August 24, 2010

The Gaslight Journal is Done

Begun back sometime in 2001, this book was originally a fluke of an idea… [...]

April 6, 2010

STROKES SUCK

Several months ago I woke up feeling odd (not strange for me). Got out of bed, took the old good morning pee, moved down the hall following the smell of coffee and then had to grab a gaudy table halfway down the hall to keep from falling.  Not normal but what the hell. I [...]

March 3, 2010

Medical care goes global

While politicians fiddle and patients get burned, Americans’ best bet for affordable, quality medical care right now is in Bangkok. [...]

February 16, 2010

The art of loving what you do

The art of loving what you do

by Tyree Harris

As broke college students, there isn’t a lot we won’t do for cash. From cleaning up after our peers at the EMU to standing for tedious hours at the mercy of a grocery scanning mecha-lord at Safeway (like me) — you name it, we’d probably do it.
It’s not often we find students who can actually say that they love what they do to pay their bills. So when I discovered that one of my past classmates had found something she loved, though shunned by many, I was delighted by the rarity and began interviewing her. She prefers to remain anonymous, however, so we will call her by her alter ego, “Victory.”
 
Victory, 19, anxiously walked into the shady-looking brick building scattered with poles, seats and nude women. Having made it this far and having already purchased the signature 5-inch stripper heels, she had no intentions of turning back. She boldly sat down, answered some questions and filled out a few forms. Before she knew it, “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” by Daft Punk was playing, and she was shyly disrobing her pink and black undergarments for an audience of two.
 
She remembers thinking “I really have no idea what I’m doing,” as she was giving a lap dance — but whatever she did worked out well.
In her first night as an exotic dancer, working from 4 p.m. to 3 a.m., Victory raked in more than $200. Continue reading The art of loving what you do

October 19, 2009

Deacon Demented

Stephen Sangirardi
Bard715@aol.com
Deacon Demented
 
   The Aspirants for the Diaconate were told to go to the Large Theology Room, and I was one of those who went. Adjacent to Large Theology stood the Small Theology Room, but being men who sought ordination we showed the proper obedience and filed into the Large and not the Small. Truthfully, I was surprised Dunwoodie had accepted me up to this point. After all, on my Medical form I was asked if I dribbled immediately after the act of urination, to which I responded, No, but occasionally after an orgasm my urine has been known to fork in two like the Tgris-Euphrates River! Those were my exact words, courtesy of the future Deacon Demented. More about that later. If nothing else I did provide them with a Biblical allusion. I wanted the Diaconate Board to know up front that I was a man who recognized the legitimacy of his penis. I also wanted them to know that I was iconoclastic to boot, and not some clone of collectve Chrisitanity. Other absurd questions, at least to me, appeared on the questionaire, and I was vitriolic wherever I deemed it necessary. Then, on a different application, I was asked to give my most important reason for wanting to beome a deacon. I simply wrote that I was tired of stifling my yawns each time one of the priests (or deacons ) in my priest uttered yet another azure sermon, which made me feel, of all people, like Albert Camus. Therefore, I yearned to preach myself and fulminate from the pulpit and hopefully plant a few seeds that would bear fruit in the future. In short, I wanted the congregation to think for a change. All this and more I wrote on my various apps. I even appeared less than pious when I was interviewed in March by two holy deacons just prior to undergoing their battery of tests. I had argued that Thomas a Kempis should have canonized as a saint by now after some five hundred years. One of the deacons countered by saying that, unlike bonified saints, Thomas a Kempis’ body reeked after death. I then said that it was a pity that a Kempis hadn’t died in formaldehyde. Both deacons then cleared their semiotic throats at my expense, and that was that. So, here I was in Large Theology, on a warm May Monday night, an Aspirant along with the other candidates but no doubt the least pious of the lot. It all went to prove that the Catholic Church must have really been desperate if they were willing to recriut the likes of me, a Lutheran through and through who always believed that religion should be taught with a wink instead of the customary sledgehammer. Continue reading Deacon Demented

September 12, 2009

After-School Sessions with Our Favorite Teachers: Robert W. Walker

The Teacher’s Edition:

After-School Sessions with Our Favorite Teachers: Robert W. Walker

By Ann Charles

 

Hello, everybody. I’ve set out to interview some of my favorite writing teachers and learn more about them as teachers, not just authors.

