Book Review — “My Glory Was I Had Such Friends”

green plant on white ceramic pot

This has to be my most obnoxious book review ever. Why? Because I'm about to "review" a 300+ page memoir about friends that I've only read some 100 pages of. In other words, I'm going to talk about a book I've only read one-third way through. As far as book reviewers go, I must surely … Continue reading Book Review — “My Glory Was I Had Such Friends”

Writers need “attention collectibles” to write well #4 — “Little Stories of Your Life”

I was planning to post the 4th installment of this mini-series -- on how to write unceasingly -- next month. But I just couldn't wait! You see, I believe what I'm about to share is the culmination of all the "how-to's" about attention collectibles I've been sharing since the start of the series. And wouldn't … Continue reading Writers need “attention collectibles” to write well #4 — “Little Stories of Your Life”

My Monday Metrical Musings #128

books on shelves

So many books, so little time Books booksScattered everywhere. Don't believe me?Come and see! Study room, rocking chairMeal tables, they're anywhereOn the shelves and on the floorSometimes blocking my bedroom door! In my car, on my bedIn the kitchen next to a loaf of breadOn the couch and on the dresserEven slotted snugly in my … Continue reading My Monday Metrical Musings #128

Fiction Book Review #4 – All The Broken Places

As far as any sequel goes, this one actually arrived sooner than planned. Which is more than I can say about my book reviews, the last one posted 12 months ago! Clearly, I've got some catching up to do. 52 year old author John Boyne had originally planned to write this sequel to his YA … Continue reading Fiction Book Review #4 – All The Broken Places

November is here. Time to pause before the cheer?

white scrabble tiles on the wooden table

Here we are. The start of November. I don't know about you but each time I think of November, I think of it as a temporary pit stop while we hurtle our way to the end of one year and the start of another. Look at it any way you like, but November isn't a … Continue reading November is here. Time to pause before the cheer?

How I’m going to (gulp) write my book proposal

crop person with book in summer field

"Deep breaths man. Deep breaths. Now that you've met both publishers, the ball's in your court. It's time to pitch your book proposal!" Exciting but nerve-racking to say the least. Regular readers of my blog would already know I've made contact with not one but two book publishers (with a possible third on the horizon). … Continue reading How I’m going to (gulp) write my book proposal

How “flit-reading” among books inspired me to write

book opened on white surface selective focus photography

When I think about a recent line I read, I can't help but pump a fist in the air and say a definitive YES! In the novel “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” (which was made into a film I recently reviewed), co-authors Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows had one of their … Continue reading How “flit-reading” among books inspired me to write

(Print + audio) books = best reading experience ever!

unrecognizable female audiobook narrator recording audiobook

Hey can I tell you how I've been reading my books these past few years? Here's how: I read them in three ways. They are print, audio and (to a far lesser extent) electronic. In that order. Okay, that's it. You can stop reading now. I'm done. Except, I'm not. Actually. No, I'm not trying … Continue reading (Print + audio) books = best reading experience ever!

Film Review: When writing and war intersect

man holding clapper board

With daily news of Covid, calamities, and climate change, these are arguably the worst of times in recent memory. And to make matters worse, not since WW II has Europe and the world seen war like it's now seeing as Russia pummels Ukraine. It does however make this long overdue film review of mine a … Continue reading Film Review: When writing and war intersect

Fiction Book Review #3 – Elevation by Stephen King

Talk about "Stranger Things"! (sorry couldn't help making a belated plug here for this gripping Netflix series I only recently completed watching) From hardly reading any fiction these past several years to reviewing now my 3rd fiction book in less than a year. Who woulda guess?! Wanna hear something even stranger (there I go again!)? … Continue reading Fiction Book Review #3 – Elevation by Stephen King