Library Redux

As a writer, I can state the obvious: I love books and I love reading. I especially love my local library. In fact, I volunteer there. It’s a special place because of its uniqueness—built as a one-room, nondenominal chapel in 1886, it’s operated as a public library for 60 years.

And now it’s being transformed again.

Faced with recently identified structural issues with the building, the library director arranged to have the entire collection moved to a temporary site, a nearby vacant office space. That move was accomplished through a network of community volunteers, and the library staff (all volunteers) reshelved thousands of books—all within the span of a week.

The work on the existing building will include removing the aging drop ceiling, allowing the feel of the room to expand upward. Then will come a new foundation, new floor, new wall supports, and a new roof shingles. When the library eventually reopens, I look forward to a cozy, refreshed place to read and browse.

Before and after the collection move at the Pipersville Free Library

What I’m reading

Speaking of reading, I just finished George Saunders’ A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, recommended by a friend. The book serves as a kind of self-paced seminar on analyzing several short stories and what makes them classics. (The subhead says this, in fact: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life.) The analyses draw on Saunders’ experience teaching these same stories, by Chekhov, Tolstoy, Turgenev, and Gogol, at Syracuse University.

Next up off my TBR shelf is The Measure, a tale of speculative fiction by Nikki Erlick.

This month’s writing tip

“If you find your characters getting stuck in a repetitive conflict (yes-you-are, no-I’m-not), you can jump-start the action if you remember that people generally change their tactics—becoming charming, threatening, seductive, guilt-inducing, etc.—when they are not succeeding in getting what they badly want.” (This tip from Janet Burroway, in her book Writing Fiction.)

What I’m writing

My latest manuscript is with several beta readers (nail-biting time!). I’ve started drafting a new book, this one a murder mystery.

Later this month, you’ll find me at the Doylestown Bookshop, for the store’s January Local Author Expo. I’m thrilled to share the space with eight other writers. The event runs from 1 to 3 p.m.

Here is my latest short fiction post, from A Slice of Orange.

You can find details of my book coaching/editing services here.