READ KURT'S FIVE-STAR REVIEW OF LARRY'S THRILLER: USA, INC. GREED AND THE CONSTITUTION A Novel Pair By Larry Kahaner I enjoy writing about greed. It's an emotion that intrigues me because I'm not a greedy person, so I'm fascinated by those who are. I want to understand it, and, for me, this …
So, it looks like “The Industry” is finally beginning to figure out this Snapchat thing…
I began a quest a while back to understand how Indie Authors such as myself can leverage the seemingly incomprehensible (at least to an old dud like me) yet immensely popular messaging app called Snapchat. To be honest, I gave up any hope of me ever using the app as part of my publishing platform …
Why Write, Dammit?!
I'm not a very good writer, by which I don't only mean it in regards to what I've written, but also and mostly to how I've written. The act of writing pains me and I'll pretty much do anything mostly legal I can to get myself out of it. I guess the best way to …
The Murky Link Between the Russian Cyber Threat and My Novel
This is a link to the live recent Senate Intelligence hearing regarding "Russian Hacking and Cybersecurity." This is a murky link. This is a link to The Sea Trials of an Unfortunate Sailor, my book about the harsh realities of life in the navy during the Don't Ask Don't Tell era. What is the relevance …
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The Writer’s Life Series
FOR THE WRITER IN YOU[R LIFE] LIFE'S A BITCH and then you write™ Customize Coffee Mugs, Tee Shirts, Bumper Stickers, Buttons, and More at the RELATING TO HUMANS Kiosk RECEIVE 30% OFF ON ALL ZAZZLE PRODUCTS WITH CODE ZAZTHIRTYOFF
BELIEVE IN LEAVE
So, I was thinking (yes, I understand the risks)... But, I was thinking, just imagine if each of the 25,109 and growing followers of this humble site were to donate just $1.00 to help me fund my film LEAVE... Just imagine how much that would be! Keep in mind that I am a product of …
Scout…and doubt
I am learning so much from the wonderful members of WRITE EDIT WRITE, our private facebook group for writers and readers. For example, this fantastic post by Author Kathy Cecala I am reblogging for your convenience and possible instruction here.
Are any of you participating in or even aware of this KINDLE SCOUT thingy? If so, what are your thoughts, I wonder.
Let me know. And please check out Kathy’s article and then go visit her Scout page and nominate her book!
Please. :)
So in the midst of this especially trying election season, I’m announcing that I’m officially a candidate…for Kindle Scout. My newest novel is Wives of the Saints. Find my electioneering page here https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/2FG91Y0LS2F58 and visit at your own risk: I know I should be cheerfully bombarding everyone for “nomination” clicks, but I won’t: I only invite you to look at the page and decide for yourself. And if you haven’t guessed already by the tone of this post, I’m not completely onboard with the whole thing, which is basically marketing and bothering people in the disguise of a writing competition. It is, however, a relatively painless and gentle way to roll out the new novel, which, if you haven’t guessed yet, is simply a funny and bittersweet book about a pair of longtime marriages. The folks at Scout encourage you to compare it to some other work, which I…
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RISE OF THE CHOSEN by Guest Author Anna Kopp
In Sam's world there are two rules. Rule #1: Nobody dies. Protect the living at all costs. Rule #2: Everybody dies. At least once. The Waking was a global event in which a force called the Lifeblood invaded all humans who died. The few strong enough to control it came back as powerful immortals. The …
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George Saunders On Story
I haven't read any Saunders yet; been meaning to...more so after watching this: I discovered this video at Saunders' site. I watched it first at The Atlantic. You can see it in its original production at the beautiful site of Redglass Pictures. If there are any Saunders fans or nonfans out there, what …
I GOT MY PROPAGANDA, I GOT REVISIONISM…
#amwriting #androckin' #nin
Birth of Loglines & Beyond | A Guest Post by Author Ann Kimbrough
Our private Facebook writers and readers group recently held its second WRITE EDIT WRITE Challenge (see the results of the first challenge here). Because my focus is on producing a short film based upon an adaptation of my short story LEAVE, I figured we might as well have a challenge focused on screenwriting. Ergo, we …
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Don’t judge my book…
Kathy Cecala, an Indie Author and an active and valuable member of our private Facebook group for writers and readers, has some interesting and useful thoughts on the dark art of choosing and creating book covers. I strongly encourage you to check it and all the many other intriguing and compelling writing she has shared for us to read for free on her website.
