: Do you mean you think in paragraphs?
Whats the most difficult part about being a lawyer?
: I knew it! I knew you had a novel in you, but two! As that wonderful line goes in the movie, Throw Mama From the Train, - A writer always writes. Always.
: That sounds like a challenge. Be careful what you wish for. Speaking of writing, I hate to put you on the spot (which means Im about to) but do you really think in snippets like that?
: Well, good point - about not wanting people to see behind my mirror (not about you beingDream of Mir Doni’s Dish: A Conversation with Doug Mudford, of ‘Reflections in a Mirror’ technically slow). Uh, if behind the mirror you mean my insecure, doubting self, no, I wouldnt want people to see that part of me.
Doug Mudford, would you do me the honor of being my partner in Donis Dish? I hope youll say yes.
: I had (have) reservations about doing the Dish because I have clumsy fingers trying to keep up with your agile mind. I like email and texting but my friends could take a short trip by the time I actually get a response in a send format. Are you one of those people whose fingers can keep up with your thought process? If so, just relax, this Dish could take a while. I admire your reporter instinct of wanting to see whats behind the mirror, but the reflected image is usually so danged much better. Would you want people looking behind your mirror?
Were talking about me, again, Doug. Very clever. You cannot throw me off track that easily. And no, I never thought Id be running a news website. Never in a pillion billion jillion years. Enough about my job.
July 11, 2011 • 12:01 pm I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Reflections in a Mirror. My second-vorite column (right after yours, Doni!). The Masterful Mudford Mesmerizingly Meanders through his Marvelous Mind, and reflects back upon us through his Miraculous Mirror. Ive even been moved to respond once or twice but cannot compete with the Esq.s Exquisite Exctions.
My question is a little different for you ... when did you first realize you could earn a living by writing?
: I hated doing That Lawyer Guy. There are so many people better at that style of a column. I did it because you asked me ... when A News Cafe was first starting. From the beginning I was trying to figure out a way to convince you to let me try something different. I was nervous when I submitted the first Reflections in a Mirror While Shaving because I was afraid you would laugh at me ... wait,wait,wait, I wanted you to smile or laugh but not AT me. Ive admired your writing for a long time but dont you ever get a little nervous (before publication) that maybe a column just isnt very good? If you recall, you agreed to tell me if Reflections would be embarrassing to me or you.
And, second, although Doug will kill me for this, I do get the last word in Donis Dish, so what do you think about Reflections in a Mirror While Shaving?
July 11, 2011 • 6:53 am Dougs Reflections ALWAYS bring a smile to my ce. His writing style - open, honest, self-deprecating - is a refreshing lesson to the writer in me.
July 11, 2011 • 2:40 pm Invoking Herb Caen is a dangerous way to start a column. It brings to mind the masters of the past and puts the present writers to shame.
: Ill have to think about Donis Dish. How does it actually work? All at once? Over time? On a certain day? If I come across as boring, can you pull the plug?
July 12, 2011 • 11:09 pm I always look forward to Dougs Reflections. Each installment delivers a little morsel that makes me pause for some reflecting of my own. Like, yeah, now that you mention it, how does a deDream of Mirror Onlineer swim across the Sacramento river with those spindly ol legs?
That Doug Mudford is a hoot and I like his column. Hes also a good marble shooter and I would never draw a circle in the sand with him. Sides Ive already lost all my marbles.
: OK, Ill give the Dish a try ... guess Ill have to put on a clean shirt and watch my language ... @&%!.
Kidding aside, I know Im really curious about this, and maybe readers are, too, but how exactly do you go about creating the Reflections columns? Do you gather items for a long time cardmon hero gold, and then turn them into a column when youve got enough? Do you write it all at one time from memory?
July 13, 2011 • 10:00 pm I always enjoy Dougs Reflections column-definitely one of my vorites on ANC. I hope you do write that book one day,rose zulie. Doug. I would buy it for sure. I love writing that makes me smile, and even laugh. This was a fun Dish-always love the Dish, and Doni, I would buy your book in a heartbeat! I believe youll make it happen.
Charlie Price who just kept after it until he won.
: Ill take sly as a compliment, thank you so very much. But regarding your job, I would imagine the specialty of personal injury makes your vocation so potentially stressful. Im sure you see all kinds of injuries that are really nightmare material. It must be satisfying to win a case on behalf of clients whove had so much go wrong.
