Ritual, magic, mystical powers--these things seem to comfort and guide people much easier than facts or science. One of the short stories at the end of the glass bead game features a 'rain maker', a sort of shaman type figure who is in charge of when to plant crops, and is supposed to warn of …
Describing a face
How do you do it? I wonder if one can really use words to describe a face accurately. People tend to default to faces they've seen before, or shapes they are familiar with. I am trying something with a character of mine, and have picked a face of a real person to use as my …
Book Points
While I'm forcing my way through The Glass Bead Game to make sure I can add a point to my 'books read this year' score, I'm really enjoying the Crimson Petal and the White. I'm two thirds the way through the 900 page monster, and loving every chapter. It calls me back every time I …
Something to write about
I've been writing a new thing. I'm not even ten thousand words in, but already it has gripped me, and I feel sure I'll follow it to the end, wherever that may be. It's nice to have something to work on every day again. A direction to turn my wandering mind. I feel I will …
Just stop thinking
I read this article about writer and writing teacher Kathryn Harrison, who offers the advice to her students "just stop thinking." I find this to be terrific advice. Thinking is the bane of most creative activities, and I say this as a proponent of science and learning and understanding on all fronts. Think before you …
Jonas David 