Things become what you think they are – including your story. You finally have time to write. The house is quiet. You have no pressing duties. It’s just you and your book for the next two hours. You approach your desk – and a sinking feeling creeps its insidious way into your stomach, or a tension headache flares, or […]
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Five Books – Five Authors – Five Unique Forms of Characterization
Hook, Line and Sinker, by Ev Bishop Ev Bishop has an incredible understanding of human nature which makes her books stand out as being unusually authentic. While romance is a genre that doesn’t get a lot of respect in some circles, her skill is definitely worthy of respect from any reader. I only wish I could write characters as warm […]
Continue readingJust a Little Run Around the World
Guess what this book is about? Yes, Rosie Swale Pope really did run around the world, alone, on a continuous journey – including through Siberia, Alaska, and Greenland during the winters! It took her five years and 53 pairs of shoes, and when she was finished, she was 61 years old. She is my new hero. On her 32,000 km […]
Continue readingThe Law of Diminishing Intent
I heard of the Law of Diminishing Intent a few days ago, and my first thought was, “Wow. There’s an actual law for this?” Yes. Yes, there is. This is the principle behind it: We have a great new book idea that is going to change the world. It’s important, it’s beautiful, it’s simply amazing… OR We’re going to get […]
Continue readingThink Like A Fiction Reader
“Think Like A Freak” by Steven D Levitt and Stephen J Dubner: Loved the stats. Loved the examples. Loved the entertaining writing. The book just sped by. What it’s about: Most humans make decisions without using much original thought. We’re hardwired to think a certain way, and because of it, our thinking is predictable and we have common blind spots. […]
Continue readingThree Years to “Sweep Off”
I’ve been wanting to read Eat Pray Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert for ages, and yet it sat by my bedside table for far longer than I care to admit, mainly because I’d seen the movie and so it was hard to justify the time to read it as well. Thank you “42 books” goal for that justification! I have now read […]
Continue readingSo Many Supers!
I picked up Whisper, by Phoebe Kitanidis, from my daughter’s shelf. She is fifteen, so as you might guess, Whisper is a Young Adult novel. The story was entertaining, fast moving, had a nice mix of action and drama, plus family and friend relationships, and even a budding romance. My daughter loved it and I was entertained by it, so […]
Continue readingThe Foundation of Success
I had a new blog post all written and ready to post, and then I came across this video. It’s only 10 minutes long, and I recommend it to anyone who wants success for themselves or their children. Yes, it’s that important! Enjoy!
Continue readingTo My Brilliant Subscribers
Yes, I have questions – for you! What is your biggest challenge, in relation to what I can give to you in this blog? What do you want to see here? Do you want to learn writing/publishing stuff, dream about travel adventures, recieve food for thought from my random insights, or be entertained by my misadventures (and I have lots […]
Continue readingStar Trek and the Ego
I’ve been thinking a lot about ego lately, and just recently came to some intriguing thoughts. I think ego has been getting a bad rap in some ways. Let me explain: Ego has an important and even life saving job: to protect us in a sometimes cruel world. In childhood the ego works overtime to build these protections around us, […]
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