A few months ago I got tapped for a interesting writing assignment. Lexus magazine had selected nine writers to create a serial story of a young couple, Julia and Terrence, as they drive cross country in a new Lexus. (literary heavyweights Jane Smiley, Mary Otis, Brian Antoni among others, and yes, I have no idea how I was included.) Guidelines were minimal. They just wanted to make sure there was no car crashes, which seemed reasonable. The idea was that each writer would pick up where the other left off, without any consultation. Just wing it. Like a long drive without a map. A great gig, with lots of randomness.
My selection, called "In the Belly of the Beast," was the seventh chapter. I set it in my favorite town, Las Vegas. All the other writers, focused on the two main characters. I decided to use the point of view of an angry, sweaty man in a gorilla suit, the greeter-mascot at Me Tarzan, You Jane Wedding Chapel. He's cursing his lot in life, snarling at the fat tourists staggering down the strip, when the Lexus pulls up to the chapel. Yes, Terrence and Julia are getting married.
A good time was had.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
I'm on NPR tomorrow
Just taped a Weekend America segment for NPR. It will be broadcast nationally tomorrow October 11. Times and stations here.
The half-hour segment was hosted by John Moe. My two co-panelists were Stacy Grenrock Woods, sex advice columnist for Esquire and Tak Toyoshima, cartoonist.
We talked about the second presidential debate, whether the US government should take over banks, and electronic eavesdropping. My favorite part was when we argued over whether, as claimed by the NY Times, calling elderly people "sweetie" and "dear" was patronizing them to death. As in, killing them. Taking seven years off their lifespan. Really. Tak said that's why he's always rude to old people. He's trying to save them. It was fun.
The half-hour segment was hosted by John Moe. My two co-panelists were Stacy Grenrock Woods, sex advice columnist for Esquire and Tak Toyoshima, cartoonist.
We talked about the second presidential debate, whether the US government should take over banks, and electronic eavesdropping. My favorite part was when we argued over whether, as claimed by the NY Times, calling elderly people "sweetie" and "dear" was patronizing them to death. As in, killing them. Taking seven years off their lifespan. Really. Tak said that's why he's always rude to old people. He's trying to save them. It was fun.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
President Obama at the UN
Here's the link to a piece I just did for National Review Online, WORLD PHENOM, part of my Tales from the Obama Presidency series. Fun ensues.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
James Crumley Checks Out
I just got some bad news. Otto Penzler, last of the old time publishers, wrote to say the James Crumley died today after a long illness.
If you're not familiar with Crumley's work, you might check Amazon or your local bookstore. Start with The Last Good Kiss and move on from there. Here's the opening sentence of TLGK:
"When I finally caught up with Abraham Trahearne, he was drinking beer with an alcoholic bulldog named Fireball Roberts in a ramshackle joint just outside of Sonoma, California, drinking the heart right out of a fine spring morning."
If that line doesn't make you want to read more, get off this blog.
The only time I met Jim Crumley was when I was touring for one of my crime thrillers, The Wake Up or Scavenger Hunt. I had a Halloween reading at Murder by the Book, a great independent bookstore in Houston, and the manager, David Thompson, had called a week earlier and asked if I minded if they made it a joint appearance, me and Crumley. I told him I felt like Tiny Tim being asked to do a concert appearance with Pavoroti.
When I arrive at the store that night, the place is packed. Overflow packed. Tall Texans standing in the doorway of the restroom packed. They were all there, of course, to see Jim. I looked around, ready to bolt, when this burly guy walks over to me, puts an arm around my shoulder, tells me his name is Jim Crumley and he's a huge fan of my work. My voice cracked when I thanked him. The readings go well. Crumley announces he won't sign any of his books unless the patron also has bought one of mine. I sign books until my hand gets tired.
Afterwards, we go out to a bar, drink beer and solve the mysteries of the universe. It was the best Halloween I ever had.
God better cut Jim Crumley some slack.
If you're not familiar with Crumley's work, you might check Amazon or your local bookstore. Start with The Last Good Kiss and move on from there. Here's the opening sentence of TLGK:
"When I finally caught up with Abraham Trahearne, he was drinking beer with an alcoholic bulldog named Fireball Roberts in a ramshackle joint just outside of Sonoma, California, drinking the heart right out of a fine spring morning."
If that line doesn't make you want to read more, get off this blog.
The only time I met Jim Crumley was when I was touring for one of my crime thrillers, The Wake Up or Scavenger Hunt. I had a Halloween reading at Murder by the Book, a great independent bookstore in Houston, and the manager, David Thompson, had called a week earlier and asked if I minded if they made it a joint appearance, me and Crumley. I told him I felt like Tiny Tim being asked to do a concert appearance with Pavoroti.
When I arrive at the store that night, the place is packed. Overflow packed. Tall Texans standing in the doorway of the restroom packed. They were all there, of course, to see Jim. I looked around, ready to bolt, when this burly guy walks over to me, puts an arm around my shoulder, tells me his name is Jim Crumley and he's a huge fan of my work. My voice cracked when I thanked him. The readings go well. Crumley announces he won't sign any of his books unless the patron also has bought one of mine. I sign books until my hand gets tired.
Afterwards, we go out to a bar, drink beer and solve the mysteries of the universe. It was the best Halloween I ever had.
God better cut Jim Crumley some slack.
Monday, August 18, 2008
President Obama talks with Justice Thomas
Posted another "Tales from the Obama Administration" piece in National Review today, this one on Obama's kneejerk smackdown of Justice Clarence Thomas for evidently not having enough legal depth to satisfy Barry O. Really. Honest. Fun ensues.
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZDg5NjI0NzE1OTc2ZDllMDU5NDg5OTdmNjQ3ODQ2NDE=
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZDg5NjI0NzE1OTc2ZDllMDU5NDg5OTdmNjQ3ODQ2NDE=
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