Today, I’m staying after class to talk with Robert W. Walker.

Robert W. Walker is a graduate of Northwestern University and Northwestern’s master’s English education program. Rob has taught writing in all its permutations, from composition and developmental to a study of the literary masters to advanced creative writing. “All writing is creative writing, but not all writing sings,” he says. His first novel was one only an arrogant youth could have conceived-a sequel to Huckleberry Finn, now published as Daniel & the Wrongway Railway, still available at Amazon.com. But his first suspense-techno thriller-science fiction-mystery, Sub-Zero, came in 1979, after college. Since then, counting his Kindle books, he has published 44 novels.

While born in Corinth, Mississippi, Robert grew up in Chicago, so he was witness to crime long before anything else. At an early age, 12 or 13 perhaps, he began writing to gain some control over the chaos of life. He was drawn to stories and films having to do with the arcane and bizarre, from “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” to The Twilight Zone, to Science Fiction Theatre and the entertaining One Step Beyond as well as The Outer Limits.

His greatest influences are too many to list, but here are a few: Shakespeare, Mark Twain, Alexander Dumas, Martin Cruz Smith, Thomas Thomas, Robert Bloch, Richard Matheson, and, more recently, Patricia Cornwell, the person who finally unmasked Jack the Ripper. He is also now reading the strange tale of Elmer McCurdy, an American outlaw. He is working on a screenplay and keeping up with Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Acme Authors Link (blogging), online marketing, www.Speakwithoutinterruption.com, and www.1stTurningpoint.com, as well as working on his next novel, a sequel to Dead On.

Okay, let’s get down to business. Continue reading After-School Sessions with Our Favorite Teachers: Robert W. Walker

August 28, 2009

Question: Is Marriage Dead?

Happy Relationships
Tim Kellis, author of "Equality: The Quest for the Happy Marriage"

Tim Kellis, author of "Equality: The Quest for the Happy Marriage"

I’m half way through my two month blog tour on relationships.  The stops have generally been both interactive and productive.  I’ve particularly like the stops where the topics were questions related to relationships.

I wanted to share one in particular, at the Long Relationships blog.  I had stops on 3 consecutive days.  The first day the questions was is marriage dead.  I also want to add the dialogue that ensued.  Here is the link to that blog post.

Question: Is Marriage Dead?

When you sit back and ponder for a moment “what is the biggest problem we as a society are dealing with today”, how would you respond? Is it global warming? Or maybe feeding the hungry? Or possibly our current economic situation?

While these issues get a lot of headlines I would actually have to say our biggest problem is the current culture of marriage. After all, we constantly hear that 50% of those who declare in front of family, friends and God “for better or worse” end up ending what began with such hope and promise. Continue reading Question: Is Marriage Dead?

July 27, 2009

Irish Musings–Interview

 

The Writer’s Life

www.thewriterslife.blogspot.com

 

(Editor’s Note: The Writer’s Life is syndicated into USA Today, Reuters, Chicago Times, Boston Globe, Washington Post, and other national publications. 

 

A Brief Seamus History


JD Seamus was born and spent his early childhood in one of the worst ghettos of Belfast before immigrating to the US at the tender age of eight. One of nine brothers, he is the only survivor today.

 

Seamus was raised by his uncle, a sergeant with the NYPD, in the rough Five Points section of New York. He joined his local neighborhood gang shortly after his arrival in the US and began participating in minor illegal activities only to discover that he was a terrible criminal. He was demoted to look-out because of his slow running ability then demoted again after his gang peers discovered he was legally blind. He was demoted again and given the job of administrator where he negotiated with neighborhood fences. He was told by the gang leaders to continue his education as he was a very poor criminal, and did. It worked out well. He remains close to the remnants of his original gang who later in life became Mafia Dons and Capos, a Rabbi, two Catholic Priests and a Bishop, Captains of Industry, movie stars, TV personalities and sports heroes. Continue reading Irish Musings–Interview

July 10, 2009

Start a Business? Are You Ready?

