If you read my post Inspiration on Location you know I discovered a unique institution. I researched the State Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded near Lynchburg, Virginia. Synchronicity struck again. First, I learned about Carrie Buck (more on her later). Then I learned about the history of eugenics in the United States of America. Yes, you…… Continue reading Arcane History: Better Baby Contests
Category: Writing
Born Storytellers
We are born storytellers. Have you ever told a ghost story? Or did you tell a lie to make certain you stayed out of trouble? Perhaps you told a friend or coworker about the terrible, horrible, no-good day you had? Maybe you shared a story about the joyful day when your son or daughter was…… Continue reading Born Storytellers
In the Air: livestreaming, podcasts, and YouTube
Livestreaming, podcasts, and videos on YouTube are an endless source of information, inspiration, and a huge research rabbit hole. Listening or watching while involved in completing mindless household chores, makes my chores more pleasant. Here’s a tiny sample of what I found in the air this month. SFWA-#SpecWomenChat— Episode 2—available on YouTube A fascinating panel…… Continue reading In the Air: livestreaming, podcasts, and YouTube
Educating the Heart, the Writer’s Heart
When Aristotle spoke of educating the heart, he meant that one must be emotionally intelligent. Of course, the term emotional intelligence didn’t come into common use until after the publication of the book by the same name in 1996. Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify and manage your own emotions and the emotions of…… Continue reading Educating the Heart, the Writer’s Heart
Conflict: Twist the Knife Slowly
Conflict: Week 3 of Re-visioning Your Story Violence is not Conflict. It is not action. It is not bickering, or worry, or dreams, or traveling. Unfortunately, many seasoned and novice writers mistake one or all of those things for conflict. Why is conflict so difficult for the writer? Because human beings naturally shy away from…… Continue reading Conflict: Twist the Knife Slowly