Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Some Links

To two of my favorite authors, Cormac McCarthy and James Kennedy.

Cormac's link is a rare interview. It's with the Wall Street Journal back on November 20, but I just found it.

Kennedy's link is on his blog and it's an interview with a reader who hated his book, The Order of Odd-Fish. One might argue that doing the interview is itself a very Odd-Fishian thing to do, since one rarely convinces another to relinquish such strident views. However, I think James just might have persuaded the young lady to revise her initial opinions. And if that's the case, then you can hardly accuse him of dithering.

You might not have the perseverence to read the entire interview, but you should at least read the first question and answer where James explains Ian's mustache thus:

I used the mustache as a physical shorthand for Ian’s awkward transition to manhood. Ian wants to be grown-up, knowledgeable, and dependable. But he can’t quite carry it off yet, just like he can’t quite carry off the mustache.

I'm not sure I buy it, but it sounds good.
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One more thing. Since you can't comment on James's blog, feel free to do so here. My suspicion is that he'll respond.

14 comments:

Anita said...

Yeah, I keep forgetting to ask Husband to buy ODD FISH for me. I'm too lazy to find the credit card and type in all those #s myself. Maybe I'll email Husband this post or something.

I'm only reading a Cormac interview if it's with me.

Yaya' s Home said...

I hadn't heard of this book, but it does sound interesting. Thanks for the head's up. I love your comments.

Happy New Year!

~ Yaya
Yaya's Home

James Kennedy said...

I am always lurking here.

Heather Kelly said...

Thanks for the time suck this morning! I thoroughly enjoyed all the reviews and interviews about Order of Odd Fish--I have to say that reviewer was eloquent and opinionated. I wish all reviewers put that much thought into a book review--we would have much more intelligent discussions around plots and characters and merit. And I thought that Kennedy (hi!) did a fantastic job of respecting what she had to say. It seemed like she ended up not really able to dislike the book. Interesting.

Paul Michael Murphy said...

I thought James showed remarkable restraint.

As for Cormac, I love his honesty. When you reach that level you can just say whatever the hell you want. So often, writers are told we have to know everything about our characters, setting, motivations, backstory, etc. even though most of that stuff doesn't make it into the manuscript. The fact that McCarthy doesn't care what caused his apocalyptic world and that he thinks it doesn't matter (and it doesn't) is refreshingly honest.

Paul Michael Murphy said...

Another fun link:

http://riddleburger.wordpress.com/2007/09/17/lengle-tops-list-of-top-10-authors-who-got-rejected-26-times/

James Kennedy said...

Christ. ElroyTLanphear again.

Paul Michael Murphy said...

Can you translate Elroy's comment for us, Kennedy?

James Kennedy said...

No way. Elroy is the Moriarty to my Holmes. I suppose sooner or later I will have to duel him in his forbidding mountain fortress in Shandong, constructed of the bones of all who have defied him. Until then, I will have to endure his sexy spam.

Paul Michael Murphy said...

The accomplice always denies an association. The two of you are in cahoots. Admit it!

No wait. That would not be dastardly enough.

ElroyTLanphear and James Kennedy are one and the same!

James Kennedy said...

Wait a second . . . if you spell "ElroyTLanphear" backwards . . . it's . . . J-A-M-E-S-K-E-N-N-E-D-Y!

Paul Michael Murphy said...

You know, I actually tried moving the letters around.

I'm going to try contacting this Elroy character to see if he'll follow my blog.

Paul Michael Murphy said...

I'm now a follower of Elroy's blog. Dude's got a serious dearth of content.

James Kennedy said...

Congratulations. You've played right into his white, puffy, quivering hands. YOU WILL BE CRUSHED.