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    9Oct, 2018
    My Favorite Books and Authors, part 1

    I have a list of favorite books that include the Bible, Pride and Prejudice, A Tale of Two Cities, and The Scarlet Pimpernel.

    I also like Rafael Sabatini who was an Italian/English author. We really don’t see his works on bookstore shelves anymore but he was a fantastic author of adventure books. The movies “Scaramouche,” starring Stewart Granger, “Captain Blood” and “The Sea Hawk” starring Errol Flynn, and “The Black Swan” starring Tyrone Power are all based on books of the same names written by Rafael Sabatini.

    He was prolific writer. He wrote 34 novels as well as several short story collections. He also wrote several non-fiction books about historical events and a series of plays.

    He also knew 6 languages but preferred to write in English because it had the variety he needed to tell the stories he wanted to tell.

    If you are interested, several of his books can be ordered from Amazon including The Sea Hawk, The Black Swan, Scaramouche, and Captain Blood. Check them out and don’t let a fantastic author be forgotten!

    8Oct, 2018
    Writing Rules

    Writing has to be treated like a job. That means setting aside time everyday to write, edit, and revise. It sounds easy but I am discovering that even with years of practice, I still struggle to get in time to write.

    Years ago, my dad and I installed a built-in desk in one of the rooms in our house. Today, an all-in-one desktop computer sits on it–for the kids. They use it for school work, watching/playing video games, and checking e-mail. Me? I use my laptop on a TV tray in the living room or our bedroom to get words written down. The desk was a great idea but as the kids got older, it was not longer “my” space. But as a writer, you do what you got to do as a writer to write. 

    There are several rules I have to follow when I write. I write everyday–even if it’s work-related writing. I also read everyday–everything from newspaper articles to novels.

    I am also working on a non-fiction book and have already begun outlining a novel. (Yay, me!) 

    Persistence is the best tool I have.

     

     

    7Oct, 2018
    To Vote or Not to Vote–That is a Question

    My daughter and I got into an argument tonight over her voter registration–as in she didn’t want to register and I made her. She is still upset with me. 

    I told her that she could register and, if she didn’t want to vote, that was up to her but at least she would be registered to vote when the time comes.

    She says she is confused and has friends on social media who have strong opinions about issues that leave her unsure of where she stands on things. 

    Unfortunately, these “friends” on social media are people she has never met in person but she considers them friends. If only I could organize a friendship with a decent, reasonable young woman–who is like-minded and who could influence her in a good way—but, as it stands in today’s world, social media “friends” trump real live people in the same room. 

    What really, really bothers me is that politics has become so dirty and messy—a la the Kavanaugh hearings—that my daughter isn’t even sure if she wants to vote.

    I grew up in the tail end of the Cold War. I couldn’t imagine not exercising my right to vote. In fact, I think I’ve missed only one vote (during a primary) and that was due to a work-related project and I didn’t get to the polls in time. 

    It’s horrible that a young person on the cusp of adulthood feels confused by politics and doesn’t know how to move forward.

    My husband and I are going to talk to her about the issues and ask her to look into them. We can help her investigate her representatives and where they stand on issues—but she has to decide what to do with the information. 

    I am hoping that this doesn’t lead to extensive or long-term apathy toward politics or voting–but she has me worried.