With freelance writing deadlines looming, year-end errands and the complete renovation of this blog site in the works, I’ve had to put THE NOVEL aside for a little while. But that doesn’t mean it’s in cold storage. It would be more accurate to say it’s on a low flame, simmering away. I was awakened by it the other morning. Between six and seven-thirty I wrote down five ideas — good ones — for this very long story with a huge cast of characters and stories within the main story. I’ve devoted most of the last few years to novellas and
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POE’s Novel
I’m not usually big on messages from the universe, but shortly after I downloaded Edgar Allan Poe’s one long-form work of fiction — The Narrative of Arthur Pym of Nantucket — I returned to the “Mystery of the Ordinary” Magritte show at the Museum of Modern Art (for my third visit). Each time I see this particular collection of paintings, I’m struck by something else. Different paintings capture me and different paintings inspire me. On this last visit, I became captivated by the part Poe played in one of Magritte’s great works of surrealism. It’s called “Not to Be Reproduced”
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Private/Public
When I visit friends in car-centric places, I’m always struck by the private time people have when they go directly from their homes, into cars and on to their offices — and back again. It’s not that I envy this private time, or even that I think people in the suburbs never interact with strangers — I know that they do — it’s just that in cities where people walk and use public transportation (like New York) there’s a dance between the public and private, with private conversations often taking place in public. As I walk around my neighborhood I
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The Dark Side of Santa
I’m fascinated by the way mythology evolves. Each time a story is retold it gets subtly altered. Sometimes it’s a little like playing telephone — but very, very slowly. Other times, the people who codify the story shape the lasting version. The breadcrumb trail of changes is sometimes easy to follow. Santa is everywhere this time of the year. I’m talking about the jolly department store, “Miracle on 34th Street” Santa. But he’s only one side, and one part, of the Saint Nicholas mythology. The Santa Claus with a sleigh full of toys (and electronics, jewelry & cars) is largely
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Imaginary Lands
I usually set my most outlandish — magical, paranormal, fantasy & otherwise outrageous — stories in concrete and realistic settings. I like to play with the juxtaposition between the real and the fantastic. There’s nothing like a vampire stopping at a corner 24-hour deli to pick up the Sunday New York Times on his way home after a night of hunting type AB positive. The ordinary setting convinces the reader that extraordinary beings and happenings might just be going on all the time — just be low the radar. I’ve yet to write one I’m willing to share, but I
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The Holiday Season has BEGUN!
Time for turkey, butternut squash, cranberries and apple crumble. I’ve never aimed to be a food blogger, but my sweet potato latkes (potato pancakes) turned out well, so I’ll share the recipe. (See below) Thanksgiving is the one holiday most Americans share and enjoy. For some people it’s about food, family & friends — and for others it’s about food, family, friends & football. Thanksgiving is also about the gigantic balloons of the Macy’s Parade and the sudden appearance of pumpkin flavored coffee, plus terrible and terribly sappy — and somehow appealing — holiday movie marathons on TV. The period
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