Soon, the gamer will be over, and youll just be John.
Am waiting on 25 and more. Make em happen soon, Doug!
And trust me, you wont be boring. Well keep it conversational and light and funny. Dishes are among my vorite things to do. Youll see. Youll like it, too.
First question: I want to learn to write . I love to write, and can craft a fine grant application, or an incident report, but I would love to have the skill to tell a story in a compelling way. Thank you Doni and Doug for a wonderful Dish.
Reflections column. Which reminds me ... what made you change columns?
: I do believe youve just invented a new word: utzing. But I get your point. To me, that means youre a natural writer, Doug. You know, Ive heard of some lawyers who actually achieve quite a bit of acclaim writing fiction. Is there a novel behind that reflection?
July 11, 2011 • 11:44 pm Second question first: I love reflections. Dougs pieces are like haiku. A lot of thought and substance in short observations. I always enjoy Dougs writing.
: Yep, that self ... but I prefer to think of us as inquisitive and flexible.
This might be a good place to stop, dont you think?
How about you, Doni? Ever thought of writing a novel? What genre? Maybe A News Cafe could add the Embryo Book Feature, which would allow frustrated authors to submit a chapter for comments and criticism. Submissions would be under pseudonyms, of course.
You know, I really like your idea about the Embryo Book Feature, but then I think of putting my chapters up for review, and I fear someone would recommend an abortion for it. Sorry, had to follow the metaphor.
: Im printing and saving your last comment because it describes what I hoped for. I saved a column of yours written some time ago that gave me that same feeling. Now can I get a raise? Youre so nice, I doubt you would tell me but thats OK, portions of most friendships are based on the you cant handle the truth principle.
Lead Story -> Doni&8217;s Dish: A Conversation with Doug Mudford, of &8216;Reflections in a Mirror&8217;
But, always have fun!
July 11, 2011 • 3:15 pm Good dish you two. I was one of Herb Caens biggest ns and bought the Cron every day. Your dad, Doni, as you probally know, loved Caen and he used his comments regularly. I submitted several but, couldnt get any in Bagdad by the Bay.
Me? Well, since you asked, yes, I have been working on a book, but Im kind of shy about talking about it. And youre right when you say that writers like our Edgar-Award-winning friend Charlie Price are inspirational. If he ever teaches writing workshops Ill be his first student and will sit in the front row.
: We all have more than none. Its just so hard to give them a real try. Did you ever think you would be on the cutting edge of the electronic news media? My wife Cherry decided late she would like to be paid for working in a library ... and did! (She is however rolling her eyes, just a little, when I tell her my latest project is to take saxophone lessons in the barn.)
: Well, I was one of those kids for whom writing was easier than talking. Still is. I enrolled in college when I was in my 30s, and was originally going to be a social worker, until I took a creative writing class from a woman named Joan Haworth. She pulled me aside after class one day and asked if Id ever considered a career in writing. I literally changed majors that day from psychology to journalism. I kept the psychology minor, though, because it was interesting.
July 11, 2011 • 8:06 am Ive been away from A News Cafe for a few months but glad I returned for this Dish with Doug. Always enjoy the writing of you both.
Independent online journalist Doni Greenberg founded whats now known as anewscafe.com in 2007 with her son, Joe Domke of the Czech Republic. Prior to 2007 Greenberg was an award-winning news opinion columnist, feature and food writer recognized by the Associated Press, the California News Publishers Association and E.W. Scripps. She lives in Redding, CA.
Reflections always makes me smile and ponder. Like Doug while shaving, my most creative ideas come in the shower.
: I did say Id tell you if your column was embarrassing. But your column has been r from embarrassing. Its been a hit. You know why? Because you write honest thoughts - some funny, some serious - that the rest of us can relate to. You make us feel normal - or at least not alone in our abnormality. Your column style reminds me of Herb Caen, you know, with all those ellipses, and the humorous, smart observations.
: Well, sentences, at the very least. Back to your dream occupation when you were a kid. Not very creative stalling, I might add.
: The thoughts in the column come in spurts ... sometimes a column is finished as st as I can type (with the above clumsy fingers caveat) ... sometimes scribbled notes over a week or so. The thoughts usually come while watching and listening to people, thinking of something silly Ive done and, yes, while shaving.
