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Saturday, September 19, 2009

My 3 Fav. Posts of the Week

I am stealing from my good friend Selma at the very popular Selma in the City (if you don't read her blog you are seriously missing out). She has decided to make a regular post of her favourite blog posts she read throughout the week. I read a lot of blogs so thought that would be a very groovy idea and promptly stole it.

So below are my three favourite blog posts I read this week, in no particular order:

1. This Short Story Advice from a Great was posted on Nik Perring's blog. It's a video of Kurt Vonnegut giving us all some wise advice on writing short stories. It made me think of my first years of high school. There were three girls,very brilliant, always the top of the grade, who adored Kurt Vonnegut. They were always dropping lines and referring to characters. I so wanted to be 'in' with these brainy girls (yes- I was odd- at 15 I wanted to be the brainy girl. That changed a few years later, unfortunately). so I read every Kurt Vonnegut I could find. Now I can't remember much of them and sadly, I've searched, I have not a single of his titles on my book shelf. (Not so hidden note to family and friends- if you want to send me things send Kurt Vonnegut books please)


2. This is neither pandering nor stemming from guilt for my theft- but the other wonderful post I read this week was from Selma at Selma in the City. It was a lovely bit of writing about getting rid of past grudges. I am horrible, I hold grudges forever. At the droop of a hat I can give you a list of the people I hold serious grudges against from years ago- decades even. Selma wisely points out how unhealthy that is and gives us an elegant way to rid ourselves of the obsession. I've yet to do it, but will. (Really.) Don't miss Let it Go.

3. The last post for this week comes from the blog A Subtle Knife that I recently discovered thanks to my friend Colleen Higgs. It is written by Cape Town based writer and academic Andries du Toit. He's done a fantastic review of the movie Disgrace adapted from the novel by J.M. Coetzee called Lost in Africa: disgrace, whiteness and the fear of desire. Fantastic.


Have to add these two things:

1. Congrats to Nigerian Uwem Akpan for getting his short story collection Say You're One of Them chosen for Oprah's Book Club. Big -BIG- deal for African writers and short story collections. YAHOO!!!

2. I have a short story at Bookaholic - Memory of Mother.

Enjoy and have a lovely weekend!

5 comments:

  1. excellent advice from the first link.. thanks for sharing...

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  2. When I get back from my writers' club, I shall check out these new blogs. It's always nice to receive information, especially when recommended. Thanks.

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  3. Thanks for the link to the very funny article over at my place. I'm heading over to read your short story now.

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  4. akaBagucci- I thought that Kurt Vonnegut video was spot on.

    Elizabeth- I love Haibo. I saw the guys at Cape Town Book Fair- very funny folks. I love their t-shirts. Also, thanks for your lovely comment left that side at Bookaholic.

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  5. I enjoy reading other people's faves. There is always something good to take away from them. You are so kind to mention me.

    Looks like I've got a bit of reading to do!

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