I have a new story posted here at "Words in Print" published at LITnIMAGE called "Waterfall."
..."What a terrible mistaked to let go of something wonderful for something real." -- Miranda July
Monday, July 19, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
I have two new poems--"Birthday Card For My Father" and "Hand Me Down"--up at Orion Headless and posted here under "Words in Print."
Today's thoughts...
"Procrastination isn't the problem, it's the solution. So procrastinate right now, don't put it off." -- Ellen DeGeneres
"I myself am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions." -- August Burroughs
"'Junk' is an honest word." -- "Parenthood"
"It has bothered me all these years that I don't paint like everyone else." -- Henri Mattise
Today's thoughts...
"Procrastination isn't the problem, it's the solution. So procrastinate right now, don't put it off." -- Ellen DeGeneres
"I myself am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions." -- August Burroughs
"'Junk' is an honest word." -- "Parenthood"
"It has bothered me all these years that I don't paint like everyone else." -- Henri Mattise
Friday, July 16, 2010
Writing a novel is hard work. Editing one is, well, can anyone say torture??? I'm about a quarter of the way through and doubt I'll have it polished by next week's Pacific Northwest Writer's Conference, which was the goal.
...I started writing full time in May of 2009. Since then I've written almost 400 stories and/or poems. The first story I wrote in May of 2009 just got accepted today at Literary Laundry. It's a long piece, 5000 words, about some real life events(and manufactured ones) that happened on a life-altering trip to Cambodia. It was called, "Hope on a Narrow Road," but has been changed, at the editor's request, to "After the Rainy Season." Anyway, there's a lesson about persistence there: it's my 141st acceptance, but my first written story.
...I have to have music and movies and books in my life. They're three of the eight things you can never have enough of. I am quite literally surrounded by books, even at this very moment. Many are writer's books, books about the craft. When I'm stumped technically or emotionally void, I'll often pull one out to see if I can't spark some inspiration or learning.
Here's some things I took from today's selection:
"I kept reminding myself I wanted to be a writer and that a writer writes."
"Write something every day, even if it means getting just a few sentences on the screen."
"Make writing a responsibility. Think of it like a job and show up on time."
"When people ask you what you do, tell them you're a writer. Put yourself on the line. Make a commitment."
-- Janet Evanovich, "How I Write"
(That last one scares me. Don't you have to get paid to be considered a writer, a real writer? Nevertheless, I'm getting a business card made next week that says: Len Kuntz, Writer.) Pray for me. Or publish me. Or both would be swell.
...Last thing, Madison and I had a Mad/Dad day and saw "Cyrus" yesterday. It was one of the oddest movies ever, but wonderfully acted (Marisa Tomei, Jonah Hill, Catherine Keener) with unexpected twists. You should go see it. Support Indie films so they stop making that "Ironman" crap.
...I started writing full time in May of 2009. Since then I've written almost 400 stories and/or poems. The first story I wrote in May of 2009 just got accepted today at Literary Laundry. It's a long piece, 5000 words, about some real life events(and manufactured ones) that happened on a life-altering trip to Cambodia. It was called, "Hope on a Narrow Road," but has been changed, at the editor's request, to "After the Rainy Season." Anyway, there's a lesson about persistence there: it's my 141st acceptance, but my first written story.
...I have to have music and movies and books in my life. They're three of the eight things you can never have enough of. I am quite literally surrounded by books, even at this very moment. Many are writer's books, books about the craft. When I'm stumped technically or emotionally void, I'll often pull one out to see if I can't spark some inspiration or learning.
Here's some things I took from today's selection:
"I kept reminding myself I wanted to be a writer and that a writer writes."
"Write something every day, even if it means getting just a few sentences on the screen."
"Make writing a responsibility. Think of it like a job and show up on time."
"When people ask you what you do, tell them you're a writer. Put yourself on the line. Make a commitment."
-- Janet Evanovich, "How I Write"
(That last one scares me. Don't you have to get paid to be considered a writer, a real writer? Nevertheless, I'm getting a business card made next week that says: Len Kuntz, Writer.) Pray for me. Or publish me. Or both would be swell.
...Last thing, Madison and I had a Mad/Dad day and saw "Cyrus" yesterday. It was one of the oddest movies ever, but wonderfully acted (Marisa Tomei, Jonah Hill, Catherine Keener) with unexpected twists. You should go see it. Support Indie films so they stop making that "Ironman" crap.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Hey Hi,
I have a few new things up, posted under "Words in Print:"
"Snake Eyes" @ The New Flesh;
"Paper Jewelry" and five other poems at Etcetera from the UK:
"Dime Toss" @ Twisted Tongue, a UK print magazine.
Here are some excerpts from an old, invaluable classic, "Writing Novels That Sell," by Jack Bickham:
--"The first job of any writer is the production of pages."
--"Writers begin with rejection, they live with rejection, they die with rejection."
and...--"Good novels aren't written, they're rewritten." I've certainly heard this said often enough, so I hope it's true as I am now in the throes of editing my novel, "House of Rats."
I have a few new things up, posted under "Words in Print:"
"Snake Eyes" @ The New Flesh;
"Paper Jewelry" and five other poems at Etcetera from the UK:
"Dime Toss" @ Twisted Tongue, a UK print magazine.
