Is talent inborn, or something we can develop with practice — and if so, what kind of practice? What’s happening inside the brain when we work hard to perfect a tennis serve, play a musical instrument, or struggle to become more proficient writers? Why do there seem to be hotbeds of talent — Brazil for […]
Dan Coyle’s THE TALENT CODE : Read about it here first… Read More »
By Michael Catoggio Special Collections Librarian, Loussac Library About a month into my new job, I picked up the ringing phone and said “This is Michael in the Alaskana section here at Anchorage Public Library.” A familiar voice replied, “Is this the Michael I think it is?” I had been out of the state the
I want to be your librarian: guest-post by a returning Alaskan Read More »
I came to Alaska as a generalist, one of two teachers plus a principal charged with teaching all courses at a high school with an enrollment of thirty-three. Back then, being a generalist was a good thing. You could consider yourself a Renaissance person of sorts, despite the other, less-flattering label of being Jack of
This is my last of four posts, but I’ll be in Alaska for most of the summer, mostly on the Kenai Peninsula, so I hope I’ll get the chance to meet a couple of you. My email is david@davidvann.com. I’d also like to thank Deb and Andromeda for inviting me to blog here. Reading Deb’s
This week’s demand from one of my publishers that I do final author proofs on a full-length manuscript in less than 48 hours BEFORE any proofreaders touched it made me more than a little cranky. Then I heard talk of another Alaskan potentially becoming an author. Normally that would lift my spirits, but instead it
49 writers weekly round-up Read More »
With the last spots of ash-dusted snow giving way to 40 degree temps (and very messy trails), we initiate a new feature here at 49 writers: the one-liner poll. Here is what three well-known Alaska authors say in response to this question: What Alaska activity helps you recharge after a long or difficult day writing?
The 49W one-liner poll : Recharging Read More »
Earlier this week, midnight in Las Vegas, standing in front of the enormous faux volcano in front of the Mirage Hotel, I realized … this is nuts! We have a real volcano back home, and here I am waiting to watch a fake volcano explode. But it was weird, wacky fun. Having just flown back
Back from the land of fake volcanoes… Read More »
Once I sold Amway. That’s the sort of confession I generally save for those party games where you’re supposed to reveal something you usually keep to yourself, something that no one would ever guess about you, something that reaches partway but not completely into your stash of embarrassing self-knowledge. I like to think that as
A few local tales from here in Northland, New Zealand. Lappie the sheep. A few years ago, my wife and I went for a hike, and Lappie was watching. Waiting for us on our return. He’s famous on Kahoe Farms. Has a wicked headbutt to the knees, not afraid of people at all. The other
Rogue sheep: a guest post by David Vann Read More »
As poetry month unfolds, there’s news of a new platform for connecting with poets and publishing poetry. Publisher’s Weekly reports that self-publishing site Lulu has purchased and overhauled Poetry.com, where poets can access reviews and reference tools in addition to sharing their work. The staff selects a Poem of the Day and also sponsors daily,
49 writers weekly round-up Read More »
