- journal entry, circa 2000 Went to fix the alternator today. It was the old, original problem raising its gnarled head again. The shoe-goo solution: make it off-beat, to keep the groove running smooth. See, if we weren't gendered, the balanced center would start to wobble off course eventually: because…
The Empire of Story Arc
It was bad enough that the chorus of successful writers at the conference cheered in unison for the archetypal story formula, heroic character arc, invisible hand of the selfless author, catering to the modern reader's insatiable taste for action, drama, tension, climax and resolution, no frills allowed. It was bad…
A Feast of Films
Recently I've had the opportunity to watch a number of interesting and topical films, and it seems they all provide or inspire commentary on serious issues we face in the world today. Without further ado, I offer the following capsule reviews: Jumbo Wild Stunning photography captures the essence of wilderness,…
Random Readings
Recently I tried to read in Edgar Rice Burroughs - my boyhood favorite - Lost on Venus; and I was appalled at how bad the writing was. Using the word “hideous” to describe the snakes, for example, four times in two pages. The melodramatic action was compelling enough, but rather…