Alan O’Hashi

Reflections on Lent: A Journey Through Texas The author reflects on their experience during Lent while traveling from Colorado to Texas. They explore themes of reflection and connection, contrasting the local culture and politics with their own life. The journey serves as a metaphor for reorientation, suggesting that distance can provide perspective and allow for personal change.

Reflections on Lent: A Journey Through Texas

The author reflects on their experience during Lent while traveling from Colorado to Texas. They explore themes of reflection and connection, contrasting the local culture and politics with their own life. The journey serves as a metaphor for…

Unlock Immersion: Writing in Second-Person Perspective Second-person point of view immerses readers as the main character through the use of "you," engaging them directly in the narrative. While it offers unique intimacy and control in storytelling, it poses challenges such as sustaining clarity and depth in longer works. This narrative style excels in shorter, experimental pieces.

Unlock Immersion: Writing in Second-Person Perspective

Second-person point of view immerses readers as the main character through the use of "you," engaging them directly in the narrative. While it offers unique intimacy and control in storytelling, it poses challenges such as sustaining clarity…

“If I read ‘He Said’ one more time, I’ll scream!” she said.” The article emphasizes the importance of avoiding repetitive dialogue tags like "he said" and "she said" in writing. It suggests engaging readers by using action beats, body language, and distinctive voices, while providing steps to identify and replace overused words. The goal is to enhance dialogue and maintain reader interest.

“If I read ‘He Said’ one more time, I’ll scream!” she said.”

The article emphasizes the importance of avoiding repetitive dialogue tags like "he said" and "she said" in writing. It suggests engaging readers by using action beats, body language, and distinctive voices, while providing steps to…

Writing First-Person POV Stories: Tips for Authenticity First-person storytelling enhances emotional engagement through dialogue, as it reflects the narrator's memories and perceptions. Strong dialogue incorporates observations, internal thoughts, and nonverbal cues to convey subtext and tension. To depict events not directly witnessed, writers can use dialogue, discovery, rumors, dreams, or imaginative speculation. This technique allows for deeper connections with readers.

Writing First-Person POV Stories: Tips for Authenticity

First-person storytelling enhances emotional engagement through dialogue, as it reflects the narrator's memories and perceptions. Strong dialogue incorporates observations, internal thoughts, and nonverbal cues to convey subtext and tension.…

Third-Person Omniscient POV: The Day the Fence Took Everything Why tell this story through the eyes of many? Because stories like the one about Camp Arroyo aren’t just about individuals. They’re about a system. A society. A truth that implicates everyone. Third-person omniscient narration gives readers access to collective memory. It allows us to hear not just what happens, but what’s felt. All at once, the story pulls back the curtain on silence, shame, complicity, and courage.

Third-Person Omniscient POV: The Day the Fence Took Everything

Why tell this story through the eyes of many? Because stories like the one about Camp Arroyo aren’t just about individuals. They’re about a system. A society. A truth that implicates everyone. Third-person omniscient narration gives…

Vengeance! at Stone Creek: The Executive Order That Never Ended Some novels entertain. Some educate. A rare few refuse to let the reader off the hook. Vengeance! at Stone Creek is one of those books. Set in the long shadow of World War II–era Japanese incarceration, the novel explores what happens after injustice has been legalized and filed away. Rather than retelling history, it integrates unanswered questions and the uncomfortable truth, deferring accountability indefinitely.

February 19th marks the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, which incarcerated 125,000 Japanese into internment camps. What happened then reminds us of what is happening now.

How Acronyms Shape Xenophobia in America The Alphabet of Exclusion: The bureaucratic lexicon included “acronyms” to save time. In the history of American xenophobia, acronyms save face. Three-letter shorthand compresses the jagged edges of state power into something smooth, portable, and easy to swallow. Today, we see ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and DHS (Department of Homeland Security) dominating the headlines.

How Acronyms Shape Xenophobia in America

The Alphabet of Exclusion: The bureaucratic lexicon included “acronyms” to save time. In the history of American xenophobia, acronyms save face. Three-letter shorthand compresses the jagged edges of state power into something smooth, portable, and easy to…

Vengeance! at Stone Creek: A Novel of Injustice When a soldier fires his rifle from a guard tower inside Camp Arroyo, a Japanese American incarceration camp near Stone Creek, Colorado, the sound echoes far beyond the barbed wire. 

Vengeance! at Stone Creek: A Novel of Injustice

When a soldier fires his rifle from a guard tower inside Camp Arroyo, a Japanese American incarceration camp near Stone Creek, Colorado, the sound echoes far beyond the barbed wire. 

Mastering Third-Person Limited POV in Fiction You’re not in their head, but you’re definitely looking over their shoulder. By Jennifer Braddock - Editor If First Person POV is “I saw the ghost,” Omniscient is “Everyone saw the ghost.” They all had strong opinions about it. Third-Person Limited is “She saw the ghost,” and regretted reading the Latin inscription aloud. This point of view allows you to explore one character’s experience deeply.

Mastering Third-Person Limited POV in Fiction

You’re not in their head, but you’re definitely looking over their shoulder. By Jennifer Braddock - Editor If First Person POV is “I saw the ghost,” Omniscient is “Everyone saw the ghost.” They all had strong opinions about it. Third-Person Limited is…

Mastering Narrative: Choosing Your Point of View changing the music. Meanwhile, someone in the back seat won’t stop narrating your every move. That’s what it feels like when a story hops from one Point Of View (POV) to another without a license. Before you take your reader on a narrative joyride, let’s make sure you know who’s driving.

