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Robin McLean

FISH OBITUARIES (RESURRECTED)
 

Elaboration #1 / Mac and Cindy / New Hampshire

August 14, 2014
Little Spider

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The first in our series of ELABORATIONS, this one dealing with Lost and Found Objects, Boredom, Dirt and Size as a Factor.

1. Cindy finds Mac's missing address book in a junk basket behind the couch -- missing for several months -- walks it over, offers it to Mac, who is reading The New York Times and drinking coffee:

"Thanks Cindy, that's great. I've been looking all over for that."

Mac takes the address book upstairs. Hides it. Returns to reading.

2. Cindy finds a dirty tin-can lid Read More 
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Groundhog ReDUX

August 14, 2014
Red Patent Leather Penny Loafer

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The latest in a series of inventive dialogues between Fish Obit Editors Cousin Rob, as well as Margaret, and Robin, concerning Complaints, Ambiguity, Editorial Disagreement, Crowd-Sourcing, Migrational Topics and Weekend Sales.

Rob: So we've gotten some pretty grumpy calls about the groundhog story. People don't get what happened with the poem.

Margaret: Bummer, but oh well, hey, this is Art. Read More 
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BOOK REPORT #1 / Big Progress / 4 Items

August 13, 2014
BOA Image by Roberto Labron

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I promised some of you a Report on the Book(s), so here goes:

1. After a years of dreaming of my first book cover, I got the draft design of Reptile House in my inbox today. Wow can't express it. My dad was trying to talk to me about a fleas in their rental house in North Carolina -- more dogs, yes or no? -- and I just trying to feast my eyes.

I'm biased, but the book is going to be so beautiful. It will be up on this site soon. The designer is another of those geniuses from Rochester, Sandy Knight at Hoopskirt Studio .

Progress!  Read More 
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Tony, The Groundhog, and The Shovel

August 12, 2014
Tony with beets.

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The latest in a series of inventive dialogues, this one between Cousin Rob and Margaret (while Robin is in the bathroom), concerning Farm Yard Pests, Crossroads and Dictatorships.

Margaret: I have to say, I'm really not into this groundhog story.

Rob: Come on, Margaret! People are begging. It's got everything. Drama. Death. A complex inner story.

Margaret: I feel we are at a Crossroad with the blog here.

Rob: So, you want a cotton candy blog?

Margaret: Does shying from murder make me a sell out?  Read More 
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TRUE CONFESSIONS: Death of the Newts

August 11, 2014

Before


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A guest blog (already) by Debbie McLean on the subjects of Divorce, Canniblism and strategies for ridding yourself of the Pets with Long Life Spans.

Ok, the Newts...I have been tormented (a little) with guilt since they died. So the best thing to do is come clean and process my feelings with close family and friends (who I know care -- a lot!)

I'm not sure when they died. It was July (I think). I found them in their tank one day waterless and sort of crunchy. I know--a horrible way to go. And here's thing--I was relieved! Maybe even a little happy. I hated those newts. They ate their babies...and by the way,  Read More 
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Sidewind Across America Tour -- Pencil Yourself In

August 10, 2014
Sidewind Across American Range

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Hey as some of you know, next summer, after Reptile House comes out in May, Pearl and I are taking ourselves on a Sidewind Across America Tour. The SAA Tour is intended to squeeze as much fun out of this book as possible. (You never know if it will happen again.) The idea is go visit all my favorite friends/writers, to read in bookstores or living rooms or campgrounds (reptile houses at a few zoos, if possible). To act like famous writers together. To have a blast together. To SEE AMERICA together.

My dreams is that all my pals will drive a leg of this trip with me. Some of you have already penciled yourself in.  Read More 
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Where are the Newts? Where is 'Lil Jimi? Sweet Arlene

August 9, 2014
Attach Dog

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An inventive dialogue between Cousin Rob, as well as Margaret and Robin (also Debbie McLean as guest) on the Blogging Classes, Animal Violence, and Big Brother.

Rob: So Debbie, where is your piece on the dead newts? You promised it weeks ago.

Debbie (robin's sister): Do you think I'm just sitting around doing nothing? I've been fighting off attack dogs and creepy neighbors with web cams.

Margaret: We all have to deal with attack animals sometimes. There was a bear in our neighborhood in Fairbanks this week, for example. William left dog food on the porch.

Rob: But we do need those newts. We promised everyone. People will think this is an all-talk-no-action blog. We should take a class or something.

Robin: I just went to a blogging class at Grubsteet in Boston. Seven hours of blog shit with the famous blogger, Hollis Gillespie. My head is still spinning.

Margaret: Impressive. Did you tell her about Fish Obits?  Read More 
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END IS NIGH - A Grand Prize Winner

July 21, 2014

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When you win a prize, it's easy to figure out what to post on a blog. End is Nigh.

"Cold Snap," one of the Grand Prize Winners for the End is Nigh Prize at The Carolina Quarterly, is the lead story in Reptile House. It's pretty great to have the story coming out in print in the journal this fall. It is the youngest story in the collection and a real collaboration story with my pals Sanda Jensen, Lizzie Bradbury, Claire Burdett and Nancy Foley. And Jim Shepard, the Grand Wizard. It should be a group prize so I will buy beer when we all together next.

COMING SOON: 'Lil Jimi

If you would like to contribute a fish (or reptile) obituary to this blog, please post a comment below with the basics. DON'T YOU KIND OF REALLY WANT TO?

OR email me at fishobituaries@gmail.com.

Robin McLean also blogs at Mike's Maze.
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Second Post/ Skunks and Fish/ 'Lil Jimi or Sylvia?

June 26, 2014
Skunk

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The second in a series of inventive dialogues between Cousin Rob, as well as Margaret and Robin on the Power of Invasive Odors, Knitting and Succumbing to the Digital Age.

Margaret (back in Fairbanks): "Next blog post should be when you are inspired. If something strikes you as fun or funny or poignant, pop it in there. Maybe the skunk and fish story from Pearl's perspective? Or, a fish obituary for Pearl's fish?"

Robin: "Pearl's still pink from her tomato juice bath, but that's not very literary."
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The First Blog/Fat Oskar

June 19, 2014
Dipnetting on the Copper

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The FIRST in a series of inventive dialogues ON BLOGGING with Robin's cousin Rob McLean, who has almost the same name as her, and Robin's best friend of 40 years, Margaret Eagleton:

Rob: "...I don't see why it wouldn't have to be authentic. Just seems like you need to get over the idea that you totally don't want to do it because that's not 'authentic', it's just a mood or predilection if you know what I mean. If you write it, it'll be authentic."

Robin: Ok ok.
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