sometimes you have to take a break in the middle of the work morning to talk about books. that’s what i like so much about bonnie, she’ll always take the break and talk about books. she’s currently reading something called (perhaps) The Lake of Dead Languages. I told her how i’m totally completely utterly butt crazy in love with Lorrie Moore’s book of short stories, Birds of America. it might be a little early in our relationship to be discussing love, but so far the four stories in the book each make my heart do that goofy little flip-floppy palpitation at the end. one of the stories, called “Which is More Than I Can Say About Some People” even made me cry. and how can you not proclaim love so early on when someone’s story moves you to cry.
Moore is the type of writer who makes me want to hack off my own fingers with a rusty butter knife, because i’ll never be able to come close to writing something so wonderful. . . though i did make that one woman in my writing class cry. . . hmm, maybe the hacking is a bit too premature.
anyway, class starts tomorrow and i am so excited i could pee right in my pants.
Yeah. There’s nothing like the end of a good short story that makes you say, “Aw. Man.” and then throw the book across the room or slam it on the table and then everyone at the coffee shop is looking at you and you feel like a dumbass because short fiction just kicked your ass again and you feel like a phony because you call yourself a writer and you just know you can’t do it that well and probably never will but if you had it to do all over again there is no way you would not read that story and that perfect little titty-twist-of-lemon ending that puckers up your heart and makes you hate yourself and love everything and what can you so but pick up your pen and rock the blank page.
I’m with ya.
so do you wanna marry me or something?
Two things:
1. The Lake of Dead Languages is indeed a phenomenal book. Read it.
2. Which class are you starting?
i will be taking another fiction writing class at the loft. it keeps me motivated and gives me a reason to get my ass out of the house. i just love my writing classes.