Revisiting the Three Rules for Writing A Novel As I close in the completion of my latest book, I, Claudia, I am revisiting the three rules for writing a novel. “There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” Somerset Maugham Recently I was interviewed by a writing blogger […]
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Our rule of law and its slippery slope Most of us believe that our rule of law is sacred and that passing laws will fix recurring problems, address unwanted behavior, even establish a universal moral code. Examples of relatively recent legislative activity are texting while driving and sexual harassment. Note the wide definitional range between these
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How do we package love? That question needs a bit of reflection, right? It’s a bit of a mixed metaphor, isn’t it? Or, is it? Three reasons to consider our overemphasis on the packaging of love. Given these reminders of the criteria employed by most of us in selecting a partner, most of us will
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How Machiavellian are you? Never thought about it? Since the word Machiavellian is defined as unscrupulous, underhanded and crafty the question of ‘just how Machiavellian are you?’ isn’t something that pops into the head of the average bear. Unless you’re a cop, or lawyer or have had sufficient experience with the justice system to know
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“Forgiveness is the only thing that is new in the world, the one sure sign that there is a God.” One sure sign that there is a God: To some, those are words that can evoke a number of questions, confusion or even incomprehension. Reverend Ron Rolheiser wrote them in an article about Sister Helen Prejean’s
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Which wolf do we feed? It’s an arresting question, isn’t it? Makes you curious enough to continue reading. Simple yet mysterious question aimed at stopping us in our tracks. Countless surveys recount that ours is the safest and wealthiest country in the world. Yet so many are angry, unhappy, depressed, resentful…it is a very long
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Work related myths like working through lunch and the weekend: Was there a time when you fell for them? These are just a few of the myths I bought into during my first three careers. It was only when I started working for myself, and later writing fiction, when I discovered just how vast was
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More lessons from Shadow implies there have been previous ones, right? That’s because this guy has taught me innumerable lessons. The most recent? He provided a map for the plot of the novel I am currently writing. Perhaps you think I exaggerate? At least overstate? I’ll start with some of his earliest lessons. Then maybe
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Is Malthus Revisited Spiritual? A number of reviewers have referred to my latest novel, Malthus Revisited, as ‘spiritual.’ Until a recent review, I did not stop to ponder why. The reviewer wrote that he was ‘disappointed’ that I ‘resorted to the supernatural’ in writing what he thought was an intriguing plot and the compelling character
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City Slickers Revisited: yesterday, July 4th. Remember the movie City Slickers? Billy Crystal as the ‘Dude’ from Manhattan who persuades two Manhattan friends to join him on a cattle drive in the west? Although the movie was released over thirty years ago, certain scenes and characters remain vivid. Especially the yuppies with the mid-life crises
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