Yes, I’m on a writing break, but it doesn’t mean I’m not thinking about the cover for my next. As we all know, you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover. But we all do, it seems. Supposed experts in publishing tell us the cover is your most important marketing tool, though my own informal survey of readers begs to differ. Some readers will choose a book solely on its cover, but others could care less, using reviews or information on the product page to make their decision.
Truth be told, I’m in the latter group. Half the time I don’t even look at the cover of a book, even when I’ve finished reading it. And this probably explains why I tend to give short shrift to my own covers as an author. But this time I’m trying to take it seriously, mainly because I don’t feel the…
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The book’s always better than the movie…
Right? That's the rule, right? Books rule over movies. Always. Before I got involved with this whole short film thing, I always would get indignant after watching yet another failed movie adaptation of a book I liked. And I would always wonder to myself why in the heck could they never get it write/right. Until …
WRITE EDIT WRITE: Flash Fiction by Author Pam Schloesser-Canepa
Last week I announced that we were starting a private Facebook group for Writers and Readers called WRITE EDIT WRITE. Well I am happy to say that we have had a great response to the announcement and our group includes a growing host of active and creative members. And while we're still getting situated and …
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Write Edit Write: A Private Facebook Group for Writers and Readers
So, I'm creating a private Facebook group for writers and readers who are interested in the discussion of all things related to the process and business of writing. This will be somewhat an extension of what I do with the Newsletter Love subscribers, but on a much more intimate and informal level. The newsletter …
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Calling all fans of creepy suspense… | A Guest Post by Author Timothy G. Huguenin
Calling all fans of creepy suspense, small-town horror, and dystopian fiction! My name is Timothy G. Huguenin (but let’s cut the pretense here—just call me Tim). I just launched When the Watcher Shakes, a dark suspense novel about a mysterious religious sect hidden in the isolated mountains of West Virginia. It’s such an important story …
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Oh, you know, been busy like a beaver getting ready to film a movie…
Thanks for asking. What's up with you? #whereintheworldiskurt Check out the open submission feature here. Check out our latest submission here. Submit, yo!
A Mid-Term Thank You To All Who Support #IndieFilms
Seeing that we will begin filming sometime in early July, I would say we are about half-way through our campaign to raise the seed funds, so to speak, for the larger Indiegogo campaign that will raise the major funds needed to produce LEAVE, a short film based upon a screenplay I wrote. So, to celebrate …
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Writer’s Block Is Only In Your Mind…
And That's The Problem. #amwriting #not
My April Fools’ Day Joke
I would like to thank Author Vivian Biro for donating to help me make my movie. It really means so much to me that others are willing to support a dream of mine in such tangible ways. Please help me thank Vivian by visiting with her at her website, by purchasing her debut novel, and, …
ENTERTAINING THE WHAT-IFS | A Guest Post by Author Pamela Schloesser Canepa
NOW ON AMAZON FOR KINDLE! Made for Me, a Sci-fi romance novella by Pamela Schloesser Canepa, takes the awkward first date story to the extreme! What happens when an indecisive girl uses a 100% guaranteed website to find the man of her dreams? How can they truly guarantee happiness for Abrielle, who can't even decide …
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GLITTERS OF BLISS! | A Relating to Humans Poetry Feature
GLITTERS OF BLISS! by Priyanki If the clouds could come & give me a ride I would sit on them & sway away in delight And ask them to take me in their cozy coat Covering me all in the softness galore Ask them to take me in the world up away High up …
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INSPIRATION IN THE WORST OF PLACES | A Guest Post by Author Sherrie Cronin
With pleasure and gratitude, it is my honor to share with you a Guest Post by Author Sherrie Cronin. As April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, Sherrie's post, and her books, are timely, important, and educational, as, sadly, the exploitation and abuse of women only seems to be worsening. Obviously, we must do …
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This is how music is done…
Hey what's up?! We're going to be promoting our first Reward Package on Friday. If you would like to help me help you then please consider donating to help me make a movie and I will help you promote your book or other project. Huh? Yeah. So... I'm not going to be posting much for …
So, I’m Going To Make A Movie… UPDATE #3
We Have Our Captain! I am pleased and honored to announce that we have found/been blessedly bestowed with a Director for our film LEAVE. With a captain now at our film's helm (yes, I do love my sailing metaphors), we will soon be launching our Indiegogo funding campaign, where we will happily and proudly announce …
WILL YOU?
