A Writer's Moment: 'Walking into the unknown'

A Writer's Moment: 'Walking into the unknown':   “With a novel, there is no hurrying it. You're constantly walking into the unknown.” – Tobias Hill   Born in North London on thi...

'Walking into the unknown'

 

“With a novel, there is no hurrying it. You're constantly walking into the unknown.” – Tobias Hill

 

Born in North London on this date in 1970, Hill is the prizewinning author of five novels, four volumes of poetry, a short story collection and a children's book.   He also is a critically acclaimed essayist.

Amongst contemporary British authors, Hill is unusual in achieving critical recognition in such a wide range of writing with works in all those fields published worldwide.   

 

Secrecy, revelation and obsession are recurrent themes in Hill's novels, which have all been best sellers.  His short stories have won the prestigious International PEN/Macmillan Silver Pen Award.  And, his poetry has been called “luminous” and “unforgettable.”

When asked what he likes best in his writing life, he said probably poetry because it provides him the biggest challenge.

 “At school, I was never given a sense that poetry was something flowery or light. It's a complex and controlled way of using language,” he said.  “Rhythms and the music of it are very important. But the difficulty is that poetry makes some kind of claim of honesty.”

A Writer's Moment: 'Invite readers into your world'

A Writer's Moment: 'Invite readers into your world':   “As a writer, you have to believe you’re one of the best writers in the world.   To sit down every day at the typewriter filled with self...

'Invite readers into your world'

 

“As a writer, you have to believe you’re one of the best writers in the world.  To sit down every day at the typewriter filled with self-doubt is not a good idea.” – Jo Nesbo

If the Norwegian writer and singer Jo Nesbo lacks any self-confidence it’s not evident in his work.  He has parlayed it into his two highly successful careers.  The first, of course, is for his creative fiction where he writes about Norwegian and international crime solver Harry Hole, a gritty detective known for his ability to not only solve perplexing crimes but also “save the girl,” much to the delight of the legions of Nesbo readers.

Nesbo's books have sold some 50 million copies worldwide and been translated into 40 languages.  Many of his readers also tune in to hear him sing.  Nesbo has been the lead vocalist and songwriter for the rock band DJ Derre.  The personable Nesbo, who grew up in a small town and has not forgotten his roots, says his readers and listeners think of him as “a family member made good.”

As for writing:  “I’ve always said that you can’t visit readers where you think they are, but instead you need to invite them home to where you are,” he said.  “They need to join you in your world.  That’s the art of storytelling.”

A Writer's Moment: 'It goes on'

A Writer's Moment: 'It goes on':   “ In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life:   it goes on.” – Robert Frost Frost was born March 26, 1874 in Cali...

'It goes on'

 

“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life:  it goes on.” – Robert Frost

Frost was born March 26, 1874 in California but grew up and spent most of his life in New England. His realistic depictions of rural life, the beauty of the land, and command of American colloquial speech – all while examining complex social and philosophical themes – may never be equaled.   

 

"Poetry is a simple process," he liked to say.  "It's emotion finding a thought and the thought finding its words."

 

 

Robert Frost

Like every writer Frost hit dry periods, but noted, “Poets are like baseball pitchers.  Both have their moments.  It’s the intervals that are the tough things.”

The only poet to win four Pulitzer Prizes, he also was honored with the Congressional Gold Medal and was Poet Laureate of Vermont.  A great teacher, he liked to say that education is hanging around until you’ve caught on.  “I talk in order to understand,” he said.  “But I teach in order to learn.”

A Writer's Moment: Thinking along divergent lines

A Writer's Moment: Thinking along divergent lines:   “When you write it doesn't occur to you that somebody could think different from what you do.” – Howard   Nemerov...

Thinking along divergent lines

 

“When you write it doesn't occur to you that somebody could think different from what you do.” – Howard  Nemerov

Nemerov, born in March 1920, twice served as Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress and was thrice-honored for The Collected Poems of Howard Nemerov, winning the National Book Award, the Pulitzer Prize, and Bollingen Prize.

