On this lovely November Saturday, three things for you delectation and delight.
A great review of Kelley’s Dangerous Space by Terry Weyna, who loves the way Kelley describes art and how we make it–how, sometimes, we’re helpless in the face of the need to make it and share it. “Eskridge can explain the process of creating better than anyone I’ve ever read.” She thinks Mars is a boy but otherwise she’s spot on. Kelley thinks so too.
Over at Sterling Editing we have lots of nifty links for writers, including a couple of blunt appraisals of I-wouldn’t-trust-him-as-far-as-I-could-throw-him James Frey’s latest scheme, and a great video of Kurt Vonnegut.
And speaking of video, here (from the Economist‘s Johnson) are some of the cast of Harry Potter trying to speak American. I feel for them extremely. If ever I want to make Kelley fall down laughing, all I ever have to do is say Turkey Burger. Some words are simply not meant to be shaped by English mouths.
Nicola Griffith 
This reminds me of Clarion, when I met you. I can do a tolerable English accent (good enough to fool Americans, certainly), and this came up shortly after we met and you said “Really? Let's here is, then.”
And I just could not. You were watching me with those big, sincerely curious eyes, exuding patience and a willingness to be shown, and all my skills fled. It was ridiculous.
I since had many a good chuckle at myself over that.
The problem is people listen to the big surface differences of accents and ignore all the little nuances in between.
And I fumble the spelling, of course. That should be “Let's hear it, then.” Doh!
Mark, and it's the nuances that count. I hope I didn't destroy your confidence forever…
very funny…and delectasionistic! Actually, I think the kids did pretty well with some odd choices.
And Kelley…Booyah!
So what words are simply not meant to be shaped by American mouths? “Mornington Crescent”?
fun post. :)
Nicola,
No, I've drifted back into it from time to time. I find it easier, oddly enough, to do Aussie and Irish, but I've become careful with whom I attempt it.