Birthdays with the Bard

It’s quite a literary day, today, being the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth. I know there are all sorts of theories about the possibility or likelihood that Shakespeare penned all the works attributed to him, and regarding the chances that the man from Stratford-upon-Avon was sufficiently well educated to have been capable of such a feat. But today I just want to give him all the credit, and marvel that such a body of work has survived and thrived for so many centuries. We continue to produce the plays, both in direct theatrical productions and varied adaptations in multiple mediums, and they continue to be relevant even after all this time. The breadth of characters, the human emotions touched upon… there’s a great deal to admire there.

So, in honor of the Bard, I offer you all sorts of mid-week reading to put you in a Shakespearian frame of mind. Enjoy!

450 Years of Juliets: On Women Making Shakespeare

Shakespeare, Heartthrob: Reclaiming the Bard for the Common Man

Why Shakespeare Belongs in Prison: The incarcerated may be the Bard’s ideal modern audience

Celebrate Shakespeare’s Birthday with Some of His Best Insults and Pick-up Lines

50 Everyday Phrases that Came from the Bard

As Shakespeare turns 450, ‘Hamlet’ Tour Makes the World a Stage

 

Friday Links

Drive-by links this week, as I’m trying to get some stuff finished up before the weekend officially starts, and it’s going to be a close call. However, I’ve got some great sites to share, so I hope that makes up for any lack of chattiness on my end. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and some terrific writing time!

World-building with Lucienne – For anyone who missed it, my fellow agent Lucienne Diver is doing a multi-part world-building workshop on her blog. Parts two and three are also up.

The Moment When Science Fiction Split Off from Competence Porn – A look at how sf characters have changed in film and TV; interesting analysis of trends.

Edwidge Danticat: By the Book – Brief New York Times interview with the author.

Silent City: Serial Story – A serialized online story with illustrations, mixing fantasy, romance, horror, and some great steampunk-esque flavor.

In Search of Shakespeare’s Dark Lady – A look at the identity of the Bard’s mystery woman.

Friday Links

Happy Friday, everyone! This week’s link list is a bit on the sparse side. I’m afraid most of my internet time was hijacked by things exploding, both literally — Boston, Texas — and figuratively — the U.S. Senate. Still, I do have a few offerings to entertain and inform you, so I hope you enjoy them. Have a wonderful weekend!

By Its Cover – 5 designers on book covers that inspire them.

The Questionable Fates of Famous Authors’ Birthplaces – There’s a disturbing number of Starbucks on this list.

Did Shakespeare Love the Cruellest Month? – Germaine Greer on the Bard and April.

And a quick reminder that I’m teaching a webinar next week through Writer’s Digest: Conquer the Dreaded Synopsis: Construct Your Ultimate Sales Tool. There’s still time to sign up, so head on over to register or pass the word along to your writer friends who might be interested.