Monthly Archives: April 2009

out stealing horses

“We weren’t really stealing them…But we call it stealing to make it more exciting.” Per Petterson is a writer who can stand inside a moment, turn in a circle and look up and down until there is no inch of … Continue reading

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Fitzgerald finale, part 2

The Russian Doll Aspect of Life: I am the same person who liked to play with Troll Dolls in third grade, tried out for cheer leading in ninth, worked as a waitress in college, lived in France, and practiced law. … Continue reading

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Fitzgerald finale, part 1

Perhaps one of the reasons I’ve been so taken with Tender is the Night is that the things Fitzgerald writes about are also the things I’m interested in.  In this two-part post (a finale in the sense that I’ll be … Continue reading

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a pattern of constant revising

Apparently on a little F. Scott Fitzgerald kick… The first novel he submitted to Charles Scribner’s Sons was rejected. Erika Willett writes, “Beginning a pattern of constant revising that would characterize his writing style for the rest of his career, … Continue reading

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in a lyrical way

75 years ago this month, Tender is the Night was published.  In a friend’s copy of the book, Fitzgerald inscribed the following: “If you liked The Great Gatsby, for God’s sake read this. Gatsby was a tour de force but … Continue reading

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four wardrobe trunks

I have no trouble packing in a carry-on for a weekend trip, even a 3-day weekend. But until a few weeks ago, I’d never packed in a carry-on for a week-long trip. My husband suggested I try it. Well, I … Continue reading

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from point reyes

It’s writing group week at Point Reyes, California–nine of us here (several in absentia) with Pam Houston.  We arrived Thursday night at the Old Point Reyes Schoolhouse Compound for a dinner of fish stew. We come from all over the … Continue reading

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from sausalito

Last night around 10:15, I was driving into San Francisco and fireworks were going off across the bay.  I got a little lost, but my gps saved me.  Around eleven pm, I was crossing the Golden Gate Bridge.  Amazing. Today, … Continue reading

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from seaside

It’s a blustery day in Seaside, Florida, a town many of you may know from the movie The Truman Show.  I was taking a quick break from Tender is the Night for a fun beach read, The Sunday Wife by … Continue reading

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the first days of April

“The first days of April were windy and warm.  White clouds trailed across the blue sky.  In the wind there was the smell of the river and also the fresher smell of fields beyond the town.” from The Heart is … Continue reading

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