The Writer's Life: The Writer's Life 1/15

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

The Writer's Life 1/15 - Years

Already, seven police officers have been killed in the line of duty in 2019. Where is the media outrage? The following pic was posted to the Facebook page of a fellow LHS alum, Roni, NYPD retired.

Palestinian Authority President is now in the 14th year of his four-year term.

Ten years ago today Sully landed the jet in the Hudson, saving everyone on board.

For the first time in 30 years L.A. teachers, 30,000 or so strong, are on strike.

Since 1999 opioid deaths in the USA have increased 633%.

RIP Mel Stottlemyre, 77, a class act who had a long run as a player and pitching coach in MLB. In 1964, the Yankees last hurrah before the organization went on a long slide into mediocrity, Stot went 9-3 during the second half to help lead the Bronx Bombers to yet another World Series, which they lost to the Cardinals. He went one-one in the series, his only post-season appearance as a player. He won 20 or more games three times, impressive given the club's struggles during his playing career. He finished 164-139, stellar ERA of 2.97. He coached for 23 seasons for several teams, including stints with both New York teams, winning three titles with the Yanks, one with the Mets. Well done, sir.

I've been writing since November 1975. I've lost track of how long it takes to complete a novel. Each goes through umpteen drafts and proofs. Inside Out, which I will be self-publishing shortly, was first written sometime in the '80's, five drafts then, several rounds of revision and proofs recently. In the first 99 pages of the third proof, I've found six errors. The latest corrections are the dropping of the last two letters of usually, replacing distant with distance, and adding a d at the end of determine.

I was back at my usual nook today, expecting it to be a bit warmer. I closed shop an hour early, my toes starting to go numb. My thanks to the gentleman who bought the book on the popular TV sitcom The Big Bang Theory, and to the woman who purchased three paperbacks in Russian; and to Cabbie, who did a swap and buy of thrillers. I had a visit from Barry, professor of criminology at John Jay College, an avid fan of The Sopranos. He related how thrilled he was to have met Tony Sirico, aka Paulie Walnuts, yesterday in the parking lot of a diner.