Josh Hanagarne's Blog, page 17
June 24, 2013
Donna Tartt Countdown
Hi there,
I’m writing today to inform you, apropos of nothing, that we have only 120 days left until Donna Tartt’s new book, The Goldfinch, is out.
And here’s what I’ve been up to, reading wise.
Recently read
The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud: Angry and excellent.
Joyland by Stephen King: I’m in love with the woman on the cover.
Hyperion by Dan Simmons: Weird, weird, weird science fiction. The Shrike is a great name for an evil god.
The Dinner by Herman Koch: Loved the bits about how obnoxious the snootiness of fancy restaurants can be. A funny, nasty book.
The Empress of Blandings books by PG Wodehouse: I love pigs. I don’t know why. I love Wodehouse as well.
The Rosie Project by Simsion Graeme: won’t say too much yet. It’s going to be big.
June 20, 2013
Litchat Tomorrow on Twitter
Hi all, I hope you Twitter users will join me online tomorrow for a one hour conversation on Litchat.
This page will tell you a little more about how it works. Litchat does a great job and I’m very excited about this. If you’ve got any questions about it, let me know, and if you have questions for me tomorrow, come put them on Twitter!
Josh
June 19, 2013
Far From The Tree: Parents, Children, And The Search For Identity
I’m almost done reading Andrew Solomon’s beautiful book Far From The Tree: Parents, Children, And The Search For Identity. It is one of the most insightful, enjoyable, edifying books I’ve ever read.
I’m not going to write too much because I want to go finish reading it.
This will have particular resonance for people with disabilities, their parents, parents in general, and anyone with a condition that makes them feel isolated.
I can’t recommend it highly enough.
June 18, 2013
A Guest Piece On Memoir, And Some Costco News
Howdy,
Today I’ve got a piece over on Marion Roach’s site. It’s called Writing Lessons: First Drafts With Josh Hanagarne. If you’re a writer trying to complete a first draft, or you’re a memoirist unsure about what to include and what to omit, you might get something out of it.
Also, last night I was in Costco when I stumbled upon this:
There I am, rubbing my grubby spine all over Dan Brown, Phil Jackson, and one of the loves of my life, Temple Grandin. Also, Sheryl Sandberg and Lean In are right above my book.
Of all the surprising, surreal moments so far, this might have been the weirdest. Not sure why. But I went in for a polish dog and wound up seeing a stack of my own books. In a Costco! I had to fight the urge to drag everyone over and say, “I wrote that. I wrote that. Yeah, Dan Brown probably loves it. Yes, it was the inspiration for Lean In. Yes, I played in the NBA for Phil Jackson. That’s why they put my book here.”
It made me want to put on a Costco apron and wear it to work today. And for all you know, maybe I did.
June 17, 2013
I Write Like Algorithm
Hey all, this is kind of lam, but everyone’s been playing with I Write Like and I couldn’t resist.
Click on that link, paste in a block of text–you can use a blog post, book page, or just type whatever you want–and it will tell you whose style you most resemble. So far, I’ve yet to see one female author pop up.
After pasting in the introduction to The World’s Strongest Librarian, I was told, happily, that I write like William Gibson. So, while it’s obviously broken for everyone else, I’m going to pretend that I’m as brilliant as William Gibson for a while.
Give it a try, tell me your answer in the comments (please)
June 14, 2013
Have A Good Weekend
Hi everyone, have a great weekend. Do something nice for yourself.
Write that book that’s been nagging at you.
Do the workout you’ve been putting off.
Hug your loved ones.
Smile.
Read!
See you Monday
Josh
June 13, 2013
If You Are Struggling With Your Writing
Today I didn’t have much time to write and wasn’t really in the mood. But I’ve committed to write every day, and not to take it lightly.
I sat down and got one double-spaced page written. I did it quickly and put it away. Not sure if it’s any good, but tomorrow I can take a look at it and I know there will be something in it that I’ll keep.
If you want to write and you’re struggling, just do something. Don’t get it in your head that you have to write two pages, or 2000 words, or to sit there are write for three hours.
Do something. Do it every day. Focus on what’s in front of you, not how many days it’s going to take to get it all done. It all adds up.
I’m submitting the next manuscript on July 1. Can’t wait to tell you all about it when there’s news.
Josh
June 12, 2013
“How’s It Feel To Be Famous?”
“So how’s it feel to be famous?”
As if I’d know!
There are many levels of fame. Writers are way down on that list. How many authors could you recognize if you passed them on the street? I couldn’t recognize very many and I read more than anyone I know.
Still, I’m getting this question (How’s it feel to be famous?) a lot. In interviews, at work, and from wiseacres who know I’m not famous at all.
Being famous could certainly help sell more books. That would be nice. If my usefulness scaled with increased visibility, I’d be happy about that.
But I can’t think of a hollower, less worthy pursuit than fame.
More options? More freedom? Sure, sign me up.
More money? Why not? I like money.
Meeting more people? Absolutely, I like just about everyone and all of my favorite things require other people. Even reading requires authors who write the books I read.
But simply having more people be away of you just because? Nope. Then we’re venturing into the weird ghastliness of reality shows. The idea that you have less value than another person simply because more people are aware of that other person’s existence isn’t valid and it isn’t healthy.
Now: what’s everyone reading? I’m almost done with an advanced copy of Some Nerve and it’s wonderful.
Josh
June 8, 2013
Guess Who’s Got A Tiara?
Just got back from speaking in Denver. How did it go? It went like this, for reasons I can’t even begin to recreate for you. WINNER!
June 4, 2013
One Thing I Love About Self-Publishers
I meet a lot of self-published authors at the library. Generally it’s when they’re trying to get their books into the collection and they want to know exactly how they can submit their work.
Sometimes the books are great, sometimes they’re not, sometimes they can added to the collection, sometimes they don’t. (this of course applies to traditionally published books as well)
But there is something I admire about everyone who has self-published a book:
They finished it. They wrote a book. It went beyond talk.
Lots of people want to talk about writing. They want your promise that you’ll read their book when it’s done, or your approval that yes, the idea is a great one. Not everyone who talks about writing, or who has a great idea, is willing to sit down and actually write.
Regardless of anyone’s opinion about self-publishing, a book that has been written has a better chance of being found than a book that only exists in someone’s head and dreams.
Maybe you have the greatest idea ever. Maybe it would get a 10 million dollar advance as the publishing houses tore each other apart in their eagerness to acquire it.
If you don’t write it, it doesn’t matter. If you don’t write it, all of the “self-published garbage” you hear about still has a better chance and better visibility.
Whatever my opinions about writing/publishing are, if you’ve self-published something and I can’t ever make myself sit down and write, there’s a lot I could learn from you.
If you’re a self-publisher looking for ideas and encouragement, A Newbie’s Guide To Publishing is a great start.
Thoughts? How many of you are trying to write, publish, or self-publish a book? Let’s talk.
