Category Archives: writing

The Hoopla about the Em Dash

Who the? What the? In my recent book project with my photographer friend, Ellie, I learned a thing about en dashes and em dashes, as separate from hyphens. I brushed up on the topic by reading a discussion thread at … Continue reading

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Baby Step

When somebody says they think I’m brave or gutsy or full of confidence, I have to snort. It’s nice that I can appear that way, but fear; fear of rejection, fear of the unknown, fear of pain, fear of unintentionally … Continue reading

Posted in procrastination, writing | 3 Comments

"For sale: baby shoes, never worn."

And hence the legend of very short stories begins with six words from Hemingway. SMITH, an online magazine, had a reader contest that turned out to be so popular that the system almost crashed under the weight of 500+ submissions … Continue reading

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My Second Job

I have spotted evidence that iloveinns.com is actually using the press releases I occasionally write for them (for $50 a piece). It’s not particularly interesting, but if you’re curious as to how much writing I’ll do for $50 (1 page) … Continue reading

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For Joan Didion Readers

A delightful essay by Joan Didion in today’s NYTimes in five parts. It’s about writing her very first play this year, “The Year of Magical Thinking.” You can read it here. Here is one line from the essay: “One example, … Continue reading

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staying focused

The earl grey from Harrod’s is distinctly better than the earl grey that came in a piggy bank tin painted like a double decker bus. The flavor is more delicate and refined and the caffeine doesn’t give me a rude … Continue reading

Posted in thesis, writing | 1 Comment

The writer's Secret

A line from a lovely essay about writing I just finished in the Dec. 25, 06 New Yorker by Orhan Pamuk. It’s called “My Father’s Suitcase.” “The writer’s secret is not inspiration – for it is never clear where that … Continue reading

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