Category: Internet Articles

Friday Fare, Internet Articles, Random, Uncategorized

Friday Fare: 9/9/16

Michelle Kubitz

Friday Fare is where I post links to the random articles that have resonated with me during the week. Sometimes they make me smarter, sometimes they make me hungry … sometimes they have to do with writing and sometimes they are just plain random.

Like so many of my fellow Minnesotans (and probably most Midwesterners, parental-types in general), I’ve been riveted by the news that after 27 years, Jacob Wetterling has been found.  To say my thoughts are with his family seems awfully twee, but they are.  This week has been an emotional one.

I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention the loss of Anna Dewdney in the children’s book industry.  The “Llama Llama” books are in heavy rotation at bedtime and we’ve learned a lot from her work.

I read lighter things this week.  Was thrilled to see that Freddie Mercury was honored with an asteroid named after him.  And even after all these years, Chekov is still my favorite character from the original Star Trek shows.

I made these cookies.  Then I bagged them up and gave them away.  Because they were waaaaaay too good.

I’ve discovered GIFs and short videos on Instagram that shows people frosting cakes or making Thai ice cream rolls.  I’m telling you, there’s something oddly theraputic about it.  And perfect for my frazzled attention span.

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Listening to: I’ve been working on my story “Dragonfly” lately, so I’ve been listening to the playlist that I built for that particular story.  I’ll build that up on Spotify so you all can take a listen, but in the meantime – this song is a key to a lot of the feeling that I have when I think about Dragonfly Lake.

Reading:  I’ve had a ridiculous amount of books pile up lately and I’m making a clean slate of my library books.  In the meantime, I’m awaiting the arrival of Jess Lourey’s new book “Salem’s Cipher.”

Fiction Update: I have some pretty ambitious plans for September – stay tuned and I’ll share next week! <— Yeah … I have a blog post drafted and I need to finish it.  But trust me … good things happening.

Enjoy the weekend!

Friday Fare, Internet Articles, Random, Uncategorized

Friday Fare: 9/2/16

Michelle Kubitz

Friday Fare is where I post links to the random articles that have resonated with me during the week. Sometimes they make me smarter, sometimes they make me hungry … sometimes they have to do with writing and sometimes they are just plain random.

I’m wearing jeans as I write this update.  Which means that fall is in the AIR!  (Never mind that I’ll wear flip flops until the snow flies, but HOORAY FOR BEARABLE WEATHER.)  Here’s what’s good in the Interwebs this week:

Blame it on Rasputin, but here’s why every movie includes the disclaimer that the events that the film is based on are fictional.

I love tattoos, but I’m also a proud blood donor.  And my husband is not a fan of tattoos.  So – there’s a plethora of reasons why I won’t be inking my body again any time soon, but if I was and I was traveling to the Middle East, here’s the tattoo shop I’d visit.  How incredible is this history?

Spaghetti carbonara frittata.  You’re welcome.

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Listening to: I listen to this concert a lot on YouTube.  I cannot get over how good Gillian Welch and David Rawlings are.

Reading:  I finished Sarah Fine’s “Fractured.”  (YA novel, second in a series, fabulous book and series.)  I have a couple interlibrary loan books that I need to catch up on that are craft-related.

Fiction Update: I have some pretty ambitious plans for September – stay tuned and I’ll share next week!

Enjoy the weekend!

Friday Fare, Internet Articles, Random, Uncategorized

Friday Fare: 8/26/16

Michelle Kubitz

Friday FareFriday Fare is where I post links to the random articles that have resonated with me during the week. Sometimes they make me smarter, sometimes they make me hungry … sometimes they have to do with writing and sometimes they are just plain random.

I’ve had a hell of a hard time adulting lately.  Not sure if it’s been the endless rain, still recovering from my weekend at the Writers’ Police Academy (WPA), or what’s going on, but I’m ready for fall.  I’m ready for jeans, my favorite hoodie, toasted graham lattes from Starbucks, etc.

Without further ado – the interwebs have been full of good stuff lately.  In no particular order:

I was a proud Kickstarter supporter of Jessica Lourey’s novel “The Catalain Book of Secrets.”  Ms. Lourey taught a class at the first writer’s convention I attended and I appreciated her insights.  Recently, she gave a TEDx Talk on using fiction to rewrite your life.  This video is about 13 minutes long and well worth a watch.  I was gobsmacked at the amount of grace that Jessie brought to her audience and blessed by the levity and humor she brought to her personal story.  Seriously – 13 minutes.  Coffee break.

