A Writer's Moment: About those characters -- 'Keep in Touch'

A Writer's Moment: About those characters -- 'Keep in Touch':   “The characters I'm most emotionally involved with are like friends you leave behind when you move away. You don't see them regula...

About those characters -- 'Keep in Touch'

 

“The characters I'm most emotionally involved with are like friends you leave behind when you move away. You don't see them regularly anymore, but you still love them and keep in touch.” – Mary Doria Russell

 

Born in Elmhurst, IL on Aug. 19, 1950 Russell has earned acclaim in a couple of genres, including the 1998 Arthur C. Clarke Award for Best Science Fiction for her first book, The Sparrow, which also won her the John Campbell Award as Best New Writer.  

 

Russell, who also is a well-known and much sought after speaker, said she planned to be an anthropologist but got “sidetracked” into a writing career that has been lauded for its meticulous attention to detail and “fine prose.”  

One of the few people to have a high school English Honor Society Chapter (at Lombard, IL) named in her honor, she earned worldwide recognition for what became known as the “Sparrow” series.  Then, branching into historical fiction she wrote two of the best – Doc and Epitaph – about the notorious gunfighter, gambler and dentist John Henry “Doc” Holiday.  Her most recent book is The Women of the Copper Country a novel based on the first unionized strike (in the 19-teens) against the copper industry.

 “Maybe if I'd studied writing instead of anthropology,” she said, “I'd be more sensible. You know - pick a genre, follow the rules, stay in the box.  But let's face it, sensible people don't major in anthropology.”

A Writer's Moment: 'In terms of rhymes'

A Writer's Moment: 'In terms of rhymes':   “Middle age is when you're sitting at home on a Saturday night and the telephone rings and you hope it isn't for you.”  – Ogden Na...

'In terms of rhymes'

 

“Middle age is when you're sitting at home on a Saturday night and the telephone rings and you hope it isn't for you.” – Ogden Nash

         

 Born in Rye, NY in August of 1902, Nash was known for his light verse, of which he wrote over 500 pieces. With his unconventional rhyming schemes he was declared by many critics and fellow poets alike as the country's best-known producer of humorous poetry.  "I think in terms of rhyme, and have since I was six years old," he said.  For Saturday’s Poem, here are a few examples of Nash’s poetic musings.

 

    A Word to Husbands

To keep your marriage brimming
With love in the loving cup,
Whenever you’re wrong, admit it;
Whenever you’re right, shut up.

 

              Celery

             Celery, raw
         Develops the jaw,
       But celery, stewed,
     Is more quietly chewed.

 

                   A Flea and a Fly in a Flue

A flea and a fly in a flue

               Were imprisoned, so what could they do?
                        Said the fly, "let us flee!"
                        "Let us fly!" said the flea.
                So they flew through a flaw in the flue.

 

          Morning Prayer

    Now another day is breaking,
    Sleep was sweet and so is waking.
    Dear Lord, I promised you last night
    Never again to sulk or fight.
    Such vows are easier to keep
    When a child is sound asleep.
    Today, O Lord, for your dear sake,
     I'll try to keep them when awake.

A Writer's Moment: The 'discomfort of labels'

A Writer's Moment: The 'discomfort of labels':   Writers never feel comfortable having labels attached to them, however accurate they are.  – Jonathan Coe   Born in Bromsgrove, Englan...

The 'discomfort of labels'

 

Writers never feel comfortable having labels attached to them, however accurate they are. – Jonathan Coe

 

Born in Bromsgrove, England in August of 1961, Coe has written 17 mostly satirical and politically focused novels, starting with 1987’s The Accidental Woman.  His most recent novel is 2024’s The Proof of My Innocence and his next one Lessons in Harmony, slated for release this November.  His novel Middle England won both the European and Costa book awards.

 

 Coe also has had several nonfiction books, led by Humphrey Bogart: Take It and Like It – one of the best written on the late actor – and his ongoing love of music has led to collaborations with other writers and musicians on a wide range of songs.  And he’s written several children’s books, but no short stories.

 

“I have trouble keeping things out of books, which is why I don't write short stories,” he said.   “They just seem to turn into novels.” 

A Writer's Moment: 'Reluctant writing; successful results'

A Writer's Moment: 'Reluctant writing; successful results':   “One way an author dies a little each day is when his books go out of print.”  – William Goldman   Born in Chicago on this date in 193...