Here are some excerpts from an old, invaluable classic, "Writing Novels That Sell," by Jack Bickham:
--"The first job of any writer is the production of pages."
--"Writers begin with rejection, they live with rejection, they die with rejection."
and...--"Good novels aren't written, they're rewritten." I've certainly heard this said often enough, so I hope it's true as I am now in the throes of editing my novel, "House of Rats."
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
I have a new story, "Thoroughfare" up at Troubadour 21. It's a mostly true account about a friend getting married and us waking up the next morning when Mt. St. Helens had just blown.
http://www.troubadour21.com/short-stories/len-kuntz/thoroughfare/
Here's a quote I read today: "Literature oten is more than its aim." I hope that's true.
On vacation I managed to read ten books. Three were the funniest things I've read in a decade. You should get them:
"I Just Want My Pants Back," David Rosen
"Home Land," Sam Lypsite
"The Driftess Area," Tom Drury.
Additionally "Layover" by Lisa zZeidner is freaky good, in a Glenn Close fatal attraction sort of way.
And Cormac McCarthy's "Old Country For Old Men" is even better than the Oscar-winning film. Of course it is. His dialouge is superb and a real lesson.
http://www.troubadour21.com/short-stories/len-kuntz/thoroughfare/
Here's a quote I read today: "Literature oten is more than its aim." I hope that's true.
On vacation I managed to read ten books. Three were the funniest things I've read in a decade. You should get them:
"I Just Want My Pants Back," David Rosen
"Home Land," Sam Lypsite
"The Driftess Area," Tom Drury.
Additionally "Layover" by Lisa zZeidner is freaky good, in a Glenn Close fatal attraction sort of way.
And Cormac McCarthy's "Old Country For Old Men" is even better than the Oscar-winning film. Of course it is. His dialouge is superb and a real lesson.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Other than posting stories here, which I do as soon as they are published, I haven't in any way used this site as one would a typical blog. Far from it, mostly it's been a haven, a receptacle more or less, for my writing.
I've shied away from writing on this regularly for a couple of reasons. First, I've worried about having anything interesting to say. I mean I think I'm an interesting guy, but maybe I'm not. Maybe I'm dull, a dolt, a rube. Second, it seems a bit arrogant to think people want to know what you have to say about whatever it is you're prone to expound about. (I don't get Twitter either, why it's important to know if someone just ate a hotdog and now has indigestion from it, going color blind.)
But in general, the more I thought about it, I realized I can be interesting if I try. If not, I can at least find meaningful things that other people have remarked on and steal those. Also, I realized how hypocritical I was to assume people would want to read your story or poem but now hear more of your thoughts. At concerts I always like when the singers tell a little story.
So, going forward, I'll be updating the posts every few days.
***
I was on a trip to Mexico last week. Saw a lot of poverty and visited the people who work the garbage dumps. I've got about ten different story bits I need to buff up about my experience and see if someone will have them.
While I was gone I had quite a few things accepted and posted. I've added them already:
The Surveyor
The Optometrist
Up High on a Shelf, the Living and the Dead
It Wasn't Me
Real Beauty
Mirror
Later tonight I plan to post "American Diner" for a 4th of July feature, and "A Thorougly Modern Family," which is creepy and bizarre but good, I think/hope.
Sometimes writing is not only lonely, but it's scary trying to write openly and honestly without fear of what others will think: "If he writes about that, does he do it? Does he want to?" "I wonder if that's autobiographical?" "I wish he wasn't so wimpy." "I have no idea what that chucklehead was trying to say with that poem."
But you just write and try to make it as true as possible, even though the complete story may be invented. I think you have to worry some about your audience. To not worry would be idiotic because writing is meant to be read.
I've shied away from writing on this regularly for a couple of reasons. First, I've worried about having anything interesting to say. I mean I think I'm an interesting guy, but maybe I'm not. Maybe I'm dull, a dolt, a rube. Second, it seems a bit arrogant to think people want to know what you have to say about whatever it is you're prone to expound about. (I don't get Twitter either, why it's important to know if someone just ate a hotdog and now has indigestion from it, going color blind.)
But in general, the more I thought about it, I realized I can be interesting if I try. If not, I can at least find meaningful things that other people have remarked on and steal those. Also, I realized how hypocritical I was to assume people would want to read your story or poem but now hear more of your thoughts. At concerts I always like when the singers tell a little story.
So, going forward, I'll be updating the posts every few days.
***
I was on a trip to Mexico last week. Saw a lot of poverty and visited the people who work the garbage dumps. I've got about ten different story bits I need to buff up about my experience and see if someone will have them.
While I was gone I had quite a few things accepted and posted. I've added them already:
The Surveyor
The Optometrist
Up High on a Shelf, the Living and the Dead
It Wasn't Me
Real Beauty
Mirror
Later tonight I plan to post "American Diner" for a 4th of July feature, and "A Thorougly Modern Family," which is creepy and bizarre but good, I think/hope.
Sometimes writing is not only lonely, but it's scary trying to write openly and honestly without fear of what others will think: "If he writes about that, does he do it? Does he want to?" "I wonder if that's autobiographical?" "I wish he wasn't so wimpy." "I have no idea what that chucklehead was trying to say with that poem."
But you just write and try to make it as true as possible, even though the complete story may be invented. I think you have to worry some about your audience. To not worry would be idiotic because writing is meant to be read.
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