Flesh and Bones

If you could design a special course that would enhance your ability to write, what would that course be called?

For me, it would be "Putting In the Details."  I am one of those writers who rushes to get the bones down and often overlooks the flesh.  Of course, flesh can always be added later...

Learning Experience

What was the most important educational experience that contributed to your abilities as a writer?  This can be a program, a person, a work you read, or even a realization you achieved yourself.

My top two both happened when I was in my early twenties.  I lived in France for a semester, then I worked in a bookstore for a couple of years.  Living abroad expanded my view of the world, and working in a bookstore taught me about literature and the book business.  I always knew I wanted to be a writer, but those two experiences actually got me started.

Second Language

I have always been grateful that English is my native tongue.  It is the hardest, largest, most confusing language on the face of the earth, therefore, the most difficult to learn.  I think of writers like Nabokov and Brodsky who not only wrote in English, a foreign tongue, but wrote in that language better than native speakers. That has always amazed me.

If you could suddenly develop the ability to write fluently in any language other than your native tongue, which would you choose?

I would choose Russian, not because of Nabokov and Brodsky, but because Russian readers idolize their writers and poets (as well they should).

One book

Here's a horror story in the making:  you have been somehow forced to be able to read only one book for the rest of your life.  I suppose you could be stranded on a desert island, and that's the only book you have with you.  What book could you go back to over and over again, and still find something new in it each time you read it?

I suppose I would choose the Complete Works of William Shakespeare (of which I have owned three copies), but who would be heading for a deserted island with that huge tome in their suitcase? 

Your Life's Story

"If freedom of conscience has the right to exist anywhere, it must be in matters of love."-Victor Hugo.  And that is my answer to today's question:  If you could choose any writer to write your life's story, which writer would you choose?  Or, would you choose to write your own, rather than have someone else write it for you?

Where in the world?

I always thought my dream setting, not just for writing, but for life in general, would be a cabin in the mountains on a lake.  Water and mountains were the key ingredient.  I saw this place once.  It was  in a painting by Maxfield Parrish called "House at the End of the World."  But over the years I've come to realize (mostly due to financial challenges) that the setting isn't important for getting the work done, it's the solitude.

Describe your dream writing setting: cabin in the woods, house on the beach, up in the mountains, down in the valley?

Writing and Food

Does anyone else experience this?  After a couple of hours of writing, even after a big meal, I find myself starving.  Writing makes me hungry.  What’s your favorite snack to keep you going when writing?

Time won't give me time

I suppose all of this week's questions have to do with the nitty-gritty of being a writer.

Early riser or night owl?  When do you write? When do you write best?

I have recently discovered, by putting myself on crazy writing schedules, that I seem to work well early, late afternoon, and late evening, after 9 or so.  I guess it's just a matter of stopping a few times a day and trying, trying again. 

Getting it down

I use two methods to write.  It used to be three, but I could no longer find ribbons for my typewriter.  I used to compose poetry on a typewriter, because I believe that it is important to see the whole page when composing poetry.  You cannot do that very well on a computer screen.  I often begin with pen on paper.  It has to be a black, extra fine point pen, no gel ink.  I write on an 8.5x11 sheet folded in three and write sideways on each fold.  By the time I'm done I have about 250-300 words on each section.  This enables me to work on six different prompts and I can carry it in my pocket.  Then I go to the computer and type it all in, editing while I'm typing.

Pen, pencil, fountain pen, laptop, tablet…what is your preferred method of writing and why?

Non-fiction bookshelf

So, if you've been following along all week, you know that we have been building a bookcase.  Each shelf of the book case is arranged by genre in order of preference.  Today, the shelf we are building consists of non-fiction works.  This could include self-help, history, autobiography, social commentary, etc. 

I think the first book I'm going to place on the shelf is The History of the World in Six Glasses.  The funny thing is, the book wouldn't stay there long.  I am constantly lending this book to friends and fellow readers.  It's just so damn good. 

How about you?  What book are you placing first on your fantasy non-fiction bookshelf?

Fantasy fantasy bookshelf

Gosh, I suppose I would start with the Hobbit, then cheat with all three LOTR books.
What is the first book of fantasy on your fantasy bookshelf?

Biography bookshelf

Blogging from the train today.  Today we are building a biography shelf.  My first biography book would be Ernest Hemingway where I  found my all-time favorite quote: "A son of a bitch always follows the rules.
Who's bio would be first on your bookshelf?

Poetry bookshelf

Today's bookshelf will be poetry.

The first book on my poetry shelf is Near Changes by Mona Van Duyn.  The year that she won the Pulitzer and was named Poet Laureate she gave a reading at the Iowa Summer Writing Festival.  That was a long time ago, but it was an unforgettable experience to be in the audience for that reading. 

What is the first volume of poetry that you will place on your fantasy bookshelf?

Fantasy Fiction Bookshelf

This week, because I am going into marathon novel-writing mode, we're going to be building a fantasy bookcase.  Each day we will start one shelf. 

Because we are all highly organized individuals (wouldn’t that be nice?) each shelf of our fantasy bookcase will house one specific type of writing.  And our books will be arranged by shelf in order of preference.  Let’s begin with fiction. 

I have to start with Lady Chatterley's Lover. It was the first literary title that I picked up and read, not because I had to, but because I wanted to.  I remember thinking while I was reading, "I will never be able to read crappy writing again."  I credit that book with opening my eyes to good writing, so it has to go first on my fiction shelf.

What is the first fiction title that you will put on your bookshelf?

Fifth question...

Last question for the week.  We are asked and often discuss our favorite authors.  My question is who is your least favorite author and why?

I once threw a book across the room.  It was The Good Mother by Sue Miller.  The main character's daughter was possibly molested by her boyfriend.  As soon as the mother started to defend the boyfriend, I couldn't take it and threw the book.  I should probably go back and revisit that one.  I never read Sue Miller again.  I was young.

For a long time my least favorite author was Stephen King.  It had nothing to do with his writing.  I had only read two of his books, but for a time I worked in a book store.  We were constantly hauling and unpacking his books, and I came to dread his name.  I would love to hear your least favorite authors based on their writing alone.  I should probably rethink my own choices.

Question four...

For a writer, at least for this writer, a desk is a thing that can induce lust.  A beautiful desk with a large surface, just the right number of drawers, and a design that fits your writing style is a thing of beauty.

How many desks have you owned in your life?  You know exactly how many don’t you, because a desk is a magical thing.  Which was your favorite?

Third question...

Congratulations!  You have been awarded a literary prize.  Upon hearing these words, what literary prize would you choose to receive?  Or, I should say, other than the Nobel prize (we all want that), if you could receive any literary prize, what would it be?  I think I would like to win a Pulitzer.  It's such a lovely thing to say, "Pulitzer."  It sounds much better than "Pushcart," or "Mann-Booker," don't you think?