Whores, Thieves and Militants of the Civil War I may have mentioned before that I love men in uniform (I think because my father was in the army and then became a police officer but who cares? Men just look great in tailored outfits). So when my best friend’s husband suggested I come with him…
Category: Writing
“Writing has nothing to do with meaning. It has to do with land surveying and cartography, including the mapping of countries yet to come.” ― Gilles Deleuze
Do you love fictional MAPS as much as I do? I love maps in books so much that I decided to make a map of my fictionalized version of nineteenth century Englewood, New Jersey which I included in the first edition of THE HOUSE ON TENAFLY ROAD. For a book series brimming with family drama,…
Are You Self-made?
America has gained this reputation as the land of opportunity. It has done so by trying to destroy any and all hereditary obstacles to advancement. Instead, in America the idea is that individual initiative alone could create social mobility. A self-made man would owe his advancement to things like self discipline, loneliness, sobriety, the avoidance…
Dream Attained. Closing Shop.
Fifteen years. Five books finished. The final chapters in the lives of my best friends soon to be sent off to the editor. I feel like I want to die. Or maybe write an epilogue? Maybe another spin-off? My issue with God and writing books is that I followed the instruction to love my neighbor…
Fiction: Tangled
“Seems the bit of merriment you boys had got the lieutenant shot,” said the veteran doctor. Buck swung his legs to the side of the bed. “I have to see him.” “No, I’m afraid not, son. Fahy won’t want to see you. He’s upset and angry, poor devil. Says you both stole horses and deserted…
What Does Your Name Mean?
How do names shape us? In ways we often little realize. Parents and fiction writers have their methods of putting name to face. Some search lists and meanings long before the person is made flesh. Some, like me pick names at random. I thought it would be fun to compare the personality traits of the…
“I meant to write about death, only life came breaking in as usual” ― Virginia Woolf
Today a short post. I’m curious. Have you ever set out to write one thing only to have something totally different and surprising break through? Tell us about your surprises in life and writing. I’m anxious to hear from you all! ***Featured Image: The Small Meadows in Spring by Alfred Sisley
“It is not the critic who counts. …
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly … who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither…
Fiction: A Race and a Rescue
William wasn’t used to such high-quality drink, and it affected him strangely. He pulled out his Bowie knife—passed down from his Uncle Simon’s old things—and started for the mountains where a band of Apache camped. “Bill, what are you playing at?” Fahy asked. “Apache tizwin. I heard it’s good drink. I’m gonna try it.” “How?…
How Will You Live in Old Age?
Some people seem to take years to die. In my family members crash and burn. One moment my father was cooking burgers on the grill for my son, the next he was dying of a heart attack. Aside from dying while sleeping, this is the best way to go, though it’s a shock to those…
