You do it like this

A fine essay over at the L. A. Times explains how it's possible to write a novel while still being a working mother. Lots of good tips and insight here.

Elements

In honor of Roger Waters touring The Wall (can't wait for November!) and because I have a lot on my mind yet nothing to say, here are the typical elements of a Pink Floyd song (found somewhere on the Web, I honestly can't recall where).

The average Pink Floyd song contains these elements:

• People talking at the beginning
• Birds tweeting
• People talking at a party
• Cash registers
• Heartbeats
• Footsteps
• Cars driving by
• A guitar riff
• A bunch Of fucking annoying cymbals
• Cash
• 4 minutes of silence
• Scottish accents
• Spanish accents
• Synthesizers
• People yelling
• Guitar solo
• A teacher telling children to eat their meat
• Aforementioned teacher telling children they can't have pudding if they don't eat their meat
• Various animal sounds
• Satanic chanting
• Something about World War II
• Clocks ticking
• Saxophone solo
• Howling woman
• Vocal delays
• A few more minutes of silence
• A helicopter
• The second verse
• Guitar solo
• Special guest vocalist Stephen Hawking
• Organ sustain
• Bicycle bells
• Wailing
• Crazy guy laughing
• Copious lap steel guitar parts
• Screaming
• Guitar related noise
• Wind
• Acid
• Vomiting
• Bloat
• Guitar solo
• "Congratulations, you've just discovered the secret message. Please send your answer to old Pink, care of the funny farm. Chalfont."
• Guitar solo
• Fadeout/More people talking
• Quacking ducks
• Screeching pterodactyls

Sounds accurate to me!

Ode to a tomato

Bought the prettiest heirloom tomato at the store the other day. So pretty I was tempted to not cut it up for bruschetta. But I resisted, and it was damn good bruschetta.

Writing craft: A most invaluable resource

Now playing on the iPod - "Faccia a Faccia" - Ennio Morricone

There's a lot of information out on that there internet, and it isn't always easy to find writing advice that's actually helpful.

Lucky for writers (whether they are beginners or long-established pros), there is Backspace. Both the Backspace site and its writers' forums are full of what writers need to know. Whether you need help refining your query letter, tips on writing craft, or simply a place to hang out with like-minded people, you'll find what you're looking for.

Back to school

It's back-to-school time! Let's have a song to mark the occasion, courtesy of Pink Floyd.