Category Archives: On Writing

A FESTIVAL OF FICTION SEPTEMBER 26TH

Hey, guys! Sorry it’s been so long since my last post, but my excuse is I’ve been busy writing other stuff!  Mainly my novel, Problems of Translation, on which I’ve completed eleven chapters since the spring, some of whose passages … Continue reading

Posted in More About Jim, On Writing, Publications, Readings & Events | Leave a comment

EVEN THOUGH IT’S SPRING, “HARVEST” IS NEARBY

NEW YORKERS! Run, don’t walk, to the Quad Cinema on W. 13th Street (btwn 5th and 6th Avenues) to see “Harvest,” Marc Meyers’ brilliant and moving film about one Connecticut family (and perhaps many other families as well). Why the … Continue reading

Posted in More About Jim, On Writing, Publications, Whatever | Leave a comment

READING A BOOK CAN BE DANGEROUS IF YOU PAUSE TO THINK!

Many years ago I wrote a book (my dissertation, unpublished) called Journey Through Paradox: A Critical Interpretation of the Work of Nicholas Berdiaev, 1899-1914).  Today I fell to wondering why I chose that title.  It was fitting, I suppose, since … Continue reading

Posted in More About Jim, On Writing, Whatever | Leave a comment

A Brand New Reading – October 19!

I had intended my first post after reconstruction of my blog (it was vandalized by hackers) to be about something esoteric and intellectual — books, for example. And Lord knows I’ve read some good books in the last few months: … Continue reading

Posted in More About Jim, On Writing, Readings & Events, Whatever | Leave a comment

SNIPPETS: FROM TWO FAMOUS WRITERS AND ME

# 1:  Richard Powers Richard Powers’ Generosity is a wonderful work of fiction.  The man is a genius; he knows so bloody much it boggles the mind.  Not only can he structure a book so it moves ineluctably toward a … Continue reading

Posted in More About Jim, On Writing, Publications | Leave a comment

CONVERSATIONS WITH A BRILLIANT AUTHOR

Richard Powers is such a brilliant writer he can get you arguing with his characters!  In the novel Generosity, he describes the weltanschaung of the parents of Tonia Schiff: “Both Vice-consul Schiff and his beloved doctor wife felt something hopelessly … Continue reading

Posted in More About Jim, On Writing | Leave a comment

FATE, LUCK OR FORTITUDE: A BRILLIANT CAREER

Shortly after the Second World War a young European arrives in New York City.  His English is pretty imperfect, but he needs a job.  After employment agencies turn him down, a friend helps him compose two ads for the New … Continue reading

Posted in On Writing, Publications, Whatever | Leave a comment

NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP; ROTH TAKES ON DEATH

I only just now read Everyman by Philip Roth. I finished it about half an hour ago, laid it down, picked it up again and began reading once more from the beginning – the graveside scene – finally sighing and … Continue reading

Posted in On Writing, Whatever | Leave a comment

AN OLD POEM BRINGS A WELCOME SURPRISE

I came across an old poem of mine recently while trying to decide what books to give up and what to keep, and rather liked it, so I thought I would share it with you.  It’s rare enough to be … Continue reading

Posted in More About Jim, On Writing, Whatever | Leave a comment

INSPIRATION AND ITS DOMINO EFFECTS

A character in Roberto Bolaño’s book, 2666 (Book Three, “The Part About Fate”), says the following: “Reading is like thinking, like praying, like talking to a friend, like expressing your ideas, like listening to other people’s ideas, like listening to … Continue reading

Posted in On Writing | Leave a comment