Grammar Girl, Mignon Fogarty, lists Scott Sigler’s plan for writing that novel you have in you. Here’s his five-step plan. Step 1: Write every day Step 2: Write a bad book first Step 3: Finish the bad book, then put it away for six months Step 4: Start writing your “good” book Step 5: AfterContinue reading “That novel you want to write”
Monthly Archives: December 2008
Holiday Message from Roy Blount Jr.: Buy Books From Your Local Bookstore, Now
Roy Blount Jr’s post on the Authors Guild site: December 11, 2008. I’ve been talking to booksellers lately who report that times are hard. And local booksellers aren’t known for vast reserves of capital, so a serious dip in sales can be devastating. Booksellers don’t lose enough money, however, to receive congressional attention. A governmentContinue reading “Holiday Message from Roy Blount Jr.: Buy Books From Your Local Bookstore, Now”
Officer, Arrest That Rodent!
“Green campaigners called police after discovering an illegal logging site in a nature reserve…” Maybe those beavers could use Kindles instead to build their natural dam.
I May Not Know Physics but I know What I Like
According to the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s (AAAS), Science Dance Contest (Taking science to the dance, and back again) a/k/a Dance Your PhD, “…the human body is an excellent medium for communicating science–perhaps not as data-rich as a peer-reviewed article, but far more exciting.” Markita Landry’s PhD thesis is titled “Single MoleculeContinue reading “I May Not Know Physics but I know What I Like”
A Contest for Writers
The grand prize super awesome winner of the SUFPCx2 will win their choice of a partial critique, query critique or 15 minute phone conversation…
AlphaSmart Keyboard and Battery LIfe
I got a question about my AlphaSmart 2000 the other day from a writer who owned “the older AlphaSmart Pro…” He didn’t like the action of the keys (he had to “really pound on them and half the time you have to hit them twice”) or that “every time you touch the shift key itContinue reading “AlphaSmart Keyboard and Battery LIfe”
Citigroup? What About the Huddled Masses?
The discussion I hear (when bailout funding to states is mentioned) centers around infrastructure–bridges, highways, etc. What about education? California’s train wreck of a budget will crush a lot of college dreams. Robert Reich says it much better than I can. Money quote: Education is largely funded by state and local governments whose revenues areContinue reading “Citigroup? What About the Huddled Masses?”
Just in Time for the Holidays
My wife and I remember to be grateful at each meal. Now with the Say-A-Blessing Electronic Keychain I can recite the correct blessing whenever, wherever, and for whatever, in Hebrew. No more memorizing. It’s also a flashlight unto my feet. Mazel tov.
Quantum of Wallace
I had to pass this one along. I found it hilarious. Thanks to Andrew Sullivan for the link.
Oh my, shoganai
Over at Pink Tentacle is a list of the Top 60 popular Japanese words/phrases of 2008. The number one Japanese word for 2008 is (drum roll, please….): “Guu” — a corruption of the English word “good” and the signature line of comedienne Edo Harumi, delivered with the thumbs-up gesture. Comedy comes from the culture.
Nullius in Verba 