: I can handle the truth. OK, wait. Maybe I cant. Never mind. Hey, subject change ... About that raise ... do you want that in Tollhouse cookies, Snickerdoodles or molasses ginger snaps?
: I can totally relate to the math issue. I almost didnt enroll in college because I was so terrified of the required math classes. But thats cool you have two things you really enjoy doing. Some people have none.
: Yeah, I like the sounds of those words better than insecure and doubting. Speaking of flexible, for a short time you wrote another column for aNewsCafe.com. It was called That Lawyer Guy, which is a catchy title. But you dropped it and started the
: Thank you! Lets get started before you change your mind. No need to put on a clean shirt. This will be easy and fun. Thanks for agreeing to it. (Sign here, here and here, and here, and here.)
I expected his response for the hardest thing would be not spraining his eye muscles from rolling his eyes at Dugans BS or when Dugan is wearing sandles on his ugly size 15 feet.
: OK, on a lighter note, being as though you liked my difficult question about work, whats the most difficult part about being a writer?
July 11, 2011 • 8:15 am Always enjoy Reflections whenever the column comes. The Embryo Book Feature idea could be an interesting read, and maybe offer quality worthwhile comments. No hatch jobs, though!
July 11, 2011 • 10:53 am This morning felt like a beautiful Sunday morning having coffee and reading my two vorite columnists - talking together!
: ... yes ... yes I do ... (Sorry. I couldnt resist.)
Writing can be so worthwhile for the id, and bring out intereting inner thoughts and scary ones from that old gray matter.
I was 43 years old the first time I stepped out of my comfort zone and began doing the singer-songwriter thing -- thats when My Life, Part 2 began. It is frightening, exhilarating, challenging and oh yes, - incredibly fun.
: You are a sly person, Doni ...you couldnt give me a softball question about what I like or dislike the most ... It has to be the most difficult ... instead of rattling off some pat answer, I actually have to think about that. Geez. I would say managing expectations ... injuries are always more serious when theyve happened to us. Its difficult to put that very personal hurt in perspective with similar injuries to others. Whether we like it or not, other cases involving similar injuries, settlements, trials and rulings need to be weighed when deciding the direction to go.
July 11, 2011 • 10:36 am Great Dish you guys. Ive enjoyed Reflections since its beginning. One of Dougs earliest columns included shion advice brown is the new black, it struck me as so funny in that context. Recently I read a golf magazine about sustainable irways, the last line of the article was brown is the new green, I thought of telling Doug.
: No need to watch what you say. For purposes of Reflections Im more interested in an individuals appearance ... I make up what they should say. I cant seem to sit and come up with a column on demand. Im not afraid of writers block ... in ct, when the column becomes forced, Ill welcome it.
: Perspective helps ... real stress is not being able to feed your child or being told youre terminally ill. While Im usually talking to people at one of the low points in their lives, its most satisfying when my help brings them a little self-confidence and a smile ... doesnt always happen.
I say with with affection for my former landlords.
: Until 14, I wanted to be a dentist until a nice teacher told me I would actually have to understand chemistry and math. We both had a good laugh over that improbability. From early on aruarose zuly, I wanted to be a lawyer and/or a writer. I got a late start in both ... maybe thats why I still enjoy both.
July 11, 2011 • 3:45 pm Aha, John, you are bringing us ever-closer to learning your identity.
Oh, wait, readers, I have two questions for you: First, is there something new youve dreamed of trying - something outside of your comfort zone, whether its becoming a librarian or playing the saxophone or writing a book? Whats stopping you?
: Ive started two novels I keep hidden ... probably utzing around too much to ever finish. I admire people like
: So people should be careful what they say around you. Duly noted. So, thats interesting. (Long pause.)
Thanks for the chortles, Doug!
: For me, thats easy to identify ... its the ability to say enough! Leave it as written ... no more changes, futzing, putzing or any other ...utzings. I have one rule ... when the number of drafts has exceeded all possible numerical and letter combinations, its time to move on.
: Dont worry. Doing the Dish is easy. Ill email you a short list of statements/questions. You reply, and add feedback, as well as your own questions/statements. Itll grow from there, back and forth, as we add to it with our responses, just as if we were talking. Itll take days, maybe even a week.
: Wow. Fascinating. I wonder how many other people think like that? Maybe most people do ... and Im the outcast. Heres something else I want to know: When you were a kid, what did you dream of becoming when you grew up?
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