Matthew Dicks's Blog, page 736

Stupid, annoying plot

I often bemoan the importance placed upon plot in the current literary environment.  Being a writer who does not have a plot in mind when he begins a book, I tend to focus upon character first, and as a result, my work can sometimes be rambling and unfocused, especially in its first draft.  In revising UNEXPECTEDLY, MILO, several characters and scenes were ultimately cut from the novel because they simply did not propel the plot forward. A conversation with my agent or editor might go...

Just dont be ordinary

I am always surprised to find myself sitting in a meeting, a presentation, or any other instance in which someone is speaking to an audience and the speaker chooses not to be interesting, amusing, thought-provoking, or just plain different.  

Whether you're discussing a change in company policy, talking about your latest novel, training a team on a new piece of software, or introducing the keynote speaker, why not attempt to be original and memorable?  Take advantage of the opportunity to...

Praise for SOMETHING MISSING

A couple great reviews popped up online today, including, the NEWSDAY review from the Sunday paper and Bookslut's review (a lit blog with an odd title but much respect in the publishing industry).

The Ugly Duckling is uglier than I thought

All of my pathetic and inane fears about my manuscript being a mess were for not.  Just three days after submitting the latest version of UNEXPECTEDLY, MILO to my editor for review, she replied with glowing remarks, several bright and shiny compliments and just a handful of minor, consistency-centered suggestions for revision.

The six weeks of torturous editing and revising have apparently paid off. 

I'm currently in the process of completing a final read-through of the book before...

Guest blogger Ann OConnell shares a story of awkwardness, love and possible spurs

About a week ago, writer Ann O'Connell, who wrote a piece in The Hour about my appearance at the Wilton Library, posted on Twitter:

It's been two years since the most awkward date of my life. And we'll be married in two months. Bring on the lobster.

I asked her about the story, but she informed me that she could not convey the tale in 160 characters and that she does not currently have a blog.  Wanting to hear the story (how could one not with that kind of tease?), I told her that if she...

Foiled by meat

On Sunday my wife and I were driving back from New Haven, listening to the Yankees play the Blue Jays.  We were also in search of a copy of NEWSDAY, as a review of SOMETHING MISSING was scheduled to appear on Sunday.

It was a crucial moment in the ballgame when we pulled into a local 7-11, our fifth stop so far.  NEWSDAY isn't easy to find in central Connecticut.  With our daughter sleeping in the back, I had been running into the bookstores, convenience stores and gas stations looking for...

Golf and writing bear the same fruits

Golf is like writing. You only need to be told to think about the game differently in order to improve dramatically.

Imagine the backswing differently. Envision yourself throwing a Frisbee as you rotate. Think wet noodle. Swing through the ball. Forget the ball entirely.

No strength training. No demonstration. No specifics on technique or grip. You don't even need to practice the new approach in order to improve. Just listen, absorb, swing, and presto! You hit the ball farther than you...

My little boy, or girl, is all grown up (I hope)

On Sunday, I sent the revised manuscript of UNEXPECTEDLY, MILO off to my editor for her review.  What I had hoped to be a two week process quickly expanded into a six week marathon as issues with continuity and decisions over what to eliminate and what to retain plagued me like never before.  The longer the process became, the closer I got to the manuscript, and soon I was not able to see the proverbial forest between the trees.  I had lost all sense of perspective.   

I can't remember the rev

You had to read the whole list before getting upset?

I found the second comment on this clever New Yorker article especially stupid.  It should be preceded by the following disclaimer:

Warning:  Captain Obvious at work.  

Stranger than fiction

My new book, tentatively titled THE CHICKEN SHACK, is about a combined funeral home and chicken shack.  Since I began writing the book, combination business like fictional creation seem to have been popping up everywhere. 

In June, I attended a bookseller's conference in Vermont, staying at a combination movie theater/hotel.

My own town of Newington, CT boasts a clever and constantly bustling laundromat/bar/restaurant combination.   

Now we have Dave Eggers, writer and educator who founded