Category Archives: Uncategorized
How to remove writer’s block: fall off a mountain
No novelist totally “makes things up.” Even the wildest works of fantasy and science fiction are in some way informed by the writer’s observations and life experiences. Take, for example, my new novel, Spike. Here’s a. brief excerpt. The book’s protagonist, 19-year-old Spike Santee, has just fallen 40 feet onto aContinue reading “How to remove writer’s block: fall off a mountain”
What would Orwell say?
In an age where up is down, truth is fake, and fiction is… fact … it feels more than a little strange to be purposively writing… fiction! This is particularly awkward when the subject is loosely based on… fact. Based on real people. On real events. People placed in fictional situations, in some cases givenContinue reading “What would Orwell say?”
What a perfect moment in time to be a novelist…
Almost two years into a global pandemic. Trump once again on the prowl. Supply chains everywhere reeling. Climate catastrophe squarely upon us. China posturing in the Taiwan Strait. North Korea threatening to blow everyone’s house down. Afghanistan in chaos (as usual)…. … I wrote that last October. Since then, the pandemic has morphed, slipping andContinue reading “What a perfect moment in time to be a novelist…”
Farewell Britannica (and good riddance!)
[Edit] After 244 years in print, the Britannica says farewell The Britannica‘s gone. And I say, “good riddance!” If ever there was a poster child for the changes being wrought by the web specifically, and digital technologies generally, the Britannica was it. Its final edition, published in 2010, includes 32 volumes and sells for aroundContinue reading “Farewell Britannica (and good riddance!)”
We’re all in this together…
A fascinating thing has happened since I sent out some early review copies (books and ebooks) of Man Up In Ten Lessons. Actually, several fascinating things have emerged since then, but the most fascinating thing has been the feedback I’ve received from women. It seems as though more women than men think about — andContinue reading “We’re all in this together…”
May the Force be with you…
If you’re closing in on 30 (or 40) and still have Luke Skywalker posters on your bedroom wall, it may well be time to Man Up I’ve gotten some interesting feedback lately. Specifically from a guy who feels I’m a self-important, self-absorbed egoist for having the temerity to make pronouncements on what constitutes a “realContinue reading “May the Force be with you…”
Lighten up, boys
Who said Mormons can’t be fun? After an exhaustive survey among North American women on what to write about men today (conducted over early morning coffee with my wife, Janet), I’m happy to report today’s topic is: stop being so deadly serious all the time, guys! I don’t mean to pick on the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse,Continue reading “Lighten up, boys”
NASCAR — good clean fun, or the end of civilization as we know it?
Fancy hats are featured at Ascot & the Kentucky Derby. NASCAR race attendees typically display a bit more “imagination” (and remember: this man is someone’s son). Reader Eliza Frye poses the question, “What is up with NASCAR, Randy?” Excellent question, Eliza, what with the NASCAR season opening this Sunday at Daytona and all. First some basics. NASCARContinue reading “NASCAR — good clean fun, or the end of civilization as we know it?”
“It is with books as it is with men…”
Voltaire French philosopher and all-around smartypants Voltaire had a great deal to say about a lot of things. Including men and books. One of my favorite all-time t-shirts, given to me by a drunken Swedish publisher at the Gothenburg International Book Fair years ago, sported the following quote from M. Voltaire: “It is with books asContinue reading ““It is with books as it is with men…””