Permission slips help clear the way forward. When you need one, it’s good to have, whether you’re asked to show it or not. In school it was a Hall Pass, the golden ticket out of the classroom. Do adults need a permission slip? And if so, for what?
PAIN WRITERS: GUIDELINES FOR A PAINFUL STORY
January 12, 2022 by
Pain writers draw inspiration from two sources: Their own pain. Someone else’s pain. The source of pain is a standard feature. Pain writers want you to feel it. For example:
KILLING CANCER STEP BY STEP: #1
December 2, 2021 by
Killing cancer starts the same for everyone. It’s a new mole, a lump, a bump, a new ache and pain. You wonder what’s up, get checked out, and forget about it. After that it’s an appointment, or a phone call, and your life, your future, your plans, hits the fan and splatters all over. At […]
MEDICAL MARIJUANA: 420 FROM THE OTHER SIDE
April 20, 2021 by
Medical marijuana sounded like a clever joke the first time I’d heard of it. Medical? Like legal? Did a smart hippie find a loophole to get high without getting arrested? What’s next, I figured, the return of cocaine to Coca-cola? Extra morphine in cough syrup? The benefits of medical marijuana dawned on me after a […]
WHY WRITERS BELIEVE IN READERS? IT TAKES BOTH
March 21, 2021 by
Writers believe the time they spend on their work is worthwhile. Opinions from others vary. Of course writers believe, but is their opinion the one that matters? After days and years of focus on a project, they’d better believe in their work. One sage said to choose a writing topic you love, because you’ll eventually […]
CANCER CALL: A HEALTH CHALLENGE REMINDER
November 25, 2020 by
A cancer call is never the wrong number. It’s a confirmation of all the testing you’ve already gone through. The doctors who make cancer calls don’t ask for your name and DOB on the phone. They know it’s you. If someone else answers the phone, they know it’s for you, and you’ve got to take […]
SHINE ON LIKE YOU MEAN IT
September 23, 2020 by
Compounding the words Shine and On sounds like a cheerleader cheer when you say it out loud. Give it a try like this: “Shine on.” For the full power, try it like this:
NEEDY READERS? GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT
July 15, 2020 by
What do needy readers want? Tastes change, fads come and go, but the top selling book of all time is pretty clear. Across all platforms one book stands higher than all the rest. Do you need a hint? Think ‘Tale of Two Cities.’ Wait, that’s the title. Damn. The big question: Is it worthy? What […]
MEDICAL ADVICE TO IGNORE IN AN EMERGENCY
June 11, 2020 by
Medical advice is wasted on hypochondriacs. The problems they bring to an appointment change by the end. “It hurts when I do this,” turns into, “It hurts when I don’t do that. But now it’s something else.” Sound stressful? It is. It’s always something else. How do I know? Please continue.
HOPE IN ONE HAND, AND IT’S ENOUGH
April 15, 2020 by
Art is defined by hope. As in, “I hope people like my work.” Turns out people like Grant Wood’s American Gothic just fine.
