As a mere child, I’d cut letters from words to make more words. For example, from the title of this blog, Words Matter: matt, rat, as, word, sword, words, matter, toward, wad, or, more, war, roar, stat, at, dot, draw, date, mate, rate, ate, watt, smart. Then, I’d form silly sentences: Draw Matt as a…
Author: Rainey Hall
The Gifts of Writing
Everything in the city was clammy, doorknobs and train handrails slick with other people’s sweat, the air heavy with the smell of yesterday’s lunch. If that isn’t enough from page one of Sara Novic’s debut novel, Girl at War, perhaps sentences from page two will prick your writer self: We took cold showers and walked…
WHEN, WHERE, and HOW do I write a book?
I’ve been so busy writing, editing, and reading, I almost forgot about this blog. WHEN: A wise friend of mine said to me, “Time is there, you just have to take it.” If you have trouble with it, then tough. That’s right, I said it—tough! Too many writers use lack of time as an…
Driving for a Paycheck
I’ve finally figured it out! There are two signs on each car I drive seen only by Special Drivers. (Special, of course, meaning unusual, distinct, specific and obviously run-of-the-mill.) I’m sure the sign on the front bumper says, “Pull immediately in front of me, proceed really, really slowly, and then wash your windshield.” The sign…
Phobia noun pho∙bia \ foe-bee-a
Actually, I’m okay with bees but those wasps, yellow jackets, mud daubers—whatever they’re called—freak me out. Speaking of fears, take Steven King—but don’t keep him—that guy writes horrors few humans can possibly survive, let alone think of: Carrie, The Secret Window, The Shining… Now that I think about it, I have an irrational fear of…