Compelling Openings: A How To

A beginning writer recently asked me how to create compelling openings, thus prompting this blog. I have chosen to explain what I did to write Chapter One of John Carter’s Conundrum. I chose it because my editor noted at the end of the first chapter: “You’re writing to all your… read more

Writing Burnout: Five Tips To Deal With It

Writing burnout. It happens. Burnout is beyond block. Writer’s block occurs when a blank wall descends in your brain, and you can’t think of anything to say or write. If there is such a condition, it is a mild one. I’ve gone so far to say that it does not… read more

Traveling Internationally for the First Time: Five Tips

On April 8 I’ll start traveling internationally again. First stop outside the U.S.: Osaka, Japan. I’ll be out of the country for five months. Title image: Arrivals, Kansai International Airport, Osaka. Here’s what I’ve learned in my many jaunts around the world. Traveling Internationally Tip #1: The Big Obvious Your… read more

Caroline Hagood: Five Questions with the Author

It is always a pleasure to have talented authors share their work and their process with me and my readers in this Five Questions series. My guest today is poet, essayist, scholar and professor Caroline Hagood. Caroline Hagood: How do you describe your latest work Ways of Looking at a Woman?… read more

Language Matters Symposium: Duke University

Language Matters: The Event Today Friday March 8 a symposium at Duke University entitled Language Matters honors my scholarship. In particular the symposium focuses on the book I wrote with co-author Phillip Carter. The title of the book is Languages in the World. How History, Culture and Politics Shape Language.  The event… read more

Adam Schwartz: Five Question with the Scholar

Adam Schwartz is Associate Professor of Language, Culture and Society at Oregon State University. He is one of three speakers on the symposium panel “Language Matters” at Duke University on Friday, March 8, 2019. “Language Matters” is in honor of me – yes, me! Hae-Young Kim, Chair of Asian and… read more

Oakland, California – A Travel Blog

Oakland, California is a big eye-opener. Whatever Oakland’s reputation has been in the past, I’m a witness to the fact that today it’s the Bay Area’s Brooklyn. It’s prosperous, dynamic, young, up-and-coming. I chose for the title image the iconic Tribune building in downtown. Oakland, CA: Downtown Downtown is a… read more