While we return lame holiday presents that signify a real gap between who we think we are and how others perceive us  work feverishly over the holiday break to bring you more exciting blog diversions, we hope you’ll take a moment to revisit some of our favorite craft talk that appeared on The Open Bar in 2012.

Maggie Nelson on using the thinking and writing of others.

Bonnie Nadzam on Don Quixote.

Paul Griffin on literary equations.

Ann Hood on beginnings.

Courtney Maum on literary agents.

Brian Evenson is smart.

Kafka can write.

Show, Don’t Tell

Karen Russell goes to Oz.

Melissa Chadburn talks male perspective with A.M. Homes.