Monthly Archives: September 2008

prosaic

Posted on September 30, 2008 by

The Oxford American Dictionary defines this beautiful sounding word as like prose; lacking poetic beauty. unromantic; dull; comonplace. The top three definitions of prose are the ordinary form of the written or spoken language a passage of prose a tedious … Continue reading →

Posted in shapes, words | Tagged | Leave a comment

sheet rock

Posted on September 28, 2008 by

The Country Life, published in 1997, is Rachel Cusk‘s third novel.  She is spacing them out like children–one every two years.  As opposed to The Temporary, the writing is solid throughout, continuously propelling the reader forward.  The first sentence tells you that the narrator is … Continue reading →

Posted in details, journeys, Rachel Cusk, reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

like a wick

Posted on September 27, 2008 by

I used to copy down favorite passages in a notebook.  A small five by seven three-ring binder.  I could move the pages around, organize them.  I haven’t written in it in a while.  I’m not sure why.  Maybe too busy writing myself.  Anyway, I … Continue reading →

Posted in continuous life | Tagged | 3 Comments

otherwise

Posted on September 26, 2008 by

One of my favorite poems is “Otherwise” by Jane Kenyon.  It begins “I got out of bed on two strong legs. It might have been otherwise.”    For the complete poem, please go to http://www.loc.gov/poetry/180/050.html. “Otherwise” first appeared in Harvard Magazine and … Continue reading →

Posted in life, poetry | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

the slow construction of a writing life

Posted on September 25, 2008 by

With her first novel, Saving Agnes, Rachel Cusk laid the foundation for her writing life.  The Temporary is her second novel.  It was published in 1995, two years after her first.  And I see improvement.  The author is using fewer words, and in places, she … Continue reading →

Posted in Rachel Cusk, reviews, shapes | Tagged , | Leave a comment

like watching a house being built

Posted on September 24, 2008 by

In July, I read Arlington Park and discovered a writer new to me–Rachel Cusk.  She was born in Canada in 1967, grew up in Los Angeles, and now lives in England.  Arlington Park is her most recent novel.  Although I thought … Continue reading →

Posted in awards and prizes, first novels, Rachel Cusk, reviews | Tagged , | Leave a comment

first day of fall

Posted on September 22, 2008 by

September 22, 2008–the autumnal equinox–fall at last.  My favorite season.  And it felt like fall this morning.  Canada geese flying over.  The first leaves changing color. It’s no surprise that in two of my all-time favorite books, the authors write … Continue reading →

Posted in fall, favorite books, leaves | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

sanctuary

Posted on September 21, 2008 by

At the end of The Hours, in the Acknowledgments, Michael Cunningham thanks Three Lives and Company for being in existence. He describes this bookstore as ”…a sanctuary and, to me, the center of the universe.  It has for some time been the … Continue reading →

Posted in books, why I write | Tagged , | Leave a comment

casts

Posted on September 19, 2008 by

Niagara Falls All Over Again  (published in 2001) is a well-crafted novel written by Elizabeth McCracken.  In the space of two and a half pages, the author uses several techniques to pull the reader into the story.  Early in the novel, the author describes an accident as … Continue reading →

Posted in craft of writing | Tagged | Leave a comment

friday night lights

Posted on September 17, 2008 by

Last Friday night, at Leon Coverson Stadium in Greenville, Georgia, the Patriots faced the Cougars.  It was the red and black against the blue and white.  At the start of the game, the sun lingered behind a cloud.  A few minutes later, smoke from the … Continue reading →

Posted in catching moments, poetry | Tagged | Leave a comment