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In Which Scott Garson And I Talk About Fiction

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Scott Garson is one of my favorite people. Not only is he a great writer, but he also edits what is probably one of the best -- if not the best -- online literary journal Wigleaf. His collection of microfiction American Gymnopédies has been reissued by Lit Pub Books (BUY IT!), and his collection Is That You, John Wayne? will be released by Queen's Ferry Press next year (BUY IT THEN!). Today Scott and I talk about Wigleaf, this scathing New York Times review, the distinction (or non-distinction) between literary and genre (with thanks to Peter Straub), and a lot of other great things. Enjoy!

In Which Scott Garson And I Talk About Fiction

RIP Tony Scott

Sad news, this:

Tony Scott, director of blockbusters Top Gun and Days of Thunder, jumped to his death Sunday from the Vincent Thomas Bridge, authorities said.

According to the Associated Press, Scott, 68, climbed a fence on the bridge and jumped around 12:30 p.m. One report quoted a coroner's report that said Scott jumped "without hesitation."

I've always really liked Tony Scott. He was a true auteur, especially with his later films. His style was so distinct and fresh that I looked forward to any movie he made, even if some those movies were so-so. While the press is going to continuously spout Top Gun and Days of Thunder because of the Tom Cruise connection, I would have to say True Romance and Man on Fire are my two favorite films of his. But there were several others I really enjoyed. The Last Boy Scout, Enemy of the State, Spy Game, Deja Vu. I even liked Dominio and The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 and Unstoppable for what they were.

It's a real shame what happened. Clearly there was a lot going on. You don't just climb a fence on a bridge and jump to your death for the hell of it. Hopefully everything gets sorted out quickly.

Tony, you will be missed.

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About My Testimony

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Have you read my story "Testimony" which was published at Out of the Gutter earlier this week? You didn't? Well, here's your chance to check it out. Or you can listen to me talk a little bit about the history of storytelling and then listen to me read the entire story. Or read the story while simultaneously listening to me read it. Or you can just be a jerk and not do any of this. The choice is yours.

In Which I Talk About My Testimony

My Testimony

My story "Testimony" is featured today over at Out of the Gutter. My thanks to Court Merrigan and the rest of the folks at OFTG for making it happen. Some readers might believe the story experimental in form, but I would have to disagree. If anything, I think it's more traditional in form than what we all now consider "traditional." I'll talk more about that later this week, but for now check out the story. Be prepared, though, it is rather disturbing.