Category Archives: Writing

by

No man (or writer) is an island …

Living a writer’s life leaves many of us hovering over our computers and notepads, yet we shouldn’t forget that our solitary “islandlike” existence intertwines with others.

Our literary endeavors may be depend upon our individual prose, style and craft. But our work ultimately relies on the feedback from someone other than our characters. We depend on editors, agents critiquing partners, readers and yes, other writers to offer guidance, help and encouragement.

Therefore, I’m pleased to promote a fellow author’s invitation to name her latest book.

Jordan K. Rose pens novels that will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat, and her next book is sure to do the same. But she’s looking for a few good ideas for a title. And you can help!

Just click on the promotional box above (or to the left) to enter Jordan’s NameThatBook contest and let your creative juices flow. Have a little fun, and receive recognition if your title wins.

The writing community spans countries and continents, yet I find it to be surprisingly small and intimate, where everyone knows someone and where good deeds and well wishes are shared for years to come.

So, send a good wish and a little help to fellow writer, Jordan K. Rose. Enter the contest, and NameThatBook!

No Man Is An Island

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend’s were.
Each man’s death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

Devotions upon Emergent Occasions, By John Donne, 1624

by

N’oreaster and all …it’s STILL a good day to be Friday

nor'easterI’m not going to be the grim reaper with news of doom and gloom. I’m just going to say that the northeast, which includes New Jersey, New York, (particularly Long Island) and Connecticut is bracing for a massive blizzard.  And for those who have yet to rebuild their lives after Hurricane Sandy, this is not a good thing. Between the three states, we’re expecting between 6-24 inches of snow, 60 mph winds, blustery conditions where you can’t see in front of you.

Yeah. Welcome to winter.

Although we’re used to it, you do get tired of preparing, and the urge to scream “Enough of this #$@@#!” is high.   (But I have to admit the need for people to run to the grocery store and buy food like we’re on lockdown for the next month is still a mystery to me.)

One good thing about this storm is that it’s happening over the weekend and should end on Saturday. This, at least, gives you a day to dig out. It also gives you a chance to enjoy some of your weekend.  Speaking of digging out, shoveling is my least favorite sport, so I’ve learned over the years to keep a little cash handy for anyone feeling ambitious enough to earn a little money, and help dig this tired soul out of the snow!

Poe and I had plans to attend the 13th Annual Super Pet Expo, and we still may go. I definitely want to check out the latest gifts and gadgets for our animal friends. There’s shopping and shopping and did I say, shopping? Oh, and you can even adopt a pet, which is very cool.

If the power keeps flowing, I’m going to catch up on my writing and reading.  First up is J.K. Rowlings’ grown up book, “The Casual Vacancy.”   I’ve heard mixed reviews and now it’s time to dive in and see for myself. Besides, I’m in the mood for a little dark humor.

Oh, and on Sunday, I might take in The Grammys. It depends. I think out of all the awards show, I’ve outgrown the Grammys the most.  Don’t get me wrong, there are a few performers who I enjoy watching like Alicia Keys and Adele.   But there’s no one who makes me want to sit through the whole thing, at least not on this year’s roster.

I hope the snow melts fast because on February 14, I have a date—with John McClane and his son.  “A Good Day to Die Hard” hits the theater and I’ll be there. It looks action-packed and filled with classic John McClane, and a side of all grown up Junior McClane. Take a peek at the trailer.  That alone gets my heart fluttering. Bruce Willis is still at the top of his game!  Yippee Kai Yay!

Well, I’m off to the store to buy gummy bears and a bottle of wine.  In my humble opinion, THAT’s all you need for a blizzard!

Have a great weekend and wherever you are, be safe.

by

Super Bowl fever …did you catch it, yet?

super bowlNot exactly.

I’m not a football fan (gasp …), so I’m going to take the time this weekend to write, and revise. The majority of my family members will be hosting their own Super Bowl party, touting their predictions on Facebook and texting their disdain for the other team. This means my phone will remain silent! Yippee!

I’m not watching the Super Bowl (horrified gasp …). However, I will tune in for some of the commercials. I’m still captivated by the subtle, and oftentimes, in-your-face creativity of the advertisers who come up with slogans and taglines that annoyingly stay in your head until you buy the product.

But I have contracted Super Bowl fever on one level. And should my family call me on Sunday, I’ll offer a bit of historical data about this year’s teams. (Yeah, right. That will go over big.) :)

This is probably old news for you football aficionados, but it was all new to me. The origins of the team names have great historical value.

For example, The Baltimore Ravens get their name from Edgar Allan Poe’s poem (a favorite of mine), “The Raven.” It seems as though Baltimore residents chose the name during a poll conducted by the Baltimore Sun. When I read this, I perked up a bit. It’s been said that the Ravens are the most literary NFL team. Yes, Edgar Allen Poe lives on! Evermore!

And The San Francisco 49ers, are historically golden or so their name implies. During the California Gold Rush, the largest gold rush in U.S. history, thousands of people of different cultures and background flocked to Golden State in search of their fortune, and their actions would be the beginning of the city of San Francisco. Although, the rush officially began in 1848, the first wave of prospectors looking to hit the jackpot came in 1849 and were dubbed, “forty-niners.”

I’m impressed. I think I’ll do a little more research about other teams’ names.

On second thought, maybe I’ll just save my research for next year when the Super Bowl comes to New York and New Jersey! At least then, I’ll have something to talk about at a Super Bowl extravaganza. (Hey, it will be the first time the Super Bowl has been to NY/NJ, I must represent!)

In any case, TGIF! Enjoy your weekend. For those of you watching the game or waiting for Beyonce’s wardrobe to malfunction, extra wishes for your Super Bowl weekend.

by

Why DO we write?

writerI wanted to share  a wonderful article I ran across yesterday about a newly-released book entitled, “’Why We Write: 20 Acclaimed Authors on How and Why They Do What They Do.”  The book, edited by Meredith Maran, features 20 well-known authors who share what keeps them writing. Just as the rejection letter of well-known authors can serve as a form of encouragement, so will these snippets of motivation.

It was interesting to see what the authors, which include Isabel Allende (Island Beneath the Sea), Sara Gruen (Water for Elephants), Sebastian Junger (The Perfect Storm), and Terry McMillan (The Interruption of Everything), had to say about the craft of writing and what makes them do it day in and day out.

Some of the authors’ motivations were humorous, others introspective and honest. I particularly enjoyed what Ann Patchett (State of Wonder) wrote, “”I write because I swear to God I don’t know how to do anything else.”

And after reading the article, I was inspired to answer the obvious: Why do I write?

  • I write because I don’t want to do anything else. I get excited about having letters fill a blank computer screen with my thoughts. I have a great day job. But if I could devote all my time to writing, I would.
  • I write because—according to my daughters whether they just lost a boyfriend, a job or a piece of jewelry—“I have a story for everything.”
  • I write because the restlessness in me wants to leave something worth reading when I’m no longer here.

This book is now on my “to be read” list.  In a writer’s world of self-doubt and uncertainty, I don’t think there’s ever too much support, motivation or advice.

Why do you write?