gdp's Comments

Natalia Sylvester : Why I won't stop buying books (even when I can't read them right away)

Tue, 3 Feb 2015 17:54:31 +0000

I know exactly how you feel! I was just thinking the exact same thing the other day... so so many, so little time! I love the thought that you read them at the same time, me too. I just heard that Harper Lee's second (written prior to Mockingbird) novel will be released soon. That one is a MUST buy. Otherwise I may actually slow my purchases this year... maybe... haha.

Natalia Sylvester : The Masculine & the Feminine & the Power of our Words

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 10:56:32 +0000

*there's (not theirs)... eeks! My recent post “Precious Autumn Sunshine…”

Natalia Sylvester : The Masculine & the Feminine & the Power of our Words

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 10:55:39 +0000

I think about this a lot too -- and your mom's joke is pretty startling. Recently I wrote an article for a magazine that talked about children and I alternated between he and she. (I don't know if they kept it that way or not.) And sometimes I use only she. I started doing some research about this in regard to fiction writing and there's actually a test (the Bechdel Test), I'm writing a Writer Unboxed blog post about it, that analyzes fiction and something passes the test “if a work of fiction features at least two women who talk to each other about something other than a man. The requirement that the two women must be named is sometimes added.” (Wikipedia) That's crazy, isn't it? I don't think theirs the same test for men in literature. Anyway, shockingly, when I started thinking of my own fiction, I realized that my own characters barely pass... Frustrating and heartbreaking, I agree!

Natalia Sylvester : A Wish

Sat, 19 Jul 2014 10:07:09 +0000

I love that... someone giving their wishes! What a seemingly simple yet deep gesture. So happy for you, my friend! For the book and everything! xoxo My recent post “On little cat feet…”

Natalia Sylvester : What It Really Means to Be A Serious Woman Writer

Tue, 8 Apr 2014 09:58:56 +0000

I'm with you -- this kind of thing really bothers me ( A LOT ). It bothers me when books are delineated by male and female and by categories (yes, I understand it's marketing), but when women leave other women behind, that's just wrong. I was particularly struck by THIS in the article: "As for classics, Middlemarch is the greatest novel ever written, hands down. And it's by a woman. Who called herself George, but that proves the entire point of your essay—why do we have to work twice as hard as men to get half the respect?" It seemed to be pretty hypocritical…then why *doesn't* the article praise all women writers? I would contend that anyone who writes is a serious writer… fiction, nonfiction, regardless of category. I can understand the marketing needs for categories but why do we do it to ourselves? #SeriousWomenWriters, I love it! And you're at the top of the list! My recent post The Lost Mittens

Natalia Sylvester : The Writing Process Only Stops Working If You Do

Mon, 7 Apr 2014 17:51:56 +0000

I absolutely love reading about other writers' processes, so this is awesome (and I well may follow your lead next week!! thanks for the tag!). I love the sounds of your new WIP -- and yes, I definitely do think you could've been more vague. You provided the perfect blend of detail and magic to make me very interested! That plus the relationship angle = can't wait!! My recent post The Lost Mittens

Natalia Sylvester : Book Launches & Dreams Come True: Kilmoon by Lisa Alber

Sun, 23 Mar 2014 10:01:42 +0000

Everytime I read about Kilmoon I get more intrigued…it's already on my TBR and I can't wait. So happy for Lisa's success! As for the publishing process, no doubt it's a roller coaster, whatever part of the ride you're on, and like you and Lisa, I hope to someday have that honor to be nervous (love that!); right now, I'm loving the roller coaster of writing. My recent post Writing Aboard the Downeaster

Natalia Sylvester : All Is New Again

Sat, 15 Feb 2014 14:36:37 +0000

I love the new look, Natalia, beautiful! And can't wait to read the book, coming up soon :) My recent post Toothaches and Trust

Natalia Sylvester : The Book Cover for CHASING THE SUN

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 13:42:21 +0000

It really is breathtaking! SOOO excited for you, Natalia!! My recent post Magenta is the New Red

Natalia Sylvester : 13 Things I Learned in 2013

Sat, 14 Dec 2013 16:35:45 +0000

What a great post, Natalia. It's made me think about things I learned this year too! thank you! For instance, #7 made me remember that I learned this year that chai with an espresso shot added to it is called dirty chai. Thanks for helping me remember that! ps I love the Delillo quote. My recent post Magenta is the New Red

Natalia Sylvester : Fresh Ink: An Interview With Debut Novelist Nathan Filer

Thu, 5 Dec 2013 12:17:12 +0000

What a fabulous interview, and I can't wait to read this… I was drawn in even before I read anything about the book with Nathan's answer to the number of revisions it went through, but wow, sounds fascinating! My recent post Lost in the story

Natalia Sylvester : On Letting Go of My Writing and My Voice

Thu, 21 Nov 2013 11:19:45 +0000

I'm so excited!!! Only 6 months to go?!?! I can't wait to read it :) As for voice, I completely agree. I cannot stand to hear my taperecorded voice. Like you I think it sounds much different than in my head (I really liked reading the scientific explanation of why, thanks for the link!). And I actually love that everyone interprets stories differently. It's very cool for me to think (as I write this NaNo story) that what I think is important and meaningful will not necessarily be seen the same way by you or the next guy. As you say, the world would be a very boring place without it. And we'd never have another story to write if we all saw things the same way. Great post, Natalia! My recent post From the NaNoWriMo Sidelines

Natalia Sylvester : Revising My Approach to NaNoWriMo

Tue, 12 Nov 2013 14:55:43 +0000

Thanks… I guess I see the same in you (isn't the grass always greener or something like that?)… here's to both of us having wonderful writing stamina! My recent post NaNo Truths

Natalia Sylvester : The Real and the Magical and Everything In Between

Fri, 25 Oct 2013 17:32:49 +0000

I've experimented with magical realism, and I love it so much. I know exactly the click you're talking about when what we write begins to feel real, and even when I've written about seemingly-impossible (magical) things, I feel that click and truly feel and believe they are possible. I'm really quite envious of your course, Natalia, it sounds remarkable. I'll be checking out the links; thank you so much for posting this! My recent post This is a True Story…

Natalia Sylvester : The One Writing Rule I Absolutely Won't Break

Tue, 15 Oct 2013 10:58:14 +0000

Such a great point, Natalia -- it really is the only unbreakable rule for me, too. I would say reading makes me a better writer (makes me a writer, period), makes me want to write better (after I read a particularly amazing or moving book), and also makes me feel more connected to other writers and to the human condition.... which again makes me a better writer. Plus, I simply can't imagine my life without it. My recent post Slowing Down to Notice

Natalia Sylvester : NYC in Pictures & Takeaways: On Community, Diversity in Publishing & Being Grateful

Fri, 11 Oct 2013 12:29:32 +0000

What an exciting trip! And great pictures! I love thinking of books as children -- right now as I'm ramping up on one WIP, away from one I'm so in love with. Just like with my kids, there's room for more than one in my heart! Thank you for sharing that! (p.s. About autumn, wish I could ship you some of the autumn days we've been enjoying and glad you got some of them in NYC!) My recent post Wasting autumn sunshine

Natalia Sylvester : More Life, Less Blogging

Tue, 1 Oct 2013 15:50:00 +0000

I'm with you, too, Natalia. More life less blogging, less social networking. The NYC trip sounds fabulous. Have a great trip and have a great road trip, too, in your new car. LOVE to hear about road trips :) My recent post The Problem with Paper

Natalia Sylvester : In Which I Answer All of Life's Most Difficult Questions

Sat, 31 Aug 2013 15:49:51 +0000

Love this! As for writing while watching movies?? Even I, who can write with music on, with kids playing in the background, with dogs barking or chainsaws running (once I'm in the zone, anyway), could never write with a movie on. ... well, now I want to try it, haha. My recent post Coffee Club Culture

Natalia Sylvester : A Writer's Happiness as Determined by Word Count

Sat, 24 Aug 2013 12:16:33 +0000

Since it's been MANY more years since I took calc in college, I consulted MEH who says the graph does make sense...that the more words you wrote the better you felt until you wrote many many more words, then you felt bad #lifewithanengineerhusband, haha. I love the graph and can really relate... although I never know if it's my mood causing a low (or negative) word count day OR if my word count is dictating my low mood. Somedays I suspect it's a bit of both. I usually do keep track of word count, and now you've encouraged me to keep track of mood too. Maybe we can create the Writer's Mood Project ;) My recent post Coffee Club Culture

Natalia Sylvester : Why I Write Before I Wake

Sat, 17 Aug 2013 11:39:42 +0000

I am a morning person and love writing in the morning (and boy did it become a necessary habit when my kids were young), but I never realized until I read this post that maybe it's partly for the reasons you've mentioned. My guard isn't up, I'm more willing to write without being as critical... great post, Natalia! And I love your last line. Very true for me, too. My recent post Coffee Club Culture