 

A teacher first, he said he always enjoyed talking to kids.  “I liked the kid who wrote me that he had to do a term paper on a modern poet and was doing me because, ‘though they say you have to read poems twice, he found he could handle mine in one try’.”    For Saturday’s Poem, here is Nemerov’s,

 

Found Poem (After information received in The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 1986)

The population center of the USA
Has shifted to Potosi, in Missouri.

The calculation employed by authorities
In arriving at this dislocation assumes

That the country is a geometric plane,
Perfectly flat, and that every citizen,

Including those in Alaska and Hawaii
And the District of Columbia, weighs the same;

So that, given these simple presuppositions,
The entire bulk and spread of all the people

Should theoretically balance on the point
Of a needle under Potosi in Missouri

Where no one is residing nowadays
But the watchman over an abandoned mine

Whence the company got the lead out and left.
'It gets pretty lonely here,' he says, 'at night.'

A Writer's Moment: 'Artistic expression for its own time'

A Writer's Moment: 'Artistic expression for its own time':   “A theatre, a literature, an artistic expression that does not speak for its own time has no relevance.” – Dario Fo Born on this dat...

'Artistic expression for its own time'

 

“A theatre, a literature, an artistic expression that does not speak for its own time has no relevance.” – Dario Fo

Born on this date in 1926,  Fo often said he was “an idiot” who just happened to win the Nobel Prize.  But “brilliant” would be a more fitting description.   An Italian actor, playwright, director, songwriter, and political campaigner he was “arguably the most widely performed contemporary playwright in world theatre” during his lifetime.

A master of satire and irony, he grew up the son of a self-educated writing mother and day-laborer father who also was a traveling actor in the ancient Italian tradition of regional performance, lampooning local politicos and religious figures. “When I was a boy, unconsciously, spontaneously I learned the art of telling ironic stories,” he said.

Whether as an actor, writer or director, Fo found religion and politics to be “fertile ground” for his works.   “Every artistic expression is either influenced          

 by or adds something to politics,” he once wrote. 

Fo’s writings – translated into 30 languages – address issues ranging from dictatorial brutality to AIDS, religion, organized crime, and “military actions.”    His satire, he said, can be adapted to unjust situations throughout the world.    “Satire can always be found everywhere.  A people without love for satire is a dead people.” 

A Writer's Moment: 'Believeably involved, emotionally invested'

A Writer's Moment: 'Believeably involved, emotionally invested':   “In a mystery, the sleuth must be believably involved and emotionally invested in solving the crime.” – Diane Mott Davidson Mystery ...

'Believeably involved, emotionally invested'

 

“In a mystery, the sleuth must be believably involved and emotionally invested in solving the crime.” – Diane Mott Davidson

Mystery writer Davidson, born March 22, 1949, took a page (so to speak) out of author Robert B. Parker’s writing guide and decided to develop her ideas for mysteries around her two great loves – writing and recipes.  Thus, her novels use the theme of food and include several food or drink recipes within their pages.  On top of that, her clever titles are a play on food or drink words, like Dying for Chocolate, The Grilling Season, Killer Pancake and The Whole Enchilada (my personal fave).

Her protagonist, Goldy Schulz, is a small town caterer based in Colorado (also where Davidson resides) who solves mysteries on the side.

A native of Virginia who started writing while she was a student at Wellesley, Mott Davidson said she actually tried catering for a while and found it “exhausting.”  She honed her cooking skills after transferring from Wellesley to Stanford.  “If you don’t have much money, you have to learn to cook.”

 

Her advice to new writers is first write for the love of it.  “If you make best-sellerdom your goal, you're going to be in trouble.  It's a very nice thing to have happen, but if one makes that a goal like, say, a literary writer has the goal of getting the Pulitzer Prize, that's so unpredictable.”

A Writer's Moment: 'Putting brains to work'

A Writer's Moment: 'Putting brains to work':   “One of the nice things about books as opposed to television and movies … is people really do get involved, and they do create, and they d...

