You might have noticed I like Doctor Who and Torchwood, both brought to the world by Russell T. Davies. I have Davies' book A Writer's Tale, which I loved reading. I'd invite Davies to dinner any day. I've also read these words online to describe Davies' writing: hack, schmaltzy, shit writer, lousy writing, and sexist …
Author: mapelba
I'm a writer, artist, teacher, mother, wife, daughter, friend, coffee addict... What else? A success, a failure, a mess, a fan, a hater of housework, a lover of dogs, a liberal, an obsessive, and a bunch of other things that probably would never occur to me. I reveal myself in more ways in my writings and art than in any list of adjectives. And whoever you are, I hope most of all that you are a reader.
Connect the Characters
If I hadn't agreed to go to a party in Haskovo, Bulgaria in 1994, I might not be married today. For that matter, if I hadn't decided to go to Indiana State University instead of Bowling Green, I might not be married today. My husband might be married to someone else. There is a scene …
Do you hunger for reality?
Writers, go read this interview with David Shields about his book Reality Hunger: A Manifesto and let me know what you think. If you prefer, watch his interview with Stephen Colbert. Has the novel died on you?
I Could Go Anytime
Just wanted a favorite song today. Life is unpredictable. Go write. Anytime lyrics I see a dog upon the road Running hard to catch a cat My car is pulling to a halt The truck behind me doesn't know Everything is in the balance Of a moment I can't control And your sympathetic strings Are …
My Purpose
Her hand clenches and unclenches near her chest. She pulls hair back behind her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Marta. I can not take the test." My bag is heavy. My hands are full. "Oh? Okay." "I'm sorry. You know, yes? I've got an appointment. It is my back." She frowns. "Test is Wednesday, yes?" It is …
The Deal for Art. The Art of the Deal.
In spite of everything a writer, an artist, has to eat. Okay, no one here is going hungry. Well, when I go hungry it is because I refuse to stop working to get food. Coffee takes enough time as it is. But ink needs to be bought, paper, pens, pencils, X-Acto blades, glue, postage, envelopes, …
an unmappable country
Have you ever heard a child cry for its mother? Today I heard a 15 year old girl cry for hers. But her mother is dead. The service is in Korean. I understand not a word but understood anyway. That's child's crying digs right into my heart. And I learn the Korean word for mommy. …
The Easter Bunny Is Late
The Easter Bunny wrote, Easter, 1985 My Dear Ms. Pelrine, Your mother asked me to send you a chocolate unicorn for Easter. I had to point out to her that, even though you love chocolate, you were not likely to want to eat a chocolate unicorn. And besides, where I would find such a creature …
Your Perspective
A student of mine committed suicide yesterday. She was the mother of two. All this worry about writing seems like nonsense today.
Are you offended yet?
"I met another girl called Marta once." Pause. "But she was Mexican." Or maybe they say Russian. I've also had this conversation. "Where are you from?" "Florida." "No. Where are you from?" "I'm from Florida." Exasperation. "But your name is Marta and you talk different. Where are you from?" And this. "Wow, Marta. You're English …
Marta Pelrine-Bacon 