Writing under the influence

Hemingway, Thoreau, Emerson, Twain, and Melville are just a few of the writers who have NOT influenced me. I would never insult them like that.
I’m not sure whether... [Read this entry]

The sentence of the day/Today’s tongue twister

In front of the flip flop factory, the flip flop fabricators wear flip flops.
How fun is that? I’m having an awesome day writing and that sentence just made... [Read this entry]

The sweat-laborer of the publishing industry

Who makes a book’s index?
I had no idea. I just hoped and prayed that it wouldn’t fall on my shoulders. I am anything but organized and deciding what... [Read this entry]

Honoring me or a coincidence?

Today, is the Chinese New Year, but since today was yesterday in China that means 1.3 billion Chinese were bringing in the New Year on my birthday. So, I... [Read this entry]

Today’s sign I need to grow up

It’s my first conversation with my editor at Wiley and he’s giving me lots of great ideas of how to structure the book and, in general, the direction I should... [Read this entry]

The fortune cookie says: The one who is truely wise won’t spend 6 years thinking about his cookie

The New York Times has an interesting article on the origin of the fortune cookie, but I just couldn’t get over this…

Ms. Nakamachi, a folklore and history graduate student at... [Read this entry]

Don’t mess with us Boy Scouts

Boy Scout foils attack on Maldives president
No word as to what the Scout’s rank was, but, just so you know, I’m an Eagle Scout, which is basically the equivalent... [Read this entry]

Something I learned the hard way…

When you buy a house and it is accessed by the county for $8,000 more than you paid for it, your response should not be, “Sweet we got a great... [Read this entry]

Something I didn’t know

Authors don’t typically get royalties on their works in Braille, large print, or any other format designed for handicap individuals.

The Christmas Inventory has begun

Last night I received my first gift of clothing – a Columbia sweatshirt made in Sri Lanka. (Thanks, Randy and Sheila.) I’ve added it to the “The First Annual... [Read this entry]