'Putting brains to work'

 “One of the nice things about books as opposed to television and movies … is people really do get involved, and they do create, and they do have their own visions of what different characters look like and what should happen.  It’s great.  It means their brains are working.” – James Patterson

Born this date in 1947, Patterson is the most prolific author of all time with his phenomenal success as a mystery and children’s writer.  Intending to become a college professor of English, he was a Ph.D. candidate when he decided to try his hand at advertising and, like everything he tries his hand at, succeeded beyond his wildest dreams.  After rising to a top executive position, he abruptly retired in 1996 to devote his time to writing.  Good move.

His novels featuring African-American detective/psychologist Alex Cross have been the most popular and top-selling U.S. detective series in the past 20 years.  Since 1976, when he first tried his hand at writing, Patterson's books have sold more than 425 million text and over 100 million e-books, most No. 1 books on New York Times bestseller list.

 

And he is the first author to ever have the Number 1 titles in both adult and children’s categories at the same time.  His awards include the Edgar, the BCA Mystery Guild’s Thriller of the Year, the International Thriller of the Year, and the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation.  But, he said, the award he most cherishes is Author of the Year from the Children’s Choice Awards.

“This is what I believe is most important:  Getting good books into the hands of kids – books that will make them want to say, ‘Wow, that was great.  Give me another one to read.’”

A Writer's Moment: 'Create a network in readers' minds'

A Writer's Moment: 'Create a network in readers' minds':   “I think books create a sort of network in the reader's mind, with one book reinforcing another. Some books form relationships. Other...

'Create a network in readers' minds'

 

“I think books create a sort of network in the reader's mind, with one book reinforcing another. Some books form relationships. Other books stand in opposition. No two writers or readers have the same pattern of interaction.” – Margaret Mahy

 

Mahy, born on this date in 1936, started her professional life as a librarian and it was this association with books and the words of writers, coupled with “the light in children’s eyes when they discovered new worlds through books” that led her to become a writer herself.

Twice awarded the Carnegie Medal – for The Haunting and The Changeover – she also won the world’s top international prize for children’s and young adult literature when she was named for the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2006, just a few years before her death.  The words written about her then bear repeating:

“Mahy's language is rich in poetic imagery, magic, and supernatural elements. Her oeuvre provides a vast, luminous, but intensely personal metaphorical arena for the expression and experience of childhood and adolescence.                 Equally important, however, are her rhymes and poems for children. Mahy's works are known to children and young adults all over the world.^”

The author of 100 picture books, 40 novels and 20 short story collections, she had this advice for new writers:  “Try not to become disappointed if someone doesn't like a story you've written. Stick up for your ideas, but listen to what other people say, too. They might have good advice.” 

A Writer's Moment: He made goodness attractive

A Writer's Moment: He made goodness attractive:   “Knowing that we can be loved exactly as we are gives us all the best opportunity for growing into the healthiest of pe...

He made goodness attractive

 

“Knowing that we can be loved exactly as we are gives us all the best opportunity for growing into the healthiest of people.” – Fred Rogers

 

Probably no other man had as much impact on children’s television as Fred McFeely Rogers, born this date in 1928 and famous, of course, for creating and hosting Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood on PBS. 

 

Initially planning to be a minister, Rogers found himself displeased with how television addressed children and made an effort to write things that could cause change.  In the process he became an indelible icon of children’s entertainment and education, as well as a symbol of compassion, morality and morality.

 

At the time of his death (from cancer in 2003) he had been honored with some 40 honorary degrees, a Peabody Award for his writing, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  He also was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame, the first “Children’s Advocate” so named. 

 

Rogers also became the first kids’ TV host to testify before Congress and get that grumpy group to support TV programming for kids and provide funding for it as well.  Honored with two Congressional resolutions, he is ranked among the 35 Greatest TV Stars of All Time.

 

“Try your best to make goodness attractive,” Rogers advised. “That’s one of the toughest assignments you’ll ever be given.”

