Monthly Archives: December 2017

What’s In a Name?

In the last three years I’ve written five articles for Rock&Gem Magazine. Along the way of research and writing I’ve come across the confusing topic of precious and semi-precious gems — just what do those words mean? I recently bought … Continue reading

Posted in Thoughts on writing, Uncategorized, Writing by others, Writing tips | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

How Long Does It Take To Write A Book?

How long does it take to write a book? That answer of course depends. For my brother’s book on Uncle Murray (internal link), it took Bill four and a half years. Along the way he wrote magazine articles on Murray … Continue reading

Posted in Magazine article, Thoughts on writing, Uncategorized, Writing by others, Writing tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer

This is an American Christmas novelty song. Perhaps my overseas friends are not acquainted with it. To everyone, a joyous holiday season and a Merry Christmas! Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer Written by Randy Brooks, originally performed by … Continue reading

Posted in music, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

For The Joy of Reading

By Lewis Carroll. From Alice in Wonderland. Illustration by Sir John Tenniel. “You are old, Father William,” the young man said, “And your hair has become very white; And yet you incessantly stand on your head— Do you think, at your … Continue reading

Posted in Poetry, Thoughts on writing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Learning to Drone Part IV

Here’s a few seconds of recent drone footage that I made near Goldfield, Nevada. The first video came out well but is too short. The second video shows I need practice as a new drone pilot. I needed to get … Continue reading

Posted in Drone, Photography, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Back From Esmeralda County, Nevada and Elsewhere

The Last Supper. By Poland-born Belgian sculptor Albert Szukalski, in the ghost town of Rhyolite, on the road to Death Valley. Ghost Rider by Szukalski.

Posted in art, Photography, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Turning Down Work

UPDATE: As of December 20th, 2017 I am back to accepting new assignments. I have submitted my latest book proposal. ORIGINAL POST: For the first time I am turning down work. To get my book proposal done I can not … Continue reading

Posted in books, Thoughts on writing, Uncategorized, Writing tips | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Publishing Point of View From a Small Press

Interesting article from RealPants.com (external link) regarding book publishing at a small press. Most interesting is the idea of paying authors in copies, so that they can go about selling the titles themselves. Here’s a quote: Instead, the royalty model … Continue reading

Posted in books, Thoughts on writing, Uncategorized, Writing by others, Writing tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Battling Through a Cold – Working on A TOC

After I got back from Atlanta a week ago I developed a bad cold. It lingers still. I want to get a book proposal (internal link) done by January 2d and I fear I may not make it. Aside from … Continue reading

Posted in books, Research tips, Thoughts on writing, Uncategorized, Writing tips | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Let’s Get Them In The Right Order

The Monty Python’s Matching Tie and Handkerchief has long been a favorite record of mine. Side two was unusual in that it had two record tracks or grooves paralleling each other. Depending on where you first placed the phonograph needle, … Continue reading

Posted in Thoughts on writing, Uncategorized, Writing by others | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment