Marco Polo Pancaked

As I mentioned earlier, I was considering the idea of drawing on the travels of Marco Polo to China as a parallel to one of the main characters in Not for Nothing. Thanks to a good friend in academia, I just finished reading "Marco Polo and his 'Travels'", an academic essay by Peter Jackson of Keele University.

For several reasons given by Jackson, I have decided it best to drop the idea of a parallel with Polo. What I may consider in his stead, though, is a broader idea that I've considered from time to time over the years. That being, the commercial sun's dawning and dusking on the port powers of Venice, New York (Chinatown & Little Italy conveniently being neighboring 'hoods) and Beijing over time. Some, of course, could argue that before Venice there was Beijing and I will consider that. Along these lines the story may be told with pasta, not beer, playing the role of local product - that being debatable. I will have to talk to my chef about that one as we make our own pasta by hand in Manhattan when the same process could be done in Queens, in Iowa or in Antarctica.

This added element of empire, on the one hand, risks spreading the main story of quality versus quantity too thin. At the same time, it may add depth if done right. If I can't make it work, then I can spin off the empire theme into its own story, one that moves from a bowl of pasta to one of noodles over three continents and a 1,000 years.

In other news, I'm enjoying Jonathan Fenby's Modern China: The Fall and Rise of a Great Power, 1850 to the Present.

I have also made progress in fleshing out the non-research based story, but many questions remain.

Lastly, I made another batch of pancakes this past Friday for family meal at work. I tried a different recipe and will continue to tinker. I'm thinking of apple crepes next.

Putting Pen to Paper

As I've learned, writing a book doesn't always include writing everyday. That's where I am right now with both Family and Not for Nothing (which may undergo a name change) as I gather research for both. Pancakes on Friday went well and I've started reading modern histories of China. I'll pick up a couple Akwid CDs from the NYPL tomorrow. While this is all progress, I'm itching to write in the same way that I itch to escape the city every few months.

Part of me just wants to write silly songs, but another part has an idea I'd like to explore which I don't think would need much research, just imagination. I'll probably go with the latter as it's hot in my head and throw in the occasional tune when the spirit moves me.

Marco Polo & Pancakes

I've been able to make a little progress with both Family and Not for Nothing (NfN) this week. For Family, I've started re-reading Michael Ruhlman's The Elements of Cooking to brush up on my technical kitchen terminology. I have also told the chef de cuisine at work that I want to help prepare family meal once a week. This first hand experience should serve me well and help me improve my cooking. This Friday we're shooting for pancakes.

I've also requested a couple CDs from the library by Akwid, a Mexican hip hop group that we occasionally listen to at work in the mornings. These boys are tight. They've got a nice flow, but what I like most is how they sample classic Mexican beats into their music. In each song they celebrate their past while embracing their future. Pretty cool.

I've also started a preliminary outline for NfN and have requested a couple books from the library which I look forward to reading. One is a modern history of China since 1850. I'm thinking of setting the story there. To that end, I see a potential parallel with the story of Marco Polo. The other book I've requested is about him.

You're speaking too loud, I can't hear you

In high school I played left bench on the varsity basketball team. We had an assistant coach who was a good player, but had a hard time getting his point across. He once told a player that his passes were too crisp. Maybe he wanted the kid to slow the pass down a bit to entice a defender into committing. He also told someone once that they were speaking too loud and that he couldn't hear them.

To that end, sometimes I come up with ideas that are either so obvious or so intricately convoluted that no matter how loud I make them, no one can hear them. For as much as I adore the premise of Not for Nothing, the story was too loud. Last night, though, I think I found a way to deliver the story without making anyone deaf.

Am I giving up on Family? Hells no. If anything, I'll probably work on both. I can't wait another two years to start another project.

Done...again.

I just put the finishing touches on Any Color You Want. I also sent it to a writer I know and an old friend who is an agent. It's in their hands for now. If any of you want to read it, holler.

I now look forward to moving onto new projects. Amen. Hopefully I can make significant progress before Spring Training starts in 90+ days. ;)

Final Read (11/09 edition)

Just because it's been a couple weeks and because a certain team from the Bronx continues to play ball into November doesn't mean I'm slacking over here. No, sir. I successfully got the new printer cartridge before the rain, printed the fucker out and have re-read it all making notes along the way. I am now making the corrections and hope to have it tied up by week's end. Then I'll pass it along to some folks and start the next project.