the annual Aug. 15-Sept. 15 hurricane watch on this blog was kind of canceled due to tragedy, but here's Mother Nature blowing one last furious storm in our general direction on the last day.
Goat Watch
ME: How's school? Do you like the kids?
HALF-SIS: Yes. I know a lot of the eighth graders but I haven't had a lot of chance to talk to the seventh graders yet.
ME: They're babies. Did you find out the goat's name?
HALF-SIS: No.
---------------------------
What's up with this heat wave? I'm glad it will be fall in nine days. Newsweek this week mentions a few places that are good for "leaf-peeping." That highway in the White Mountains of NH sounds nice.
Okay, so the annual Aug. 15-Sept. 15 hurricane watch on this blog was kind of canceled due to tragedy, but here's Mother Nature blowing one last furious storm in our general direction on the last day.
Goat Watch
ME: How's school? Do you like the kids?
HALF-SIS: Yes. I know a lot of the eighth graders but I haven't had a lot of chance to talk to the seventh graders yet.
ME: They're babies. Did you find out the goat's name?
HALF-SIS: No.
---------------------------
What's up with this heat wave? I'm glad it will be fall in nine days. Newsweek this week mentions a few places that are good for "leaf-peeping." That highway in the White Mountains of NH sounds nice.
9/13/2005
9/12/2005
9/10/2005
Televangelist
One of the things that the internet brought us was the ability to realize just how original we really aren't. Try to come up with any unique idea and see if a Google search doesn't reveal that some other guy in Montana mentioned something similar on his blog three years ago.
In the last few years, I've "invented" some combined words, but the first two already had numerous mentions on the internet, so I obviously wasn't the only one who came up with them. But here they are anyway.
Trivilous -- adj. Trivial and frivolous
Cybrary -- n. Cyber library
Froductivity -- n. Hard work on the set of "Lord of the Rings"
One of the things that the internet brought us was the ability to realize just how original we really aren't. Try to come up with any unique idea and see if a Google search doesn't reveal that some other guy in Montana mentioned something similar on his blog three years ago.
In the last few years, I've "invented" some combined words, but the first two already had numerous mentions on the internet, so I obviously wasn't the only one who came up with them. But here they are anyway.
Trivilous -- adj. Trivial and frivolous
Cybrary -- n. Cyber library
Froductivity -- n. Hard work on the set of "Lord of the Rings"
9/09/2005
Whitening
I sent copies of Carrie Pilby and Starting from Square Two down to an author in Baton Rouge who is volunteering at the shelters and requested them. Hopefully this won't increase the suffering. I also sent Tom's of Maine toothpaste to make the package actually useful.
I sent copies of Carrie Pilby and Starting from Square Two down to an author in Baton Rouge who is volunteering at the shelters and requested them. Hopefully this won't increase the suffering. I also sent Tom's of Maine toothpaste to make the package actually useful.
9/06/2005
If you're looking
Many people ended up at this blog today by putting Sgt. Paul Accardo into Yahoo or Fox. You probably actually want the Associated Press story that was filed last night, so just click this link.
Many people ended up at this blog today by putting Sgt. Paul Accardo into Yahoo or Fox. You probably actually want the Associated Press story that was filed last night, so just click this link.
9/05/2005
Unfathomable
There is still too much news to report on, just like in the weeks after 9/11.
Normally, a police officer committing suicide for any reason would be major news. Two New Orleans cops killed themselves and it's only being mentioned as part of other stories because so many other people have died and are still dying.
If you put "Paul Accardo" into Google news, you first get these excerpts from the days after the storm:
"The challenge is an engineering nightmare," Paul Accardo, a police spokesman, said...
One police officer was shot in the head by a looter in New Orleans, but was expected to recover, said Sgt. Paul Accardo, a police spokesman....
Sgt. Paul Accardo pointed a gun at his head and took his own life last week.
--------------------------
Media
I haven't heard much griping about the media in relation to this tragedy. We all know it was the media who killed Princess Di and kept purposely showing photos of the Twin Towers burning in order to manipulate people into supporting Bush's war (*sarcasm at work*), but now, few are complaining that their images of New Orleans are meant to be manipulative or shock journalism. None of that "They're alarmists" or "They're trying to scare us" nonsense.
If not for the media coverage, the harrowing photographs, many of us would not have known the severity of the situation. The media in NO has set up bulletin boards and become a primary way for people to reach each other. Three years ago, the Picayune ran a series on what would happen if a hurricane hit N.O. In the final analysis, sometimes we need to see those horrific images.
There is still too much news to report on, just like in the weeks after 9/11.
Normally, a police officer committing suicide for any reason would be major news. Two New Orleans cops killed themselves and it's only being mentioned as part of other stories because so many other people have died and are still dying.
If you put "Paul Accardo" into Google news, you first get these excerpts from the days after the storm:
"The challenge is an engineering nightmare," Paul Accardo, a police spokesman, said...
One police officer was shot in the head by a looter in New Orleans, but was expected to recover, said Sgt. Paul Accardo, a police spokesman....
Sgt. Paul Accardo pointed a gun at his head and took his own life last week.
--------------------------
Media
I haven't heard much griping about the media in relation to this tragedy. We all know it was the media who killed Princess Di and kept purposely showing photos of the Twin Towers burning in order to manipulate people into supporting Bush's war (*sarcasm at work*), but now, few are complaining that their images of New Orleans are meant to be manipulative or shock journalism. None of that "They're alarmists" or "They're trying to scare us" nonsense.
