Category: Special Features
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The Secrets We Carry Wins Two Reader Views Awards
Over the course of my 76-plus years on this planet, I’ve written thousands of compositions, ranging from elementary-school book reports to full-length novels. Some of these writings were not very good, and even those that were never received any recognition beyond a grade of A. That changed last Sunday when Reader Views notified me that…
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Christmas, In a Word
Three years ago, I wrote a blog that explained how Xmas — contrary to the belief of a local pastor — was not an attempt to eliminate “Christ” from Christmas. Rather, the X was an abbreviated reference to Jesus. I noted that in Greek (the language used in the New Testament) the word for Christ…
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A Visit to Bookingham Forest
(With my website under construction until very recently, I didn’t have time to write a new blog for the first half of August. But this earlier piece, written for my 2016 Otterbein creative writing class, is both fun and bittersweet, since both Naomi and Alek are now too old for story time at Bookingham Forest.)…
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My Interview with Lancelot
Having taught public speaking for over 20 years, I feel pretty confident expressing myself in front of a live audience. But I felt a tremor of nervousness when Brooklyn-based author and blogger Lancelot Schaubert offered to interview me in front of an online audience. For one thing, I wouldn’t see this audience, wouldn’t know how…
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My 10 Favorite Books Revisited
One of my earliest blogs dealt with my 10 favorite books. With so much of my time being taken up now by preparations for my May 10 book launch, I’ve decided to save time by re-posting that blog rather than writing a new one. I will make a few new observations at the conclusion. MY…
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The Galleys: The Final Frontier
A book headed toward publication will go through many stages starting with the prewriting, to the writing of drafts, to proofing, and then to submitting the final draft to an agent or publisher. If you are self-publishing, the process may end there, but if you are working with a small press or a traditional press,…
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My 2025 Writing Goals
In my last blog, I clarified the difference between resolutions, goals, and wishes. I prefer making goals, since they have verifiable/measurable outcomes that I have the ability to achieve. I set goals in all areas of my life — health and fitness, home improvement, family support, and of course writing. Since my blog is writing…
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Wishes, Resolutions, and Goals, Oh My!
The arrival of a new year is typically an occasion for making a commitment to improve and/or renew oneself. This commitment often takes the form of one or more “resolutions.” The meaning of a “resolution” depends on the context. In government circles, it refers to a formal expression of opinion, will, or intent voted on…
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Nicknames: When to Use and Not Use Them
In the wake of their decisive win over Indiana, the Ohio State Buckeyes will be a strong favorite to win their game against the University of Michigan next Saturday. Now, if you are like most OSU fans, you probably would criticize me for not calling Michigan “That Team Up North” or “TTUN.” Later, I’ll explain…
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Books & Brews Highlights Community’s Friendship with Library
“There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship,” declared Thomas Aquinas some 800 years ago. His words ring true not only for individuals but also for public institutions, such as libraries. That’s why the Friends Foundation of Worthington Libraries has such an important role to play. The financial support the…