Craig Davidson

Thursday, January 25th

Barcelona Review

Hi All,

Here's a link to a story of mine, reprinted from RUST AND BONE, called "On Sleepless Roads." Oddly, or not at all oddly, it's the story that a lot of people find to be their favorite---the one that, having read the whole collection, causes them to remark, "Why can't you write more NICE stories like this?" To which I reply, "Hey, you know who'd you'd like? Every other writer but me!"

No, of course I'd never remark that. It was one story, along with the final novella, which was meant to be a "stretch" piece---ie: a piece that proved I could write something other than bloody fights (a stretch I summarily backslid on by filling THE FIGHTER with, well, fights). I do like the piece, and people seem to like it, and, along with "A Mean Utility," it's probably the story people comment on most.

What I've realized is, people like stories with animals. Or people are affected, good or bad, by stories with animals. And I love animals, so I find I do have them in stories and novels fairly often. In THE FIGHTER I've got a bulldog named Murdoch, who was proabably one of the most fun characters to write. In the novel I'm working on now, there are lots of animals. People seemed to be drawn to, or revolted by what happened to, the pitbulls in "A Mean Utility" too. Anyway, you learn things along the way as you write: what people like, what they don't cotton to. I've done both, so I've seen a bit of what works and what doesn't. That doesn't mean I'm not going to keep on giving people what they don't like---I'm too much a stubborn cuss to stop that---but it's nice when things I like to write about, like animals, also happen to be things most people seem to like reading.

So check it out, if you haven't read it already. Or read it again, if you have! My thanks to Jill Adams, the editor, for selecting the story. And, oh, there are plenty of other great pieces and writers on this site; I noticed something by Neil LaBute there (director/writer of IN THE COMPANY OF MEN, NURSE BETTY, and others) and if you check the archives, search out COUGAR by Mark Anthony Jarman. An ass-kick of a story by a wonderful writer.

www.barcelonareview.com

And check this space next week, as I've got a new story/personal excoriation coming out at Nerve.com shortly. Perhaps even as self-flagellating as the last piece I wrote for them---excitement!

All best, Craig
Craig Davidson on 01.25.07 @ 05:20 PM EST [link]

Monday, January 15th

New Gym Observations

Hi All,

So I’m back at the gym now. I was running for a long time there, just running, but now it’s a wee bit too nippy for that so I joined Talisman Center in Calgary, where I can jog on the track, but since I’ve got the time I thought I’d get back into weight lifting on a really low level.

It’s like immersing yourself in a cold pool again. Got to go slow. Not just for the sake of my body, which has surrendered mucho muscle, but even getting back into the lifestyle of the gym is a weird thing.

A few things I’ve (re-)noticed:

Craig Davidson on 01.15.07 @ 09:36 PM EST [more..]

Wednesday, January 10th

More ATHF

Hi All,

Courtesy of Dolan, a MySpace friend and fellow ATHF connoisseur:

www.adultswim.com/adultswimfix/index.html

Lots more ATHF action, here. And lots of other Cartoon Network shows on offer. Thankfully, as my bro bought me a season of ATHF for Christmas, I've seen most of these. But you lot, maybe not. So check 'em out gratis, if you liked the first ones I posted. And if you didn't, wassa hell's the freakin' matta with you, anyway? What are you coming at me with this ten dollars business? If you run to your TV, you might be able to catch the ass-end of LIFE ACCORDING TO JIM!

All best, Craig.
Craig Davidson on 01.10.07 @ 10:41 PM EST [link]

Tuesday, January 9th

Rust and Bone Reader Review---Bilingual Edition

Hi All,

Here's a great review from a reader, and also a fine writer herself, Christine Spadacinni. She's written it in both English and French. Many thanks for this, Christine, and continued success with your own writing endeavors!

All best, Craig.
Craig Davidson on 01.09.07 @ 11:04 AM EST [more..]

Monday, January 8th

Aqua Teen Hunger Force

Hi All,

So the last time I campaigned for a show it got cancelled---that being the late, great, greatly lamented ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT. But I've heard some people did end up watching it on DVD and enjoying it---great job, guys; wait until something's gone and THEN start watching. What are you, ex-Hartford Whalers fans or something?

Anyway, the show I'm tendering for your consideration is not threatened by cancellation. It's been on a while, has a loyal fanbase (playing on the Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim" lineup, it can get by on a loyal fanbase, whereas ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, on a big network, needed more than that. Not to go back and open up old wounds, but ... every time I see Jim Belushi or Damon Wayans' face on the TV instead of the Bluth family, a little part of me dies. Of course, I am so often affronted and horrified, I am so brittle and thin-skinned, that a little part of me dies when I leave my bread in the toaster too long and it comes out a bit burnt. I am not long for this Earth, I am afeard).

Craig Davidson on 01.08.07 @ 09:46 PM EST [more..]