 

    Do you plan to give up your job and start a new business of your own? What would that take? What would be your new responsibilities? Probably more than you planned. In new business, your security is the biggest thing you give up. The idea of having a paycheck in the same amount you can count on every week is gone. The benefits you get now, your insurance, or whatever it is that you count on is gone. When you work for someone else you have set responsibilities, when you work for yourself, you are responsible for everything. Scary huh?
   
Failure? The myth that nine out of ten businesses close in their first year may or may not be completely true. According to more recent Dun and Bradstreet data, 76 percent of new companies were still in business after two years, 47 percent after four years, and 38 percent after six years. These estimates are substantially different than what is still commonly believed.

    These business survival statistics are based on the number of new business licenses applied for each year, which are not renewed on following years. The licenses could be for a person selling crafts at the swap meet on Saturdays, or someone in a temporary business, or just as a tax shelter. Some of these “failed” businesses could have been sold or transferred to another individual. These estimates are hard to prove either way, but realistically, most new business does fail. Continue reading Start a Business? Are You Ready?

July 5, 2009

Am I Ready to Start a Business? 10 personal questions to ask yourself before you commit

 

     No, we won’t begin with “Do you have a master’s degree?” Although education does matter, higher education is not a requirement for starting or succeeding in a new business. In fact, according to a 1992 United States Census Bureau report, only 5.3 percent of business owners have a Master’s degree or higher education. 9.4 percent had less than a high school education—some only up to the eighth grade. Oddly enough, only 17 percent had any business education. The founder of Dell Computers was a college dropout. Starting out of his garage, he managed to excel above all of the world’s top computer manufacturers. One in three computers sold today is a Dell.
    What you will need is more commonly known as “street smarts” or common sense. In addition, you will need to have certain individual qualities, or personality traits. Most individuals who are successful in business and in “life” possess these traits. Take the quiz and see how many of the following questions you can answer with a confident “yes.” Continue reading Am I Ready to Start a Business? 10 personal questions to ask yourself before you commit

July 5, 2009

Should I Write My Life Story?

Nearly 81 percent of people say they have a book inside them. It’s in their hearts, minds, and soul; but unfortunately, it never seems to develop in pen. Most of these people feel their life story or an event in their life is worthy of becoming a book—and they may be right.

 

Why then don’t we write our special and unique story? Are we afraid of failure? Do we feel we just don’t have the time? Whatever the reason, we can overcome it. So what if it does take you five years to complete your manuscript? And what is failure anyway? If you sit down and spend one hour a week writing what’s been festering in your heart for years, would you consider that failure? I would define it as true commitment, a healthy outlet, and an expression of your being; far from failure.

 

Writing doesn’t have to be a full-time job; in fact, it shouldn’t feel like a job at all. Set aside an hour a week to write. You have a story to tell and there is sure to be someone who would be interested in reading it. Even if you never publish your story or make it available to the public, writing it will be an accomplishment to be proud of. Continue reading Should I Write My Life Story?

July 2, 2009

An Interview of Robert and Miranda Walker by Bill Lynch

Below is an interview of Robert and Miranda Walker – by Bill Lynch of the Charleston Gazette – that we wanted to share with our viewers:
Partners in crime novels: Couple both published authors
Chris Dorst
Robert and Miranda Walker show off the covers of their two latest books — her first, his 44th. The couple will share space and sign copies together at area bookstores this summer.

 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Mystery writer Robert Walker has a selfish reason for wanting his wife, Miranda, to write books of her own.

 

“It’s easier for another writer to sell someone else’s books,” he said.

 

Sitting across a table at Taylor Books, one of several locations in the area the pair will be signing books this summer, the two talk about how they met and how Miranda got started writing.

