Khipus – A Different Kind of Writing System

In our series “The History of Writing and Reading,” we looked at many different writing systems that developed (and sometimes died) over the milennia of human history. There is another system – perhaps better called a communication system than a writing system – that developed during the height of the Incan Empire (1400-1532). It is … Continue reading “Khipus – A Different Kind of Writing System”


Authors, Developing Words – Mickey Spillane

[Editor’s note: This post is part of a continuing series on how writers craft words to express their ideas and to connect with readers.] Mickey Spillane is regarded as one of the four “pillars” of the hard-boiled detective fiction genre, joining Dashiell Hammett (“The Maltese Falcon”), Raymond Chandler (“The Big Sleep”), and Ross MacDonald (“The … Continue reading “Authors, Developing Words – Mickey Spillane”


Authors, Developing Words – Rhett Bruno, Part 2

[Editor’s note: This post is part of a continuing series on how writers craft words to express their ideas and to connect with readers. The interview with Mr. Bruno was conducted by Miriam Ruff on June 6, 2019, and is divided in two parts. You can read Part 1 here. It has been lightly edited … Continue reading “Authors, Developing Words – Rhett Bruno, Part 2”


Authors, Developing Words – Rhett Bruno, Part 1

[Editor’s note: This post is part of a continuing series on how writers craft words to express their ideas and to connect with readers. The interview with Mr. Bruno was conducted by Miriam Ruff on June 6, 2019, and is divided in two parts. It has been lightly edited for length and clarity.] MR: Welcome to … Continue reading “Authors, Developing Words – Rhett Bruno, Part 1”


Authors, Developing Words – Philippa Gregory

[Editor’s note: This post is part of a continuing series on how writers craft words to express their ideas and to connect with readers.] Born in Nairobi, Kenya in 1954, Philippa Gregory later moved to Bristol, England. She has been publishing historical fiction since 1987, most especially stories set within England’s Tudor period. Her best-known … Continue reading “Authors, Developing Words – Philippa Gregory”


Authors, Developing Words – Octavia Butler

[Editor’s note: This post is part of a continuing series on how writers craft words to express their ideas and to connect with readers.] It’s “Jeopardy!” time. The answer is: “She was one of the few female African American science fiction writers, one who won multiple Hugo and Nebula awards for her work, and one … Continue reading “Authors, Developing Words – Octavia Butler”


Authors, Developing Words – Stan Lee

[Editor’s note: This post is part of a continuing series on how writers craft words to express their ideas and to connect with readers.] When you think about writers, who comes to mind? Ernest Hemingway? Stephen King? Isaac Asimov? William Shakespeare? What about Stan Lee? Chances are even if you don’t recognize the name you … Continue reading “Authors, Developing Words – Stan Lee”


Authors, Developing Words – Rod Serling

[Editor’s note: This post is part of a continuing series on how writers craft words to express their ideas and to connect with readers.] No, you haven’t entered the “Twilight Zone;” you’ve entered the life of Rod Serling, that show’s creator and one of television’s most prolific writers. He believed that his role as a … Continue reading “Authors, Developing Words – Rod Serling”