Monthly Archives: July 2012

On Writing: The Odd Exhilaration of Seeing Your Book on Sale

There is one thing I feel obligated to share with all writers and every potential self-publisher, independent publisher, ebook publisher, and old-fashioned print publisher: the rush of finally seeing your book for sale makes all the work and worry worth … Continue reading

Posted in America, digital publishing, ebook publishing, fiction, independent publishing, pop culture, self-publishing, teaching, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On Writing: Selfpublishing Roadmap a Must for Serious Indy Authors

Writers! The world is ours! Well, almost. Honestly, there has never been a better time to consider independently publishing your book, be it fiction or non-fiction. Digital book sales increase every quarter. Ebook outlets expand and improve continuously. Perhaps most … Continue reading

Posted in digital publishing, ebook publishing, fiction, independent publishing, pop culture, self-publishing, teaching, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Penn State Sanctions Create A Great Day for America

When we stop and think about it for a while, today’s NCAA sanctions against Penn State mark a great day for America. The NCAA’s stunning and comprehensive sanctions are well thought out, multi-faceted, and deliberately severe; they truly have an … Continue reading

Posted in America, parenting, pop culture, sports, teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pop Culture – The Dark Night Rises: is it Action Movie or Social Treatise?

The Dark Knight has Risen! Blessed be the reborn hero! In so many ways, and taking great pains to not commit the Sin of Spoiling, The Dark Knight Rises is about redemption and sacrifice and rebirth. It is about offering … Continue reading

Posted in fiction, film, pop culture, super-heroes, writing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

On Writing: Is There an Author/Reader Pact?

Do authors owe readers anything at all? And does that debt grow the further into a story readers get? I ask because I believe there is a grave difference between surprising or challenging a reader for entertainment and betraying that … Continue reading

Posted in fiction, film, pop culture, super-heroes, teaching, writing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Dilemma of Underage Drinking

“Summer’s here and the time is right for dancing in the street,” –Martha and the Vandellas, Detroit, 1960’s. “Summer’s here and the time is right for racing in the streets,” –Bruce Springsteen, back streets of Jersey, 1970’s. “Summer’s here and … Continue reading

Posted in parenting, pop culture, teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On Writing: Recapturing the Tone and Energy of an Older Piece

“Writers write.” “Writers should write every day.” “When you finish one project, start another.” These are pearls of wisdom writers hear or read all the time. And, such as they are, they make sense. But what does a writer do … Continue reading

Posted in fiction, pop culture, teaching, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How Much Sleep is Bad Parenting?

Somehow, I’m in a band. Haven’t played bass in over 20 years, but here it is. All originals. Amusing lyrics. Loose rock’n’roll, though that term sounds so dated. And yesterday we recorded seven songs in two hours, 11 a.m. to … Continue reading

Posted in parenting, pop culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NY Times film critics vs. the super-heroes!

New York Times film critics Manohla Dargis and A. O. Scott tag-teamed summer super-hero movies as the lead story in the paper’s July 1st Sunday Arts and Leisure section, ripping into the genre with accusations of corporate manipulation, sexism, and … Continue reading

Posted in film, pop culture, super-heroes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment