monique polak

Monique Polak's Books

1 minute reading time (240 words)

Trouble -- in a Story -- is a Fine Thing

If you've read my books or been in one of my classes, you'll know by now that I have an unnatural interest in trouble. Not in my own life, of course, but in my stories! (And for those of uswho've had a little or a lot of life troubles, well, that's ready-made material, isn't it?!)

This weekend, I came across a great quote from author John Le Carré (the quote was passed on by children's author Val Coulman who's on the same writers' listserv as me). Here goes: "The cat sat on the mat is not a story. The cat sat on the other cat's mat is a story."

Don't you love it? Le Carré must be interested in trouble, too. The story he's talking about only gets interesting when his cat sits on the other cat's mat! 

Okay, I'm just back from school and am about to shift gears and turn myself into a writer for the afternoon. I've got a book review to do for The Gazette, and if there's time, I'm hoping to spend a little time with my new boyfriend (that means my manuscript! the beginnings, as I've explained before, always feel a little like falling in love!!). And though it's only February 15, the sun is out -- and I have a wild plan: to hang our sheets on my trusty clothesline! The smell of fresh sheets is a sure sign spring isn't too too far away. 

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Comments

Guest - Brittany on Monday, 15 February 2010 21:42

Ms. Polak, as soon as I read this blog entry, I posted that saying on this website called Plurk. And my friend responded, "What if the cat sat on the other cat?" I thought it was great ;D

Ms. Polak, as soon as I read this blog entry, I posted that saying on this website called Plurk. And my friend responded, "What if the cat sat on the other cat?" I thought it was great ;D
Guest - tamar on Tuesday, 16 February 2010 19:33

you always were obsessed with clothes lines...
when do we find out what the new book is about?

you always were obsessed with clothes lines... :D when do we find out what the new book is about?
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