In the history of world poetry, there have been all kinds of limits and forms we writers have forced ourselves to adapt to over the centuries, such as sonnets, iambic pentameter, odes, pastorals and free verse. Even contemporary novels are often forced to meet certain page requirements to be considered for mass publication unless you happen to be Salman Rushdie or Thomas Pynchon.

While earning my English degree at school, we took a survey class on American and British literature starting from the medieval era, on through the twentieth century—though I believe our class was so disorganized we only made it halfway through the nineteenth century. A certain professor lectured us solely on the title page and the preface or forward for a whole week. We examined how different editions of the same novels evolved with first prefaces then second prefaces then third and so on.

All this “to-do” without even getting to the first page drove me nuts. I’ve always hated conventions and restrictions and necessary evils yet I marvel at the thought that writing without abiding by a specific set of rules is a contemporary conception. Where do we go when we are liberated, when possibilities are limitless? We can make like New York School poet Frank O’Hara and impose our own rules (complete a poem during lunch hour) or abandon the notion entirely to genre-shattering effect (Denis Johnson’s Jesus’ Son).

It used to be that modern meant free verse, yet we’re surrounded by programs like Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook. These sites encourage piecemeal sound bites, snippets of our lives, slices of our day. So why not use these platforms to express our creativity? Read more »

A lot of writers I know are really weird people. They are not conventional characters. They are introverted, awkward, and often act like wallflowers in social situations, taking mental notes rather than fully participating.

But the holiday season is the great leveler: even the weird ones have to get together in groups with family and/or friends to eat, drink, and exchange gifts.

But writers also have the chance to do their own version of a holiday tradition: the New Year’s Resolution. This is the one time of the year in the U.S. when it is socially accepted even sanctioned to talk about self-improvement. So why not take this somewhat cheesy and unrealistic tradition of promises and make it a literary goal? Why not recommit to your own writing? Why not do more reading? This is a good way to stay weird, since pretty much everyone else’s resolutions will have to do with losing weight and exercise. Here are a handful of literary suggestions:

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Literary doppelgangers.

Calling Jonathan Franzen “J-Franz” makes me think he should be a character on Jersey Shore. Which, now that I think about it, I would love to see.

#Drunklit

This current vampire book trend is MELTING YOUR BRAIN. Sort of.

Books for the dark night of the soul.

The Millions sums up my childhood (and adult) reading experiences exactly.

The smallest literary magazine ever? Matchbook Story is a lit mag published inside, you guessed it, a book of matches, with only enough room for a 300-character story.

The longest novels of all time, summarized in 140 characters or less.

Can poetry deter kleptomaniacs?

If you’re a writer, avoid these professions for your day job.

Unexpected literary references in “Aqua Teen Hunger Force,” “The Simpsons,” “South Park,” “Looney Tunes,” and other animated TV shows, via.

You’re never too old to start writing. Case in point: an 82-year-old woman has just landed a 3-book deal this week. Take that, infamous “20 under 40″ list.

Here are some stories The Rumpus’s Seth Fischer likes. I like them too.

Image: Bruce Willey.

Great Gatsbys, a webcomic series by artist Kate Beaton.

My new favorite timesink: Twaggies, illustrations of people’s Tweets.

Quarter Stories is a writing project wherein writers are paid $0.25 to write a story about a photograph, via.

Celebrity volcano slam poetry.

WKE has a new “Story Time” online: Portland novelist and songwriter Willy Vlautin reads an excerpt from his new novel, Lean on Pete, accompanied by his band Richmond Fontaine. Give it a listen.

20 books every child should read before they hit 16, via.

Aaaand because it’s hump day, here’s a brief history of art: Read more »

Surrrree this is what I'm actually reading. Why do you ask?

These new highbrow book jackets mean you can read finally read Dan Brown, Nicholas Sparks, and Twilight without fear or shame, via.

Angels are the new vampires.

An interesting and epic list of writers’ accouterments.

Read about famous writers on Rate My Professors, via.

Why a poem knows what it doesn’t know.

Electric Literature announced the winners of the #stuffmymusesays contest on Monday. The runners up: “Hey babe. Love your dialogue.” & “It’s fun, but you know what would be more fun? If we set it on fire.” & “Take off your pants. The ideas can’t get in.” The winner: “This book will destroy you.”

How the paperback changed literature.

Aaaand because it’s Wednesday and I’ve already started making fun of Nicholas Sparks and I might as well keep going, here is how to write a Nicholas Sparks movie: Read more »

A Twollo

To say that Twitter has become pretty pervasive is an understatement. All sorts of people have Twitter handles (this blog included — @litdrift) and in response a whole slew of custom-built applications have sprung up to cater to the masses.  To me, these services should be judged not on how innovative they are, or how they enhance the Twitter experience or any of that baloney. Instead, they should strictly be ranked by how clever their names are. Here are a few applications that have risen to the challenge and selected monikers that 1) stick to the avian theme that Twitter has cultivated or 2) incorporate some delicious wordplay. Read more »

A visualization of some odd writer rituals from Lapham’s Quarterly. Victor Hugo wrote naked in the bedroom, Emily Dickinson wrote poetry in the pantry, John Cheever wrote in his underwear in the basement. Lots of nude or semi-nude writing going on, I can see.

A pre-Catcher Salinger writes to Hemingway.

“He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame, maybe from stepping on a land mine or something.” This and more best metaphors ever, via.

In this week’s edition of Life’s Not Fair, Jersey Shore castmates JWOWW and Ronnie have landed a book deal.

How to become a literary star.

5 “wonderfully weird” book videos to add to the list.

What do David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest and Wikipedia have in common? Via.

James Franco edited by the New York Tyrant.

Robot Rilke, via.

Snarkmarket‘s Robin Sloan writes a piece of flash fiction with near real-time editing help from Twitter.

The problem with fairy tales.

Aaaand because it’s hump day, here is a plastic bag with the voice of Werner Herzog: Read more »

Whether or not Twitter remains a popular tool or a passing phase, it is still a useful instrument for writers to use to connect with their fans, record passing thoughts, and try out new material. Below is a list of five writers who surely would have made good use of the social media tool if given the chance, and here’s what they might be Tweeting.

Charles Dickens: Freelance writers in this day and age use Twitter to drive readers to their work. Very quick to realize the opportunities and the audiences created by new media,  Dickens would surely overtweet.  But his dedication to his fans would keep his feed interesting.

“@bookbench pls tell yr readers to keep their fingers crossed for the fate of little Nell and DM me with any concerns regarding her outcome”

Jonathan Swift: Read more »