The Michael Canfield Channel

Nanowrimo: The Widgets

I'm writing a novel called "Red Jacket." This is how the first draft is going:

Write Or Die thingy.

	405
20
lab.drwicked.com

Just saying

The lyrics of "Comedy Tonight," the opening number in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" make up a five-minute master class in the elements of farce.

Requires research ...

Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Dilbert and NYPD Blue. The story should use a sex-change operation as a plot device!

Generated by the Terrible Crossover Fanfiction Idea Generator

Via Mamatas

What do Tarzan of the Apes, Twelfth Night, and Death of Salesman have in common?

1. A. They are all known beloved stories stories.
2. B. Among my personal favorites.
3. C. Mayor Sarah Palin tried to ban them from her hometown public library.
4. D. All of the above.

If you said "D." you win a front row seat to the decline and fall. Here is a list: Stop Sarah Palin! The Books She Wanted BANNED! « Mike Cane 2008. These books she wanted banned from the PUBLIC library, not, say, a school library (which would have been bad enough)> Honestly, I've never heard of a public servant trying anything on the level in book banning. I'm sure there are others, but I just haven't heard about them. Palin later tried to fire the librarian.

It's not sexist to bring this stuff up, is it Mr. McCain?

Update: This list has not been validated (or vetted). The article in TIME discusses the allegation that Palin sought to bans books she found objectionable, and also that she tried to fire the city librarian as well as other city officials over "loyalty issues" but so far I can't find any confirmed list of what books, if any, she actually identified for banning.

The 39 Clues: Harry Potter Publisher Promotes Next Big Thing

Gimmicks, a different writer each volume: no way this will be anything near the success of Harry Potter. This time next year, the press releases and blog posts about this product will be as funny as last year's "Zunes/iPod Killer" hyperbole is today.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Nisi Shawl is blogging

The pieces she has collaborated with Brian Charles Clark on so far, are eclectic, entertaining, and a good deal more thoughtful than the average blog post. But what else would we expect? It's Nisi.

Puck » Joni Mitchell and the I Ching

Stuff I hate (part 1 of a series)

Finding I left kleenex in a pocket after doing laundry.

"Napoleon ... with dragons!"

"The American Revolution ... with dragons!"

"Apollo 13 ... with dragons!"

"The Holocaust ... with warlocks!"

"The Cold War ... with aliens!"