Update: The Look of Isaac 08/27/12

The Look of Doom & Destruction can be so pretty...

Organizing one's yard for a Hurricane

Went around my yard laying statues flat, tucking windchines tight against the doublewide on the porch, putting chairs in the woods or under the porch, flipping the table & the hammock, finding whatever could become an air-born missile & making it safe. My Kanine Krewe is pretty nervous, not enjoying all this change. Hopefully it's all for not.

Eyes crossed.

(Photo © 2006 by j. m. Scoville)

Isaac is Coming!

Tropical Storm into Hurricane Isaac...

Tropical Storm into Hurricane Isaac on my mind...

(Art © 2012 by j. m. Scoville)

When the Levees Broke

I couldn't help myself last night & re-watched the first 2 acts of Spike Lee's amazing 'When the Levees Broke.' I can't believe how emotional I get when I watch it & just how born-again mad I became. It's like I'm, & all survivors of K@trina, are a different people from the rest of the nation now & we will always be different, ever affected, sadly misunderstood...

Made a Food & Gas Run

With Isaac knocking on my door (I live across the lake from New Orleans, in the backwoods, off the road to the Village of Folsom in St. Tammany parish), I went & got provisions & gas run last night to town & it was pretty crazy for the northside of the lake on a Sunday night after 9 PM. Massive cars going north from Covington, I imagine done with their stocking up. Gas stations are empty or low on gas plus are packed. Winn-Dixie grocery over by the Old Hammond Highway was depeted of many things, fortunately I'm a veggie head. Spent $140 on nonperishables for me & canned dog food for my kids, spending way too much to fill my tank. At least it's now full if I have to make for calmer terrain. Yes, I am nervous. We should know something by tomorrow. Landfall in our area isn't predicted until Tuesday night/Wednesay morning early if it does get us.

Good luck, ALL!!!

Gogol on writing...

Gogol spoke to N. Berg about his working method as follows: “First you must put down everything just as it comes, no matter how poor or diluted it is, just get everything down and then forget the whole thing. Then after a month or two, sometimes longer (it will happen when the time is right), take out the text and read it through. You will then see that some things are incorrect, much is superfluous, and some things are missing. Make corrections and notes in the margin and put the manuscript away again. Then, at the next reading, make new notes in the margin, and if there is not enough room, attach a piece of paper to the edge. Then, when there is no room left, take the text and copy it in your own hand. In so doing new insights, abbreviations, additions and refinements of style will appear of their own accord. Unlike those of the first text, words will present themselves which are essential, but which somehow did not appear immediately. Then leave the manuscript alone again. Take a trip somewhere, enjoy yourself, do nothing, or write something else. In time you remember the shelved work. Take it out, read it through, correct it as before, and when you have scrawled all over it, copy it in your own hand. In so doing you will notice how, along with the improvement of the style and the polishing and refinement of the sentences, your hand also becomes firmer. The letters are written more firmly and decisively. This should be repeated eight times, in my opinion. Some writers require fewer attempts, others require even more. I do it eight times. Only after the eighth copy, which must be in one’s own hand, does the work emerge as an artistic whole, a pearl of creation. Further revision and reading could ruin the whole thing; the artist calls it over‑drawing. Of course, these rules cannot always be observed; it is difficult. I am talking about the ideal case. Some work must go to press earlier. A man is human after all, and not a machine.”

Million Writers Award Anthology

http://www.spotlight-publishing.com/million-writers-award-the-best-new-online-voices

Come one, come All!

Yes, the Million Writers Award Anthology publishing one of my longer short stories is out & you can get a copy. Here's the link.

If you do obtain a copy, write me after you've read it. I always appreciate feedback & a friendly exchange of ideas.