Speaking of people named Jessica … my WPA roomie and sister-in-arms Jessica Ellis Laine wrote her Top 10 list for why she loved the 2016 WPA.  And crazy story … there’s a darkened picture at the end of the post.  There’s this lady who looks like me, but she’s dancing. Since I’m the boring-est person in the world, that’s likely my evil doppelganger.

Rick Astley talked to Rolling Stone about the benefits of “rickrolling.”  Seriously.  A) The man talked about rickrolling. B) He wasn’t a dick about his past as a 1980s heartthrob.  The interview revealed an amazingly gracious man who embraces his footnote in pop culture history.  It’s a good read.

I’m not saying that this is a contrast, but when it comes to people who are “uncomfortable” with the past, my favorite Monkee is famously prickly about his role in the US version of the Fab 4.  But … this article (also from Rolling Stone) talks to the three surviving members of The Monkees and goes through their musical history in 15 songs.  Considering that their catalog goes back 5o years (and includes songs from Neil Diamond, Carole King, and Harry Nilsson) it’s not a bad look back.

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Listening to: Recently discovered Lord Huron.  There is some good stuff to be heard here.

Reading:  I’m currently trying to read an overdue copy of Sarah Fine’s “Fractured.”  (YA novel, second in a series, the first was very good but I’m having attention span issues [see intro note about “adulting.”].)  I finished reading a draft copy of Jerry Johnson‘s upcoming novel.  (And that. was. GOOOOOOD.  Should be out in October.)

Fiction Update:  Shhhhh … shh … shh!  After Life (AL) is currently resting and getting ready for the next round of edits.  More about that in an upcoming blog.  The next round of edits will commence on October 1st!  In the meantime, I have a lot of books I want to catch up on.  Some involve craft, some are just good fiction.  All good stuff for the brain!

Enjoy the weekend!

Friday Fare, Internet Articles, Random, Uncategorized

Friday Fare: 8/5/16

Michelle Kubitz

Friday FareFriday Fare is where I post links to the random articles that have resonated with me during the week. Sometimes they make me smarter, sometimes they make me hungry … sometimes they have to do with writing and sometimes they are just plain random.

Power to the people … I was among the miffed and the peeved when I read that the new iteration of “Sesame Street” was going to be without my beloved Bob McGrath.  (Seriously – I once tried to acquire a 1960’s McGrath album as an anniversary gift for my hubby.  Because nothing says love like obscure vintage vinyl!) But management had a change of heart. Yes, I know that the “Sesame Street” of my childhood is vastly different than the Elmo-driven … erm … drivel of today’s generation, but McGrath and Co. should be able to retire when they damn well please.  (*Crosses arms over chest and stomps over to the corner to pout.*)

“Sesame Street” may have molded much of my childhood, but when it came time to go to college, the soundtrack to “Rocky Horror Picture Show” was what was usually blasting from my six-disc changer.  (<– That paragraph alone may explain a lot about me.)  Was glad to see that Tim Curry, my undergraduate crush, is back in business after a recent stroke and involved with the new iteration of RHPS.

I don’t know where in the universe you’re living, but it’s really hot in Minnesota right now.  Humid, sticky, I-don’t-want-to-even-see-next-month’s-energy-bill hot.  Hot weather = perfect guacamole eating weather.  (Although who am I joking?  It’s always a good time to eat guac.)  Someone posted Boris Karloff’s guac recipe on the interwebs and it was too cool to not post here.

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Listening to: Remember when I wrote about my hunch regarding Gregory Alan Isakov’s new album (in collaboration with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra).  Yup … called it.  It’s ddddaaaaaaamnnnnn good.

Reading:  Jerry Johnson’s latest novel. Oh wait … it’s an advanced copy.  I’ll let y’all know when it’s available to the general public, because it. is. good.

Fiction Update:  I’m trying to get my draft to a point where I can let it rest for a bit before I tackle the next round of edits.  I had a couple last minute epiphanies that totally kicked ass and I want to make sure that I capture those thoughts before I let my draft go fallow for a bit.

Enjoy the weekend!

Friday Fare, Internet Articles, Random, Uncategorized

Friday Fare: 7/29/16

Michelle Kubitz

Friday FareFriday Fare is where I post links to the random articles that have resonated with me during the week. Sometimes they make me smarter, sometimes they make me hungry … sometimes they have to do with writing and sometimes they are just plain random.

I was at an actual fair this past weekend and to my surprise and shock, I discovered that I really, really, really, really like truck pulls / rallies.  Seriously enjoyable.

