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BANNED BOOKS ON BANNED BOOK WEEK?

Banned books sounds like a term from the Middle Ages, or the Spanish Inquisition where you might pay with your life if the wrong book was found on your property. Book bans are nothing new, and don’t last, but in our hyper-alert social medial world that makes it feel like the world is collapsing every […]

BOOK HOARDING ADVICE FOR BEGINNERS

Book hoarding is not a disease. If that makes you feel better, you might be a librarian. Not a librarian, but still have loads of books? Still not a disease, and here’s why:

SCRIPT WRITING: KNOW WHEN TO END, Part 3

A script writing master class produced an original piece of work that’s still in progress. I took the class after buying and reading books about script writing and beating the odds in Hollywood. Part 3 follows Part 2.

ANTICIPATION ANXIETY, OR “HOW BAD CAN THIS BE?”

New beginnings around here start with anticipation anxiety, sleepless nights, and carefully moving forward. Does that sound like your standard operating procedure, your SOP? It’s one thing when it’s on the job, another when it’s just you and you’re got an idea you want to figure out. Instead of the trusted steps of 1, 2, […]

STARTING OVER? HOW MANY TIMES DOES IT TAKE A WRITER

Looking back, I’ve been starting over every day with a fresh, clean, screen and filling it up, just like today. But, as much as that feels like a new start, it doesn’t have the travel element. In my twenties starting over meant a road trip from one side of the country to the other. Have […]

WHY WRITE A PERSONAL BLOG? WHO ELSE WOULD DO IT INSTEAD

Why write a personal blog? Or anything? If you do write, keep going. Taking time off to stop and think about it might be the end. If you’re looking for a reason to quit, it’s right there. However, if you’re looking for things to keep going, keep reading.

THE GREAT LEAP FOR SPORTS DREAMS IN PORTLAND

The Great Leap is on stage in downtown Portland, Oregon. It’s a solid jumper, a score for the home team. Who would have guessed four actors could show history so well? And do a basketball game without players and made it feel as real as any last second drama. No fouls called on this play.

WHY LEGITIMATE POLITICAL DISCOURSE NEEDS SOME SCHOOLING

Since I’m an expert on political discourse I’ll tell you how I became such an expert After reading this, see if the same criteria applies to others who claim expertise in legitimate political discourse. For me, it all started in second grade. Experts, believable experts, need early references.

PAIN WRITERS: GUIDELINES FOR A PAINFUL STORY

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:

SPORTS WRITING FOR THE WIN WITH HORSHACK

Sports writing is more than sports stories and sporty personalities. Sports betting is another story. Those guys care about sports and personalities, winning and losing, but care more about the point spread. We’ll stick to sports writing in regard to sports and personalities, about the underdogs, not the underbelly.