Desk Notes by Charles Schifano
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Dive into the Water
I must have been about seven or eight years old when my swim coach asked me to stay after practice.
Jun 14, 2024
•
Charles Schifano
30
7
4
Elite Mobs
In an earlier time a single critic could sell a novel.
Mar 28, 2025
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Charles Schifano
14
16
5
Sensations of Childhood
Summertime, when you’re young, lasts forever.
Jun 30, 2023
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Charles Schifano
26
14
4
Soundless
Nothing makes you doubt the merits of a music education more than a neighbor who takes up the violin.
Feb 23, 2024
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Charles Schifano
30
20
2
Exclamation!
I don’t remember when I learned about exclamation points.
Mar 14, 2025
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Charles Schifano
12
5
2
Most Popular
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The Problem With Contemporary Writing
Jan 28, 2022
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Charles Schifano
71
15
25
First Drafts
May 23, 2023
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Charles Schifano
29
5
4
Making Judgements
Jun 13, 2023
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Charles Schifano
27
4
3
Burn After Not Reading
Nov 28, 2023
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Charles Schifano
25
10
3
The Fine Art of Walking Offstage
My favorite type of plagiarism is self-plagiarism, so let me quote an authority figure on my own thoughts.
Sep 19, 2025
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Charles Schifano
11
6
A Shock of Aesthetic Pleasure
To be limited by the practical.
Sep 12, 2025
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Charles Schifano
11
4
2
How to Look at a Painting, at a Life
I can’t look away and I can't explain what I see.
Aug 31, 2025
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Charles Schifano
13
6
1
Shifting Gears in Brazil
I found myself surrounded by Brazilians.
Aug 8, 2025
•
Charles Schifano
13
8
3
How Not What
The entire story is foretold in the opening sentence.
Jul 25, 2025
•
Charles Schifano
17
4
2
Word Homicide
There’s a cemetery on my computer.
Jul 11, 2025
•
Charles Schifano
6
5
1
My Favorite Essay
How far could I push a deception?
Jul 4, 2025
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Charles Schifano
9
3
Risky Directions
At one time I was accustomed to giving directions.
Jun 27, 2025
•
Charles Schifano
10
7
Disorderly Creativity
For a long time, I resisted a truth about creativity.
Jun 20, 2025
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Charles Schifano
15
2
3
Character Without Conviction
Fully believing in fictional worlds.
Jun 13, 2025
•
Charles Schifano
16
8
4
Dissociating From Pain
During the past few years I have learned to dissociate from pain.
Jun 6, 2025
•
Charles Schifano
10
3
1
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Desk Notes by Charles Schifano
Exploring writing, travel, and literature.
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How Not What
The entire story is foretold in the opening sentence.
Jul 25, 2025
•
Charles Schifano
17
4
2
Word Homicide
There’s a cemetery on my computer.
Jul 11, 2025
•
Charles Schifano
6
5
1
Disorderly Creativity
For a long time, I resisted a truth about creativity.
Jun 20, 2025
•
Charles Schifano
15
2
3
Character Without Conviction
Fully believing in fictional worlds.
Jun 13, 2025
•
Charles Schifano
16
8
4
How You've Changed My Writing
I didn't expect the writing to contain the past.
May 23, 2025
•
Charles Schifano
11
1
2
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