If not for the media coverage, the harrowing photographs, many of us would not have known the severity of the situation. The media in NO has set up bulletin boards and become a primary way for people to reach each other. Three years ago, the Picayune ran a series on what would happen if a hurricane hit N.O. In the final analysis, sometimes we need to see those horrific images.
My vacation
I went to Utah to see the sights.
I'm a fan of freight trains, of which Utah has many.
I wanted to come back at sunset to this place, thinking it would be even more beautiful:
But I was stopped by a MASSIVE TORNADO.
Still, every cloud has a silver lining.
(PS: It was really just a storm cell, not a tornado.)
I went to Utah to see the sights.
I'm a fan of freight trains, of which Utah has many.
I wanted to come back at sunset to this place, thinking it would be even more beautiful:
But I was stopped by a MASSIVE TORNADO.
Still, every cloud has a silver lining.
(PS: It was really just a storm cell, not a tornado.)
9/01/2005
Okay, I'll stop posting this stuff after this, but it's better to understand the true extent of what's going on. This is from the Picayune message board:
I got a call from my sis-in-law ... Due to running out of food, water and general flooding (water is now 10 feet deep at by brother's house), she moved to a neighbors house. There are 3-4 adults with her, one with severe asthma and no medications. They tried to get out by boat yesterday, but then got shot at by looters. Vicki is calling around to see if anyone has any resources to help, and she was hoping someone might have a contact or an idea. If you would kindly forward this to anyone you know that is in or was in the National Guard, military, etc.. They are on the deck of a house waving a red flag between South Claiborne and Willow at:2723 Jefferson AveNew Orleans, LAThank you
I got a call from my sis-in-law ... Due to running out of food, water and general flooding (water is now 10 feet deep at by brother's house), she moved to a neighbors house. There are 3-4 adults with her, one with severe asthma and no medications. They tried to get out by boat yesterday, but then got shot at by looters. Vicki is calling around to see if anyone has any resources to help, and she was hoping someone might have a contact or an idea. If you would kindly forward this to anyone you know that is in or was in the National Guard, military, etc.. They are on the deck of a house waving a red flag between South Claiborne and Willow at:2723 Jefferson AveNew Orleans, LAThank you
This is horrifying.
New Orleans descends into anarchy
Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS — Storm victims were raped and beaten, fights and fires broke out, corpses lay out in the open, and rescue helicopters and law enforcement officers were shot at as flooded-out New Orleans descended into anarchy Thursday. "This is a desperate SOS," the mayor said.
To keep up, check out www.wwltv.com
------
A lot of the people who did not evactuate were very hold. Some are on dialysis, are diabetic, or have other problems. A few just had a lot of pets and didn't want to leave them. The Times-Picayune has a message board where their relatives are posting, looking for them. It reminds me of the flyers that went up around New York City in the days after 9/11.
The only thing that will help is the gov't bringing in supplies and keeping those people safe, and the hope that there aren't any other disasters in the near future.
New Orleans descends into anarchy
Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS — Storm victims were raped and beaten, fights and fires broke out, corpses lay out in the open, and rescue helicopters and law enforcement officers were shot at as flooded-out New Orleans descended into anarchy Thursday. "This is a desperate SOS," the mayor said.
To keep up, check out www.wwltv.com
------
A lot of the people who did not evactuate were very hold. Some are on dialysis, are diabetic, or have other problems. A few just had a lot of pets and didn't want to leave them. The Times-Picayune has a message board where their relatives are posting, looking for them. It reminds me of the flyers that went up around New York City in the days after 9/11.
The only thing that will help is the gov't bringing in supplies and keeping those people safe, and the hope that there aren't any other disasters in the near future.
Volunteering
If you've been wondering whether there are going to be volunteer opportunities down South, apparently they are, but right now they are going to need people who can make commitments of more than a few days. I imagine there may be specific projects way in the future that can use shorter-term volunteers. Here's an e-mail I got:
Hands On Network is supporting recovery efforts of The Red Cross by organizing and deploying coordinated volunteer teams of 25 or greater to serve in immediate disaster response efforts at the Volunteer Operations Center in Montgomery, AL. There are literally tens of thousands of people in need of immediate first aid, shelter, food and water. The Red Cross has set up operations centers in Montgomery, AL and Baton Rouge, LA to coordinate all volunteer response efforts and deploy volunteer groups to the areas in most need of immediate assistance. Volunteers will be used to perform a variety of functions to provide immediate basic needs and services to displaced individuals and families. Specifically, volunteers will to help erect temporary shelters (tent cities) and organize support services (serving food, administering first aid, dispensing water, providing comfort, etc.). Volunteer Eligibility --Seven-day Commitment, Minimum: Volunteers can only be accepted if they are able to serve at least a seven-day shift...
Also, I got an e-mail from the University of Pennsylvania saying that they will offer classes to kids who live in Philly and go to college in the NO area for the fall semester. Additionally, staff can get up to three weeks off, paid, to help with the relief effort.
