Looks like you're new here. Get all the fun of 52 Novels as it happens and subscribe by e-mail or subscribe using your favorite RSS feed reader. Might as well. Don't cost nothin.
I’ve got deadlines out the yingyang this week so I’m a day late on this week’s SOTB. My apologies to the handful of people who wait with bated breath.
Now that that’s out of the way, here’s a double scoop of links… specifically, it’s a half-dozen blogs from writers you probably don’t know. That was rude… who am I to say who you know and who you don’t?
Anyway, just read.
By the way, I listed these in no particular order.
- Dave White’s Writing Block
- David Isaak’s Tomorrowville
- John August (a ton of useful information about screenwriting)
- Duane Swierczynski’s Secret Dead Blog
- Jamie Ford’s Bittersweet Blog
- The Letter D
I first came across Dave’s awesome blog a couple of years ago. At the time, he and Bryon Quertermous were engaged in a friendly writer’s contest, called Let’s See Who Can Finish A Novel First.
The blog isn’t so much about the contest as it is about Dave’s journey as a working writer.
It doesn’t hurt that he’s got a rapier-like wit. Over time, though, and like lots of bloggers, he’s evolved… especially as he’s gotten closer to releasing his book, WHEN ONE MAN DIES. It’s due September 25th and it’s gotten a great reviews.
Read all about Dave at Dave White’s Writing Block.
David Isaak’s story intrigued me because he intentionally signed with a book imprint, Macmillan New Writing, that doesn’t give advances.
Seemed odd to me. I mean, come on, we’re all trying to get paid for writing stories and here’s a guy who didn’t take a dime up front. Then again, the imprint has a great model: find talented new writers in any genre, then release one book a month. That means they can take the time to grow an author almost organically.
Dave embraced the concept full on and he’s got some great posts about the process and why he thinks it was the right deal for him. He also gives some awesome snapshots into his writing process. His book, SHOCK AND AWE, is out now.
Check it all out at David Isaak’s Tomorrowville.
John August is probably the most well-known of this lot of writers. He’s the guy responsible for writing the screenplays for GO, BIG FISH, CHARLIE’S ANGELS, and a few more you know. He made his directorial debut with this summer’s THE NINES.
John’s been at the Hollywood thing for a number of years now, but his blog posts reveal a generous man who seems to give more than he gets (although, I’m sure he gets quite a lot). How many other Hollywood screenwriters let just any schlub ask questions about craft and the business? Better still, how many actually answer you back?
Be sure to check out his downloads page… you can get lost for hours there reading draft scripts and outlines and treatments. There’s also a stunning essay on how BIG FISH got written and made.
Read it all at John August (a ton of useful information about screenwriting).
I came across Duane’s blog quite by accident… read about that here. Since then, I’ve made a point of checking out Secret Dead at least once a week.
By day, Duane’s the editor of the Philadelphia City Paper, the city’s alternative weekly, and the blog reflects that sort of sensibility. Duane’s cynical and funny and ever cracking wise. Plus, he’s got a finely tuned ear for dialog, and is super-quick with uncommon similes and metaphors. I don’t get jealous of other writers very often, but when it comes to this guy I’m as green as bucket full of peas.
Make sure you also check out his three highly acclaimed crime novels—SECRET DEAD MEN, THE WHEELMAN, and THE BLONDE—and a fourth on the way. Then go read more about Duane at Duane Swierczynski’s Secret Dead Blog.
I can’t remember how I found Jamie’s blog, but, by gum, I’m awful glad I did. I know it was an accident and I know he hooked me with a little tagline in his banner: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter & Sweet.
Turns out, that’s the name of his forthcoming novel. Clever, and it’s got a lot of automatic resonance.
But the great thing about Jamie’s blog is the diversity… it’s about writing, and sports, and movies, and books, and lots of other things Jamie loves. When I read his words, they seem effortless to me. I’m sure they aren’t, because they never are effortless. And he almost always has the perfect photo attached to the post.
Go read—and see—for yourself at Jamie Ford’s Bittersweet Blog.
Last up is, perhaps, the funniest blog I read. The Letter D is the home of Dwight Hamilton, a lawyer and humor columnist for Grand Rapids Magazine.
Who can resist post titles like, “Screw You, Neal Schweiber!,” “Ponytailed Lawyer Guy,” and “The Night I Saw Prince’s Penis”?
Definitely check out the “Best of D”… you’ll giggle so much people around you will wonder what’s so freaking funny.
The worst part about The Letter D? Dwight doesn’t post often enough.
Take a peek at The Letter D.
