Friday, May 31, 2019
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Goldilocks of Literary Genres
Okay, so at one point after college, I realized I was a Writer-I had always identified myself as one, always did research and readings, kept a journal, etc-but I realized I hadn't WRITTEN.
So I literally began at my beginning.
I started doing Blogs. And Plays. And Short Stories. TV Pilots, Novels. And lately, I've also started doing Satire. Short pieces which focus on humor, on a good idea that gets developed-and also gets workshopped among you and your closest writing partners.
Everything feels natural to the medium, but its about persistence. And if something is not working, not breaking through, I'm willing to try the NEXT thing-the next pattern of storytelling. Because it IS all the same urge, just coming out in different frames and formats.
So I literally began at my beginning.
I started doing Blogs. And Plays. And Short Stories. TV Pilots, Novels. And lately, I've also started doing Satire. Short pieces which focus on humor, on a good idea that gets developed-and also gets workshopped among you and your closest writing partners.
Everything feels natural to the medium, but its about persistence. And if something is not working, not breaking through, I'm willing to try the NEXT thing-the next pattern of storytelling. Because it IS all the same urge, just coming out in different frames and formats.
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Thoreau/Twain
For the first evening of this 2019 Edition of the Annual Gathering of Thoreauvian Appreciators my play, THOREAU/TWAIN: Brothers of The River will be performed.
I am immensely proud to be presenting my work to such an excellent group of scholars, enthusiasts, teachers, environmentalists, historians, professors-AND this year's focus will be encouraging the ENGINEERS to come out in full force.
Therefore, not ONLY am I excited to be able to do research on both Thoreau and Twain, but also to focus on the parts of their lives which reflect their interest in innovation, technology and how things get put together.
Hint: This will involve HDT's work on developing a new formula for a graphite pencil, AND Twain's enthusiasm for a printing machine known as the Paige Compositor. Which will survive the ultimate test of engineering?
I am immensely proud to be presenting my work to such an excellent group of scholars, enthusiasts, teachers, environmentalists, historians, professors-AND this year's focus will be encouraging the ENGINEERS to come out in full force.
Therefore, not ONLY am I excited to be able to do research on both Thoreau and Twain, but also to focus on the parts of their lives which reflect their interest in innovation, technology and how things get put together.
Hint: This will involve HDT's work on developing a new formula for a graphite pencil, AND Twain's enthusiasm for a printing machine known as the Paige Compositor. Which will survive the ultimate test of engineering?
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Documenting the Decline of Greenpoint
At one point in the future, Greenpoint will have become the neighborhood it is growing into.
As of today, it is still in a weird transition.
On the same day, they listed 2 pieces of news in the hyper-local online sites.
First, our favorite restaurant is closing after 20 years (because that is the life expectancy of a joint in this hood?).
http://www.brooklynvegan.com/enids-in-greenpoint-to-close-at-the-end-of-march/
This is a year after Matchless closed, another great bar that defined the nightlife of this neighborhood.
And second, there was a piece of hate mail sent to a couple who are running a business out of their home. It was anti-semitic and anonymous (of course), and the funny part is-the couple isn't even JEWISH!!!
So what does that mean-were they targeted by stupid bigots (yes-that's certainly contributing), were they assuming that because one of them was Mexican/Cuban and the other was Italian. was it sheer terror or foreigners? In a Polish neighborhood?-With Williamsburg next door, can they not even IDENTIFY who they hate-or are they trying to target hipsters?
is the neighborhood shifting in ways that are freaking people out? Yes. But go to one of the local places and celebrate, while you still can. And be nice to your neighbors. Please.
As of today, it is still in a weird transition.
On the same day, they listed 2 pieces of news in the hyper-local online sites.
First, our favorite restaurant is closing after 20 years (because that is the life expectancy of a joint in this hood?).
http://www.brooklynvegan.com/enids-in-greenpoint-to-close-at-the-end-of-march/
This is a year after Matchless closed, another great bar that defined the nightlife of this neighborhood.
And second, there was a piece of hate mail sent to a couple who are running a business out of their home. It was anti-semitic and anonymous (of course), and the funny part is-the couple isn't even JEWISH!!!
So what does that mean-were they targeted by stupid bigots (yes-that's certainly contributing), were they assuming that because one of them was Mexican/Cuban and the other was Italian. was it sheer terror or foreigners? In a Polish neighborhood?-With Williamsburg next door, can they not even IDENTIFY who they hate-or are they trying to target hipsters?
is the neighborhood shifting in ways that are freaking people out? Yes. But go to one of the local places and celebrate, while you still can. And be nice to your neighbors. Please.
Monday, December 31, 2018
Recap of 2018
Okay, since everyone on Twitter and Facebook is doing this (mostly to recover from the rest of the disastrous year), here is what I'd like to think I accomplished in 2018. Most of the following is about writing, but ART made quite an impact.
1) First Half of the Year:Wrote half of a book (at least-or at most) that I had started on Xmas of 2017. I spent LOTS of time on it and made GREAT progress. I had a VISION of the whole book, which HELPS.
2) Worked with an editor and a strategist, and figured out how MUCH I love feedback and being challenged.
3) Deadlines SCARE me, and I need to keep them in my life!
4)2nd half of year: Started figuring out how to get an idea for a short story a week, and began to develop them.
5) When in doubt, I organize. And I'm AMAZED at how much of my own work is THERE, ready to get proper attention (Including plays, WPOM, 6DegMks, etc)
6) ART: Began taking photographs and printing them on metal. Looking for places to mount them in a more permanent fashion.
7) 2nd half of year: Began REALLY taking my 6DegMks project more seriously, including the relationship mapping and the chapters seriously-going over what I had from previous years-some of the files only had a page or 2.
8) Added ANOTHER blog (the total is now 25!! Only one entry a month, but still!!!)
9) Found MORE inspiration than ever, 2 or 3 new muses, 4 weekend workshops & more events, classes and meeting other creative types. The social aspect is an angle that I had been seriously missing!
10)Learned how to take joy the work and how to take rest when I needed it.
Even though I published 5 short pieces in 2017 (of which I am STILL tremendously proud), all told, I think it was my BEST year in terms of work and happiness. ;)
1) First Half of the Year:Wrote half of a book (at least-or at most) that I had started on Xmas of 2017. I spent LOTS of time on it and made GREAT progress. I had a VISION of the whole book, which HELPS.
2) Worked with an editor and a strategist, and figured out how MUCH I love feedback and being challenged.
3) Deadlines SCARE me, and I need to keep them in my life!
4)2nd half of year: Started figuring out how to get an idea for a short story a week, and began to develop them.
5) When in doubt, I organize. And I'm AMAZED at how much of my own work is THERE, ready to get proper attention (Including plays, WPOM, 6DegMks, etc)
6) ART: Began taking photographs and printing them on metal. Looking for places to mount them in a more permanent fashion.
7) 2nd half of year: Began REALLY taking my 6DegMks project more seriously, including the relationship mapping and the chapters seriously-going over what I had from previous years-some of the files only had a page or 2.
8) Added ANOTHER blog (the total is now 25!! Only one entry a month, but still!!!)
9) Found MORE inspiration than ever, 2 or 3 new muses, 4 weekend workshops & more events, classes and meeting other creative types. The social aspect is an angle that I had been seriously missing!
10)Learned how to take joy the work and how to take rest when I needed it.
Even though I published 5 short pieces in 2017 (of which I am STILL tremendously proud), all told, I think it was my BEST year in terms of work and happiness. ;)
Friday, November 30, 2018
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