The QC Report (Click For Link)

Sometimes I wonder. Sometimes I don't have to wonder. Who reads this blog? A year and a half ago I wrote a dense piece here, in which I listed with gratitude some of my known readers (in the post and in the rich potpourri of comments). I said, "Quinn Cummings recently wrote that if you've ever commented on her blog then she's probably looked at yours." If she hasn't looked before she's looking now.

Quinn just came out with a book ( on June 20, 2007 I announced Quinn's book deal, writing: "I am usually dubious when I hear stories about how people became actors or rock stars by getting called out of the blue. The problem is that you can’t count on these things. But they do, occasionally, happen. Well, Quinn Cummings got a call based on her blog. A major publisher wants her to write a book. She couldn’t believe it herself. She deserves it. Go see for yourself and congratulate her here.") and is two weeks into her blog tour. G-d willing, she will be appearing here in the near future.

I am a fan of Quinn's writing. I have quoted her on several occasions. In September '07 I wrote, "In Quinn Cummings' latest post she writes:'Adolescence at its worst is suspecting that everyone knows something you don’t, you look stupid and everyone is laughing at you. Usually, looking back, you realize no one knew anything, you looked fine, and everyone was so worried about their own stuff they didn’t give you a second glance.' I recommend the whole post - which made me laugh out loud."

In January I posted an excerpt (you really have to read the whole thing) from a remarkable post. "Below is an excerpt from a great piece by Quinn Cummings:'Too often, the loudest events which come up in our lives become the most important, even if we don’t really like them or don’t want to make them a priority. The narrative, the picture, becomes one of great movement and activity but we lose the thing at the center of the frame which matters. We find ourselves wondering why an entire week has gone by and everyone we care for has been fed and cared for but we haven’t had a single transcendent moment. Maybe we tell ourselves that feeling a sense of connection to our ultimate goals is too much to ask for on the week the kids go back to school, or we start a new job, or the holidays are upon us. But then when can we ask for it? I need to frame my picture better. I need to move less and think more. I need to start viewing each day as productive not only for how many things I knocked off the 'To-do' list but for the moments when I was truly present and grateful. This I believe.'

Wow.

On July 21, last summer, I wrote On Writing and Laziness (I like that free flowing piece and the four comments from people who aren't me). That post opens with a link to a classic Quinn Cummings post about the difficulty of writing. Part of her book deal was that the essays had to be new. Her blog is filled with at least one book worth of essays, but when opportunity knocks it's best to answer the door.

I am impressed with Quinn's ability to write so much and so well. I look forward to our interview. Stay tuned.