reading and editing

[Commonmind]

Originally Posted by Stormpirate

Reading outside your "comfort zone" is also good if you're a writer. You have to know what's already been done, even if it's outside your chosen genre.

John, what's the ancient Egyptian novel? I recently finished reading Wilbur Smith's River God and loved it, so I'd be interested in more novels set during that timeframe.

If you just want a recommendation, try picking up "The Egyptian" (a.k.a Sinuhe the Egyptian) by Mika Waltari. It is probably the best Egyptian historical fiction I've ever come across and I read it religiously every year.

[littlemissattitude]

Originally Posted by John Jarrold

I love James. He was published by Random House in the UK when I worked there in the mid-90s, and I had the pleasure of meeting him several times, and chatting about books and films. You can't mistake his style for anyone else, and books like The Big Nowhere, White Jazz, L A Confidential and American Tabloid are all favourites.

Thanks for that, John. Must have been interesting to meet him. I've read several of his novels and have to say he's one of my favorite writers. Then again, I really like noir, which is how I'd label his L.A. novels. Have you read his memoir, My Dark Places? It is part autobiography, part the story of his search for the murderer of his mother. Interesting book. I recommend it.

[John Jarrold]

Yes, I was there when we acquired and publioshed that - and James spoke about it when he came into the office. He used to turn up once a year, loaded with French cheese, crusty bread and champagne, for whoever happened to be around the office that day. I remember we discussed the film made of the Black Dahlia case in the 70s, with Efram Zimbalist Jr (who my generation remembers from 77 Sunset Strip!)...