 

Walker, 60, originally from Chicago, is an established, working-class novelist — a paperback writer. He published his first book in his mid-20s, and after 35 years has 44 books under his belt, always with another one or two on the way. Continue reading An Interview of Robert and Miranda Walker by Bill Lynch

May 4, 2009

An Interview Conducted In An Imaginary Space

Interviewer: I’d like to begin this interview by confessing that after reading The Case, I found myself feeling more and more frustrated by the sex act. I’m wondering if this is a complaint you’ve heard from other readers?

Mel Nicolai: This is the first time I’ve heard that specific complaint. To tell the truth, most of the comments I’ve received from readers have been positive. But just to be on the safe side, you should probably shy away from activities that hint of pre-organic states of quietude.

Int: Can you give me an example or two of positive feedback you’ve gotten from readers?

Mel: Let’s see. A guy named Al Loi, a machinist from Denver, Colorado, wrote and said that since reading The Case, all his internal organs have run in perfect synchrony. I thinks that pretty positive, don’t you?

Int: It sounds good. Any others?

Continue reading An Interview Conducted In An Imaginary Space

April 26, 2009

Really Cool Interview

I had the coolest interview by Juanita Watson with Reader Views. She is really good. It was like talking to an old friend or something. If only they were all like that. I remember this one time with this dude from the FBI….boy could he take lessons from Juanita. To listen to my really [...]

April 6, 2009

An Interview of Robert W. Walker by Jean Henry Mead

Below is an interview of Robert W. Walker by Jean Henry Mead – we felt our viewers would be interested in reading this interview.

A Conversation with Robert W. Walker
RobertWalkerAuthor of The Edge and Instinct series, Robert W. Walker has also written the Inspector Alastair Ransom historical mystery series. His work has been created under four pen names.

Rob, there have been a number of well-known Robert Walkers: a 16th century English artist, 19th century U.S. treasury secretary and Hollywood actor, among others. Do you feel that a famous, although common name is an asset or handicap to your writing career?

I was always aware of the actor Robert Walker, and I learned that the Governor of Bleeding Kansas in the history books was a Robert Walker, and I fantasized both were related. I needed all the role models I could get. Now to answer your question, author names ought to be memorable like Stephen King, Lee Child, and Janet Evanovich, but not necessarily famous or infamous. Frankly, as a kid, watching Rin-Tin-Tin, the wonder dog, my oddness was already present as I liked watching the credits on the old black and white Zenith, and I saw that the most popular TV show of its time-about a dog and a boy and Rip Masters, US Calvary-was written or produced or something by a guy named Robert Walker. I immediately wanted to be that creative guy who brought Rin-Tin-Tin into your home! I have used four pen names so I am not enamored of Rob Walker but my real name has beaten out my pen names (Evan Kingsbury, Stephen Robertson, Glenn Hale, Geoffrey Caine). But you know I always wanted my name on the enormous accomplishment of writing my book–all of my books. Continue reading An Interview of Robert W. Walker by Jean Henry Mead

March 27, 2009

Rob Walker’s Interview of Jeffrey Cohen

The Jersey Devil Unmasked — Jeffrey Cohen Interview with Rob Walker

Car Overturned

 

 An Interview at the Point of a Dog -
I virtually traveled to a place of which I had skewed images of from the Sopranos TV episodes. A somewhat stark insular place just across the river from New York-another of those “new” places up in “Newland” called New Jersey where I was told I could find Jeffrey Cohen, the mystery comic novelist who had been likened to a male Janet Evanovich and a Donald Westlake and sometimes as sick as Joe Konrath and myself. I had to sit down with this guy, but it was not easy in this crowded corner of the globe to find the Edison Generator until I spotted the upside down car and the huge sign overhead reading: Does Your Car Turn Over in the Morning?

Next to the generator shop was a place that looked like a roadside diner, which meant the food inside must be great. Maybe I’d call for a beer and a Philly steak or a Jersey steak or whatever they served. I was starving. Two days on the road to get here and a bit nervous (okay giddy as a schoolgirl) over the impending moment I’d meet Jeff Cohen, author of the Double Feature Series and creator of Aaron Tucker and so many other lively and funny characters.
jeff-cohen-photoI pushed through the door and I immediately recognized Cohen in a corner so dark that it cut his features in half like a curtain had fallen, but his keen eyes in light and in dark were unmistakably focused on the door as if he were expecting trouble to walk in at any moment (and I did). I knew it was Cohen because he wore the only shirt I ever saw him in-and orange pullover, and he had a dog with him. It was like looking at his website all over again-his smiling picture. I immediately shook hands and asked, “They let dogs in here?”

