In last week’s blog, I promised (or threatened, depending on how the message was received) to give you an excerpt of the latest draft of my fantasy book ‘The Odin Incident’ (One prophecy, Two destinies – Nine worlds in peril). This latest draft was inspired by Les Edgerton’s book on how to write entitled ‘Hooked’. …
Author: richardsleftbank
Retired, when in a late life crisis, began to write - started a blog and now, three novels later, the rest still isn't history.
Revisiting the Odin Incident
In a previous blog I mentioned a book called ‘Hooked’ by Les Edgerton, who writes about how to write. It’s one thing to read a book on how to improve your writing but what’s the point if you don’t apply the principles? One of the most interesting observations in the Edgerton book is his belief …
Where’s the Beef?
Aside from reporting on the latest round of fresh disasters on the COVID front, our news outlets seem starved for anything other than Kanadoodle’s latest scandal involving the now retired top General. Did he or didn’t he? From a media perspective, first establishing guilt or innocence isn’t relevant. From a political perspective, everyone is already …
Life’s Imponderables
Is your life full of imponderable questions, wrestling with the meaning of life and the ‘big questions’ – like whether a red Bordeaux is better than a white Burgundy, whether either are worth the cost or if men will ever remember to lower the toilet seat? Despite growing up in the Cretaceous period, I still …
The Nothing Girl
The Nothing Girl by Jodi Taylor, Accent Press/Headline 2014 - What a wonderful book. There’s Jenny, an orphan taken in by her aunt and uncle, despite her debilitating stammer and her ‘other problem’. Then there’s Thomas, the large golden horse that only Jenny can see or hear. Jenny needs someone to watch out for her, …
The House in the Cerulean Sea
The House in the Cerulean Sea published by Tor books in 2020. Each year my DDD (dearest darling daughter) sends me a book. I look forward to this ritual as it gives me something to read that I would never have found on my own. It’s not that our tastes are a perfect match – …
Pass the Holy Hand Grenade
There’s nothing like a few good massacres to once again bring on a barrage of calls for gun control – not to mention a sputtering rage from gun enthusiasts. Is there a place for weapons in a modern society? Is there some sort of compromise in this endless debate? There are, after all, perfectly normal …
How Mean Was He?
Remember one-up-man-ship? Like when you could stick it to someone by showing him/her that you had it worse in your day? You know, the kind of thing that spawned old jokes like: ‘Man we had it bad – the rats in our apartment were bigger than cats!’ ‘Rats? We didn’t have no rats in our …
MAX for Millions!
This is Max but everyone calls him Cute. VOTE FOR MAX I keep telling him that he has a remarkable resemblance to the ‘Pluto’, star of U-Tube. He shrugs off the suggestion, reminding me that he does not speak in annoying nasal tones. He also points out that he’s much more handsome in any case. …
The Megan and Harry Show Meets the Pooparazzi
Royal Pains,,,,, How about that Megan and Harry? Will their baby be dark or light or spray painted rainbow? Will Harry and Charles kiss and make up? Will Catherine and Megan ever get their hair done together again? Will Granny and her consort, the Duke of Darth Vader, survive another royal pain in the ass? …
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