Several months ago I entered a slew of writing contests. A slew equaling fifteen. Over the course of the last month or so the results have been rolling in. And guess what? I have received six “no, thank yous”–some more polite than others, i.e., detailed enough to make me think that what I submitted was […]

Read more "Two Roads Diverged. (Spoiler Alert: It’s Not What You Thought)"

As thinking and feeling creatures, we tend to carry with us a collection of emotions that often directly correlate to thoughts in our heads. Take a minute and think back to an important happening or event in your life, e,g,. your child’s graduation, your wedding, the birth of niece, that major car accident you were […]

Read more "If the Shoe Fits, You Can Still go Barefoot"

If you were paying attention in the spring of 1992, you probably remember this quote coming from the mouth of Rodney King. His broadcast appeal to the violent masses was made only half way through the six-day-long rioting in Los Angeles. And to be fair, “Can’t we all just get along?” were not his words. […]

Read more "“Can’t We All Just Get Along?”"

A while ago, I asked six people to read and critique a manuscript of mine. Some feedback has come in already. It varies widely which leads me to the only sensible conclusion possible: tastes differ. This conclusion is of absolutely no help to me. How could it be? Person X loves a particular scene while […]

Read more "Subjectivity in the Face of Choice"

I’m always cheered when I come across a collection of words that can have multiple interpretations. Shades of meaning, nuance, literal versus figurative attribution–all of these make the navigation through language an adventure-filled discovery. Over the last many years–though primarily since I’ve been writing in the past two–I’ve come to know myself better. Spending the […]

Read more "The Point of Suspension"

Well, today’s the day: I’ve decided, once again, to deactivate my Facebook account. Here’s why: Yesterday, my spouse and I were at a local independent bookstore. Seeing all those stories gorgeously displayed in that wood-paneled space was both exhilarating and depressing. It thrilled me to know that I have seven novels sitting in various stages […]

Read more "The Return to the Cave"

“Provocative” is one of the greater words to which we have access as speakers and writers of English. Like most words, it has multiple definitions. Unlike most words, it has two separate and seemingly opposite meanings: 1) causing annoyance, anger, or other strong reaction; and 2) arousing sexual desire or interest. The both variations share one […]

Read more "On Being Provocative"

To hear others expound on the merits of small town living, you’d be convinced of the perils of living in either bucolic isolation or city anonymity. If you and your family are off-the-grid, homesteading in Idaho you could be eaten by a pack of rabid wolves months before anyone might happen upon your compound. Choose […]

Read more "Required for Small Town Living: Troll Repellent"

I woke up with that song singing in my head. You know the tune, right? Most of us learned it at camp or in school. It’s traditionally sung to the melody of “Turkey in the Straw.” The lyrics are: Do your ears hang low? Do they wobble to and fro? Can you tie ’em in […]

Read more "“Do Your Ears Hang Low?”"

Three years ago, I ran for one of two seats on our local Board of Selectmen. On a sunny May afternoon, two days before the election, I, along with the other two candidates and our respective supports, stood on the town common holding up signs and waving to passers-by. There were enthusiastic drivers who beeped […]

Read more "“Beat That Bitch”"