Continue reading Rob Walker’s Interview of Jeffrey Cohen

March 26, 2009

Interview of George Polley by Aneeta Sundararaj

George Polley is a new contributor to the SWI site and he lives in Japan.  He was recently interviewed by Aneeta Sundararaj who lives in Malaysia.  We felt our viewers might be interested in reading George’s interview in the link below:

http://www.howtotellagreatstory.com/byot/byot124.html

March 25, 2009

Interview of Tom Brown by Reader Views

Tom Brown is a consistent contributor to our SWI site who writes about his wife’s battle with cancer and related topics.  We felt our viewers might be interested in clicking on the link below to view Tom’s interview with Reader Views. http://www.readerviews.com/ReviewBrownMenBleedToo.html At the bottom of this article (link above) click on “Read interview [...]

March 25, 2009

Interview of Richard Geldard by Watershed Online

(Richard Geldard was one of SWI’s initial contributors – we felt our viewers might be interested in Richard’s interview, below, with Arthur Paul Patterson)

EMERSON SCHOLAR Richard Geldard has authored three books on Emerson. He was interviewed by Arthur Paul Patterson, editor of Watershed Online.
Watershed Online: Emerson started out as a minister in the Unitarian Church and gradually distanced himself from all forms of institutional Christianity. What were the causes of his disaffection? How did his reaction to, and assumption of, his Christian past influence his Transcendentalism?

Continue reading Interview of Richard Geldard by Watershed Online

March 25, 2009

Interview of Paul Perry by The Argentimes.com

Paul Perry is a new contributor to our SWI site.  He grew up in Philadelphia, but in the 1990′s, moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina and has built a life there.  We thought our viewers might enjoy the interview The Argentimes.com did with Paul which is in the link below:

http://www.theargentimes.com/culture/balives/paul-perry-poet-/

March 24, 2009

Interview of Raff Ellis by Irene Zabytko

(Raff Ellis is a new contributor to the SWI site – we felt this interview would be of intereste to our viewers)

WMFE-FM’s Arts Connection literary contributor, Irene Zabytko had this conversation with Orlando author Raff Ellis:        Continue reading Interview of Raff Ellis by Irene Zabytko

March 24, 2009

An Interview of Argentine Painter Ciruelo by Paul Perry

Paul Perry is a new contributor to the SWI site – he lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  The link below is an interview he did with a famous artist from Argentina by the name of Ciruelo who paints dragons.  Within the “International” theme of our site we felt our viewers would be interested in reading [...]

March 24, 2009

Interview of Lloyd Lofthouse by Radio86

Lloyd Lofthouse is a new, and International, contributor to our SWI site.  Here’s a link to an interview, of Lloyd, that was broadcast and placed on the Internet recently from Europe/England. Radio86 works out of Finland, has a Website and broadcasts from real readio stations in several languages and countries. http://www.radio86.co.uk/explore-learn/culture/9950/a-labor-of-love-lloyd-lofthouse-author-of-my-splendid-concubine

I thought our viewers [...]

March 24, 2009

Interview of John Joss by Julia Wood

Interview of John Joss by Julia Wood

 

John Joss posts to this website so I decided to interview him for the benefit of readers. Here is the interview, conducted in his office in the San Francisco area. (John is also one of SWI’s initial and most conscientious contributors so we felt posting his interview would be of interest to our readers).

 JW:    When did you start to write?

 JJ:     My first work appeared in a newspaper in England, the Felixstowe HERALD, when I was five years old. It described a blimp that flew overhead. I can still recall two lines I wrote, a poem written in iambic pentameter-precocious little brat:

         It was so very, very big

            I thought it was a flying pig. Continue reading Interview of John Joss by Julia Wood