Novel writing is the best. At least, it is now. Give me a couple weeks and I’ll be gnashing my teeth, drinking vats of coffee, and generally making a mess of myself. But Soul Song, my sixth Dirk & Steele, is coming along nicely. And I think I know who the seventh book is going to be about. It’ll be shape-shifter oriented, that’s for sure.
Anyway, on to some links:
Writing in the Age of Internet:
I read somewhere once that in the 1960s fiction writers were troubled by the notion that life was becoming stranger and more sensational than made-up stories could ever hope to be. Our new problem�more profound, I think�is that life no longer resembles a story. Events intersect but don’t progress. People interact but don’t make contact. Settings shift but don’t necessarily change.
A Q&A with Chimamanda Adichie:
I didn’t ever consciously decide to pursue writing. I’ve been writing since I was old enough to spell, and just sitting down and writing made me feel incredibly fulfilled. I may have considered other careers to make a living, since I wasn’t sure I could do it from writing, but I have never thought actively about my choice to write. I just write. I have to write. I like to say that I didn’t choose writing, writing chose me.
Finally, I thought this article on physics was interesting.
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A friend alerted me to the Writers Digest Short-Story Contest. Deadline: December 1, 2006
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For those of you in Alabama:
ALABAMA GRANTS
http://arts.state.al.us/grants/index-grants.html
ALABAMA ARTISTS FELLOWSHIPS
The Council awards Artist Fellowships of $5,000 for artists in crafts, dance, design, media, photography, music, literature, theatre and visual arts. Artists may use funds to set aside time to create art, improve their skills or to do what is most advantageous to enhance their careers. Grants usually $5,000.
ALABAMA ARTS IN EDUCATION RESIDENCY
Artists share their knowledge and experience with students, teachers and the community. They conduct workshops and lecture demonstrations, as well as work on their own art projects. Paid $600 per three-day workweek. Residencies range from two to 36 weeks and fees vary.
ALABAMA TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS
Funds may be used to provide artists with up to $1,000 for technical assistance. Grants may be used for marketing, establishing a portfolio, learning tax laws and accounting basics for self-employment, resource development or perfecting a technique. May be used to attend workshops or seminars or study under another artist.