I’ve adored Walton Goggins since he played Shane Vendrell in “The Shield.”  Recent projects have earned him some well deserved accolades and seriously – he always gives a good interview.

The Kitchn is one of my favorite food aggregators and they recently started a series where they ask authors to name their favorite midnight snacks.  (I typically aim for sleep at the midnight hour, but if I’m awake and writing, hand over the dry Cheerios and no one gets hurt.)

File this under “GET IN MAH BELLY” – rosé gummy bears.  Seriously. How cool is this?

***

Listening to: I’ve spent some time in my hometown lately and although he hails from Kentucky, Sturgill Simpson always seems to be an appropriate listen.  This song in particular.

Reading:  Eh … my TBR pile is kind of ridiculous and unmanageable right now.

Fiction Update:  PROGRESS!  GOOD PROGRESS!

Enjoy the weekend!

Friday Fare, Internet Articles, Random, Uncategorized

Friday Fare: 6/17/16

Michelle Kubitz

Friday FareFriday Fare is where I post links to the random articles that have resonated with me during the week. Sometimes they make me smarter, sometimes they make me hungry … sometimes they have to do with writing and sometimes they are just plain random.

This was an interesting article from the interwebs: The 22 rules of storytelling by Pixar.  My kids aren’t quite into Pixar yet, but I’ve appreciated what I’ve watched so far …

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is probably one of my favorite movies from my childhood.  While most of my contemporaries probably had a crush on Matthew Broderick’s Ferris, I was more about Alan Ruck’s “Cameron.”  And Jennifer Grey?  Pre-“Baby”?  Flawless.
And I originally emailed this piece to myself because I wanted to read the books Janet Reid recommended, but I liked the gist of this blog post all the same.  (Basically, the writer asked Ms. Reid about “overdone storylines” [ahem – vampires].  Given that I like to dabble in the paranormal, this was good advice to take to heart – write the story, give the convention your own twist.)

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Listening to: The world’s been a heartbreaking place lately.  Whether intentional or not, my YouTube choices seem to reflect that.

Reading: In no particular order: “The Black Hour” by Lori Rader-Day (current prez of Mystery Writers of America – Midwest and all around awesome person); “Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger (I’m in a Facebook Book Club organized by a former co-worker of mine – we’re re-reading all of the high school / college classics); “Reliquary” by Douglas Preston / Lincoln Child. <– Why yes … that’s a Pendergast novel.  Now that I’ve binge read through them, it’s time to try to figure out what was so addictive about their narratives and re-discover pieces that I missed.

Fiction Update: Edits, edits, edits. I took some time this week to do a really high-level read through of what I have so far, noted parts that are missing or need some fleshing out, and am re-writing what is the midpoint of “AL.”  That’s taking some spade work, but I’m enjoying the process.

Friday Fare, Internet Articles, Random, Uncategorized

Friday Fare: 6/10/16

Michelle Kubitz

Friday FareFriday Fare is where I post links to the random articles that have resonated with me during the week. Sometimes they make me smarter, sometimes they make me hungry … sometimes they have to do with writing and sometimes they are just plain random.

Sorry for being MIA last week.  Work has been a little crazy lately and I was in the process of getting ready to go on a west central Minnesota roadtrip.

foxhole
And hooray! Bonus that the roadtrip involved a trip to a new microbrewery in Willmar, Minn. The beer here is fiercely good!

Here’s what’s good on the Internet:

Kris Kristofferson.  This piece by the Rolling Stone was a great read.

I read this article from Outside Online about Kay Grayson, known as “the Bear Lady.”  What I liked about this piece was the deep dive the journalist made into this woman’s life and the sense that I couldn’t put this article down when I started reading it.  A very compelling piece of work.

Another piece that came out in April from MPR News.  A goofy read.

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Listening to: I got a chance to take a deep listen to the new Monkees disc while I was on my roadtrip last weekend.  And it was really good.  Most of the album is posted on YouTube and it’s a solid listen.  (In no particular order, my favorite tracks are “Me & Magdalena,” “Birth of an Accidental Hipster,” and the title track “Good Times.”)

Reading: Yeeeeeah … I kinda burned through of almost all of Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston’s “Pendergast” novels.  (There are 15, and the latest one has a 16-deep wait list at the library, so it’s probably good for my eyes that I can’t access the last one just now.)  And honestly, I learned a lot about pacing from the “Pendergast” books, so I think I’m going to back up and read them again.  I also finished Dana Chamblee Carpenter’s “Bohemian Gospel,” a historical mystery that I similarly couldn’t put down.  I wasn’t 100% thrilled with the ending, but it was the ending that belonged to the story.  I have a sense that this one is going to stay with me for awhile, the story was haunting and the details were just sumptuous.

