I’ve probably read the Sandman graphic novel series a dozen times. The last time I went through the whole thing was easily a dozen years ago. But if you ever have half an hour or so, we can sit down and I can tell you almost page for page what’s in it. Even the weird…
Tag: Adam
Reading is Fun (Caturday Questions)
People ask me what my favorite book is. Like most of you, I have a different answer every time. But more specific questions will get you more specific, and more stable,answers. What is the funniest book I’ve ever read? Moby Dick. Hands down. Nobody expects this answer. Big Cat, Little Cat Reading is Fun… Right?…
Make it New! (Caturday Questions)
There’s a saying that’s almost exactly 30 years old that states that nostalgic repetition in pop culture follows a 30 year cycle. Hence, The Sandman came out on Netflix about 30 years after the comic finished its run in the mid-90s. And the Addams Family film (1991) came out just shy of 30 years after…
Neurodivergent Storytellers… Unite
When I write an essay about writing, I try to be transparent about the issues at stake. I am neurodivergent. And being neurodivergent leads to some difficulties, but also some opportunities that other writers might or might not have. But there are a lot of issues. Partly because I am a complex person and partly…
The Beauty of Rough Edges
Little Cat was rooting around in some old pile of things today, and what he found surprised him. Lately, Little Cat is used to being the co-star of a bunch of three-cell comics with thought bubbles and a little signature in the corner. But what he uncovered was something older. A series of one-cell memes…
Good vs. Likable (Caturday Question)
Good Writing is the Best, and Cheapest, Special Effect The point here is that good vs. likeable is a false choice. You like what you like, right? And nobody can tell you otherwise. Also, there’s no inherent reason why pornographic films should have worse writing than any other kind of entertainment. I seem to recall…
Covid Reading Mode
What makes me come back to a work of literature? It’s been some three years since I’ve been in what I’m calling “Covid Reading Mode,” and I have to say I’m not impressed with it. Covid Reading Mode, for me, is going to a restaurant and ordering the same three goddamn things on the menu…
Unintended Consequences (Caturday Questions)
What happens when you do something that turns out to have unintended consequences? Middle Cat loves his Human-Mom. He goes out to the choicest nests and picks the nicest gifts for her and leaves them, pungent and appetizing, at the foot of her bed. But does she appreciate it? No. Quite the opposite. Why does…
Character Motivation (Caturday Questions)
Middle Cat said something interesting the other day. He said: “Character is the most important part of any story. If you think back to any of your favorite books, or even movies, the thing you’ll remember most clearly is the character. And probably the most important part of that is character motivation. If you know…
Eros Turranos: Grief through Poetry
Have you ever memorized a poem by accident? Happened to me a few years ago. A poem called “Eros Turranos” by the 19th-20th century American poet Edwin A. Robinson. I was going through a very bad breakup about which I don’t want to say more. I could say “out of respect to the parties involved”…