“Substitute “damn” every time you’re inclined to write “very;” your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.”
—Mark Twain
World’s best writing advice.
After three years and 400 pages, I have finally finished writing the first draft of a novel. Now I'm collecting all kinds of advice about writing and editing. Do you have some? I also like books, science fiction, and many other things.
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Moving to Charleston, S.C.
In two weeks, we’re going to load all our stuff up in a big yellow truck and drive nine hours to the coast. I am so excited for this next phase of our lives.
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"I believe God lives in everything. Not just churches and cathedrals. Not just in trees and leaves of grass and flowers. But even in—especially in—the leads of pencils, the lenses of cameras, the tips of paintbrushes, the pirouette of a ballerina, the rich alto of a singer, the curve of a sculptor’s cut, in books and poems and music. He made all of these things and made them a gift to us, so let us all go out into the world with the hope of giving back this gift."
Silas House (via twobluebirds)
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The following glossary was printed on the inside cover of “Boogie Woogie in Blue,” a 1944 album by jazz pianist Harry “The Hipster” Gibson. Most notable on its list is the very early definition of the word “hipsters.” Image courtesy of hyzercreek.
JIVE TALK FOREVER.
(Source: listsofnote. com, via doubledaybooks)
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Star Trek TNG Ambient Engine Noise (Idling for 24 hrs) (by crysknife007)
One of my favorite things about the Star Trek franchise are all the great ambient sounds that represent the engine noise on the various ships. My favorite ambient noise from the whole series is the engine idling noise in TNG. I have cleaned up a sample from the show and then looped it for 24 hours. Great for ambiance and imagining that you’re in deep space.
via Stellar.io
This… this is amazing. My life, as it has been, is over. From this time forward, it is going to be so much better.
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"Movies are living thing. They evolve. They’re never finished, just abandoned."
David Fincher, talking about The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Not just movies — novels, too. (via)
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Current status…
Revising is fun, I guess. Referring to 130+ notecards, my 260ish-page marked-up draft, and 20 pages of notes-to-self from my last read-through.
There’s really not enough room on my desk for all that.
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Alfred Hitchcock and a Westie. Here’s another picture of the director and a Westie. I don’t know if it’s the same one. Later in life Hitchcock owned two Sealyham terriers who appeared with him in his cameo in The Birds.
Alfred Hitchcock reads.
Alfred Hitchcock
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"Like all who possess libraries, Aurelian felt a nagging sense of guilt at not being acquainted with every volume of his."
Jorge Luis Borges, “The Theologians”
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I cannot tell you how much I love this poster for John Carter of Mars.
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The “Google Doodle” for Mark Twain’s birthday might just be my favorite one yet.
Theme: Linear by Peter Vidani
