UK Critters Help Us Grapple with the Inhumane
In 2017, I began writing my first novel, Alienable Rights, addressing unsavory aspects of humanity on full display when the news breaks about extraterrestrial aliens among us. It helped me to process a particularly difficult personal life during a time that both decimated my faith in humankind and seemingly destroyed my sense of humor. Nine […]
Bah Humbug Bummer: A Phony But Insightful Book Publicist
On December 19 I received an email with the subject heading, “Increase your book sales and visibilities globally online.” Immediate clues that this was a scam were the unsolicited subject matter itself, as well as the bizarre sender: Michaelcreativity.book@gmail. I, of course, did not take the bot-likely bait and have not replied. After all, who […]
Winter Solstice Symmetry With Cathartic Writing
Today, December 21, is the Winter Solstice, marking the shortest day of the year, after which the days gradually begin to get longer again. As the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky, our planet Earth invites us inward. Hence, it I said that the Winter Solstice teaches us to embrace patience, renewal, and […]
Pondering a Plethora of Spectacular and Sometimes Puzzling Petroglyphs
On Friday I finally made it out to the Three Rivers Petroglyphs, a historic landmark just twenty miles down the highway from me, and an enchanting spot fondly remembered from twenty years ago when I visited this area known as the Tularosa Basin of southern New Mexico. Because, if you didn’t already know, I’m a […]
No Room at the Inn for Modern-Day Scrooges
I’m trying to decorate this weekend and get into some Yuletide cheer, but I’m struggling like so many Americans who actually have a heart and care about basic human decency. Unlike those who cheer on the pain and indignity incurred by others—and those who are the cause of such inhumane atrocities. Within 48 hours of […]
Writing High and Low: Smashing Subjective Takes on Fantasy Genre
Needing a break from reading horrific news and wasted hours attempting to get my laptop to recognize my printer and wanting to smash both, I read a Writer’s Digest online article, “The Appeal of Genre Smashing for Readers and Writers,” and unfortunately it also made me want to smash something. Well, perhaps my reaction wasn’t […]
Giving Thanks for Democracy Denotes Action, Not Polite Passivity
It’s been another crazy week for our nation, with many pundits weighing in. One voice in particular resonated: “In many American homes, discussion of politics has become verboten…sacrificing the value of discussion to keep the peace…We can no longer afford to permit those around us to bury their heads in the sand and pretend this […]
Republicans, Publishing & the Dearth of Professionalism
Never-ending insanity from this presidential-administration has me sickened and frustrated, especially with the absolute lack of integrity shown by those in the legal and media professions (of which I’ve both been a more ethical member, not that it’s hard) as they continue to flagrantly enable every constitutional and ethical outrage. An atrocious ongoing reality that […]
Democrats Platform Planetary Protection, Not Patriarchal Sexist Religion
I am a Democrat for many reasons, not the least of which is the Democratic party promotes environmental protection and environmental justice on its platform. You know what isn’t on the Democratic platform? Promoting a patriarchal god. And for good reason. The Founding Fathers included separation of church and state as part of the First […]
From DC to NM: Smokey Bear Evokes Childhood Nostalgia
I knew him as Smokey the Bear, the National Park Service mascot who told us kids, “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires,” on Washington DC’s local radio station, WMAL. And this week I visited a place not far from my New Mexico abode, with an unexpected surprise. An endearing and nostalgia-evoking connection to my childhood […]