Barbara Abercrombie's Blog, page 7
January 12, 2013
Stand By Your Work
Here's a excerpt from an email I just got from my friend Carol Perkins who always sends me interesting information and introductions to writers I don't know about: * * * Have you read/are you familiar with the Irish writer/journalist...
January 6, 2013
Let Yourself be Wrong, Get Sloppy
There's a terrific piece by Hugo Lindgren about writing and creativity in this Sunday"s New York Times magazine. In it he quotes John Lasseter of Pixar about the creative process behind his movies: "Be wrong as fast as you can."...
January 3, 2013
Happy New Year!
Guess what's finally finished?! (And has inspired my next book.) Remodeling a house is like writing - you go through long periods of doubt and struggle wondering why you ever thought this project was a good idea in the first...
December 21, 2012
Happy Holidays!
Read, write, enjoy your family and friends, and take long winter naps. Love from Nelson and Barbara
December 6, 2012
What You Owe Your Readers
My friend Elizabeth just emailed me this: Quote of the day (NYTimes) from Martin Amis: "He didn't want to please the readers. He wanted to stretch them until they twanged." I love this. Don't try to please your readers, respect...
November 20, 2012
Thanksgiving Poem
"Thanks" is the poem I'm reading to my class this morning. (I always read a poem at the beginning of every class I teach.) My thought on poetry is that it either hits you in the heart or doesn't. Poems...
November 18, 2012
Read This!
Anne Lamott's essays are always wonderful - funny, serious and true. The one in today's (Sunday - 11/18/12) New York Times, about the blessings of her imperfect family and their love of books is one of her best - Check...
November 12, 2012
The Very Last Message from the Marketing Whore
The last message of 2012 anyway. First of all, thanks to all of you who came to the book party and reading at Diesel Bookstore last Thursday night. You were a great audience. And thank you Diane Leslie for that...
November 7, 2012
How to Write
This says it all. (Image stolen from UCLA Extension Writers' Program Facebook page.) Hope to see you at the book party at Diesel Bookstore tomorrow night in Brentwood. (7:00). Nelson will be there too.
November 4, 2012
Update and Writing Advice
R. left the hospital at noon today with his new aortic valve in place. This is less than forty-eight hours after it was put in. This is so amazing we still can't believe it. No pain; he's absolutely fine. Thanks...
