debra monroe
Debra's new memoir, On the Outskirts of Normal, is a Salon.com pick!
lynn rosen, part 2
Lynn Rosen begins writing her novel after a bit of procrastination. Go, Lynn!
formal wear
Melbourne, Florida
pentimento
Hot Springs, Arkansas
scary stories
Just out: a new collection of stories from friend, neighbor, and FIU alumna, Vicki Hendricks. Florida Gothic Stories.
spinetingler
Boston Noir reviewed in Spinetingler magazine.
summer shift
My friend and FIU alumna Lynne Bonasia launches her second novel in a few days.
karaoke
Sign in the parking lot of Hollywood Liquors on Federal Highway.
kudos
Former students in the news. Jesse Millner becomes an angel. Preston Allen's new book gets a favorable New York Times review. David Norman has a story in the new Rio Grande Review. Ginny Rorby's new novel was published.
planet barbecue
Our pal Steven Raichlen launched the extensive book tour for his new book, Planet Barbecue, last night at Books & Books. The place was mobbed. We all got to taste food prepared from some of the recipes. Steven and Barbara, Mitchell Kaplan, Steven's publicist Selina Meere, Cindy and I went out to this wonderful, cozy Indian brasserie in the Gables later. It's called Mint Leaf. We all ordered appetizers, and that was more than enough. The tandoori chicken tikka was spectacular. Right now Cindy's got a pork shoulder smoking on the grill. She's making Keith Allen's Smoked pork shoulder from Planet Barbecue. Steven says that Keith makes the best barbecue in Carolina.
another awp response
Lavademon reports on our panel on plot as ritual.
the importance of being important
Just got an email from my friend Fred Andresen: "After reading that Shahzad, the man who has admitted planting the bomb in Times Square, was from a prominent Pakistani family, was well educated and secure in his American citizenship, yet attempted to murder so many innocents, I can’t help but remembering the foreword to Lajos Egri’s book, “The Art of Dramatic Writing.” It is clear the man wanted to reach a level of importance he never achieved in his own family or society. Egri’s example explains so much." Fred attached the following excerpt from Egri's intro:
The Importance of Being Important
During the classic time of Greece a terrible thing happened in one of the temples. One night the statue of Zeus was mysteriously smashed and desecrated.
A tremendous uproar arose among the inhabitants. They feared the vengeance of the gods. The town criers walked the city streets commanding the criminal to appear without delay before the Elders to receive his just punishment.
The perpetrator naturally had no desire to give himself up. In fact, a week later another statue of a god was destroyed. Now the people suspected that a madman was loose. Guards were posted and at last their vigilance was rewarded; the culprit was caught.
He was asked, "Do you know what fate awaits you?"
"Yes," he answered, almost cheerfully. "Death."
"Aren't you afraid to die?"
"Yes, I am."
"Then why did you commit a crime which you knew was punishable by death?" The man swallowed hard and then answered, "I am a nobody. All my life I'v
been a nobody. I've never done anything to distinguish myself and I knew I never would. I wanted to do something to make people notice me...and remember me."
After a moment's silence he added, "Only those people die who are forgotten. I feel death is a small price to pay for immortality!”
Immortality!
Yes, we all crave attention. We want to be important, immortal. We want to do things that will make people exclaim, "Isn't he wonderful?"
If we can't create something useful or beautiful ... we shall certainly create something else: trouble, for instance.
smu press
The administrators at Southern Methodist University, home of the George W. Bush Presidential Library, have decided to suspend operation of SMU Press. I just sent off a note of support to Kathy Lang:
"Kathy, I was saddened to read about the University's sudden and impending suspension of the Press. I have long sung the praises of SMU Press as the finest small press in the country as far as publishing quality literary fiction goes. It is disheartening to think that the university administration puts such little value in literature, not to mention in the well-being of their employees. I'm guessing the athletic department and administrative salaries did not take hits in the budget crunch. This a blow to the national literary community. When I think of the writers whose careers were launched and supported by SMU, I shudder to think we we'll be losing. Rick Bass, George Garrett, Horton Foote, Ann Harleman, Debra Monroe, Daniel Stern, Mary Troy, Brad Barkley. What will happen to Ed Falco's next book? That's one I need to read, everyone should read. If there is anything else I can do to show my support, please let me know. I intend to make the news known on my blog. You must be devastated. John"
A lot of peopler have been making their feelings known. If you want to show your support, you can go here and click on Kathy's name.
the geisha
In Anton Chekhov's sublime short story, "The Lady With the Dog," Dmitri Gurov pursues his love, Anna Sergeyevna, to her provincial Russian town and finds her with her balding husband at a performance of the operetta The Geisha. In Dezsö Kosztolányi's novel Skylark, the Vajkays, husband and wife, attend a Sárzeg performance of The Geisha. He is amused by the lyrics: "Happy Japan,/ Garden of glitter!/ Flower and fan/ Flutter and flitter . . ./ Merry little geishas we!/Come along at once and see/ Ample entertainment free,/ Given as you take your tea."
The Geisha (1896) is an actual operetta, a musical play really, by British composer Sidney Jones with Owen Hall and Harry Greenbank. It was inspired by Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado and by the fad for all things oriental. Lieutenant Reginald Fairfax is enjoying a dalliance with the head geisha, Mimosa San, when his betrothed, Molly, arrives. The operetta included a song called “The Dear Little Jappy-Jap-Jappy”and another “Chin Chin Chinaman,” which may preclude it being performed any time soon. You can hear samples of both songs, if you dare, or buy the album at Amazon.
martin, mamet, and me
Here's a writing exercise from Leslie. (Thanks to Anne in Coral Springs)
writing the novel
There is still room in my class at Florida Tech's June Creative Writing Class. I'll be doing a three-day, six hour course in how to write your first novel in six months. You can register on line--very reasonable cost--get inexpensive dorm-room housing. For more info, go here.
marlins
A beautiful day for a game. Marlins win! Marlins win!