Why dislike something that you’ve previously liked, once it becomes popular? Is there any logic to avoiding something once it becomes popular? I explore my thoughts on this topic, from the perspective of someone who has hipster tendencies, but is at least willing to admit to it.
Writer’s block is just an excuse for broken storytelling. That’s the name of an article I wrote a while back for a site called Slothrop.com. The article, in so many words, says that the reason a writer gets stuck is not a spontaneous drain of energy or a mysterious lack of motivation. Writer’s block is simply a symptom of denial. Writer’s block is the writer’s intuition declaring that the story sucks and you need to fix it. Share in the comments below: what has been your hardest bout of writer’s block and what did you do to cure it?
I anticipate some reactions to this video book review will be negative. Of those negative reviews, I anticipate 3 response types: Hatred from those that haven’t read the book, but simply want to defend Mark Z. Danielewski (I understand this feeling, believe me; and despite how I feel about The Fifty Year Sword, I will continue to defend Danielewski, even if only for his potential; House of Leaves remains one of my favorite novels of all time) Hatred from those who have read the book, and claim that I’m simply too dumb to “get it” (again, I understand this feeling and am willing to embrace this possibility) Hatred from those who have read it and claim to like it. It’s this last group that I’m most interested in. Those of you in this last group, please, please, please help me understand what I must have missed. I want to like…
For some reason I tend to shy away from the BIG books, those being the books that rountinely make best of lists, fill the limited space in book review columns, and can generally be purchased at Wal-Mart (not that I have something against shopping at Wal-Mart...I went there just today, as a matter of fact...though, I only do so when hurting for money; see, I can't agree with the business ethics of the company, and oh crap, I'm rambling). I don't know if my aversion to widely-praised books can be simply diagnosed as hipsterism, or if there's something more sinister at play. But none of that matters, as I recently read one such department store paperback, Room by Emma Donoghue, and I really, really liked it. Click the image below to watch the video review (links to YouTube). What did I buy during my Wal-Mart trip today? The Bedwetter by…
I’ve been watching a lot of YouTube videos lately. A lot. Too many. I think I’m falling in love. YouTube personalities (the ones I watch, mainly video blogs, or “vlogs” as those cooler than me can say) aren’t too concerned with polish and appearance (though again, qualifier, many appear quite polished). The personalities, generally, aren’t the focus and purpose of the videos. It’s the passion these people have for their subject matter that’s on display. I admit, my watching began more as a study to learn how to bring people to my own author YouTube channel. It was a selfish endeavor. But something happened. Something amazing. I suddenly “got” what so many others have understood for a long, long time: YouTube (specifically the vlog aspect) is a grand, grand thing. I actually appreciate and truly enjoy everyday, non-famous people talking about books. I’ve long loved talking with my friends in…
A few episodes back I presented some book covers that, through the twisted lens of perversion (is that redundant?), were made to appear more depraved than perhaps they were meant to be. Here, I present three more perverted covers that you won’t be able to unsee. Hey, I didn’t make these book covers to be easily perverted; don’t blame me. Here I manipulate the intentions of Gordon Highland's Flashover, Rob Roberge's Working Backwards from the Worst Moment of My Life, and Paul Bowels' The Sheltering Sky.
In this episode I examine two examples of book design: the die-cut cover and the photo finish (or ImageWrap) while touching on the the embossed hardcover. Examples include Denis Johnson's Nobody Move, Chuck Palahniuk's Rant, Donna Tartt's The Little Friend, Tim Etchells' The Broken World, Brian Evenson's Baby Leg, and Will Christopher Baer's Hell's Half Acre.