[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.] “Books are the perfect entertainment: no commercials, no batteries, hours of enjoyment for each dollar spent. What I wonder is why everybody doesn’t carry a book around for those inevitable dead … Continue reading “Authors, Developing Words – Stephen King”
Category: General
Authors, Developing Words – Elmore Leonard
[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.] In a 2011 interview with Justified producer Graham Yost, Elmore Leonard said, “The way I write is always from the character’s point of view. I make up my characters as I … Continue reading “Authors, Developing Words – Elmore Leonard”
Authors, Developing Words – Roald Dahl
[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.] Roald Dahl was born in 1916 in Llandaff, South Wales to Norwegian parents. He wrote both children’s fiction and short stories for adults, and is perhaps best known as the author … Continue reading “Authors, Developing Words – Roald Dahl”
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”
The Declaration of Independence – Preamble
This Thursday marks the 243rd anniversary of the ratification of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. In honor of the occasion, here is the preamble to the document for you to read and to contemplate. Do you think we, as a country, have fulfilled the Declaration’s potential? If not, what steps do you think we need … Continue reading “The Declaration of Independence – Preamble”
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”