DONATE TO SUPPORT MY WOMEN'S ISSUES SHORT FILM AND PROMOTE YOUR WORK? AND WILL YOU... SUBMIT YOUR HUMAN-RELATING WORK TO THESE HUMAN-RELATING FEATURES? Moral Issues Religious Issues Philosophical Issues Political Issues Criminal Justice Issues Health Issues Mental Health Issues Relationship Issues Race Issues Women's Issues LGBT Issues Reviews Flash Fiction Poetry Photography Music Film Art …
xIRATE X VBLOG: EPISODE TWO
In this episode... - Tupac as Kurt's life coach - Will Ferrell as Ricky Bobby as Kurt's hand coach - Our initial "Website Review" - A special thanks to all recent contributors to the Relating to Humans feature - Trump - Music - Animals not Trump - And other joyous and celebratory things... HAVE …
The Promotional “Devices” I May Employ To Hook You Onto My Nascent #VBLOG
In addition to trying to shake out as many donation dollars as possible from you... I may discuss and further expand upon interesting comments you leave for me in reaction to on one of my Relating to Humans blog posts or pages. I may end each episode with a scrolling credit sequence of all recent …
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Two Marines walked into a bar…
...and the Sailor ducked. Ba dum bump! #militaryhumor Okay, just a couple of quick announcements while I've got your attention. I am overwhelmed with happiness and joy now that it is Spring, and because of all the wonderful submissions we've received to the Relating to Humans Women's Issues feature in celebration of Women's History Month. …
So, I’m Going To Make A Movie… UPDATE #2
Well, as grand, collaborative endeavors often do... we've run into a few delays in our effort to launch our Indigogo campaign to raise funds for our short film LEAVE. Fortunately for us the delays are good problems to have because it may allow us to have an even stronger team and announcement once we do …
THE WOMAN IN ME | A Relating to Humans Woman’s Issues Feature
THE WOMAN IN ME by Debolina Coomar When I was a daughter, I had dreams, I learnt that life is not easy, and nothing is what it seems. When I became a student, I had aspirations, I learnt that achievements are important, and learnings are an inspiration. When I became a professional, I had goals, …
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So, about this Snapchat #socialmedia thing…
I wonder... Are any Indie Authors using it to promote their work? And if they are, are they finding it worthy of the time and brain cells it took them to learn yet another social media thing for which to suck them away from their writing (not that I need it for an excuse to …
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Write What You Know, You Know…
They say, Write what you know... And in response I say, Okay... So when I began in earnest to write stuff for people to read way back in the early Nineties - what a great decade that was - about all I knew about life outside of my personal life which I didn't and still …
So, I’m Going To Make A Movie… UPDATE #1
As you may already know, a short film is going to be made of a screenplay I adapted from LEAVE, one of my short, dramatic stories about what it may have been like for the first females sailors assigned to warships back in the Nineties. It probably isn't much of a spoiler to say that …
While Hacking at a Log
I wonder... What is more important to most readers of literature... Just the words as they are written? Or the why the words were written - the author's motivation? Or the how the words were written - the author's background? When reading a thesis that may influence one's medical or legal decisions, knowing that the …
A Prolific Poet
Somehow I managed not to share this (age is a possible factor) very kind recommendation for Poems from the River that was posted by our good friend at Chronicles of a Blogaholic, who, with her daily musings and photography, brings us all a little bit of sunshine and happiness.
“Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought
and the thought has found words.”
Robert Frost
There’s a blogger I’ve been following since I began my blog. He’s one of the first bloggers that found my blog and liked one of my posts.
Ever since that day, I’ve been following him daily. His stories and photographs are an inspiration.
Last week I ordered his book of poetry, Poems from the River, which arrived yesterday. His collection of poems are tender and beautifully written.
If you’re interested in visiting Kurt’s blog and buying his book, please check him out at: Kurt Brindley. I believe Kurt Brindley is and will become quite a prolific poet.
Shine On
What’s On Your Bookshelf?
