When last we left our plucky hero (me), we were finishing up chapter 11 (not the bankruptcy kind) of Tesla’s Ghost and looking forward to making hay while the sun didn’t shine. Alas, don’t you hate it when real life gets in the way of art? So here’s what happened: I was really productive the … More I’m Burning Daylight
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott. Anchor Books. 237 pages. As a writer, and as a writing teacher, I am always looking for books that teach writing. And there are lots of them out there. Like life, it seems like everyone has advice to give (including myself; my book … More Review: “Bird by Bird” By Anne Lamott
Vick’s Vultures (Union Earth Privateers Book 1) by Scott Warren. Parvus Press. 226 pages. I read a lot of books. I also read a lot of book series. Correction: I read the first book in a lot of series. Because I write books, and sometimes write series, I read differently than those who just read … More Review: “Vick’s Vultures” by Scott Warren
There was a time when I used to study for classes in front of the TV, music playing in the background, often while speaking on the phone. I could even do it with other people in the room doing their own thing, often loudly. Not any longer. I was young then, and for some reason, … More Distracted
I am currently writing what I consider the worst book I have ever written. But on the other hand, I am writing it. After all, according to Anne Lamott, writers have to give themselves permission to write a “shitty first draft” (her words, not mine). Because if you don’t give yourself that permission, in many … More Dealing with Ugly Stepchildren and Other Realities of Writing Life
The Afghan Campaign: A Novel by Steven Pressfield. Broadway Books. 354 pages. I don’t know how many years it’s been since I read Gates of Fire, Steven Pressfield’s great book about Leonidas and the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae. But that’s when I realized that Pressfield had a great talent for providing rich detail in telling … More Review: “The Afghan Campaign” by Steven Pressfield
Plague Year (The Plague Year Trilogy Book 1) by Jeff Carlson. 346 pages. JVE Books. I’ve read a lot of dystopian novels over the past few years, and admittedly, there are a lot to choose from. Part of the reason is because they are so popular in the YA genre, and for a while I … More Review: “Plague Year” by Jeff Carlson
Firestorm (Destroyermen Series) by Taylor Anderson. Roc Books. 464 pages. This isn’t actually alternate history, which should give my daughter some relief (since she’s both a history and English purist); it’s more like an alternate worlds story. But it’s the sixth book in this series by Taylor Anderson. The crux of the story is about … More Review: “Firestorm” by Taylor Anderson
Today, is November 30, the last day of National Novel Writing Month. I’m supposed to be completing my 50,000-word novel today, but I probably have 14,000 words written on Tesla’s Ghost this month. Instead, I am philosophical about it. I decided to participate in NaNoWriMo, not because I had anything to prove–I’ve won five times … More Grateful
Please indulge me. I am learning how to put together interactive maps using Excel and Google Maps with my Reporting I class. As an example, I am using a map of the locations that Shelly and I saw this summer. If you click on each location, you should be able to see a photo from … More Interactive Map: Alaska Cruise
The Great Adventure 