There is a new poll up on the right, because I'd like to know from what basis most writers begin their stories. Do you start with a plot? A character? A sentence that floats into your brain? This highly scientific poll* will reveal the trend once and for all. (For the record, I tried to change the font color of the options, but Blogger lets you personalize everything but that, it seems. Apologies! You can highlight the text for easier reading.)
* Not.
- The lovely Laini Taylor on her writing process, v. useful and instructive: Not for Robots
- A worldwide gallery of wonderful subways
- The definitive map of the Great Soda vs. Pop Controversy. (Via.) I am now so thoroughly of two geographical brains that I think I may actually call it soda, betraying the pop-loving land of my youth.
- An excellent Calvin & Hobbes site.
- Jaclyn Moriarty blogs very much like she writes fiction, with emotional honesty, precise language, and attention to the small things; and that is marvelous.
- Sarah Dessen on her new writing schedule, now that she has a baby. I just finished Lock and Key and really liked it.
- How Fast Can You Type the Alphabet?
- I am trying to find a recording (MP3, AAC, whatever) of the Patty Smyth song "Look What Love Has Done," written by Carole Bayer Sager. It was used in the movie Junior, but does not appear on that film's soundtrack, nor in iTunes or on Amazon.com's MP3 store. Any leads would be greatly appreciated.
- Sandcastles.
* Not.