If you've been wondering whether there are going to be volunteer opportunities down South, apparently they are, but right now they are going to need people who can make commitments of more than a few days. I imagine there may be specific projects way in the future that can use shorter-term volunteers. Here's an e-mail I got:
Hands On Network is supporting recovery efforts of The Red Cross by organizing and deploying coordinated volunteer teams of 25 or greater to serve in immediate disaster response efforts at the Volunteer Operations Center in Montgomery, AL. There are literally tens of thousands of people in need of immediate first aid, shelter, food and water. The Red Cross has set up operations centers in Montgomery, AL and Baton Rouge, LA to coordinate all volunteer response efforts and deploy volunteer groups to the areas in most need of immediate assistance. Volunteers will be used to perform a variety of functions to provide immediate basic needs and services to displaced individuals and families. Specifically, volunteers will to help erect temporary shelters (tent cities) and organize support services (serving food, administering first aid, dispensing water, providing comfort, etc.). Volunteer Eligibility --Seven-day Commitment, Minimum: Volunteers can only be accepted if they are able to serve at least a seven-day shift...
Also, I got an e-mail from the University of Pennsylvania saying that they will offer classes to kids who live in Philly and go to college in the NO area for the fall semester. Additionally, staff can get up to three weeks off, paid, to help with the relief effort.
Donating and updates
Below is the official site to donate to the Red Cross, which has set up shelters across Louisiana and Mississippi. I got to it from their homepage, www.redcross.org, but to keep up with demand, they have asked Yahoo to donate a separate page where people can donate to the hurricane relief effort. They have boxes where you can donate as little as $10. Here is the link:
http://store.yahoo.com/redcross-donate/
Carl from Baton Rouge reports:
Right now I am trying to separate fact from fiction.
The stories circulating around Baton Rouge are becoming more frightening by the hour, but it's unclear which, if any, are true.
So much is unconfirmed right now, including reports that dozens of buses carrying refugees from the Superdome to Houston stopped at an outlet mall in Gonzales, two-thirds of the way between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, and that people got off the buses and began urinating and defacating in the parking lot.
Every community along I-10 right now has growing tension.
If a million people must abandon the greater New Orleans area and surrounding parts, they have to go somewhere. Baton Rouge is one of the first places they can stop.
People here want to help, and they have been. People here also want to circle the wagons and protect their own.
fear this is only beginning.
LSU's athletics facilities are now being used for helicopter landings, medical triage and shelter. Sports information office workers helped carry body bags into the baskeball arena. The place could be a staging area for dead bodies for weeks.
Every business in town that has power has long lines and overflowing parking lots.
Right now, I feel lucky to have power, but I wonder what life is going to be like in the coming weeks and months.
Note: It is apparently true that a random guy came upon a school bus in Louisiana and drove a bunch of people to the Houston Astrodome. They were allowed in.
Below is the official site to donate to the Red Cross, which has set up shelters across Louisiana and Mississippi. I got to it from their homepage, www.redcross.org, but to keep up with demand, they have asked Yahoo to donate a separate page where people can donate to the hurricane relief effort. They have boxes where you can donate as little as $10. Here is the link:
http://store.yahoo.com/redcross-donate/
Carl from Baton Rouge reports:
Right now I am trying to separate fact from fiction.
The stories circulating around Baton Rouge are becoming more frightening by the hour, but it's unclear which, if any, are true.
So much is unconfirmed right now, including reports that dozens of buses carrying refugees from the Superdome to Houston stopped at an outlet mall in Gonzales, two-thirds of the way between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, and that people got off the buses and began urinating and defacating in the parking lot.
Every community along I-10 right now has growing tension.
If a million people must abandon the greater New Orleans area and surrounding parts, they have to go somewhere. Baton Rouge is one of the first places they can stop.
People here want to help, and they have been. People here also want to circle the wagons and protect their own.
fear this is only beginning.
LSU's athletics facilities are now being used for helicopter landings, medical triage and shelter. Sports information office workers helped carry body bags into the baskeball arena. The place could be a staging area for dead bodies for weeks.
Every business in town that has power has long lines and overflowing parking lots.
Right now, I feel lucky to have power, but I wonder what life is going to be like in the coming weeks and months.
Note: It is apparently true that a random guy came upon a school bus in Louisiana and drove a bunch of people to the Houston Astrodome. They were allowed in.
Here's a group blog from New Orleans.
And this is from the Times-Picayune's blog (they can't put out a print edition):
Ant balls not an urban myth
In addition to all of the other horrors befalling New Orleanians during the flood was the creepy discovery that red ants form themselves into floating clusters to avoid drowning. As Dante Ramos and I paddled along Carrollton Avenue on Wednesday, I saw two glittering, golf ball-sized masses of ants floating beside our canoe. - Doug MacCash
And this is from the Times-Picayune's blog (they can't put out a print edition):
Ant balls not an urban myth
In addition to all of the other horrors befalling New Orleanians during the flood was the creepy discovery that red ants form themselves into floating clusters to avoid drowning. As Dante Ramos and I paddled along Carrollton Avenue on Wednesday, I saw two glittering, golf ball-sized masses of ants floating beside our canoe. - Doug MacCash
It's strange
People are dying in New Orleans, but the coverage up here is comparably small, and nightly talk show hosts make jokes and move on to other things. "If you're watching this on a looted TV, give it back," Jimmy Kimmel said.
Here is a forum where storm refugees post if they're ok, or looking for someone:
http://www.wwltv.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=15
What's odd is that people knew that a direct strike from a hurricane would flood New Orleans -- knew it for years -- but still it seems like there was only so much they could do.
