Open thread! Tell us tales of holiday cheer or woe.
Category: writing
“Too Early Old, Too Late Smart” (personal news)
The Crash And The Recovery: I'm still digging out from a computer crash last week. We were able to get in and recover everything, eventually, but it was a nailbiter for several days I spent on the phone with tech support typing lines of code they dictated to me (People, I do not know how to … Continue reading “Too Early Old, Too Late Smart” (personal news)
It Came From The Search Terms: Cruel Summer
Hello! Search terms have piled up, let's do the thing where we answer the search strings people typed in that led them here as if they are questions. Context is missing (by design), so expect some comedy answers in between with the sincere stuff. Let's kick things off with a song. Have I used this … Continue reading It Came From The Search Terms: Cruel Summer
Short Questions & Answers For July 26, Part 2
Part 1 is here. This is a feature where patrons of the blog have first crack at getting short questions answered, it lets us cover a lot of ground and have interesting discussions. Please consider supporting the site at Patreon or via other channels if you can, I appreciate it greatly. Onto the questions! In … Continue reading Short Questions & Answers For July 26, Part 2
Short Answer Friday: Happy Monday!
I had family in town this weekend so got behind on these, hopefully you enjoy them! The questions were submitted here, there will be a July session later in the month. Q1: When I'm walking down the street with friends who love dogs, they love to interrupt our conversations with screams like "OMG LOOK AT … Continue reading Short Answer Friday: Happy Monday!
Books: “What My Mother And I Don’t Talk About: Fifteen Writers Break the Silence”
"Sometimes I imagine what it would be like to give this book to my mother. To present it to her as a precious gift over a meal that I’ve cooked for her. To say: Here is everything that keeps us from really talking. Here is my heart. Here are my words. I wrote this for … Continue reading Books: “What My Mother And I Don’t Talk About: Fifteen Writers Break the Silence”
#1199: “Hello, I’d rather hang out with my main character than my husband.”
Dear Captain - I (she/her) am a middle-aged wife of a man (he/him). We've only been married three years (together 8) but it has turned out to be rather nothing like what I wanted marriage to be - and I was not unrealistic! He's emotionally constipated and may also be more intellectually my inferior than … Continue reading #1199: “Hello, I’d rather hang out with my main character than my husband.”
#1195: How to give a client feedback when the feedback is “You’re racist.”
Captain, my Captain! I've looked through the archives, and while you've answered similar-ish questions, this one hasn't come up before, so I'm hoping you can help! I (she/her) work as a freelance editor and am in a fairly privileged position––I have enough clients that I can afford to be somewhat choosy; I'm white and cisgender, … Continue reading #1195: How to give a client feedback when the feedback is “You’re racist.”
Personal Updates & Introducing This Week’s Guest Blogger
Hello Gentle and Attractive Readers! I've got a mix of very cool and very weird stuff to announce. COOL: I'm working with Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary to get a series of book projects into the world. CaptainAwkward.com-based books. Essay books. WEIRD: Tomorrow I am having a minor surgical procedure to hopefully take care … Continue reading Personal Updates & Introducing This Week’s Guest Blogger
#1178: “A friend paid me to read her book and it’s terrible.”
Hello Captain, Two years ago, a friend paid me to critique her novel because I studied writing and know the publishing industry. I agreed to read three drafts of the work. We did not sign a formal contract. Then I got the manuscript, and it’s terrible on all levels, from prose to plot. I’ve tried … Continue reading #1178: “A friend paid me to read her book and it’s terrible.”
