I'll soon be off to my favorite place on earth — Southwest Virginia — to speak to a book club. Today, I'm especially grateful to writer Brooke J. Wood and The Southwest Times for running a great story about my book and the event. With Brooke's permission, I'm reprinting it here: Writer pens novel about historic …
Brown trout beware …
A little departure today: Following is a piece I wrote three years ago. At the time, it was cathartic. I publish it today, Sept. 8, on the third anniversary of the death of a friend who taught me more than I could have ever expected. A month ago, my friend died. And I am diminished because …
Letting down my cool …
A few years ago, I was eating dinner in Charlottesville, Virginia. We were celebrating a birthday at a very hoity-toity restaurant, the kind where you have to pretend you know French and where you'd better have extra cash stashed in your pocket. You know the kind. As I was ordering, out of the corner of …
Free to go down the rabbit hole …
A bit ago I wrote about the unpleasantness of an open office work setting. Today, I'm going in the opposite direction: the delight of an office set up just the way I want. Working at home as I do is utter bliss — even when I'm tackling a sticky story or wrestling with an uncooperative …
Cue the planets …
Like most of the rest of the country, I'm getting ready to watch what's been dubbed The Great American Solar Eclipse. My deck — and my schedule — are clear for the afternoon. I was going to employ a colander to watch the event, but alas, mine has square not round holes and whoever heard …
One writer’s rant …
I don't often rant. Well truth be told, I do in private, but publicly, I generally hold my strongest opinions to myself. But today I'm breaking that personal rule. I've spent the last three years and six months working in a modern concrete and glass open office space. From the moment we moved in, it …
The kindness of strangers …
"Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers." This line, perhaps one of Broadway's most memorable and enigmatic lines, spoken by Blanche Dubois at the end of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire has special meaning for authors. I was thinking of that this morning when I noticed another rating on Goodreads for …
My new life …
Stephen King has a routine, as do many writers. For Mr. King, mornings are for writing. Afternoons are for walking and reading. This is a plan I am adopting in this, my new life as a full-time novelist. As a morning person, I'm embracing Mr. King's routine. Summers are especially productive. As early as 5:30 …
The power of quiet …
I'm sitting in a hotel room hundreds of miles from home while some necessary travel adjustments are being made. It's quiet. The "do not disturb" sign is hanging on the door. I am encased in quiet. And it is delicious. I've long known that I work best in quiet places — a fact profoundly confirmed …
Tacking with a new wind …
An announcement: This week I'm leaving my job of the past eleven years. My job has been the latest iteration of one I've held off and on for decades. As a staff writer for James Madison University, I've written about international students, philanthropists, autism, dams, archeology, engineering, international affairs, intelligence, education, pioneers, cyclists, museums, business, …