A friend of mine linked to an article saying that FEMA released a report in 2001 listing the top 3 disasters to which the US was most vulnerable: NY terrorist attack, earthquake in San Fran, and hurricane for N.O.
They said on the news that all events at the Houston Astrodome have been canceled through December. That means people could be living there for three months. How scary! I guess kids will go to school there too? I imagine they'll need lots of volunteers to help out.
People are dying in New Orleans, but the coverage up here is comparably small, and nightly talk show hosts make jokes and move on to other things. "If you're watching this on a looted TV, give it back," Jimmy Kimmel said.
Here is a forum where storm refugees post if they're ok, or looking for someone:
http://www.wwltv.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=15
What's odd is that people knew that a direct strike from a hurricane would flood New Orleans -- knew it for years -- but still it seems like there was only so much they could do.
A friend of mine linked to an article saying that FEMA released a report in 2001 listing the top 3 disasters to which the US was most vulnerable: NY terrorist attack, earthquake in San Fran, and hurricane for N.O.
They said on the news that all events at the Houston Astrodome have been canceled through December. That means people could be living there for three months. How scary! I guess kids will go to school there too? I imagine they'll need lots of volunteers to help out.
8/30/2005
So many people are suffering in Louisiana, and as with any sudden tragedy, there are probably many horror stories that haven't made the news yet. Not everyone could get out, of course -- the critically ill who couldn't be moved from hospitals had to stay...what did their families do? I suppose they had to leave them and hope for the best. How did people without cars get out? The people who got to the Superdome and survived are lucky, but there's no air conditioning in there...it must be just awful.
8/29/2005
Last report from Carl in Baton Rouge for a while, since he's lost power:
Laptop has about 2 hours of battery power, which I'm conserving. Baton Rouge is getting its hardest punches now, and this will probably be going on for another 2-3 hours. One radio station reports 71 trees down in East Baton Rouge Parish.
At times it's quiet, but then that familiar woosh outside my window makes me wonder if I'm about to see a tree branch in my bedroom. Holes in the roof of the Superdome, I hear. Amazing.
Laptop has about 2 hours of battery power, which I'm conserving. Baton Rouge is getting its hardest punches now, and this will probably be going on for another 2-3 hours. One radio station reports 71 trees down in East Baton Rouge Parish.
At times it's quiet, but then that familiar woosh outside my window makes me wonder if I'm about to see a tree branch in my bedroom. Holes in the roof of the Superdome, I hear. Amazing.
8/28/2005
HOLY CRAP
Carl forwarded this warning that came from the NWS in Slidell, La. It's so strongly worded that some were questioning it:
MOST OF THE AREA WILL BE UNINHABITABLE FOR WEEKS...PERHAPS LONGER. AT LEAST ONE HALF OF WELL CONSTRUCTED HOMES WILL HAVE ROOF AND WALL FAILURE. ALL GABLED ROOFS WILL FAIL...LEAVING THOSE HOMES SEVERELY DAMAGED OR DESTROYED.
HIGH RISE OFFICE AND APARTMENT BUILDINGS WILL SWAY DANGEROUSLY...A FEW TO THE POINT OF TOTAL COLLAPSE. ALL WINDOWS WILL BLOW OUT.
AIRBORNE DEBRIS WILL BE WIDESPREAD...AND MAY INCLUDE HEAVY ITEMS SUCH AS HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES AND EVEN LIGHT VEHICLES. SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND LIGHT TRUCKS WILL BE MOVED. THE BLOWN DEBRIS WILL CREATE ADDITIONAL DESTRUCTION. PERSONS...PETS...AND LIVESTOCK EXPOSED TO THE WINDS WILL FACE CERTAIN DEATH IF STRUCK.
POWER OUTAGES WILL LAST FOR WEEKS...AS MOST POWER POLES WILL BE DOWN AND TRANSFORMERS DESTROYED. WATER SHORTAGES WILL MAKE HUMAN SUFFERING INCREDIBLE BY MODERN STANDARDS.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF NATIVE TREES WILL BE SNAPPED OR UPROOTED. ONLY THE HEARTIEST WILL REMAIN STANDING...BUT BE TOTALLY DEFOLIATED. FEW CROPS WILL REMAIN. LIVESTOCK LEFT EXPOSED TO THE WINDS WILL BE KILLED.
N.O. TV has all the updates on who's evacuating (several parishes). Scientists are comparing data.
Carl forwarded this warning that came from the NWS in Slidell, La. It's so strongly worded that some were questioning it:
MOST OF THE AREA WILL BE UNINHABITABLE FOR WEEKS...PERHAPS LONGER. AT LEAST ONE HALF OF WELL CONSTRUCTED HOMES WILL HAVE ROOF AND WALL FAILURE. ALL GABLED ROOFS WILL FAIL...LEAVING THOSE HOMES SEVERELY DAMAGED OR DESTROYED.
HIGH RISE OFFICE AND APARTMENT BUILDINGS WILL SWAY DANGEROUSLY...A FEW TO THE POINT OF TOTAL COLLAPSE. ALL WINDOWS WILL BLOW OUT.
