Swords, Specters, & Stuff
Welcome to My World
I started this blog in January 2012 for one simple reason: I love to write. I named it “Swords, Specters, & Stuff” because I especially love to write about writing, about books and movies in my favorite genres, about authors that mean a great deal to me. But there’s more to it than that, which is why I included “Stuff” in the title. It is “Stuff” that gives me carte blanche to write about anything, which is why you’ll see stories about special trips to Cooperstown, Sedona, and other places; about getting older; about baseball; about the otherworldly way in which I met my soul mate; about the loss of good friends, and so much more. Enjoy! And feel free to leave a comment.
Revisited: Write Well, Not Fast
It’s novel-writing month or some such thing again, so I’m going to revisit last year’s post on the matter. My opinion has not changed.
Okay, this week I’m going to be a curmudgeon—something that I do quite well, actually. There are organizations, conferences, workshops—whatever—that stress sitting down with your laptops on fire and writing novels just as fast as you can. Write 5,000 words over a weekend. Or better still, write 50,000 words in thirty days. As a professional novelist and writing coach of four decades, I disagree with this method of helping writers, or wannabe writers, to explore their creativity.
Films About Books: The Book Thief
“Books are life” may well be the theme for young protagonist Liesel Meminger in the 2013 drama, The Book Thief. There is only one problem: at the start of the story, Liesel cannot read or write.
“I Can’t Wait Till”…Oh Yes I Can
File this post under the heading of “Old-Guy-Wisdom-Formulated-By-Being-Around-So-Damn-Long” and take it for what it’s worth, or leave it. There are two phrases that you—and I—have doubtless used every day of our lives from the time we were little kids. They are: “I’m looking forward to ____” and “I can’t wait till____.” (Fill in the blanks.) Am I right? We may even use one or both multiple times a day.
Why Remake A Scary Classic?
I really wanted to dislike the 2015 version of Poltergeist, a reboot of the 1982 Steven Spielberg classic ghost story. (Although not credited as director, his vision was all over this film.) I’m a huge fan of the original. Okay, so the new one had its moments—good special effects and all that. But in the end my feelings were simply, meh.
Renowned Artists’ Colony Has Hosted Many Writing Luminaries
For well over a century the artists’ community called Yaddo, located in Saratoga Springs, NY, has nurtured creativity by giving talented people the chance to pursue their work uninterrupted within a supportive environment. The “Who’s Who” of its residents is staggering.
Writing Tips: Who Needs A Writing Coach/Editor?
(I’ve said before that good writing never goes out of style. Nor do good writing tips. Here is another post from a few years ago via the Wayback Machine.)
You writers out there: if you want to learn more about the wild and crazy publishing business, you’ve got to read Lynn Price’s book, “The Writer’s Essential Tackle Box: Getting a Hook on the Publishing Industry.”
A Memorable Return
“You should always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they won’t come to yours.” – Yogi Berra
Jacqueline, my baseball-loving bride, suggested we go and see a ballgame at Yankee Stadium when we traveled to New York City for a wonderful family wedding/reunion in late September. Buying the tickets online in advance gave me this really weird feeling. Why? Let me explain.
The Fog: “A Minor Horror Classic”
To be clear, I’m talking about John Carpenter’s 1980 version of The Fog, not the reboot in 2005, which—despite Carpenter’s involvement as a producer—did not nearly measure up to the original. Fresh off his success with Halloween in 1978, Carpenter brought its star, Jamie Lee Curtis, to perform as part of an ensemble cast in this eerie, atmospheric film.
Myths And Legends: The Ghost Of Guthrie Theater
Imagine this: you’re in Minneapolis—don’cha know—and you go to see a play at the Tyrone Guthrie Theater. An usher—a quiet young man—guides you to your seat. But before sitting down you realize that he hasn’t handed you a program. You turn to ask him for one, but he’s no longer there. Say what!? Only seconds have passed, surely not enough time for him to have exited the theater.
So what happened? You’ve just met Richard Miller…the ghost of Guthrie Theater.
Films About Writers: Secret Window
“You stole my story!” That is arguably the most memorable line from the 2004 psychological thriller, Secret Window. Based on a short story by Stephen King, the film stars Johnny Depp as successful but troubled writer Mort Rainey. Depp has played many a weird role, and this is one of the weirdest.
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