On Writing

Sing of Human Unsuccess

Making it with Proust, Kafka, and Clifford Odets

Jun 30 •

History, the novel, and the historical novel, with special reference to Brandon Taylor, Ross Barkan, and Elvis Costello

Jun 20 •

Journey of a novel

Reflections on the first lap

May 26 •

between telling and showing

Apr 3 •

Concord: An Update

Three weeks, three chapters

Jan 25 •

Writing for Children

Advice from a former child who has learned a great deal from Fitzhugh, Dahl, Juster, Nesbitt, et al.

Jan 7 •

Once in a lifetime

What 2025 may bring

Jan 2 •

The Poet's Novels

What I wrote for; on the tenth anniversary of my first novel's publication, a rumination on poetry, fiction, and ambition.

Dec 27, 2024 •

Concord: A Serialized Novel

Join me on a drifting world, coming soon to an inbox near you.

Dec 18, 2024 •

On Not Reading Jonathan Franzen

Nobody's best-of list

Dec 6, 2024 •

Ironic points of light

Saturday's tea leaves, Ozymandias-style.

Nov 16, 2024 •

Digression and story in Patrick O'Brian's fiction, starring everyone's favorite cross-grained bastard of a servant, Preserved Killick.

Dec 6, 2023 •

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