The state of Texas is in a flap about curriculum content for social studies and science classes. At issue is whether new social studies textbooks should include information about the religious influences on people who had historical significance. All of us who even faintly remember our American history know that religion and religious beliefs played […]
Could We Find a Middle Ground? Read More »
The other day when it was really cold — about 20 degrees, which is really cold for East Texas, a flock of doves found something good to eat out in my yard. I was working and happened to look out the window and saw the birds. At first I thought there were only a handful,
According to a news story in the New York Times, an eight year old New Jersey boy is subject to extra scrutiny from TSA agents when he flies because his name appears on a “selectee” list. Najlah Feanny Hicks said her son, Michael Hicks, a Cub Scout who travels often with his family, has had
I’m feeling real secure over this Read More »
Here is another excerpt from my latest book, A Dead Tomato Plant and a Paycheck. This segment is from the chapter What’s For Dinner? Or, Mutiny of the Midgets. Enjoy… There are certain words and phrases in the English language, dirty words aside, that are guaranteed to disrupt the otherwise peaceful existence of any mother
Well, actually, I wasn’t in my office much today as this turned out to be the Monday from hell, which actually started last night when a pipe broke. I thought we had lucked through this recent deep freeze in Texas without a mishap, then late last night the water pressure suddenly dropped as I was
Tough Day at the Office Read More »
I just got my first official rejection of my newest book, A Dead Tomato Plant and a Paycheck. This is the humorous memoir I have been working on for about six months, and I recently finished the first draft and a proposal. The next step was to start sending queries to agents, which I did
This issue of e-book rights to previously published books and who owns them has been a hot topic on blogs, and a really informative post was written by Kassia Krozser on the Booksquare blog. She points out that the flap over the move by William Styron’s heirs to license the digital rights of his books
More On E-Book Rights Read More »
Last Friday, Markus Dohle, chief executive of Random House, sent a letter to dozens of literary agents, writing that the company’s older agreements gave it “the exclusive right to publish in electronic book publishing formats.” This action was taken after the family of William Styron, author of Sopie’s Choice and other classics, decided to pursue
E-Book Controversy Read More »
Perhaps you have had enough of holiday related blogs and are just ready to put the whole holiday experience to rest and forge ahead with everything you have to do in 2010. On one level, I’m ready to do that, too. I have some plans for my writing that entail setting some goals and working
Post-Holiday Thoughts Read More »
Now is the time to throw out the old and ring in the new. The natural response to the beginning of a New Year is usually optimistic and goal-centered. This is when we do some personal housecleaning, getting excited about resolutions that will make us better parents, better employees, better people, and maybe even thin
Time For New Beginnings Read More »