Author Archives: sdgibson
Battles over John Smith and Jamestown
It’s slightly dated, but this New York Review of Books essay offers brief introductions to several popular books on John Smith and Jamestown. Written by Edmund S. Morgan and Marie Morgan, the title is “Our Shaky Beginnings.” Also interesting is … Continue reading
Counterpoint and Iago
I want to mention two ideas about creative writing from two essays. Both can influence characters and their relationships. The first is “Counterpointed Characterization” an essay by Charles Baxter in his book Burning Down the House: Essays on Fiction. … Continue reading
Write or Die
Virginia Woolf said “The creative power which bubbles so pleasantly in the beginning . . . quiets down after a time, and one goes on more steadily. Doubts creep in. Then one becomes resigned. Determination not to give in, and … Continue reading
Cryptonomicom
I’m really enjoying Cryptonomicon by Neil Stephenson. There are endless lessons to learn as a writer from the book. Here are four: Don’t be afraid to expand and explore. Rather than Netherland, which demonstrates the virtues of a tight focus, Cryptonomiconexplores … Continue reading
Shaving
Next year I’m going to try to shave more often. Also, develop ambition.
Hello
Welcome to Metaphor by Metaphor by Stephen D. Gibson. They say it’s not the best time to start a blog (see Paul Boutin’s “Twitter, Flickr, Facebook Make Blogs Look So 2004,” for example), but I get the feeling I’m leading … Continue reading
Metaphor by Metaphor 