Givin’ Yourself to Me Can Never Be Wrong

This is it, my last post until Monday, January 4, 2010. Here’s my question, if I don’t believe in god, resolutions, or e-books, what do I have to look forward to in the new year? The answer, Nation, is writing. Writing. And writing. As far as I can tell it’s the only way out. I [...]

I LOVE ALL MY HATERS

It’s that time of year. Everyone making top lists. I’m proud to say that Dave Cullen’s Columbine has made it on to 15 Best lists and still counting including NYT, Chicago, Salon, LA Times, Entertainment Weekly, etc. For the record, here is my Top Ten List of Things I Hate (in 2009): 1) “Apps” 2)Watching [...]

You Talk Too Much You Never Shut Up

I always feel that it’s a big mistake to tell people what you’re working on. In part, if you talk too much about it there’s a greater chance that you won’t do it. There’s also the feeling that if you give too much away, you leech the project of its essential oils. I’m never paranoid [...]

You Would Cry Too If It Happened To You

It’s 2:00 a.m. Home after the annual agency holiday party. I’m wired, agitated, and depressed all at once. I’m one of these people who dread all social gatherings. Then I have a really good time. Then I hate myself. It’s so fucking predictable. Our party is just for our clients. No publishers, no editors.   Just [...]

SOmeone LIke You Makes It Hard To Live WIthout SOmebody Else

I wish I had something to say to inspire you tonight, but my tank is low if I’m going to be honest. I know I’m not an ER nurse, but sometimes this work is incredibly draining. Worse, I know that whatever anxiety I’m feeling whether it’s waiting for an editorial response, waiting for money, waiting [...]

Maybe You Want To Give Me Kisses Sweet

Two manuscripts came in last week on stretchers. One needed a heart transplant, the other a new leg. It took hours of surgery, but they are both doing well. People ask if I still edit. I can’t not edit. I think we all read with pencils in our hands. Isn’t that the job? I’ve been editing [...]

All In Love is Fair

This just in: Is it OK for a writer to seek another agent for their second book, while the first book remains with the first agent, regardless of whether the first book sells or not? Of course, it’s taken for granted that the writer informs the agents about each other. In other words, is it [...]

It’s Been 7 Hours and 15 Days

Some of you may not know this about me, but I have two extraordinary gifts. The first is for pairing the perfect tupperware container with the amount of leftover food. It’s uncanny how I get it right every time. The other is for taking every positive message that comes my way and using it against [...]

One is the Loneliest Number

Today is the one year anniversary of my blog. When I started, I decided to give it a three month trial period. I can’t believe how quickly I got hooked, though I shouldn’t be surprised given my addictive personality. As we used to say in the program of which I am no longer a part: [...]

Put Another Dime in the Jukebox, Baby

Do any of you actually like going to readings? When I was a freshman at NYU, I took a train uptown to  hear John Ashbery read at Books & Co. on Madison Avenue. It was 1978. The place was packed. I couldn’t see or hear him but it was one of the best nights of my life. [...]