Tom Swift Writer’s Notebook

One of my former teachers recently recalled a writerly remark she heard from a colleague: If you take three days off, you have to start over again. That’s about right. Flow is lost. Feels like you’re writing up hill. After a month of life transition, I am starting to roll the boulder again. A good [...]

For a number of years Charles and Marie Bender shared a house (pictured) with one of Charles’ sisters, Emma, and Emma’s daughter from a marriage that ended in divorce. Emma’s ex-husband later remarried and had a son. Last week, I learned that those two offspring, the half sister and brother — people who had lost [...]

Thunder, which announced this storm an hour before it arrived, rolls on in the unlit afternoon. Rain runs over the roof and pat, pat, patters in front of my window. Dave Brubeck is in the air. The Beast, just back from a jaunt amongst the pecan trees and a chance meeting with his best buddy, [...]

A Borders in St. Louis exploded and the debris landed in one of the area’s many glorified garage sales. I was tipped off over the weekend but when I stopped by on Monday afternoon I was still astonished: several large shelves of books — including current bestsellers, classics, and big-name author backlist — at 80 [...]

Bookish notes from a couple of days in New Orleans …

We were in town for all of an hour when we crossed paths with the release of Jackie Collins’ latest bundle of paper gold. In fact, the Savage Beast crashed the party. I would say more but I’m afraid that would leave too much of [...]

I took five flights — was supposed to be six, but one was cancelled — in the eight days leading to the holiday weekend and somewhere in one of a handful of cities I picked up an ornery bug. During the second-to-last flight’s descent my sinuses felt as though they were being squeezed with a [...]

I made my television debut recently. Though that word makes it sound far more likely than it is that I’ll ever be on the tube again. I am sincerely grateful a producer was interested in my work and Charles Bender’s story. But I simply cannot watch the show. I provide the link because I figure [...]

People frequently ask about what it feels like to publish a first book. More than the satisfaction of publication or the pleasant surprise of a flattering review the thing that hits, and hits even more often than the question is asked, is the kindness of readers. It’s the e-mail out of nowhere, thanking me for [...]

I have learned that during Saturday’s signing I will face off against another author: Lou Nanne.
If you live in Minnesota and you can explain what it means to ice a puck you know the name Nanne. He was an All-American for the University of Minnesota and a defensive stalwart for the Minnesota North Stars. After [...]

Father’s Day is coming up! This year I have had that date mentally marked for months. Most years I have to be reminded by the thoughtful person in my marriage. I still don’t know what I am getting my dad but I have good idea (if I don’t say so myself) what you should get [...]

Don’t ask me how I know, but I have it on good authority that “Chief Bender’s Burden” has been added to the River City Books staff selection display for May. Why should you care? Well, this means you can buy new, signed copies for 25 percent off the cover price. The discount applies in-store as [...]

“Chief Bender’s Burden” has been nominated for the 2008 Midwest Booksellers’ Choice Awards. The ballot is, naturally, open only to Midwest area booksellers. If you are one of those and you happen to be reading this post, first, I am sorry Google led you astray and, second, I would sincerely appreciate your support during this [...]

The other day, as a kind person was helping me line up an author event, I was accused of being too modest — a charge that could be refuted by the testimony of many credible witnesses. Also by the fact I have an entire Web site devoted to myself. Besides, I’m not self-effacing. I’m self-interested.
As [...]

Here I thought I was merely reading a fun little item about a man who had been hogtied and paraded about town in the back of a pickup after being shocked with a Taser (who among us has not done that after tipping back a few on a Saturday night?), when I learned something incredibly [...]

A devoted reader (OK, so she also happens to be my devoted wife) pointed out that soon one will be able to buy “Chief Bender’s Burden” for 11.31 pounds sterling. See No. 11 on the list.

OK, you can stop calling Ticketmaster. My book tour dates have been set. It’ll be a whirlwind two-city tour. In addition to the Twins game signing, here’s the schedule:
• 3 p.m., Saturday, April 5, River City Books, reading and signing. Books are and will be on sale for 20 percent off through the event.
• 7 [...]

Sometimes people drop me a note. Just bought your book, they say. Wow. Few e-mails make you feel better than that one.
I always offer a thank-you reply and I wonder if, across cyberspace, my appreciation comes off. Maybe I sound as though the person ahead of me just held the door open on our way [...]

There’s a perfectly good reason I haven’t announced any signings or readings till now: I’m a lousy planner. In my defense, some targets have been moving.
I do, finally, alert the media, have an event to put up on the board. And it’s a fun one. I will sign copies in the Metrodome concourse before and [...]

I wrote in the book’s bibliographical essay: “I found that when you dig around in the past you meet a lot of selfless people in the present.” So many people, even some I’ve never met, helped along the road. And now that it’s in the world I continue to benefit from the generosity of good [...]

Why Northfield? The list is long. High up are the engaged and talented and kind and bright citizens I see and meet during walks along Division Street. And many of them form the town’s dynamic online community. Northfield.org was kind enough to spread the news and I am grateful. This is not the first time, [...]