Writers write. We write compulsively on whatever is available. Stone tablets, parchment, bathroom walls, prison walls, diaries, notebooks, napkins, post-its—you get the picture. The advent of the internet brought something new to write on in the form of online diaries, which were also called weblogs. In 1999 this guy named Peter Merholz jokingly divided the … Read more
About a month ago, I mentioned directing a short film. Sometimes plans, as they roll downhill, unravel or disintegrate. Other times they pick up speed and size until you’re running to stay ahead of them and not get flattened. In this case, I’m happy to report it’s the latter. Happy, of course, being one of … Read more
Recently, I got my proof copy for my story that’s coming out in the Spring issue of Santa Monica review. The printing is forthcoming. I’m supposed to turn in a mailing list probably some time this week, so if you’d like to be on it, send me your address (barringon99 at gmail dot com). If … Read more
In which I examine my decision to put stuff on TikTok after a decade of resisting the idea of CONTENT.
I recently got some good news: My short story “Girl, Wolf, Woodsman” was accepted by Santa Monica Review and will be published this coming spring! The story is a twist on “Little Red Riding Hood.” I started it an embarrassing number of years ago and then apparently got either distracted or frustrated. During my “writing … Read more
I spent a frightening portion of the last few weeks prepping an application for the Universal Writers Lab. For readers who aren’t aspiring screenwriters, a lab like this is essentially a miracle ticket — a salaried, year-long fellowship where the participant receives mentorship while developing work with producers, execs, and others, all combining to hopefully … Read more
Wherein I ponder dopamine, capitalism, show business and Charlie Brown’s unhealthy obsession with kicking that football.
In which I discuss using George Saunders’ A Swim in a Pond in the Rain as a temporary antidote to my possibly dropped dopamine levels.
The first weeks after my colectomy are a series of ups and downs, but I’m learning how to traverse them.
I receive orders from The Woo-Woo to