One of the first tenets that one learns in studying public relations is this: Perception is more important than Reality. In other words, it doesn’t matter how honest, how authoritative, or how sincere you are. If your audience doesn’t believe you, it’s all for naught. You see this all the time in political campaigns. It’s … More If You Can’t Make It, Fake It
There’s an axiom in magazine editing. It goes like this: The first issue is not the hardest one to do. It’s the second issue. Why? Because in our efforts to come up with a slam-bang beginning and get everyone’s attention, we generally end up using most, if not all, of our great ideas. That’s a … More Writing the Second Chapter
The Disciples (Strait Truth Series, Book 2) by Celeste Perrino-Walker, 226 pages. As I have commented in one of my reviews before, the two criteria I use to determine if a book is great and not just good are (1) did it surprise me? and (2) did it stick in my mind long after I … More Review: “The Disciples” by Celeste Perrino-Walker
I just got to my office after spending the early morning (1) hacking out the first few words in my part of our new novel; and (2) struggling to understand how to make Scrivener work for two authors long distance. As I have mentioned here before, my next book is a co-authored project with Celeste … More From Vermont to Egypt: The Co-Authoring Adventure Continues
“OK, it’s obvious to everyone why I’ve called you here,” Number One said to the others. “It’s an ugly issue, but it needs to be resolved.” He scratched his nose self-consciously, and stared at the ceiling of the conference room. “Ugly is the word,” said Number Six, her voice as shrill as ever. She sat … More “Father of the World”
Myth: a usually traditional story of ostensibly historical events that serves to unfold part of the world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon. —Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary. I have always been fascinated with mythology. As a boy, I read the Greek myths and became as familiar with Theseus, Hercules … More Plugging into Mythology
Have I ever told you how much I like being an indie author? Sure, you have to do everything yourself, and often you feel that you’re not qualified to do it. And there are no guarantees you will sell even one of your books. But I am the kind of guy who is bored easily. … More My Other Hat
I’ve always considered myself somewhat of a coward. I’ve always been a big guy–or a big kid. Knowing this, my mother always instructed me to never fight back, to look for solutions other than physical fighting. When I didn’t fight back in school, some of the guys considered me a coward, and I started believing … More Redemption of a Coward
There are moments, events that stick with you. Moments that you will never forget, that you can remember as if they had just happened. I remember holding my son for the first time. I remember giving my daughter her first bath. I remember giving my wife our first kiss. I know I talk about how … More That Perfect Moment
Hark, the herald, people sing, Joy to no more suffering, Peace on earth and mercy mild, Men on earth are reconciled. Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies, With all nations then proclaim Men on earth are all the same. “Mother,” Brenda Saffold said as they got in the Yellow … More “[An Alien] Christmas In Chicago”
The Great Adventure 