Articles from the SomeplacElse Blog
At the end of the movie Jimmy Stewart/Dennis Quaid, playing the wiley veteran pilot, has 5 chances to fire up the engine and rise from the ashes. After a couple of failures, he states that he's going to use one of his remaining resources to "blow the carbon out". ...
I always try to get my taxes done before the Ides of March (March 15th). That is, when I am getting a refund. If I have to pay, the Ides of April provides another month to raise the cash. Fortunately, this year, I'm getting a refund. In recent years, whenever I sit...
Harkening back, as I tend to do in this Blog, I remember the Association singing a tune called "Time for Livin". The lyric "I took off my watch and found I had all the time in the world" from that song has been my defense against this ever dwindling resource for...
The way I heard it, "This little Piddy went to market". Apparently, my farm folk relatives(Vegans will appreciate this) couldn't handle the imagery of a "Piggy" going to market. That's right folks, the big fat piggy that goes to market gets butchered. Now, I believe...
My grandchildren love to play word games with Grampa. Earlier this week my grandson was told to have patience while he was sitting at the dinner table. He replied with his rote first grade instruction, "yes, patience is a life skill that I am learning". (don't look...
When I write fiction, I think it is important to write a backstory for every character mentioned. This provides the writer with two things: 1. A constant reminder that everyone we come in contact with should be respected as an individual with their own personal...
Years ago Carly Simon had us all "Anticipating" Heinz ketchup. Today, my published paperback "is making me wait" for this is the week the first 10 copies of my book are being rushed to my house. I have 100 addtional copies coming, but I didn't want to pay Fedex to...
The writings of Buckminster Fuller have had a great influence on me. I guess I just really relate to someone who relys primarily on what they have learned through personal experience. You listen to the wisdom of others, but if your personal experience does not bear...
In this writing business there are thousands, maybe even millions of people who can tell you whether your work will succeed or fail in the marketplace. This presents us with two questions, 1. Are they right? 2. Should you care? Let's deal with the first question...
Last October, I finished my novel. I was ecstatic. I said what I wanted to say. My readers and proofers were delighted with the final revisions. I built a website to support the content. I had agents offering to represent me. I found some 3d page turning ebook...
In the never ending quest to reach the digital market with our words we cannot ignore the audiophile. As pointed out in earlier posts, I have fivematted my ebook and worked with DogEar to create a paperback but what about those who don't have the time...
About this time last year I decided to change directions and find a new way to earn a living in my second adulthood. Two weeks ago I turned 55 and set out to determine if I had been successful by checking off the items on the list of tasks I created. 1. Continue to...