Monthly Archives: October 2010

You can do that here. The issue includes my story “The Big Empty,” which begins like so: “We took the kid. And I know how bad that sounds, really, I do, but believe me: He was sitting by himself at … Continue reading →

“There is such a thing as a passionate amateur. By strict definition I am a professional novelist. But I don’t ever feel like a professional when I sit down to do the work. I feel, with each book, like I’ve … Continue reading →

So I’ve been revising my short story collection. Again. Putting in newer stories. Taking out other stories. Tinkering (improving, I hope) stories that have already been published. Catching typos and repetitions and writerly tics. This is the sixth official revision. … Continue reading →

Tuesday’s Literary Death Match in San Diego was a blast. I bow to Jim Ruland’s greatness. And Todd Zuniga is one of three people in the universe who can get away with wearing a white suit. You can see some … Continue reading →

“I don’t know very much,” [Roth] says about how he begins a novel. “I write my way into my knowledge. Then, if I’m lucky, I get a break. That’s why it’s so important to get started. Because however awful starting … Continue reading →