Recently, a friend showed me an excerpt from a book about words and their meanings. The author was critiquing the biased nature of the dictionary, of all things, using the definition of civilization as an example. Civilization, she argued, should not be generally defined as "advanced" unless the dictionary was (and I paraphrase here) the White, Male, European... Continue Reading →
I was talking to my wife one day about this book list and she made the point that if I were to reread these titles today, they may not make the same impression on me. I cannot deny this. Art speaks to each person based on his or her experiences and change through time as... Continue Reading →
It has been said that by reading an author you can discover the types of books sitting on his or her shelf. The books we read, especially those from teenage and young adulthood, shape our definition of what a great story is and what qualities make those stories. Choosing just five books for my list... Continue Reading →
Ask any ten people if they know Frankenstein and you will undoubtedly get a YES. Such is the power of the mythos created by Marry Shelley, an early female novelist who, in 1818 (200+ years ago!) at the remarkable age of 18, hid the fact of her sex to get her book published. It is... Continue Reading →
Only when coming across a true masterpiece can one appreciate the power of the written word. Great books not only entertain but inform and enlighten. The very best books have the power to change your perspective forever. Unfortunately, it is just as hard to come upon a great read as finding something worthwhile on TV.... Continue Reading →
Being a writer, it seems in bad taste to critique other writers. On message boards that critique books, I sometimes give the impression of arrogance, as if I'm suggesting my writing compares more favorably. This is one of those oddities unique to the literary world---you don't see the same reasoning applied to chefs, who often... Continue Reading →
You know, I've been thinking about this one a long time. I've enjoyed both video games and tabletops for decades, and I think I can say, with little hesitation, which one I could live without. Now I know I am going against the grain here, but here's my argument: 1. In tabletop games, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.... Continue Reading →
I read an article today in the St. Petersburg Times by Stephen Prothero, author of God is Not One. In his essay, Prothero refutes the growing popular notion that religions are essentially the same, an idea proposed by the likes of the Dalai Lama and one of my heroes, George Lucas. He makes the valid point about... Continue Reading →
I long for a world without Internet, without GPS enabled cell phones, without Google Earth, without connectedness. I long for a world where a man can become lost in places no one has ever been. I long for a world where the map isn't quite filled in, where there are still places where "Here Be Dragons." For many years,... Continue Reading →
Susan J. Douglas argues that despite the recent surge of powerful female characters in fiction---she talked about Xena, La Femme Nikita, Dark Angel, Alias, Charlie's Angels, and Lara Croft, that sexism still exists. Her premise is that: a) These women are tough and can take care of themselves but b) They're still seen as sex objects and their primary... Continue Reading →
The Art of Storytelling 
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