I am often asked what I think of MFAs and whether that’s the next natural step for writers who are serious about writing. This guy says it better than just about anyone (and thank you Ariella Jochai for sending me the link). Some will no doubt disagree with him (and me). MFAs are not what they use to be. If you can involve yourself with a writing community that you trust and have your work regularly critiqued, if you take part in literary events, and write a lot, and read a lot, you’ll basically be doing what you need to do to progress along the writing path. But don’t listen to me. Read Chris Brecheen’s blog. If you feel like it, post a comment here and let me know what you think.

Publishers Weekly published a short piece by Pulitzer prize winner Paul Harding–his advice to writers. It’s a very short piece but packed with great advice. I like what he says about telling the truth through fiction, and so much more.

“For me, a work of fiction exists only insofar as it affords me what I shall bluntly call aesthetic bliss, that is a sense of being somehow, somewhere, connected with other states of being where art (curiosity, tenderness, kindness, ecstasy) is the norm. There are not many such books.” – Vladimir Nabokov, in “On a Book Entitled Lolita,” 11/12/56

When I mentioned that I was reading Lolita to a few friends and colleagues, they mostly gave me shuddered responses. The subject matter, of course, is dicey: Who wants to read about a pedophile? Especially those of us who have had close contact with pedophiles, it’s not a world we want to revisit.

Yet, Lolita is an iconic novel that sat on my shelf, one I never read, but thought I should read. I’d seen the movie years ago, but it had faded into the distant aisles of memory, with only images of its stars (Shelly Winters, James Mason, I think) hanging in front of the drawn curtains behind which stacked details from the film I could no longer remember.

Between novels, I’d pick up Lolita and give it a try, but pretty quickly it resumed its place on the shelf. And then last weekend I read an interview with Donna Tartt, whose new novel, The Goldfinch, just came out, in which she said, “My favourite book? Lolita. Ask me tomorrow and I’ll probably say something else.”

Done deal. I had to read Lolita. I ordered The Goldfinch and while I waited for it to arrive, I committed myself to Lolita.  As I read my 1989 copy, the Vanity Fair quote on the cover–“The only convincing love story of our century.”–dangled about.  I’d never thought of the novel as a love story, certainly no one had ever said as much, but it was, it certainly was.

The writing is perhaps the most gorgeous writing of any novel I’ve ever read. It’s not my favorite novel, but the writing is among the best, ever. Every writer in every genre should read Lolita, if for no other reason than to study from a master.

I’m excitedly onto The Goldfinch, now, and Lolita will resume its place on the shelf. I’ll no doubt be an evangelist for a time. Forgive me. That’s how it is when you read a book you know you’ll never forget.

I first discovered Karen Karbo’s work with her first novel, Trespassers Welcome Here. I loved her writing and wit. I’ve followed her work over the years, have gotten to know her a bit, and recently did this Q&A with her for The ASJA Monthly.

My story, “Crazy for you,” along with those of T. Jefferson Parker, Susan Straight, Laura Lippman, George Pelicanos, Dennis Lehane, Michael Connelly, Joyce Carol Oates, and more, is in it. Page 155, if I’m not mistaken. Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review and said, “Readers will be hard put to find a better collection of short stories in any genre.” I love it!

We have a Pen on Fire Speaker Series event scheduled for Nov. 19 at Scape Gallery in Corona del Mar. (Click on the tab at top: Speaker Series, for more info on the event and how to register. The first 10 to register will get a free book.)

If you can’t make it, you can still order the book from all sorts of online sellers. You can also ask your local bookstore to order it. Order from Akashic’s website, or for ultimate ease, click below.

Take a look. I love the illustration. Here you go.