Ruth, I loved this edition of the newsletter. The Grossman book was wonderful. And I agree with this approach -- new publications or a new kind of writing each year, more queries. Thank you so much.
I enjoyed this post--and took it to heart as a writer. Also, I loved The Weight of Ink. I read it a few years ago and have recommended it to numerous people (who relished it as well). Just thinking about all that it contains overwhelms me. I will have to revisit it.
WAs uplifted by your newsletter especially the three specific goals. I’m an enthusiastic list maker and these were very helpful. Have been preoccupied with trying to publish work I ‘ve already written or completing major work; good to be reminded of cultivating new or neglected ideas.
As for the reading group: I’m not exactly consumed by by what’s happening in Israel and Palestine but I am following every in-depth report. Ever since the late’80s , middle eastern politics and history have been of special concern, so reading literature really speaks to me. So much has been said already about Minor Details , I’ll only add this: I did like the flat voice - don’t know how true to the original it is - and much prefer the second half . The event itself could have, should have been reduced to a judicial report that sends this young Palestinian woman into dangerous forbidden territory.
I spent two weeks in Israel and The West Bank in 2010 , under the auspices of Rabbis for Human Rights. Israel had carved up the West Bank into a Kafkaesque landscape. Areas A/B and C : land where only Israelis were allowed, only Palestinians or both. rabbi Ari Ariksman had to travel everywhere with a book of maps to prove to the IDF that a Palestinian farmer had the right to harvest his own Olives. The areas are not posted with clear signs.
Journey to the End of the Land is a journey through that landscape. I read it 1o years ago; time to read it again.
Though I own all volumes, at a little more than have way through The Path to Power, I’ve stalled, in part due to the level of detail. One of my daughters avoids historical fiction as it muddies her understanding of the period. And I avoid reading about the Israel / Palestinian conflict (very unpopular opinion), as a deeper understanding of that geopolitical tragedy doesn’t serve my daily life or goals. I find more value in grasping U.S., China relations. This is the first of your newsletters I’ve read and it was a pleasure - thank you!
I too constantly feel I have accomplished NOTHING and so have to keep a log that will tell me otherwise. I love these writing goals! I am going to use them all this year. Thank you!
I haven’t posted on the Minor Details thread, but I want to thank you for suggesting the novel. I read it last week and will forever be glad I did. Thanks for all your newsletters; I read them with deep interest!
I also read The Transit of Venus last year - such clever foreshadowing and so absorbing, not one to rush. Great tip to pitch to some new places, too. I loved your biography of Shirley Jackson and look forward to your new work.
Last year he published seven stories in a reputable publishing house. And horror stories, and love, and humor, and fantasy. I want to repeat this. In any case, I’m planning four stories this spring. In addition, it may be possible to make an audio recording and also publish it. And lastly: write a new book in the non-fiction genre.
Seeing your approach to goal setting is quite affirming. Your processes reinforce what I am trying to do -- although you are at a quite different level!! Thanks for sharing! Much appreciated.
Ruth, I loved this edition of the newsletter. The Grossman book was wonderful. And I agree with this approach -- new publications or a new kind of writing each year, more queries. Thank you so much.
I enjoyed this post--and took it to heart as a writer. Also, I loved The Weight of Ink. I read it a few years ago and have recommended it to numerous people (who relished it as well). Just thinking about all that it contains overwhelms me. I will have to revisit it.
WAs uplifted by your newsletter especially the three specific goals. I’m an enthusiastic list maker and these were very helpful. Have been preoccupied with trying to publish work I ‘ve already written or completing major work; good to be reminded of cultivating new or neglected ideas.
As for the reading group: I’m not exactly consumed by by what’s happening in Israel and Palestine but I am following every in-depth report. Ever since the late’80s , middle eastern politics and history have been of special concern, so reading literature really speaks to me. So much has been said already about Minor Details , I’ll only add this: I did like the flat voice - don’t know how true to the original it is - and much prefer the second half . The event itself could have, should have been reduced to a judicial report that sends this young Palestinian woman into dangerous forbidden territory.
I spent two weeks in Israel and The West Bank in 2010 , under the auspices of Rabbis for Human Rights. Israel had carved up the West Bank into a Kafkaesque landscape. Areas A/B and C : land where only Israelis were allowed, only Palestinians or both. rabbi Ari Ariksman had to travel everywhere with a book of maps to prove to the IDF that a Palestinian farmer had the right to harvest his own Olives. The areas are not posted with clear signs.
Journey to the End of the Land is a journey through that landscape. I read it 1o years ago; time to read it again.
Thanks for new books for the TBR pile!
You may want to consider BlueSky for lit convo...things are picking up there but it still isn't quite Twitter. :|
Though I own all volumes, at a little more than have way through The Path to Power, I’ve stalled, in part due to the level of detail. One of my daughters avoids historical fiction as it muddies her understanding of the period. And I avoid reading about the Israel / Palestinian conflict (very unpopular opinion), as a deeper understanding of that geopolitical tragedy doesn’t serve my daily life or goals. I find more value in grasping U.S., China relations. This is the first of your newsletters I’ve read and it was a pleasure - thank you!
I too constantly feel I have accomplished NOTHING and so have to keep a log that will tell me otherwise. I love these writing goals! I am going to use them all this year. Thank you!
Can't handle "The the End of the Land" now. I'll wait for the next book.
I haven’t posted on the Minor Details thread, but I want to thank you for suggesting the novel. I read it last week and will forever be glad I did. Thanks for all your newsletters; I read them with deep interest!
I also read The Transit of Venus last year - such clever foreshadowing and so absorbing, not one to rush. Great tip to pitch to some new places, too. I loved your biography of Shirley Jackson and look forward to your new work.
Last year he published seven stories in a reputable publishing house. And horror stories, and love, and humor, and fantasy. I want to repeat this. In any case, I’m planning four stories this spring. In addition, it may be possible to make an audio recording and also publish it. And lastly: write a new book in the non-fiction genre.
Seeing your approach to goal setting is quite affirming. Your processes reinforce what I am trying to do -- although you are at a quite different level!! Thanks for sharing! Much appreciated.