Real evil reaches depths that most writers who want to appear credible would never dream of—not if they wanted to be taken seriously. Last weekend, families carried out two terrorist bombings in Indonesia. Parents and children. On Saturday, May 12, a family of six suicide-bombed three churches in Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city. Dad drove a […]
Why do I like writing? Some people I know say “I don’t like writing; I like having written.“ To an extent, I can understand that. I love the feeling of accomplishment that comes when I complete a piece of writing, whether it’s an article for a magazine, a book, a story or even a […]
Today is Remembrance Day, variously called Armistice Day or Veterans Day in various countries. 99 years ago, the First World War came to an end. Over the years and many wars since then, on the anniversary of this day we pause to think about the war and the people who fought, were wounded and died […]
Gord Downie passed away last week. Okay, that’s not news anymore. Every Canadian and many others around the world know that. But I need to acknowledge the passing and honour the man whose words have meant so much to me over the years. Gord Downie was the front man and lyricist for The Tragically Hip, […]
This has been an extreme week when it comes to North Korea—extreme political tension, extreme possible consequences and extreme differences in communications strategy, tone and messages. Furious rhetoric There’s no shortage of reaction to and analysis of the continuing verbal exchange between the Trump White House and the leadership in Pyongyang. I’ll let others debate […]
Elmore Leonard said “never open with the weather.” But he never said anything about opening with his admonition against opening with the weather. Another writer’s rule is to avoid clichés like the plague. I guess I’m going to break that rule, too. Opening with the weather Last month, my wife and I travelled to the […]
Scorch Series Romance Thriller Book 3 By Toby Neal and Emily Kimelman Luca Luciano is a jerk. The books of the Scorch Road series are gripping, fast-paced page turners that will thrill, scare, arouse and thoroughly entertain you. Smoke Road is the third volume in the new Scorch Road, six-book series being launched at a […]