Three nights ago, I did something for the second time in two years. I performed a reading aloud online with not one, not two, but four poems I wrote to an audience of fellow writers. 'Performing' is nothing new for me. I've been a lecturer and tutor for over 20 years. But that night's spoken … Continue reading My past prepared me for my online spoken reading
A couple of weeks ago I started this mini-series to share what I call "attention collectibles" for reading and writing. These are any and everything we tuck away in a safe place to reference when writing. Like a "creative well" that never runs out. A lifeline for dry spells or the dreaded writer's block. And … Continue reading Writers need “attention collectibles” to write well #2/4 – Reading Resources
In a previous post, I talked about the joys of learning through listening to audio books and podcasts. And how it's a match made in heaven when you combine them with conventional reading. Of course, the joy is ultimately in the learning, no matter the medium of input. For it's in the learning that one's … Continue reading Podcasts that inspire me to write #1/4
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
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!
So last week I started this mini-series to talk about how to retire well. You do that you know, when you're like me; a man past 50, increasingly living on borrowed time! In that post, I talked about the first of three important truths I've come to embrace: If we don't want to suffer retirement … Continue reading How to retire well #2 of 3: Know who you are and what you love
Gosh, it feels like ages since I last read a novel! The last time was a couple of young adult fiction books I read in January by David Levithan, called "Every Day" and "Someday". Imaginative, brilliant, and hard-to-put-down. Definitely worth the time if you've not read them yet. Proof that even now at 51, I'm … Continue reading Fiction Book Review #1 – Me Before You
There's really no other way to say this. I really do have "Reader's Block"! Yea I know, I hear your questions. The spoken ones that seek clarification; and the unspoken ones that wonder if I'm a runaway inmate from some nearby asylum! Of course I'm hoping the more likely question would simply be: "Does he … Continue reading Help! I have “Reader’s Block”…and more!!
As a writer, I shouldn't be asking this question. Yet here I am, asking it anyway. Why do I read? Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com I thought I knew the answer to this. I read in order to learn things; to understand things; to enjoy things. I read to discover what I've yet to discover, … Continue reading Losing my “read-ligion”! How reading’s become more restless than restful
The other day my wife told me about a book someone mentioned to her. I was immediately attentive, since she rarely talks about books, a topic I'm always game for. She said that according to her friend, this book could be read by anyone of almost any age (meaning there were both pictures for toddlers … Continue reading Feel Good Book Review #1 – The world can’t get enough of feel-good quotes
