Monthly Archives: January 2010

reading like a writer–part 5: taking a story apart

Posted on January 29, 2010 by

Before I jump into the story, I’d just like to say that what follows are my notes–opinion not fact. And I hope to hear more opinions from you. Also, LONGEST POST EVER ALERT (I suggest a beverage of some sort, … Continue reading →

Posted in craft of writing, details, journeys, stories, time | Tagged | 24 Comments

reading like a writer–part 4: reading a story

Posted on January 27, 2010 by

Many of the stories in the new Alice Munro collection, Too Much Happiness, were first published in The New Yorker and are still available online. “Dimensions,” the first story in the collection, will be the story  I’ll take apart in … Continue reading →

Posted in craft of writing, stories | Tagged | 2 Comments

reading like a writer–part 3: questions to ask

Posted on January 25, 2010 by

In an essay entitled “Artful Stealing” by Steven Schwartz in the current issue of “The Writer’s Chronicle,” he writes, “…you break into your own material by finding the key to someone else’s.” Each time I take a story apart, I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in craft of writing, stories | Tagged | 16 Comments

reading like a writer–part 2: taking it to a new level

Posted on January 22, 2010 by

Like many of you, I feel that for some time now I’ve been reading like a writer. In other words, when I’m reading, I’m also noticing: tense shifts, point of view, use of time, distance between the narrator and the … Continue reading →

Posted in craft of writing, mfa, reading, stories | Tagged , | 6 Comments

reading like a writer–part 1

Posted on January 19, 2010 by

Here’s another one of those odd coincidences: It was January of last year that I did a post on James Salter who wrote one of my favorite novels, Light Years, and who in July of 2004 at the Tin House … Continue reading →

Posted in craft of writing, reading, stories | Tagged | 31 Comments

the first residency

Posted on January 16, 2010 by

Thank you to everyone who’s asked what it was like going to my first residency at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. I think it’s taken so long for me to write this post because, in addition to catching up … Continue reading →

Posted in accumulation, craft of writing, details, journeys, mfa, place, reading, schedules, the day, writing | Tagged | 26 Comments

frozen

Posted on January 13, 2010 by

At 10:15, this day appears to be another one of those where I feel like my right arm is going in one direction and my left in completely the opposite, the same with my legs, and my head just might … Continue reading →

Posted in Columbus GA, place, the day, time | Tagged | 14 Comments

an equal stillness

Posted on January 11, 2010 by

An Equal Stillness, the debut novel by Francesca Kay, who grew up in South-east Asia and India and now lives in Oxford, was one of the best books I read in 2009. My review of this book is now online … Continue reading →

Posted in first novels, awards and prizes, my writing, reviews, Contrary | Tagged | 6 Comments

filled up & emptied out

Posted on January 8, 2010 by

I lie down and get back up only minutes later. I close my eyes and then open them. I’m filled up and emptied out at the same time. Exhausted and yet energized. I’m on my way home from Vermont College … Continue reading →

Posted in accumulation, craft of writing, journeys, mfa, place, schedules, writing | Tagged | 13 Comments

How We Spend Our Days: Abigail Thomas

Posted on January 1, 2010 by

Annie Dillard wrote, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” On the first of each month, Catching Days hosts a guest writer in the series, “How We Spend Our Days.” Today, please welcome writer … Continue reading →

Posted in How We Spend Our Days | Tagged , , , , , , , | 33 Comments