Drum Roll, Please...

image via Stromboli Online

An autographed copy of Barbara Abercrombie's book A Year of Writing Dangerously is awarded to:

Vesuvius at Home

for her writing advice to:

Just sit down and write, dammit.

Vesuvius has a remarkable blog that you should definitely check out -- she is, apparently, taking her own advice because her writing is inspired, hilarious and intensely personal. 

I had a difficult time choosing one comment for the giveaway, though, and even the author of the book, Barbara, left a complimentary comment on everything that you all had to say. If I could I would give each of you a book, but instead will encourage you to purchase one for yourself. Honestly, I'm delving into it nearly every day for inspiration and interesting, relevant quotes. 

Now, get out there and write, dammit!

Last Chance to Write Dangerously!

I hope you'll enter my giveaway and get a chance to receive Barbara Abercrombie's new book A Year of Writing Dangerously. All you have to do is leave a comment -- some writing advice -- at the original post. or here. I'll pick my favorite tidbit and announce the winner tomorrow! Readers, this is a really wonderful book -- filled with quotes and guidance for every day of the year. There's not a cliche in it and so much inspiration that if you're stuck in your writing you'd find something to help you ignite that creativity. Here's an example:

20. Naked in the Hallway


I have a friend who has a large photograph of herself hanging in her downstairs hallway, and she's stark naked in it. There's also one of her husband. And these are not young people. The photographs were taken by a student from a nearby art college who wanted to photograph older people nude and who told my friend not to hold her stomach in, to just be herself. These are the bravest photographs I've ever seen, and beautiful too. Sure they reveal, well, everything, but --- because of the lighting, the art involved --- there's mystery to them.


I love to think of these photographs whenever I get all snarled up with the idea of exposing too much in my writing. As Tennessee Williams once said, "All good art is indiscretion."

I'm very relaxed about privacy because there is none left....John Perry Barlow, a former lyricist with the Grateful Dead....says the only way to have privacy [is to] expose it all and you have nothing to hide.

                                                                                   ---LEONARD KLEINROCK