Monthly Archives: December 2010

Letting Go

Posted on December 31, 2010 by karinwritesdangerously

You know the feeling: After struggling with a problem for a while, you simply take your mind off it and move on to something else — and suddenly, just the right idea or phrase pops into your head seemingly out … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Character Studies

Posted on December 30, 2010 by karinwritesdangerously

Just recently, a friend of mine was decribing her reaction to Freedom, the new Jonathan Franzen novel. While she thought the writing was impressive, she just didn’t find the characters likeable, so she felt disappointed and lukewarm about the book. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Restless Stories

Posted on December 29, 2010 by karinwritesdangerously

“A well-crafted story does not want to rest; it wants desperately to keep moving.” Richard Walter Inertia, simply described, is the tendency of an object at rest to remain at rest. While this works in physics, it’s deadly in storytelling. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Cross Writing

Posted on December 28, 2010 by karinwritesdangerously

“Here’s a rare thing, a painter who can write.” Sinclair Lewis While watching a PBS American Masters special on Thomas Hart Benton, a populist  American artist who’s been both praised and panned, a brief comment about his autobiography, An Artist … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Untold Tales

Posted on December 27, 2010 by karinwritesdangerously

Isn’t it wonderful how a book can give you a glimpse into another life and open it up for you like a door? Reading a review of two new works about 19th century Native American tribal leaders, Crazy Horse and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Cinderella Story

Posted on December 25, 2010 by karinwritesdangerously

I love unlikely success stories about writers, don’t you? They offer such hope! They underscore just how unpredictable and mysterious the writing life can be. So often writers seem to be bewitched, bothered, and bewildered when it comes to getting … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Hungry Eyes

Posted on December 24, 2010 by karinwritesdangerously

Looking around me as I write this, I am surrounded by books. In my small office, there are three bookcases crammed with them and there are more sitting in stacks. Growing up, it was the same: we were surrounded by … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Montaigne Moonlights

Posted on December 23, 2010 by karinwritesdangerously

“When I am attacked by gloomy thoughts, nothing helps me so much as running to my books. They quickly absorb me and banish the clouds from my mind.” Michel de Montaigne A 16th century winegrower and writer making headlines in … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Be Clear

Posted on December 22, 2010 by karinwritesdangerously

“This seemed an utterly enchanted sea, this lake you could leave to its own devices for a few hours and come back to, and find that it had not stirred, this constant and trustworthy body of water.” E.B. White, Once … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Windswept Words

Posted on December 21, 2010 by karinwritesdangerously

“The usual masculine disillusionment is in discovering that a woman has a brain.” Margaret Mitchell It’s always fun to pick up some juicy tidbits about a classic book that’s beloved by readers the world over, but had a dicey delivery. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment