We've Got the Spirit

By Frank Anthony Polito

Once again I must apologize for the lack of blog posts. I've spent the past few weeks finishing up my latest novel, The Spirit of Detroit, and readying it for my agent to start sending around to publishers.

His reaction after reading the manuscript focused on 3 specific issues:

1. The title.
2. The inclusion of Detroit history incorporated within the text.
3. One specific character/plot point.

As happy as I am to receive honest feedback, I thanked my agent and kindly informed him that these 3 details are NON-negotiable.

#1 -- the title. For those of us who grew up in the Detroit area, we understand the significance. The statue known as The Spirit of Detroit is Detroit. I also reminded my agent that the story in this novel was inspired by my favorite book, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh. Spirit = Mysteries. Detroit = Pittsburgh.

#2 -- Detroit history. As much as SOD is an homage to Chabon's MOP, it is also an homage to the Motor City. In writing -- and researching -- the book, I can't tell you how many things I learned about the city in which I lived for almost 25 years; things that I was never taught in school. 

For example: I had no idea that Henry Ford's son Edsel, for whom I-96 is named, died in 1943 of stomach cancer at the age of 49. In reading this book, I want folks -- Detroiters and non -- to be made aware of such history that shaped and defined the city.

 Edsel Bryant Ford

#3 -- I won't go into too much detail here, as not to give away too much... But there is a character in SOD who corresponds to a character in MOP -- as do all the characters -- and my agent felt the plot surrounding this particular character made the story seem a bit too soap opera-y, to which I said: "And what's wrong with that?"

Here's hoping he will a) be able to find an editor who is excited about the story enough to want to publish it, and b) said editor will be willing to accept the story as is -- otherwise, I've always got Woodward Avenue Books :-) 

 

Signing Off

By Frank Anthony Polito

No, not ME. As I pointed out the other day, I'm still here -- for now.

So I promised to do a little more blogging this week... As the "about" section of this blog states, I've been planning to include some thoughts on the "writing life" -- whatever that might mean. I'm coming to find that it's a cold and cruel one... But, as I am wont to do, I digress!

Found a couple interesting items online today that I thought I'd share. From Slate.com: You Say "Best." I Say No.

The basic jist of this somewhat lengthy post is: do we really need to sign our emails with closing phrases  anymore (see above image)?

I remember when I started using email in the late 1990s, I treated each email I'd compose as if I were writing a letter. For the most part, I still do to this day. I always begin with a greeting, be it "Hi" or "Hey" or "Hellooo!" depending to whom I'm writing. If it's "business" I'll be sure to say: "Dear ___" and use the person's LAST name. Though I am hesitant to do this when a) I know the person I'm writing to is younger than me, and b) if the person is male.

Most of the time, I'll sign my emails "Take care," But, unlike my mother (who I love dearly), I do NOT space over to the center of the last line and write "Love," -- the way we were taught as children when writing a letter to someone.

As Mr. Maladay points out in his post, here in the 21st century people use email much like they do text messaging -- as most people are often typing their messages via their preferred mobile device. (I might very well be the last person in America who still uses a flip-phone -- without internet access. Okay, I have it -- I just can't use it.)

I do remember receiving a message from my nephew when he first started using email, in which he wrote:

Hey Uncle Frankie.I finally got my own email! It's really cool! Now we can talk without having to be at the same house! P.S. dont forget to send back!

Notice how he put a period after my name... And he typed the rest of the text immediately following, without bothering to space down to the next line. I realize he was 9 or 10 at the time, but I thought his teacher at school would've taught him this simple grammatical rule. He also did NOT sign his name, as Mr. Maladay also suggests in his article. (Perhaps my nephew was on to something back in 2009?)

Now, four or five years later, I get emails like this all the time from people. I just assume they're writing to me on a SmartPhone and can't be bothered to hit "enter."

Any thoughts? Feel free to sound off in the comments section. I'd love to hear from you!