AMoS Inspirations 5: The Industrial-Literary Complex

NOTE: “AMoS” stands for A Muse of Shadows, the working title for my novel in progress. In this and subsequent posts, I talk about the various sources for my initial ideas for the (still extremely unformed) book. My last post about AMoS was thematic; though it allowed me to roll out my main characters (I…

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AMoS Inspirations 1: No Wardrobes, Please

NOTE: “AMoS” stands for A Muse of Shadows, the working title for my novel in progress. In this and subsequent posts, I talk about the various sources for my initial ideas for the (still extremely unformed) book. There are dozens of subgenres of fantasy literature, and I have strong opinions about most of them. I…

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Transforming Introversion

In a couple of spots near my apartment in Lille, there are stone alcoves carved into the upper facades of brick buildings. They are old, and reveal the age of the buildings they inhabit, which have otherwise been renovated and reinforced, propped up by generations of determined tradesfolk. The alcoves likely once contained statues of…

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Transforming Inspiration

The Itinerary: 7h00: Up and about, breakfast and teeth, check my checklist for a daytrip to the Big City! 8h15: Walk X to school. His mom just got him a scooter, so he’ll be fully occupied with keeping his balance on the cobblestones. Tell him S will pick him up. 8h30: My train leaves at…

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Transforming Muse Roulette

And indeed there will be time To wonder, “Do I dare?” and, “Do I dare?” — T.S. Eliot, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” It’s always been writing. Before I could read, I scribbled doodle-hieroglyphic stories onto rolls of adding-machine paper my father smuggled home from the office. Before I could write, I dictated…

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