AIRBORNE DEBRIS WILL BE WIDESPREAD...AND MAY INCLUDE HEAVY ITEMS SUCH AS HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES AND EVEN LIGHT VEHICLES. SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND LIGHT TRUCKS WILL BE MOVED. THE BLOWN DEBRIS WILL CREATE ADDITIONAL DESTRUCTION. PERSONS...PETS...AND LIVESTOCK EXPOSED TO THE WINDS WILL FACE CERTAIN DEATH IF STRUCK.
POWER OUTAGES WILL LAST FOR WEEKS...AS MOST POWER POLES WILL BE DOWN AND TRANSFORMERS DESTROYED. WATER SHORTAGES WILL MAKE HUMAN SUFFERING INCREDIBLE BY MODERN STANDARDS.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF NATIVE TREES WILL BE SNAPPED OR UPROOTED. ONLY THE HEARTIEST WILL REMAIN STANDING...BUT BE TOTALLY DEFOLIATED. FEW CROPS WILL REMAIN. LIVESTOCK LEFT EXPOSED TO THE WINDS WILL BE KILLED.
N.O. TV has all the updates on who's evacuating (several parishes). Scientists are comparing data.
8/27/2005
8/26/2005
Home Stretch
Two more weekends of proofreading, and then my novel is done.
I won't have to be constantly scared anymore: Scared of sending it out too soon and being rejected, scared of getting it out too late after someone else wrote something with a similar plot.
Scared of not finding the right words to emotionally reflect what's in my heart.
Namecalling
They said on the radio that Jerry Seinfeld just had a baby boy named Shepherd Seinfeld, and Soleil Moon Frye just had a girl named Poet Goldberg. Those are kinda cute, I think. But then they said Penn Jilette's kid is named Moxie Crimefighter. What's he going to call his pet dog, Jennifer Elizabeth?
More writing nonsense
"Scenes from a Holiday" including "Carrie Pilby's New Year's Resolution" hits shelves two months from today.
Two more weekends of proofreading, and then my novel is done.
I won't have to be constantly scared anymore: Scared of sending it out too soon and being rejected, scared of getting it out too late after someone else wrote something with a similar plot.
Scared of not finding the right words to emotionally reflect what's in my heart.
Namecalling
They said on the radio that Jerry Seinfeld just had a baby boy named Shepherd Seinfeld, and Soleil Moon Frye just had a girl named Poet Goldberg. Those are kinda cute, I think. But then they said Penn Jilette's kid is named Moxie Crimefighter. What's he going to call his pet dog, Jennifer Elizabeth?
More writing nonsense
"Scenes from a Holiday" including "Carrie Pilby's New Year's Resolution" hits shelves two months from today.
8/24/2005
Trends
Hours after posting my link to Flying Spaghetti Monster, I saw a guy in the PATH station wearing a WWFSMD? T-shirt with a picture of His Stringiness!
Also, I hear that Jess Liese read her Nicemodernist Manifesto at KGB last night. That means it's cemented into the annals of literary history.
Hours after posting my link to Flying Spaghetti Monster, I saw a guy in the PATH station wearing a WWFSMD? T-shirt with a picture of His Stringiness!
Also, I hear that Jess Liese read her Nicemodernist Manifesto at KGB last night. That means it's cemented into the annals of literary history.
8/23/2005
Random scene from Sixth Avenue
Please explain in detail your problem.
A few months ago, my template all of a sudden acted weird, and putting in various codes or re-choosing it didn't help, so I had to choose a new template.
Now my NEW template is all of a sudden acting weird, running a line down the right side right through my posts, changing the margins, and pushing my sidelinks to the bottom.
Please explain in detail your problem.
A few months ago, my template all of a sudden acted weird, and putting in various codes or re-choosing it didn't help, so I had to choose a new template.
Now my NEW template is all of a sudden acting weird, running a line down the right side right through my posts, changing the margins, and pushing my sidelinks to the bottom.
People will try to get anything into Wikipedia.
I laughed very hard at this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:
Votes_for_deletion/Log/2005_August_20#
The_Fox_and_the_Hound_Steal_Money
Also please see the new Wikipedia entry for "Flying Spaghetti Monster." It's a brand new theory of creation, and actually shows in-depth pictures of the Flying Spaghetti Monster who created humankind.
I think it's time for me to go to sleep now.
I laughed very hard at this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:
Votes_for_deletion/Log/2005_August_20#
The_Fox_and_the_Hound_Steal_Money
Also please see the new Wikipedia entry for "Flying Spaghetti Monster." It's a brand new theory of creation, and actually shows in-depth pictures of the Flying Spaghetti Monster who created humankind.
I think it's time for me to go to sleep now.
8/21/2005
Another boring update on revisions.
I spent a crazy amount of time this weekend revising a particular part of the book that needed fixing...which included writing it two different ways, editing them both, and in the end, choosing the better one but throwing in a dash of the other.
I think I'm almost done.
There are no big problems to overcome, no big research to do, no parts I like that really really should be cut out. It took - what? - nearly four years to get this far.
Someone asked me today what I think of a certain author who writes two books a year. I said, well, he may be more talented than I am. Or, he may be writing stuff that's closer to his life, which means less research, less figuring things out, less trial and error.
It's going out in Sept, I think. (And to think, around last September, I was hoping for November! But I would have been lying to myself if I thought it was ready then.)
I also got to do laundry this weekend, so I feel all caught up.
I spent a crazy amount of time this weekend revising a particular part of the book that needed fixing...which included writing it two different ways, editing them both, and in the end, choosing the better one but throwing in a dash of the other.
