Next Novel

December 21st, 2014 → 5:25 am

“The plot is laid.” – Henry VI

Since The Other Shakespeare came out, a surprising number of people have asked me what my next novel is going to be about.  I hadn’t really thought much about my next novel.  I mean, I have a folder full of scraps of ideas I’ve written down over the years, but for all I know they’re terrible, like the detritus of a bad dream, best left behind and forgotten.  And then in bed yesterday morning, while cuddling my son as he slowly woke up, I had an idea.  I’m going to spend the next couple of months researching it and getting a feel for its plausibility, but I think the plot may be laid!  Happy Holidays and see everyone in 2015!

Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art & Self/My Life

Guest Blog Posts

December 10th, 2014 → 5:22 am

“[Her] words are a very fantastical banquet.” – Much Ado About Nothing

I’ve been invited to write a number of guest blog posts, in promotion of The Other Shakespeare.  Check out the first batch!

     “Traveling For Your Writing”

     “Pretending You’re a Man”

     “(Some of) The Women of Queen Elizabeth’s Court”

     “Laughter – But Is It Funny?”

Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art & Self/My Life

Oceans of Blood

December 6th, 2014 → 6:51 am

    “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood
    Clean from my hand?
    No, this my hand will rather
    The multitudinous seas incarnadine,
    Making the green one red.” – Macbeth

I was listening to a RadioLab podcast yesterday where the guest mentioned that in Shakespeare’s day, theatres used actual blood in their performances.  There was no such thing as prop blood (let alone chocolate sauce!), so if a play like Titus Adronicus required a bucket of blood to be spilled, a bucket of actual blood was acquired (generally from a slaughterhouse) and spilled in the production.  The guest went on to mention how, in the 16th century, really, people were quite familiar with the smell, sight, taste, and feel of actual blood - unlike today.

First, let me just say gross.

Second, let me add that I disagree in one sense – even today there are groups of people who are familiar with blood and have lots of it on their hands:  white police officers, when they are faced with unarmed black men.

Filed under: Blog & Other & Stupid/Evil People

Kindness and Empathy

December 3rd, 2014 → 5:49 am

    “If ever you have looked on better days,
    If ever been where bells have knolled to church,
    If ever sat at any good man’s feast,
    If ever from your eyelids wiped a tear
    And know what ’tis to pity and be pitied,
    Let gentleness my strong enforcement be.” – As You Like It

The world could really use more kindness, understanding, and empathy right now…

Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians & Stupid/Evil People

The Economics Profession

December 1st, 2014 → 6:16 am

    “In men as in a rough-grown grove remain
    Cave-keeping evils that obscurely sleep.”– The Rape of Lucrece

I know it probably isn’t wise to say this, but it is true.  The economics profession is sexist and discriminatory.  As a PhD economist with a job at a major university, I have experienced it myself.  See this well-written article on the latest research.

Filed under: Blog & Economics/Money & Stupid/Evil People