A Writer's Moment: A 'hidden conspiracy of good will'

A Writer's Moment: A 'hidden conspiracy of good will': “The mature man lives quietly, does good privately, takes responsibility for his actions, treats others with friendlines...

A 'hidden conspiracy of good will'

“The mature man lives quietly, does good privately, takes responsibility for his actions, treats others with friendliness and courtesy, finds mischief boring and avoids it. Without the hidden conspiracy of good will, society would not endure an hour.” – Kenneth Rexroth 

 

Born in 1905, American poet, translator and critical essayist Rexroth laid the groundwork for what would become the 1950s beat movement.  Dubbed the "Father of the Beats" by Time, he was among the first U.S. poets to explore Asian styles and co-created an anthology of Chinese women poets titled The Orchid Boat.    

 

For Saturday’s Poem here is Rexroth’s, 

 

Yin and Yang

It is Spring once more in the Coast Range
Warm, perfumed, under the Easter moon.
The flowers are back in their places.
The birds are back in their usual trees.

The winter stars set in the ocean.
The summer stars rise from the mountains.
The air is filled with atoms of quicksilver.
Resurrection envelops the earth.

Goemetrical, blazing, deathless,
Animals and men march through heaven,
Pacing their secret ceremony.

The Lion gives the moon to the Virgin.
She stands at the crossroads of heaven,
Holding the full moon in her right hand,
A glittering wheat ear in her left.

The climax of the rite of rebirth
Has ascended from the underworld
Is proclaimed in light from the zenith.
In the underworld the sun swims
Between the fish called Yes and No.

 

A Writer's Moment: 'The pleasure of writing fiction'

A Writer's Moment: 'The pleasure of writing fiction':   “The pleasure of writing fiction is that you are always spotting some new approach, an alternative way of telling a story and manipulatin...

'The pleasure of writing fiction'

 

“The pleasure of writing fiction is that you are always spotting some new approach, an alternative way of telling a story and manipulating characters; the novel is such a wonderfully flexible form.” – Penelope Lively 

Born on St. Patrick’s Day in 1933, Lively started writing in her late 30s and achieved her first successes with a children’s fantasy book, Astercote.  Branching out to adult fiction in her 40s she was an instant success, her first two novels nominated for the Booker Prize and the third, Moon Tiger, winning the award.  She also won the Carnegie Medal for her children’s book The Ghost of Thomas Kempe.

Honored by the Queen as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for “services to literature,” she has authored some 30 books for children and 20 for adults, plus numerous short stories.  She also has written radio and television scripts, presented a radio program, and contributed reviews and articles to various newspapers and journals.  And, she said, a key part of her writing routine has been being a good reader. 

“All I know for certain is that reading is                       of the most intense importance to me,” she said.   “If I were not able to read, to revisit old favorites and experiment with names new to me, I would be starved – probably too starved to go on writing myself.”

A Writer's Moment: Editing copy to perfection

A Writer's Moment: Editing copy to perfection:   “Some books that I've read on the Kindle, I've been like, 'I want that on my shelf.' Because it says, 'I'm the ki...

Editing copy to perfection

 

“Some books that I've read on the Kindle, I've been like, 'I want that on my shelf.' Because it says, 'I'm the kind of person who has read this.' The kind of book that says, 'I'm serious and intellectual and historical and race-conscious.'" —Jennifer Lee

Born on the Ides of March in 1976, Lee holds the distinction of having the numeral 8 for her middle name.  After not being given a middle name at birth, she assigned this one to herself as an adult “because in the Chinese culture, that number signifies prosperity and good luck.”   

Author of The Fortune Cookie Chronicles about "how Chinese food is more all-American than apple pie,” she is a part-time journalist and full-time writer while serving on a variety of boards including at the Center for Public Integrity and the Asian American Writers' Workshop.

Lee started writing as a journalist on The Harvard Crimson, then did a series of internships at some of the country’s best newspapers before working as a writer and editor for The New York Times.   There, she served as both a copy editor and a headline writer. 