So, I just created a new page called "Writing Resources" where I've listed all the books in my library that I consider as resources critical to my self as a writer. Check it out - hopefully you'll find some use out of it. And I'm always looking for new books to further my development so …
A Review of Short Verses & Other Curses by Paul Xylinides of theliteraryreader
I am very proud and honored to have received such a warm review from the great Paul Xylinides of the theliteraryreader (theliteraryreader.com).
As you may be aware, Paul’s work is not unfamiliar to this site, as his THE WILD HORSES OF HIROSHIMA is reviewed here and is my favorite Indie Author read to date.
I strongly encourage you – it’s for your own good, believe me – to visit with Paul at both his literary review site and at his author site paulxylinides.com to check out the intellectually intriguing work he does. Make sure you follow his sites so you don’t miss out in the future.
To read my review of THE WILD HORSES OF HIROSHIMA, click here.
To read more of Paul’s writing found on this site, enter “paul xylinides” in the search box.
Review
of
Kurt Brindley’s
Short Verses & Other Curses
(Haiku, Senryū, & Other Poetic, Artistic, & Photographic Miscellany)
by
Paul Xylinides
A Warrior Poet’s Hard-Won Epiphanies
Self-made and/or naturally insight-endowed, Kurt Brindley has the soul of a poet; further, he has the soul of a warrior poet. He makes passing reference to the martial tradition that has also been a part of his life in the poem “If I Were A Samurai:”
…
I would know
when to bow
and when to ignore
when to speak
and when to be silent
when to eat
and when to fast
when to think
and when to meditate
when to advance
and when to hold
when to strike
and when to parry
when to kill
and when to die
All writers — the serious and the not-so-much — inevitably find themselves in a battle, as often as not Biblical in proportions, for the human…
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The Happily Disgruntled Writer Reflects on the Opportunities the “New Economy” Provides for Writers…
To enlarge, click the image. To read the article, click here.
So, I’m Going To Make A Movie…
One of my resolution solutions at the beginning of last year was to become involved in the art of script writing. Of course, if you are a Newsletter Love subscriber - and why wouldn't you be - you already know this. But anyway... I figured, heck, I love watching movies and I kind of love …
Resolved, More or Less…
LESS MORE Clicking Talking Talking Thinking Thinking Reading Reading Writing #notetoself #resolutionsolution #amwriting
Kicking the Year Off – Write: Poetry
Another day has passed Another year has passed And, woe, others shall pass anon Who amongst us needs such a curse As that which forever to us will elude As that which forever to us will delude Yea, instead, choose to seek thine peace In that which shan't ne'er forsake For 'tis thy present ~~~~ …
Short Verses & Other Curses – Promotional Giveaway Until 12/26/15
Get your promotional edition here. FROM THE INTRODUCTION: I began focusing much of my poetry writing on the Japanese poetic forms of haiku, senryū, and tanka at the beginning of 2012 as a therapeutic effort when finding myself in the midst of an illness. And I continue to write them even as I find myself, …
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So, about that newsletter of mine…
Have you had a chance to check out what's going on with Newsletter Love lately? We recently announced that we will be sending out 2015 in style, meaning me sharing your poetry and other writing via the newsletter on New Year's Eve and with a selected few being published right here on the blog as …
Cover Reveal: Short Verses & Other Curses
Coming soon. And so is Christmas... Coincidence? See Newsletter Love (008-15) to find out how you can get a free pre-release pdf version of the book personally inscribed by me to you. Ho ho ho
The First Draft for Success…
...is a Dream #notetoself
Volume IV Selection for the Indie Author Book Selection & Review
You may have heard that Dr. Wayne Dyer has died. And you may have seen several of my posts where I discuss how much Dr. Dyer has meant to me over the recent years. And you may have noticed that I often referred to him, this man who has meant so much to me and …
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Need Help Publishing Your Book?
Inspired by a love of literature in specific and "The Arts" in general, as well as our very own Indie Author Book Selection & Review (IABS&R), it is my pleasure to introduce you to a long in planning yet new venture of mine, a venture of which is in possession of the entrepreneurial name …
At least when the robots take over they will be much quicker in rejecting one of my stories…
You know, seeing how we already have robots writing poetry and composing music, I assume we will soon have robots taking over as reviewers and editors, as well. I yearn for that day... You see, months and months ago -- essentially an eternity in our hyper-paced, brain-frazzling, tele-connected, continually-morphing-right-before-our-eyes day and age -- in an …
