If the revolution ever arrives, it is probable that the talking heads and the spokespersons and the pundits will be rounded up and shot, by way of reply to all of these one-way conversations.
Writers
The Ottawa Book Awards and new work from Chelsea Vowel
I’ve been working away these past months at the 2016 Ottawa Book Awards reading list. One of three jurors in the non-fiction category, I drew up my list of finalists this past week, along with my colleagues. I’m pleased to say… Read More ›
Uncle Al
HE WAS, quite simply, one of the most remarkable people I’ve ever known.
The Cree should have a flip-chart easel ceremony. No, just kidding.
THERE’S AN EASY WAY to tell you’ve been spending too much time with the Cree, and it’s this: When you find yourself saying, “No, just kidding” every time you are just kidding. As in, “Three guys walk into a bar…. Read More ›
Is one of these your perfect journal?
Yes, it’s true: I have a lot of blank books DOZENS OF THEM, tucked away in a drawer, waiting to be filled with the URLs of websites I’ve discovered, lists of books to read, ideas, things overheard on the subway,… Read More ›
Dear Mister Captain—please let me on the life boat
NOTE—This piece is based on a writing assignment in the book 642 Things to Write About, published by the San Francisco Writers’ Grotto: “Only ten people will fit in the life raft. Convince the Captain that you should be one… Read More ›
I am fighting the war for freedom on eBay
YEARS AGO, I bought the 1929 Elgin art deco watch pictured above. Recently the crystal fell out and the minute hand caught on my jacket sleeve and was pulled off. Off I went to the neighborhood repair person, an old-school… Read More ›
How my school days prepared me for a world which doesn’t exist, and didn’t prepare me for the one that does
SCHOOL DAYS. They were so long ago, you probably don’t remember them. Or maybe what you remember didn’t happen. I’m talking about you, not about me. My memories, of being the team captain and MVP, are as sound as any… Read More ›
An open letter to Stephen King
I‘VE JUST FINISHED On Writing. It’s been years since I’ve read one of your books, and I enjoyed this one enough that I’ll be reading another soon. We have some things in common. Like you, I started a satirical magazine… Read More ›
My Grade 11 English Teacher, Mrs. Joyce, Marks Christmas Carols
Jingle Bells Obviously the bells jingle: that’s what they are made to do. Try “bells, bells all the way.” (See Strunk and White, “Omit needless words.”) Also, does the protagonist have some sort of objection to a multi-horse and/or closed… Read More ›
5 tell-tale warning signs that you may be a writer
Warning: you may be a writer! WHAT IS A WRITER? The screen shot above has some suggestions: writers are crazy, forgetful and always selling someone out. Now, I’m a writer and I must object to this libel. I am not… Read More ›
5 common mistakes made by writers
IF YOU READ this little website of mine, you probably know I’m a fan of science and that I talk about sciency and logically things all the time. My partner Nicole follows IFLScience, where they have some science gift ideas… Read More ›
The ghost writer of Christmases past
DECEMBER 1st has arrived, and here at the ranch that means it’s time to light the advent candle!
1/2 of self-published authors earn under $500: I’ve figured out how not to be one of them
WELCOME to Christmas, the time of year when people dress up like serious adults, to go to staff parties where they act like drunken toddlers.
This was my brain on 70s songs
TO ME, the 1970s was the decade of memorable music. When I look back, I see a more relaxed and care-free time than now. You could write a song about anything—like driving around in a truck, with a bunch of… Read More ›