 

“People often think that reporters write their own headlines. In fact, they almost never do,” she said.  “The people who do write headlines are the copy editors who are the front and last lines of quality-checking in a newspaper before it goes to print. “

A Writer's Moment: 'Never stop questioning'

A Writer's Moment: 'Never stop questioning':   “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination.” – Albert Einstein   Today is a day Einstein wou...

'Never stop questioning'

 

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination.” – Albert Einstein

 

Today is a day Einstein would have enjoyed.  It’s National Pi Day, named for the mathematical constant that’s the ratio of the distance around a circle to the circle’s diameter.  This produces a number, and that number is always 3.141592653 . . . continuing without end but always the same numbers.  It's quite helpful in solving problems or making discoveries.

 

Celebrating National Pi Day on 3-14 makes sense because the first three numbers are, of course, 3-14.   I think Einstein would especially like National Pi Day (something that wasn’t celebrated while he was still alive) because it also falls on his birthday.  Einstein (born in 1879) probably would have had as much fun with that as anyone because he often showed that he had a great sense of humor to go along with his brainy abilities. 

  

He once noted that people should never kiss and drive at the same time.  Because, he added, then you aren't giving the kiss the proper amount of attention.    He also said – probably with a bit too much modesty – that he didn’t keep a notebook of his great ideas because “I’ve only ever had one."

 

 A final note from Einstein:  “Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow.  The important thing is not to stop questioning.”

 

 

A Writer's Moment: 'Hitchhiking' into writing fame

A Writer's Moment: 'Hitchhiking' into writing fame:   “There's nothing worse than sitting down to write a novel and saying, 'Well, okay, today   I'm going to do something of high ...

'Hitchhiking' into writing fame

 

“There's nothing worse than sitting down to write a novel and saying, 'Well, okay, today  I'm going to do something of high artistic worth’.” – Douglas Adams

Born on this date in 1952, Adams is author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, which originated in 1978 as a BBC radio comedy before being turned into a series of books that sold more than 15 million copies.  Ultimately it also generated a television series, several stage plays, comics, a computer game, and a feature film. 

Adams, who died of a heart attack at age 49, also was known as an advocate for environmentalism and conservation, a lover of fast cars, cameras, and technological innovation.  And, of course, for his prowess as a writer, something he started in elementary school.  His first published piece came at age 10 in the school newspaper, and at age 13 a humorous short story was published in a national youth magazine.   

 

 He loved writing but struggled with deadlines.  “I love deadlines,” he once said.   “I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.”

                            

A true Renaissance man, he was not just a writer, but also an actor, singer, producer, computer game developer, and stand-up comic.  His work on “Hitchhiker’s Guide” has been enshrined in The UK Radio Academy’s Hall of Fame. 

 

“I seldom end up where I want to go,” he said about his movement among careers and opportunities.  “But I almost always end up where I need to be.”

A Writer's Moment: All the sounds of Spring

A Writer's Moment: All the sounds of Spring:   “Like a piece of ice on a hot stove a poem must ride on its own melting ... Read it a hundred times, it will forever ke...

All the sounds of Spring

 

“Like a piece of ice on a hot stove a poem must ride on its own melting ... Read it a hundred times, it will forever keep its freshness as a metal keeps its fragrance.  It can never lose its sense of a meaning that once unfolded by surprise as it went.”

 – Robert Frost

 

I almost always think of Robert Frost’s poetry when I hear or see things in nature.  This morning, unlike the bird that bothers Frost in his short poem below, the bird near our house is not singing off-key but, instead, just creating angry noise.

 

But I decided a noisy bird is still better than no bird.  I just wish, like the bird Frost is annoyed with in his poem, it would work a little on its singing.   For Saturday’s Poem, here is Frost’s,

 

A Minor Bird

 

I have wished a bird would fly away,
And not sing by my house all day;

Have clapped my hands at him from the door
When it seemed as if I could bear no more.

The fault must partly have been in me.
The bird was not to blame for his key.

And of course there must be something wrong
In wanting to silence any song.