Healing through story

Month: August 2020

Mannequin Monday – A Girl, My Lord, in a Flatbed Ford

Mannequin Monday – A Girl, My Lord, in a Flatbed Ford

My Lord, our mannequin drives a flatbed Ford this week. Ride along as words dress her story.

“Stuff your eyes with wonder… live as if you’d drop dead in ten seconds.” Words from Ray Bradbury. Today’s Mannequin Monday is a mashup of song lyrics, a real-life memory, and Ray Bradbury quotes.

And then I present “Hollywood and Highland,” a short story I wrote using all these pieces.

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Mannequin Monday – What Lasts?

Mannequin Monday – What Lasts?

“How does your work affect the world?” Writer and marketing coach Dan Blank asks us to consider on this Mannequin Monday: “What will people remember of your writing?”

And I suggest that one lyric of songwriter Leonard Cohen offers a perspective on a writer’s impact.

Finally, I share an excerpt from an article I wrote for educators on the enduring work of journalists in combat and civil unrest zones .

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Mannequin Monday – Let His Characters Speak

Mannequin Monday – Let His Characters Speak

Two mannequins behind a store window
Credit: Sempere Mannequins

A defining characteristic of Ernest Hemingway’s writing style: “His decision to let his characters speak.” So says writer Justin Rice on Hemingway’s use of dialogue.

This week I also look at Elmore Leonard. He writes dialogue rich in action and light on description.

And I offer another sample of my own writing, my own attempt at writing decent dialogue.

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