I think I'm almost done.
There are no big problems to overcome, no big research to do, no parts I like that really really should be cut out. It took - what? - nearly four years to get this far.
Someone asked me today what I think of a certain author who writes two books a year. I said, well, he may be more talented than I am. Or, he may be writing stuff that's closer to his life, which means less research, less figuring things out, less trial and error.
It's going out in Sept, I think. (And to think, around last September, I was hoping for November! But I would have been lying to myself if I thought it was ready then.)
I also got to do laundry this weekend, so I feel all caught up.
8/19/2005
8/18/2005
8/17/2005
Woke up, put on clothes, etc.
Quarterly Disclaimer: Every few months I post this disclaimer, which is...
If you're someone who barely knows me, and you read my brief comments on this blog, you only know a tiny tiny percent of me, maybe less...so please try not to form judgments! I know it's hard. Feel free to ask me questions. There is more to know.
Yes, sometimes I think of something funny and put light, goofy observations here, but I'm not like that all the time. This is a place to add pithy remarks, maybe help friends and acquaintances and readers keep up with a few things I'm doing, but there is plenty about me that's not on here. And I don't put really personal stuff here.
So don't worry that I will write about you. And don't be afraid to ask me questions personally. There is much more than what you see, and some of it might even be very different.
For instance, I think this website is really something.
Quarterly Disclaimer: Every few months I post this disclaimer, which is...
If you're someone who barely knows me, and you read my brief comments on this blog, you only know a tiny tiny percent of me, maybe less...so please try not to form judgments! I know it's hard. Feel free to ask me questions. There is more to know.
Yes, sometimes I think of something funny and put light, goofy observations here, but I'm not like that all the time. This is a place to add pithy remarks, maybe help friends and acquaintances and readers keep up with a few things I'm doing, but there is plenty about me that's not on here. And I don't put really personal stuff here.
So don't worry that I will write about you. And don't be afraid to ask me questions personally. There is much more than what you see, and some of it might even be very different.
For instance, I think this website is really something.
8/16/2005
8/15/2005
8/14/2005
Love
In the Sunday Times Styles section every week, they have a column called "Modern Love." This week's story is from a woman whose friend Tina kept pining for her ex-boyfriend, Marcus. Marcus was wonderful and Tina could never get over him, but he broke up with her twice to travel or pursue projects or do whatever, and she told him the second time never to contact her again. Then, Tina told the author that Marus had just e-mailed her. He told her he would always love her, never stopped thinking about her, etc. He didn't ask her to come back, though. So she didn't respond.
As the author of this piece points out, it's quite possible that Tina was doing the right thing by ignoring Marcus, as much as she loved him. Yet, Tina always talked about him. The author finally meddled in Tina's business by phoning Marcus and telling him how Tina really felt about him. Eventually Marcus got back together with Tina...and they got married!
I bring this up because you just never know what can happen in life and love, especially when you're young, and there are no hardfast rules. Sometimes people have a great relationship in college or when they're in their early 20s, but there's something missing or something wrong, and they don't know if they should break it off and hope for something better (after all, they have a lot of dating years ahead), or accept the shortcomings and make an effort to stick it out.
There is no right answer to that. The couple can get married, and one or both of them might meet someone who is much better for them and regret it. Or, they might break up and realize how hard it is to find another kindred soul, and realize they should have gotten married.
The book "He's Just Not That Into You" would have told Tina in this tale that a guy who breaks up with her twice is not treating her well enough. In most cases, that's true. If someone wants to be with you, even if they need to work on their projects, they're not going to dump you. And chasing after them doesn't change their mind. But in this case, this couple broke up twice and ended up married.
The only thing that sometimes helps people make decent decisions about love is time. You know a lot more in your 30s about how you relate to other people, and what dating is like, than when you're 22. But sometimes, the opportunities are fewer. What to do?
How can you be 22 and forecast what's ahead? If you're really in love with someone, or really being treated badly by someone, the answers to what you should do are obvious...but if it's not that cut and dried, it can be hard to figure out.
Anyway, that's just something I was thinking about. Sometimes missed opportunities and regrets are harder to deal with than things that simply didn't work out. But you can't always know until later what the outcome will be.
(By the way, the woman in the piece was not really named Tina, but I left the paper at the coffee shop so I don't remember what her name was. It was probably a fake name in the story anyway.)
And now....
This has nothing to do with that, but I had to share it from my recent Sopranos viewing because it's funny:
Tony Soprano: We're the f--- have you been? You're late!
Christopher: Sorry, the highway was jammed with broken heroes on a last-chance power drive.
In the Sunday Times Styles section every week, they have a column called "Modern Love." This week's story is from a woman whose friend Tina kept pining for her ex-boyfriend, Marcus. Marcus was wonderful and Tina could never get over him, but he broke up with her twice to travel or pursue projects or do whatever, and she told him the second time never to contact her again. Then, Tina told the author that Marus had just e-mailed her. He told her he would always love her, never stopped thinking about her, etc. He didn't ask her to come back, though. So she didn't respond.
As the author of this piece points out, it's quite possible that Tina was doing the right thing by ignoring Marcus, as much as she loved him. Yet, Tina always talked about him. The author finally meddled in Tina's business by phoning Marcus and telling him how Tina really felt about him. Eventually Marcus got back together with Tina...and they got married!
