Since I was having a bad day writing today, I made up this ecard and posted it on Facebook. I guess a lot of other writers were having a similarly bad day, because it was shared more than anything I’ve ever posted before. Thank you very much, Somerset Maugham.
About a year ago, I began watching a Turkish historical soap opera called Muhtesem Yüzyil (Magnificent Century) about Süleyman the Magnificent’s life, loves, and military campaigns. I was hooked, even though only one episode, the first, has English subtitles. From the second episode on I’ve had to rely on my imperfect Turkish. Fortunately, I do…
While the world takes note of the passing of the great Margaret Thatcher, I couldn’t help but feel a pang when I heard of today’s other celebrity death: Annette Funicello. She was only a few years older than I am, and the news of her passing transported me back to my childhood. I think many of…
I’ve never had an easy time branding myself. I’ve always been fascinated by far too many things. I’ve seen the effects of this in many areas of my life, sometimes with negative results. It’s not so much that I lose interest in something I’m passionate about; no, instead I develop a new craving for knowledge…
I’ve written before on this blog about my long struggle with panic attacks and anxiety. Every now and then, my brain chemistry gets screwy, and the highly unpleasant experience of major anxiety/panic returns for a time. I’ve recently been suffering through one of these periods, and, as usual, I’ve found significant relief from meditation. In…
As I revise my historical romance, Fires of Destiny, I once again find myself pondering the difficult life of one of England’s Queens, Mary Tudor, aka Bloody Mary. Mary, daughter of King Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, ruled England during the period explored in Fires of Destiny. She attempted to turn her…
Yes, I got the call (actually, it was a tweet). I was invited to join the early adopters Google Glass beta test, assuming I can come up with $1500 (um…..). Would love to do this, but we’ll see. Meanwhile, here’s the ultimate demo that got me interested in owning a pair of Google Glasses. Wouldn’t…
Anyone who’s a fan of George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones will love this filk song urging George to write faster!