Friends -- I'm trying to read more self-proclaimed magical realist novels this year, so that I can be a more educated writer AND reader. I'm also interested in the debates as to what is and what is not magical realism. As you know, I made it through 100 Years of Solitude, and just finished Joanne … Continue reading Does the ending have to work? Thinking about Joanne Harris’ Lollipop Shoes
Tag: Magical Realism
May 16th, 2016- 100 years of solitude: the futures-past of the novel
Well, Friends, I did it. I just finished 100 Years of Solitude. Um. *shrugs shoulders, looks into the evening sky* It's a beautifully written novel, certainly, and I'm grateful to Kathleen Alcala for her observation that she was struck by how much the narrator sounded like members of her family telling fantastical tales from a … Continue reading May 16th, 2016- 100 years of solitude: the futures-past of the novel
03/26/16 — repeating names, everything but the kitchen sink, and the point of 100 Years of Solitude (maybe)
Dear Friends -- Huzzah! I'm about halfway through Gabriel García Marquez's 100 Years of Solitude. As I started the book, I queried some folks over at the Magical Realism Facebook group about the novel, and while most comments were positive, one brave person said the book was just about unreadable. I have to admit that … Continue reading 03/26/16 — repeating names, everything but the kitchen sink, and the point of 100 Years of Solitude (maybe)
Magical Realism, personal trauma, and the wound in the world in CEREMONY by Leslie Marmon Silko
“He had to keep busy; he had to keep moving so that the sinews connected behind his eyes did not slip loose and spin his eyes to the interior of his skull where the scenes waited for him.” CEREMONY Leslie Marmon Silko’s first novel written in the 1970’s, is a book I’ve continually heard … Continue reading Magical Realism, personal trauma, and the wound in the world in CEREMONY by Leslie Marmon Silko
Fantastical, fabulist, fantasmatic, magical, magical realist, surrealist, science fictional, speculative, just plain weird, or what? — the agenda for 2016
Dear friends – There’s a lot of talk about literary borders these days: what is and is not something or something else. My friend R, who is a poet and performer and video artist says he’s HAD it with those boundaries and those arguments. "Who cares?" he says "whether it’s gothic or haiku or a … Continue reading Fantastical, fabulist, fantasmatic, magical, magical realist, surrealist, science fictional, speculative, just plain weird, or what? — the agenda for 2016
Let’s talk story! — Ryka Aoki’s magic, joyous novel He Mele a Hilo — (coloring books project 2015)
Friends – There’s a lot of dystopian fiction out there. We see it in fantasy. We see it in SF. We see it on tv. Some of it is fabulous. But having looked at and read dark non-realist fiction for at least 30 years, I think I’m ready for something else. That something else can … Continue reading Let’s talk story! — Ryka Aoki’s magic, joyous novel He Mele a Hilo — (coloring books project 2015)
Magical Realism Blog Hop — July 29th 2015 – craft note: “make it big” (coloring books 2015)
Dear friends -- The Magical Realism Blog Hop is hopping right here. Here's my humble contribution to the conversation. I recently taught a Magical Realism 101 class in Port Townsend WA, and students said they were a bit stumped by the "how"s of MR. They knew the "what" well enough by the end of our … Continue reading Magical Realism Blog Hop — July 29th 2015 – craft note: “make it big” (coloring books 2015)
Story Time Sunday, September 8th 2013 — Taraxacum — part 3
"Chère Madame," I say to the lady. "Why do you want to travel through time?" "L'avenir," François answers. "We crave the future." I take the miter off, and look at the very large ring I took from the bishop before I whacked him. "The future is not better exactly." "It will be better for us," … Continue reading Story Time Sunday, September 8th 2013 — Taraxacum — part 3
My novel’s coming out! The Puppet Turners of Narrow Interior, Urban Farmhouse Press
1. What is the title of your book? The Puppet Turners of Narrow Interior 2. Where did the idea come from for the book? The book emerged from a short story that I had written titled “Henry’s Fence.” The story didn’t work, but Henry was compelling to me, so I kept writing about him. As … Continue reading My novel’s coming out! The Puppet Turners of Narrow Interior, Urban Farmhouse Press
Manic Monday — Magically Real congratulates Stacey Levine, Washington State 2012 Book Awards Finalist
Dear Friends of the unreal: While we organize story collections and prepare manuscripts, here's another "plug" for a writer who is strange, brilliant, disturbing, and overall glorious. Stacey Levine published her Kafka-goes-to-Seattle-and-has-lunch-with-Barthelme-theBrothersGrimm-and-ElfriedeJelinek with Starcherone in 2011. The name of the collection is The Girl with Brown Fur. Read it. There have been alot of reviews … Continue reading Manic Monday — Magically Real congratulates Stacey Levine, Washington State 2012 Book Awards Finalist
Stephanie Barbé Hammer Writing (Un) Real 