I bring this up because you just never know what can happen in life and love, especially when you're young, and there are no hardfast rules. Sometimes people have a great relationship in college or when they're in their early 20s, but there's something missing or something wrong, and they don't know if they should break it off and hope for something better (after all, they have a lot of dating years ahead), or accept the shortcomings and make an effort to stick it out.
There is no right answer to that. The couple can get married, and one or both of them might meet someone who is much better for them and regret it. Or, they might break up and realize how hard it is to find another kindred soul, and realize they should have gotten married.
The book "He's Just Not That Into You" would have told Tina in this tale that a guy who breaks up with her twice is not treating her well enough. In most cases, that's true. If someone wants to be with you, even if they need to work on their projects, they're not going to dump you. And chasing after them doesn't change their mind. But in this case, this couple broke up twice and ended up married.
The only thing that sometimes helps people make decent decisions about love is time. You know a lot more in your 30s about how you relate to other people, and what dating is like, than when you're 22. But sometimes, the opportunities are fewer. What to do?
How can you be 22 and forecast what's ahead? If you're really in love with someone, or really being treated badly by someone, the answers to what you should do are obvious...but if it's not that cut and dried, it can be hard to figure out.
Anyway, that's just something I was thinking about. Sometimes missed opportunities and regrets are harder to deal with than things that simply didn't work out. But you can't always know until later what the outcome will be.
(By the way, the woman in the piece was not really named Tina, but I left the paper at the coffee shop so I don't remember what her name was. It was probably a fake name in the story anyway.)
And now....
This has nothing to do with that, but I had to share it from my recent Sopranos viewing because it's funny:
Tony Soprano: We're the f--- have you been? You're late!
Christopher: Sorry, the highway was jammed with broken heroes on a last-chance power drive.
8/12/2005
Hmm...looks like the annual Hurricane Watch on this blog, from Aug. 15 to Sept. 15, when we usually see most of them up here, may have to start three days early!
"Forecasters said the storm could strike the coast anywhere from South Carolina to New Jersey." - AP
"Forecasters said the storm could strike the coast anywhere from South Carolina to New Jersey." - AP
Training
Author Jennifer Weiner comes up with the best reason to take off from blogging that I've ever heard:
"Posting will be infrequent for the next week or so, as we are dealing with the nascent stages of toilet training."
I sent her an e-mail:
Re: Toilet training/blog
Date: 8/11/2005 12:00:54 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Lizzner
To: Jennifer Weiner
What are you training your toilet to do?
Caren
Author Jennifer Weiner comes up with the best reason to take off from blogging that I've ever heard:
"Posting will be infrequent for the next week or so, as we are dealing with the nascent stages of toilet training."
I sent her an e-mail:
Re: Toilet training/blog
Date: 8/11/2005 12:00:54 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Lizzner
To: Jennifer Weiner
What are you training your toilet to do?
Caren
8/11/2005
Be thankful
I always wanted to write a
whole post in hypertext.
Be thankful this isn't a novel!
(Yet.)
---------UPDATE: Sam from Hawaii writes:-----
My God, you're a genius and you don't even know it! A whole novel, in color! I'll call it "The Bad Acid Trip"...
No. The hypertext thing means that you can click on any word, and it's a LINK. Get it?
I always wanted to write a
whole post in hypertext.
Be thankful this isn't a novel!
(Yet.)
---------UPDATE: Sam from Hawaii writes:-----
My God, you're a genius and you don't even know it! A whole novel, in color! I'll call it "The Bad Acid Trip"...
No. The hypertext thing means that you can click on any word, and it's a LINK. Get it?
8/10/2005
Scene from a newspaper story meeting.
REPORTER 1: ...And I'm writing about the high school band, and one of the guys was out there naked...
ME: Does he play the flute?
OTHER REPORTER: Caren!
REPORTER 1: No, French horn.
In other snooze...
Someone asked for an explanation of "Goat Watch." In short, there is a house near my father's house with a pet goat tied up out back. I have offered my half-sister, who's 13, $20 cash if she finds out the goat's name by the end of the summer.
REPORTER 1: ...And I'm writing about the high school band, and one of the guys was out there naked...
ME: Does he play the flute?
OTHER REPORTER: Caren!
REPORTER 1: No, French horn.
In other snooze...
Someone asked for an explanation of "Goat Watch." In short, there is a house near my father's house with a pet goat tied up out back. I have offered my half-sister, who's 13, $20 cash if she finds out the goat's name by the end of the summer.
8/09/2005
8/08/2005
This really happened.
I was driving around yesterday doing errands and I stopped at a traffic light. I looked to my right, and the guy in the car next to me was motioning for me to roll down my window. So I did.
Then he said, "Do you know why Italians don't like the Jehovah's witnesses?"
I said, "I don't know. Why not?"
And he said, "Because they don't like ANY witnesses."
Then the light changed and the guy and I took off in different directions.
I swear, weird as this is, it actually happened.
Is there a new New Jersey trend of telling ethnic jokes at lights?
I was driving around yesterday doing errands and I stopped at a traffic light. I looked to my right, and the guy in the car next to me was motioning for me to roll down my window. So I did.
Then he said, "Do you know why Italians don't like the Jehovah's witnesses?"
I said, "I don't know. Why not?"
And he said, "Because they don't like ANY witnesses."
Then the light changed and the guy and I took off in different directions.