Fiction Update: One of the best parts about being away for the last weekend was the opportunity to get some uninterrupted time working on “AL.”  I didn’t get as far as I wanted, but considering I was in the town that originally inspired the setting for my book, I had a wonderful weekend of soaking in some of the details that I look forward to bringing to life in my story.

Friday Fare, Internet Articles, Random, Uncategorized

Friday Fare: 5/27/16

Michelle Kubitz

Friday FareFriday Fare is where I post links to the random articles that have resonated with me during the week. Sometimes they make me smarter, sometimes they make me hungry … sometimes they have to do with writing and sometimes they are just plain random.

First and foremost, I get to have lunch with this guy today.  I’m lucky to have this writer as one of my mentors.

I’m not a huge Johnny Depp fan, but came across this 2013 article whilst clicking around the internet.  I share this article because of this line:  “Says Depp, ‘I thought if I had just got out of the pokey after 18 years, I’d want some fucking Tater Tots, man. I’d want some tacos. Give me some deeply trashy food.'” I can dig the concept of “deeply trashy food.”

Dung beetles.  Just ’cause.

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Listening to: As always, I’m late to most musical games.  Iron and Wine is no exception and admittedly, I found them through the original “Twilight” soundtrack.  But I found the first public performance of “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” and I’m not going to lie – I listened to it three times in a row while sipping coffee on a recent morning.  Absolute chills.  (Bonus content:  This NPR Tiny Desk Concert performance is also pretty awesome.)

Reading: Still hovering at 75% through Stephen King’s “IT.”  I made it through Book 5 in Lincoln Child/Douglas Preston’s Pendergast series before I was put on the wait list for the next one.  Probably better for my social life and my eyes.

Fiction Update: I got to spend some hours last Saturday in the Stillwater Public Library working on “AL.”  I’m slogging my way through some original content that is just taking time to generate, but it’s good.  I’ve also been trying to change up my writing routine to get an hour in before my kids wake up.  It’s all about constant progress.

Have a good weekend! xo

Friday Fare, Internet Articles, Random, Uncategorized

Friday Fare: 5/20/16

Michelle Kubitz

Friday FareFriday Fare is where I post links to the random articles that have resonated with me during the week. Sometimes they make me smarter, sometimes they make me hungry … sometimes they have to do with writing and sometimes they are just plain random.

Sorry I’ve been MIA lately, I’ve been knee deep in the spadework of editing and while it’s not all-consuming, there are a lot of other aspects of life that are. (In particular, my sons and I went hunting for “dinosaur bones.”  Seriously – I think I had the best time ever and I wasn’t the captain of this particular expedition.)  Let’s get onto the list, shall we?

This piece* by Michael Chabon was bookmarked in my browser and while the date says 2009, it’s still relevant some seven years after it was published.  It’s about the wilderness of childhood and how the landscape is becoming extinct.  (It’s particularly interesting given that I’m still plowing through Stephen King’s “IT” and the importance that childhood friends and adventures play in that narrative.)

Christopher Walken.  I think that’s all I need to say to get you to click.

Got a surplus of rhubarb?  Try this.

*Side note on how I got to the Chabon piece … a Washington Post column where the writer’s son discovers “The Goonies” for the first time.

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Listening to: When I was younger and buying CDs was still a thing, I used to have a three song rule.  If there were three songs that I heard from the album that caught my interest, I figured the entire album was something I should own and would purchase accordingly.  I’ve been taking some chances on that rule lately and Gregory Alan Isakov’s upcoming collaboration album with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra is no exception.  But I got chills when I heard this song.  I think I’ll be happy with my purchase.

Reading: I’m almost 75% through Stephen King’s “IT.”  It’s been taking awhile because I took a detour into Lincoln Child/Douglas Preston land with Book #2 of their Pendergast series.  Book 3 is downloaded on my Kindle now, I’ll be reading that one soon as well.

Fiction Update: Editing.  It’s going OK.  I’m killing darlings and constantly asking myself what would make my story more dynamic.

Enjoy the weekend!  I’m hoping to have a productive day on Saturday … a friend of mine is riding in a 50-mile bike event and I told her I’d keep her company on the drive up to the Twin Cities.  And five hours waiting for my friend to finish her ride?  Find me a coffee shop, I feel some edits coming on.