Can Asians Think?

An interesting post on the blog Singapore Post Cards about the provocative essays in this book by Kishore Mahbubani, a former Singaporean diplomat.

It's a vital question, as Asia becomes wealthier, how its societies will evolve -- and whether that will solidify the trend towards democracy and peace, or lead to something less free, less peaceful, darker.

Kevin Costner Buys Film Rights to Tainted Souls

Boy, that would be a hell of a headline if it were true, wouldn't it?

It's not as crazy as it seems. There's quite a bit of the reluctant hero in Tainted Souls' protagonist, Rick Frost, not unlike the characters Costner played in The Postman, Waterworld and even Dances With Wolves. Though Frost is perhaps more damaged than those guys.

Costner might be too old for the part, though, which is a scary thing to say since I'm pretty sure he's younger than I am. Not that this has ever stopped Hollywood. Remember when Jimmy Stewart played opposite Grace Kelly in Rear Window? She was 21 or 22. He was like 105.

When I graduated from college lo those many years ago, I came out sure that I'd soon write a great novel, sell a million copies, get a ton for the paperback rights, and clean up on the movie rights. My, how things change. My expectations were long ago scaled down, and they have been shrunk some more. What constitutes "success" for me as a writer is remarkably modest. It certainly doesn't include selling movie rights.

What about you?

Green With Envy

The daughter of a colleague of mine spent a year writing a sci-fi book but couldn't interest an agent. She was all set to give up on writing but then had an idea for a romance, sat down and wrote it in two months, and sent out some queries. She almost immediately got offers from three agents.
UPDATE: It turned into offers from five agents, and they fought over her. She picked the one whom she thought would be best for her. Lucky kid!

Seattle Currently Sucking

Ordinarily, I defend my adopted hometown. It's not always gray and cold and rainy here, I say. The summers are gloriously sunny, warm and dry. Besides, when it does rain, it's hardly even rain; it's the kind of mini-rain that just sits there in mid-air, waiting for you to walk into it.

Well, kids, this year Seattle is having a Year of No Spring.

For the third year in a row.

You heard me: three years in a row now we've had no spring, just a slightly warmer (emphasis on the slightly) version of winter. Something to do with La Nina. Or El Nino, I can never remember. Or global warming or sunspots. Something.

No matter. Point is: it sucks.