Sara Ryan

Thanks to AzA and M for your recent comments. I’m better. Went to the gym today. Highlight: the guy who asked if I needed help taking plates off the leg press, and I got to tell him no, that I was just totaling up how much weight was on it, to see if I needed [...]

Writing from scenic Newark, Ohio. It’s cold, and I still have a cold. Going to the library today to write and avoid the football game. I won’t be posting often while I’m here. I need to catch up on the novel. Still want to have a draft done by the end of the calendar year.

In the last few hours before we get on the plane, we’re watching The Lion in Winter, for the zillionth time. Among the things you learn from Anthony Harvey’s commentary: There’s a scene near the beginning — Richard (Anthony Hopkins) has just thrown his opponent in a joust. Hopkins raises his sword over his head, [...]

There’s an interview with me about Steve’s and my story, “Me and Edith Head,” in The Pulse. In other news, I’m sick and about to fly across the country late this evening. Joy.

is Lauren Greenfield‘s new book. Time excerpted this photo essay. Greenfield’s other book, Fast Forward: growing up in the shadow of Hollywood, is just as good.

Saw Spirited Away late Saturday night. So excellent. Nobody blends cuteness and menace like Miyazaki.Also began the process of painting over the wall where way too many pieces of art had been hanging: e.g. the one with a zillion nail holes in it. As I spackled, sanded, and finally started to paint, I reflected belatedly [...]

 

Monday night, I made more library levy calls. (It passed! One of the few bits of good news from the election.)Highlight: I’ve rattled off the first part of my schpiel and am pausing for breath. The gentleman to whom I am speaking asks, in a deep, portentous voice, “Do anarchists vote in tomorrow’s election?” This [...]

Storyselling, from Horn Book Magazine.The article actually addresses some of the same issues as Feed.

 …which is also a good book.M.T. Anderson’s Feed.