Margaret Atwood’s 10 Rules For Writing Fiction 1. Take a pencil to write with on airplanes. Pens leak. But if the pencil breaks, you can’t sharpen it on the plane, because you can’t take knives with you. Therefore: take two pencils. 2. If both pencils break, you can do a rough sharpening job with a nail file of the metal or glass type. 3. Take something to write on. Paper is good. In a pinch, pieces of wood or your arm will do. 4. If you’re using a computer, always safeguard new text with a memory stick. 5. Do back exercises. Pain is distracting. 6. Hold the reader’s attention. (This is likely to work better if you can hold your own.) But you don’t know who the reader is, so it’s like shooting fish with a slingshot in the dark. What fascinates A will bore the pants off B. 7. You most likely need a thesaurus, a rudimentary grammar book, and a grip on reality. This latter means: there’s no free lunch. Writing is work. It’s also gambling. You don’t get a pension plan. Ot...
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book review
“Intrusion” details the accounts of four people claiming to have had contact with otherworldly intelligences. It is written by the late Bob Mitchell, Canadian author and journalist who worked for the Toronto Star for more than 35 years. Though at times I was questioning the validity of some of their experiences-as they themselves admit could have been merely dreams-it is still difficult to dismiss the experiences of a young child, ignorant of the concept of “flying saucers” and “grey aliens.” These cases resonate similarities to many abduction encounters. One is left to wonder what their ultimate goal is. What is the purpose of their visitations? Is the image of a “grey alien” even their true form or a manifestation of our unconcious collective interpretation of what we think an alien should look like? Although the book could have used a little more editing in terms of grammar and punctuation, I see it for what it is-Bob Mitchell felt these cases were important and compelling enoug...
ufo book review
The second book in Jacques Vallee’s trilogy series, “Confrontations” explores further mysteries concerning the UFO phenomenon. Jacques takes us through a number of ufo close encounter cases that he personally investigated, many of which include negative and often deadly physiological effects involving numerous people, telling us this elusive phenomenon is not always necessarily benevolent. It appears whatever intelligence is behind some of these encounters has little regard for human suffering and death as a result of their contact, yet Jacques also shares a case of ‘miraculous’ healing because of contact, so we are at odds as to the intentions of the beings. I admire the way he meticulously documents and presents the data-a trait not often seen in this area of study. His speculations are, as always, highly insightful, leaving us to ponder such things as the connection between conciousness and the contact experience. Another fantastic book written by one of the greatest minds to st...
Phantoms and Monsters: Pulse of the Paranormal
The 'Thing' at the 'Land Between the Lakes' Posted: 28 Feb 2018 10:08 AM PST I received a telephone call from an eyewitness in Tennessee on Monday 2/26/2018 at 6:15AM. The account he gave me was one of the strangest I have ever heard or read: In early summer 1985, the witness 'RO' and two other friends were in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. They were exiting the park while traveling south on Rt. 49 (Woodlands Trace Byway) towards Dover, Tennessee. The three men were sitting together in a Ford Ranger...The driver 'JM' and 'RO' sitting beside each other. The other friend 'TG' was sitting on the passenger side. It was early evening and still light. As they approached a curve in the road, an older model gray-colored sedan was in the opposite lane coming towards them. The sedan slowed as if to make contact with the witnesses. As JM and RO looked at the other driver, they were soon horrified at the sight. RO s...