Okay, so I had this grand idea back in 2002 that I had to write a novel about the end of the known world—destroyed by a giant flood in 2012. The new world order would be dynamically different. Giant nations like the US and Canada would go bankrupt (aren’t they almost there already, after the […]
We all like to bash old Toronto, especially these days with the garbage piled up and relatives from down there visiting and bringing their trash for us to “take care” of. Toronto, which as you approach along the 401, something catches in your throat and you realize that it’s not homesickness but pollution. But that
The city we all bash – but it still works – too well! Read More »
When I went to writing school, not too long ago, there were 16 hero archetypes, 8 for men and 8 for women. Let’s see if I can list them: 8 Hero Archetypes / 8 Heroine Archetypes The Chief / The Boss The Bad Boy / The Seductress The Best Friend / The Spunky Kid The
The aged writer puts down his most recent rejection slip and says, “Enough. I have pursued this endeavour for too long. I was told that rejection is a necessary rite of passage for a writer, but this is ridiculous – 50 rejection letters! I am 75 years old. For the last 10 years, since retirement,
Too late, the writer Read More »
I started writing book reviews this year – of every book I read. And I began publishing them on any site that accepted a review, with the author’s permission where necessary. An easy way to commit my impressions of a particular book to written memory in case I was asked a question about it sometime
I began this blog last June and at the time had wondered what the heck I was going to write in it. Why was I aiming to pollute the world with more prose than publishers could already find outlets for? And who the heck would care if I wrote, played golf or just shut up?
A Year of Blogging Dangerously Read More »
What is your take on the old country? After all, you are a writer, and don’t writers always have opinions? About almost everything? I do have a take – and that is that I left the old country to begin a new life in Canada. I brought with me my thwarted dreams to realize them
So, what’s your opinion? You must have one, mustn’t you? Read More »
The pregnant woman wobbled across the basketball court, trailing after her toddler who was pulling his toy train along the wooden floor. “Watch out for the balls, you idiots,” I nearly screamed from my perch on the treadmill overlooking the court below. At first, the pick•up ball players stopped and let the kid pass; they
Taking it for Granted Read More »
I have been a “gym rat” for over twenty years. It has become a compulsion, a drug. Even on business trips, my profile reads, “Book hotel which has a gym; non•smoking room can be sacrificed for a gym if necessary.” What is it that makes me give up walking in the warm sunshine, a rarity
So it finally hit! Or did it? The Pandemic, that all prophets of doom had been forecasting. And as predicted, the media began feeding on it faster than the virus eating at its victims. But this time, global panic never happened. Why? Well, for starters, haven’t we seen this stuff before? Aren’t we numb from
Is it time for the next round of global teamwork? Read More »