I’ve occasionally been accused of over-subtlety in my communications. I occasionally remind myself that it’s a gift to the listener to be clear. My therapist once said to me: “it’s not intrusive to tell people what they want to know.” Not that they always want to know what I have to say. But if I’m […] Read More

Different things scare different folks. A bold move for one person is routine for another, and vice versa. For example, if I tried to take the stand that this bird is so casually doing, I would be bold, indeed. On the other hand, I’ve done some things that this fellow would absolutely quail at. My […] Read More

Helen Mirren‘s wax likeness was unveiled at Mme. Tussaud’s yesterday and the picture of her with the fake version was number one in gossip site Radaronline’s Hot Photos. I applaud the bold Dame Helen for the chutzpah to be totally hot at 65. Add to del.icio.us - Stumble It! - Subscribe to this feed - Digg it Read More

Last week I taught my “Writing Powerful Stories” workshop on Ocracoke Island on the North Carolina Outer Banks. The participants were public school teachers/guidance counselors/principals, etc. The sponsor was the NC Center for the Advancement of Teaching. What’s bold about this? For one, I, who am primarily a writer, was teaching teachers. And more striking, […] Read More

I’m getting ready to head off to Ocracoke on the NC Outer Banks to teach a writing class for five days for NCCAT. Very nice assignment, I know. At the same time, teaching is the boldest thing I ever do. The most demanding of attentiveness. Writing is a piece of cake, by comparison. Public speaking […] Read More

Gandhi, one of my often-mentioned heroes, is an encouraging example in part because of his rough start. Prior to peacefully running the British out of India, he was a lawyer who was too cowed to speak up in court. He lost case after case. “He was a total failure,” writes Paul Rogat Loeb in an […] Read More

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Just passed a thousand posts on Friday without even knowing it. That would be about three novels in length. Though, I must say my novels are more considered than my posts. Still, it does make me think. A thousand! Damn! Will have to cook up an appropriate celebration. Add to del.icio.us - Stumble It! - Subscribe to this feed - Digg […] Read More

Yesterday afternoon my writing group was called off, and instead of rushing back to my laptop, I went home and hit the garden. Hit is the operative word. I did some serious pruning. For me, this is a bold move. My general gardening philosophy is: if a thing wants to grow, I let it grow. […] Read More

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor Satanshudders and says, “Oh no, she’s awake.”– unknown (Mamie can be found at Can I Do It?) Add to del.icio.us - Stumble It! - Subscribe to this feed - Digg it Read More