Friday Links: St. Paddy’s Day edition

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all who celebrate, and a very happy Friday, as well. I’ve had a busy week, filled with lots of work and technological challenges, including a weird power outage and a day of spotty internet. You forget sometimes how much we rely on modern conveniences… at least until they go wonky on you. But sometimes the reminder can also be a nudge in a different direction, showing us how much we can accomplish if we unplug a bit and focus on the heart of what we’re trying to accomplish. For those of you wedded to your devices, maybe try taking a notebook and a pen and heading out to get some writing done. And leave the tech at home.

Now to Friday Links! I’ve a nice assortment this week, including a bit of Irish-themed reading for anyone looking for a little something beyond a beer and corned beef to mark the day. Enjoy, and happy writing!

12 Irish-Americans to Read on St. Patrick’s Day – Get a feel for the old country or an Irish take on the new one.

Roxane Gay, Aimee Bender and More on Assault and Harrassment in the Literary World – 11 women writers speak out in conjunction with a recent Tin House essay.

Isaac Asimov Wrote Almost 500 Books in His Lifetime–These Are the Six Ways He Did It – Some great advice on getting the work done, even if you don’t aspire to that level of productivity.

How Working at a Bookstore Changed My Writing Career – Author Jami Attenberg on her time working at Word in Brooklyn, NY.

Why ‘The Outsiders’ Lives On: A Teenage Novel Turns 50 – A look at the perennial top seller and reader favorite.

100 Must-Read Books about the History of Medicine – A really interesting roundup, particularly for anyone doing research or looking for some inspiration.

Friday Links

Happy Friday, everyone! I hope you’ve had a wonderful, productive week, and managed to get some writing done each day. Now’s a great time to take a look at your plans for the weekend and determine when you can schedule a couple of blocks of time in front of your computer or notebook. Remember, every little bit counts. Even squeezing in 15 minutes on your current WIP helps keep your creative muscles limber and ready to work on demand.

Meanwhile, I come bearing links! There are some great things floating around the internet, and I’m happy to be able to share them with all of you. Enjoy, and have a great weekend!

Isaac Asimov on Curiosity, Taking Risk, and the Value of Space Exploration in Muppet Magazine – Isaac Asimov meets the Muppets. I don’t think I need say anything more.

Alice Munro’s Living-Room Acceptance – The author could not travel to Sweden to accept her Nobel Prize in person due to ill health, so she accepted by video.

The Critics’ Best Books of 2013 – A compilation of the “best books” lists of 2013, distilled down to the 20 most frequently cited.

Are You Absolutely, Positively, and Wholeheartedly Ready to Publish Your Novel? – A fun flowchart.

The Tournament of Books Long List – A great resource if you’re searching for gifts or just a wonderful holiday read for yourself.