I swear, weird as this is, it actually happened.
Is there a new New Jersey trend of telling ethnic jokes at lights?
8/07/2005
Woke up, put on clothes.
It's another beautiful day!
Sorry to those I owe e-mails to. I'm catching up...
Curious about the New York literary scene? Read Jessica Liese's Nicemodernist Manifesto. It's fun! It's nice!
It's another beautiful day!
Sorry to those I owe e-mails to. I'm catching up...
Curious about the New York literary scene? Read Jessica Liese's Nicemodernist Manifesto. It's fun! It's nice!
8/05/2005
Someone told me to stop having my book critiqued and just submit the damn thing already. Probably good advice. I have to remind myself that editors make changes, too. They may see something special in it the way it is and ask for some changes - there's no way I'm going to head off every possible criticism, or everyone's opinion.
I made some changes tonight. I feel less anxiety now, and I can go to sleep. But will I still love these changes in the morning?
I made some changes tonight. I feel less anxiety now, and I can go to sleep. But will I still love these changes in the morning?
8/04/2005
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
Two friends of mine have an essay in the Black Table today about how to get away with a cheap date. It's actually pretty funny.
Malice points out that Slate agrees with him that Hillary wouldn't be fun to hang out with.
Okay, you win, so...I'm not inviting her to my next sleepover. I still will vote for her.
I mean...does anyone else characterize their world leaders in such a disrespectful way? gimmie a break. gimmie a break.
break me off a piece of that kit kat bar.
Two friends of mine have an essay in the Black Table today about how to get away with a cheap date. It's actually pretty funny.
* * *
Malice points out that Slate agrees with him that Hillary wouldn't be fun to hang out with.
Okay, you win, so...I'm not inviting her to my next sleepover. I still will vote for her.
I mean...does anyone else characterize their world leaders in such a disrespectful way? gimmie a break. gimmie a break.
break me off a piece of that kit kat bar.
* * *
Cherries make a great snack at work.
8/03/2005
Thanks for all y'all's support. I know that I can't listen to every critic. It's just that I'm scared of rejection. But really, even books that sell a million copies have their detractors, so not everyone is going to like everything.
Someone wrote that if Melville listened to critics, Moby Dick would have been a love story. I already thought it was.
I guess you've seen this news
about how this year's going to get even worse for hurricanes. Don't they say that every year? I'm a fan of hurricane hype, and even I think this is too much.
That said, Aug. 15- Sept. 15 is usually when the biggest ones hit where I am, so the Barometer Blog and I will be watching. The link to the NWS hurricane center is on the right.
I hope everyone has a splendid Wednesday.
Someone wrote that if Melville listened to critics, Moby Dick would have been a love story. I already thought it was.
I guess you've seen this news
about how this year's going to get even worse for hurricanes. Don't they say that every year? I'm a fan of hurricane hype, and even I think this is too much.
That said, Aug. 15- Sept. 15 is usually when the biggest ones hit where I am, so the Barometer Blog and I will be watching. The link to the NWS hurricane center is on the right.
I hope everyone has a splendid Wednesday.
8/02/2005
R.H.
Someone just e-mailed me a new critique of the first 100 pages of my manuscript.
The stuff I thought was the best stuff was the stuff she didn't like, or thought needed improvement.
How am I supposed to figure this all out?!?! This is all so confusing.
People wonder how I could possibly spend four years on a book. This is why.
I don't want it to be rejected. I want it to be as good as it can be.
But that means...more work.
And yet, people e-mail me because they want me to read their books and critique them. I love doing that, but I tell them that I can only read the first 10 pages right now...because I just can't focus on anyone else's entire manuscript when I'm in Revision Hell.
I guess the only consolation is that everyone has a different opinion, and I just have to use my judgment, most of all, and then follow the consensus. I just wish I had constant guidance, but that's too much to ask of anyone.
I've given up on projects before, but I'm NOT giving up on this one. It has a lot to say, and it's interesting - it's just the beginning that needs more work. Luckily, I DO have ideas on how to fix it.
Someone just e-mailed me a new critique of the first 100 pages of my manuscript.
The stuff I thought was the best stuff was the stuff she didn't like, or thought needed improvement.
How am I supposed to figure this all out?!?! This is all so confusing.
People wonder how I could possibly spend four years on a book. This is why.
I don't want it to be rejected. I want it to be as good as it can be.
But that means...more work.
And yet, people e-mail me because they want me to read their books and critique them. I love doing that, but I tell them that I can only read the first 10 pages right now...because I just can't focus on anyone else's entire manuscript when I'm in Revision Hell.
I guess the only consolation is that everyone has a different opinion, and I just have to use my judgment, most of all, and then follow the consensus. I just wish I had constant guidance, but that's too much to ask of anyone.
I've given up on projects before, but I'm NOT giving up on this one. It has a lot to say, and it's interesting - it's just the beginning that needs more work. Luckily, I DO have ideas on how to fix it.
8/01/2005
A week or two ago, a woman (I can't even remember who or where) found out my age and said to me, "You're only a baby." Then, yesterday, I was at a friend's bridal shower and another friend's mom referred to her, me, and our friends as "the kids." It's nice to still be considered part of "the kids" by someone, although I would guess it won't happen too much longer.
Someone found this blog by putting the following into a search engine: "But I don't have another one. When we entered the abbey our worldly clothes were given to the poor."
