Tag: Sturgill Simpson

Friday Fare, Internet Articles, Random, Uncategorized

Friday Fare: 12/09/16

Michelle Kubitz

Friday Fare is where I post links to the random articles that have resonated with me during the week.

It’s been awhile since I’ve shared this space with you all. Interesting articles abound out there on the Interwebs, here are some of the good things I’ve read recently …

This is what I wrote on Facebook about the following blog post: “I love Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. I love Dolly Parton in ‘Steel Magnolias.’ The song ‘Hard Candy Christmas’ damn near brings me to tears, so I can’t listen to it in public, but man … I’m grateful for Dolly Parton. Her talent is matched by her generosity. This is a nice ‘open letter’ to Ms. Parton.”

My husband and I recently realized that we need to take Queen’s live version of “Bohemian Rhapsody” off of our road trip mix CD that we have in my mom-mobile.  (Eldest is repeating everything right now.  Including a couple of choice “mommy words.”  So we really don’t want him running around quoting Freddie Mercury’s lyrics, mmm-kay?)  But did you ever wonder what it would look like if “Bohemian Rhapsody” was acted out literally?  I didn’t either, but it’s brilliant.

This “guide” to the 2016 Williams-Sonoma catalog made me laugh.  Then plot my order for personalized peppermint bark.

And although I have way too much crap going on, I think I need to make these for Christmas Eve and present them to my uncles.  Because maple and bourbon.

***

Listening to: “Who the f*ck is Sturgill Simpson?” There are any number things that I loved about this piece in the New York Times talking about Simpson’s surprise nomination for “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth”; but the biggest thing is the man’s attitude and humility. I also love the fact that he adored Beyonce’s “Lemonade.”  Seriously … how cool is that?

Reading:  Still reading “Death Along the Spirit Road” by C.M. Wendelboe.  And while that’s pending, I’ve been doing some volunteer work getting this anthology ready for Kindle / eBooks.  There are some damn good short stories in this book.  Can’t wait for it to be available in e-format.

Fiction Update:  Eh … I’ve been over-committing myself lately to other projects and distractions.  HOWEVER, I’m on track to have a first draft of “Dragonfly” done by end of year.  I’ve also been drafting a blog post that outlines some of the lessons learned from this year’s NaNoWriMo.  Good things are happening.

Happy 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: 4/29/16

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.

“Jane Eyre” is one of my favorite books.  Letters of Note is one of my favorite websites.  The two together made me very happy this week.

50 books a woman should read before she turns 40.  In July, I will have two years left to finish these bad boys … might need to get cracking.

This article seriously pissed me off.  (So much so that I actually commented on Facebook.  Don’t get me wrong – I like the FB, but I try to be a positive member of society.  In this case, I let my snark shine through.)

And damn … my resume needs updating, but will never look this cool.

And yes, this is a writing blog.  But cocktails!  This beverage sounds like it’s up my alley.

***

Listening to: Yup, still adoring Sturgill Simpson, but since he’s down towards the bottom of my Windows Media Player queue (am I the only person who still uses Windows Media Player?), I’ve been getting down to the “Ts” in my music collection.  Toad the Wet Sprocket anyone? (P.S. – Seen them three or four times in concert.  And I fangirl.  Every.  Single.  Time.)

Reading: Stephen King’s “IT.”  How does he do it?

Fiction Update: Edits!  I’ve been kinda stuck on the ending of Act I, but I’ve been having some weird mini-breakthroughs that are immensely gratifying.

Enjoy the weekend!

Friday Fare, Internet Articles, Random, Uncategorized

Friday Fare: 4/15/16

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 decided to stop trying to come up with pithy titles for these “Friday Fare” posts, because if I had my druthers, this article would be entitled “Friday Fare: Spring Has Freakin’ Sprung!”  Yeah … I think dates are better.

Here’s what caught my attention this week on the webs:

One of the members of my writers group sent out these 10 writing tips from Flannery O’Connor. The one that resonated with me?  Number 6.

My love for L.M. Montgomery is well documented on this blog. This article reveals Ms. Montgomery’s painstaking edits on her final “Green Gables” novel “Rilla of Ingleside.”

I found some future #TBR (To Be Read) material in this article from Psychology Today that talks about the books that prosecutors write after the conclusion of career-making cases.

And finally, because writers need to eat – this recipe from Smitten Kitchen.

***

Listening to: Latest obsession is Sturgill Simpson.  So much so that I sent this video to my mom to listen to.  And this one to my brother.  (I actually need to call my dad and tell him about this musician, just haven’t got that far yet.) And then I pre-ordered his new album (THAT COMES OUT TODAY!).  And bought his previous album that has this song.  I think that pretty much covers how much I adore this musician, you concur?

Reading: I finished “Revival” by Stephen King and really enjoyed it.  Just started Brian Freeman’s “Immoral.”

Fiction Update: I actually had one of those grown up, writer moments this week.  I had a great day on Sunday of editing.  And then I had my writer’s group on Tuesday.  I had gotten my reading done for them in advance and really felt like I had achieved some sort of mythical balance between being a writer and providing constructive feedback to my tribe.  It was fricking weird.  But yes, editing.  It’s going.  I’m not near as productive as I wish I was, but I’m trying to be as efficient as a full-time worker, mom, wife, etc., can be.

Happy Friday, friends!

Friday Fare, Internet Articles, Random, Uncategorized

Friday Fare: Still effing cold in Minnesota

Michelle Kubitz

Friday FareFriday Fare is all about the links.

I shouldn’t complain, because it’s spring – which, in Minnesota, means anything from blizzard conditions to 80-degree weather.  But man … I am ready for some sunshine.

Beverly Cleary turns 100 on the 12th.  While she wasn’t my favorite writer when I was a kid, I fondly remember Ramona and Beezus, her long suffering sister.

I’m frequently critical of the media, but this reporter just kicks ass.

Two of my fellow Mystery Writers of America-Midwest members are nominated for this year’s Mary Higgins Clark Award, Jungle Red Writers did an awesome round-up with all of the nominees to get their take on how their stories fit the MHC criteria.

This article had life advice for struggling artists.  A wonderful, wonderful piece.

Finally – a Ramen Burger?  Yes please.

***

Listening to: I literally just started streaming this album from Sturgill Simpson.  But I think I like it.  A lot.

Reading: I’m currently reading to inform – re-read “Interview with a Vampire” to find out how Anne Rice made the world of Louis and Lestat real enough to give this world staying power some 40 years later.  A book about exorcism.  Some books about the writing craft (I finished “Revision and Self Editing” by James Scott Bell.  “Plot Perfect” by Paula Munier is next.).  I have Neil Gaiman’s “American Gods” and Stephen King’s “IT” out from the library – again, how do the masters build their worlds?

Fiction Update: I want to write “editing, editing, editing.”  But this week hasn’t been kind for my fictional pursuits.  I will not despair, I’m just looking ahead to Sunday when I can devote a large, unbroken amount of time to my work.

Happy weekend, friends!