My Journal
Message from a Spiny Orb Weaver Spider
This spiny orb weaver spider brought me the message I needed to hear When we moved into our new apartment in April 2013, our next-door neighbor turned out to be a spiny orb weaver spider. At the time, I didn't know what type of critter she was... I just knew that she...
My Mom, The Queen of Courage
My mother, Anne, was the Queen of Courage in my life - a graceful, gracious and tough lady, especially when faced with adversity. The Finns have the perfect word for her kind of toughness - sisu - which describes determination and perseverance when faced with...
Do What You Love by Henri Junttila
Following Your Heart to a Life of Joy and Fulfillment In a compilation of 16 essays, Do What You Love by Henri Junttila leads the reader step-by-step to an understanding of what can happen when we begin to be aware of - and listen to - our inner wisdom. This is not a...
On Writing by Stephen King
Stephen King on the Art, Craft and Business of Writing On Writing is the first Stephen King book I’ve ever read. It’s an excellent memoir of his life as a writer: what got him started, how he built his writing portfolio, and how his stories evolved, through vivid...
Crafting the Personal Essay
My book review of Dinty W. Moore's Crafting the Personal Essay In my investigation of “alternative” styles of writing, including everything “flash,” I came across a book edited by Dinty W. Moore called The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Nonfiction. I...
It All Changed in an Instant
My Review of It All Changed in an Instant: More Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obscure I'm a (pre) baby-boomer and, last spring as I approached my 69th birthday, I got a little nostalgic and started looking up books on memoir writing. Not that I wanted to...
The Moment – Life-Changing Stories
The Moment is about life-changing stories... of 125 writers and artists... and me. Do you recall "the moment" in your past when something so significant happened that it was literally life-changing? If so, you'll enjoy the 125 stories in The Moment, a book of "wild,...
Roman Numerals Reference List
Do you remember your Roman numerals? I didn't so I made myself a list. Here's a quick Roman numerals reference list you can copy for your own use. 1 - I 2 - II 3 - III 4 - IV 5 - V 6 - VI 7 - VII 8 - VIII 9 - IX 10 - X 11 - XI 12 - XII 13 - XIII 14 - XIV 15 - XV 16 -...
Latin Phrases List for Writers
Free download: 2-page Latin phrases list for writers Over the years, I've compiled a list of Latin words and phrases that writers might find useful in their articles, blog posts and books. Latin sayings can add flair to your writing and this list can be printed...