This is the weekend for bird
counting. I’ve been keeping track of the birds on about eight acres. Where have
all the birds gone? I found 3 pairs of eastern bluebirds, a few robins, Carolina
wrens and a pair of falcons. It’s heart breaking. Usually there are so many
birds that I have a problem counting.
Brief Mercies
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Sunday, February 9, 2014
ON WRITING SHORT STORIES
Short stories are built around emotions. It's a singular dilemma, one that will be solved through the interior of the story. Start close to the end. Limit your cast of characters. Above all, read!
Here's a list of some of my favorite short story writers:
Reynolds Price
Ernest Hemingway
Doris Lessing
William Faulkner
Eudora Welty
Chekhov
Here's a list of some of my favorite short story writers:
Reynolds Price
Ernest Hemingway
Doris Lessing
William Faulkner
Eudora Welty
Chekhov
Thursday, February 6, 2014
QUOTES ON WRITING
I always take everything I read on the internet with a grain of salt, however this quote sounds like something that's true.
Annie Dillard, "At best, the sensation of writing is that of an unmerited grace. It is handed to you, but only if you look for it. You search, you break your back, your heart, your brain and then--and only then--is it handed to you."
Annie Dillard, "At best, the sensation of writing is that of an unmerited grace. It is handed to you, but only if you look for it. You search, you break your back, your heart, your brain and then--and only then--is it handed to you."
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
LET THERE BE SPRING
Snow falling in Florida, this
is a rare occasion . Where is the
sunshine? Where are the birds? I’m not in to gloomy days. Let there be Spring or a sunny day. To quote
Shakespeare, “The darling buds of May.”
I’m working on a Victorian
mystery and it’s a stinking sunny day in London. It’s hard to imagine a hot day when I’m
freezing. Back to time traveling in my mind.
Monday, January 20, 2014
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF GERALD DURRELL
If you want to introduce your teenager to Natural
History, read the hilarious books of Gerald Durrell, an icon of nature
conservation. He traveled the world keenly observing people and animals. He
begins his memories with the very funny and loving account of a ten year old
and his family living on the island of
Corfu. My Family and Other Animals is a must read for anyone who loves animals. I
have three of his novels and when I want something to lift my spirit I turn to Mr. Durrell.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
MIND MAPPING
I read about mind mapping the other day. You put your main idea in the center of a page and circle it, then write down as many ideas that you can think of, circling each one. On and on until you begin to see connections and deeper ideas beneath the central concept. It really works. I thought I would share the exercise.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
FOR THE BIRDS
Oh brother, it’s cold outside. Three eastern bluebirds
landed in the lily bed. For once, I would like to shoot a good close up picture.
Hell, the battery is dead. The yard is full of birds and I enjoy watching them.
Putting out food for the wildlife, hope the wild cat that lives in the woods
does not freeze, wish I had some way to provide shelter during this cold spell.
It’s been forty years since we’ve had temperatures in the single digits. So
cold even Lily refuses to go out.
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