Mastering Narrative: Choosing Your Point of View

changing the music. Meanwhile, someone in the back seat won’t stop narrating your every move. That’s what it feels like when a story hops from one Point Of View (POV) to another without a license. Before you take your reader on a narrative joyride,…

Bubbles, Boxes, and the Silver Sage Budget Serviceberry Abundance approach: In her book The Serviceberry, Robin Wall Kimmererexplores the concept of gift economies through the lens of nature, particularly focusing on the serviceberry tree. Read Kimmerer’s book because it reflects on how this tree embodies reciprocity and interconnectedness. As Silver Sage Village community members revisit the HOA dues structure, Serviceberry Abundance suggests that true wealth comes from relationships and sharing rather than competition and scarcity.

My HOA is considering changing its dues assessment process. We're using the "Serviceberry Abundance" approach.

D’oh! Mile High Miracle: Homer Simpson and the Broncos vie for Super Bowl LX In 1996, Homer Simpson received the Denver Broncos from Montgomery Burns, altering his relationship with football forever. Under his unconventional management, the team experienced ups and downs, culminating in Super Bowl LX. As the Broncos prepare for the game, expectations are high for a surprising performance influenced by Homer’s unique approach.

Homer Simpson has done a lot, including owning the Denver Broncos. Will Homer's Broncos legacy be a blessing or a curse as Super Bowl LX approaches?

Are Venezuela and the U.S. reenacting ‘The Capybara that Roared?’ Do remember reading “The Mouse that Roared,” a 1955 novel in high school English class? In the book, the Duchy of Grand Fenwick, faced with bankruptcy, decides to declare war on the United States. The plan was to surrender immediately and then reap Marshall Plan reconstruction cash, Lately, watching the diplomatic fireworks between Caracas and Washington feels like a geopolitical crisis and a high-stakes remake of Leonard Wibberly’s story,”The Capybara that Roared.” Capybarras are big rodents native to Venezuela.

Are Venezuela and the U.S. reenacting ‘The Capybara that Roared?’

Hasbro Announces Venezuela Replaced by Ecuador on the new Risk board Hasbro Inc. has announced that future printings of Risk will replace "Venezuela" with "Ecuador" on the map due to gameplay issues stemming from the territory's management challenges. While casual players welcome the change for simplicity, hardcore fans lament the loss of high-stakes tension. Additional changes may follow, reflecting current geopolitical themes.

Hasbro Announces Venezuela Replaced by Ecuador on the new Risk board

Hasbro Inc. has announced that future printings of Risk will replace "Venezuela" with "Ecuador" on the map due to gameplay issues stemming from the territory's management challenges. While casual players welcome the change for…

Stop Waiting for Perfection: Embrace Messiness If my keyboard charged me a dollar every time I backspaced, I could’ve funded my own book tour by now. I’ve rewritten this sentence nine times already. Guess what? It’s still not perfect, but here it is. I hit "submit" anyway. It's the beginning of a new year, and what can you do to keep on your writing journey? Did you put off your creative projects because you were too busy?

Stop Waiting for Perfection: Embrace Messiness

If my keyboard charged me a dollar every time I backspaced, I could’ve funded my own book tour by now. I’ve rewritten this sentence nine times already. Guess what? It’s still not perfect, but here it is. I hit "submit" anyway. It's the beginning of a…

Finding Balance: Zen and Creativity for Success The story emphasizes that striving for perfection can lead to stress and dissatisfaction. Instead, embracing creative imperfection through Zen principles and the concept of kaizen—gradual improvement—helps individuals progress without self-judgment. This approach fosters resilience, integrating analytical and intuitive thinking, ultimately redefining success as a peaceful journey of growth.

Finding Balance: Zen and Creativity for Success

The story emphasizes that striving for perfection can lead to stress and dissatisfaction. Instead, embracing creative imperfection through Zen principles and the concept of kaizen—gradual improvement—helps individuals progress without self-judgment.…

Small Ways to Make a Big Difference in 2026 If you watch the news every day, you’d think the world is spinning out of control and that life in America couldn’t possibly be worse. Chaos is everywhere. Nothing is working. Everything is broken. Here’s something worth remembering as we step into 2026. The news isn’t a record of normal life. It’s a record of exceptions.

Small Ways to Make a Big Difference in 2026

If you watch the news every day, you’d think the world is spinning out of control and that life in America couldn’t possibly be worse. Chaos is everywhere. Nothing is working. Everything is broken. Here’s something worth remembering as we step into 2026.…

Turning Rejection into a Book Deal 📚 My first rejection? 1987. The manuscript typed on a TRS-80 and printed on a dot matrix printer. It took hours to print. Brutal. Fast forward to 2019: I pitched my old idea at a writing conference. I landed a book deal on the spot. 💡 Writing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Show up. Speak up. Pitch your story. 📦 That box of dusty pages? It might just be your next book. #WritersLife #RejectionToRedemption #WritingCommunity #PitchToPublish #WritersConference #KeepWriting #AuthorJourney #WyomingWriters #AmWriting #NetworkingMatters #WriteYourStory #BookDealDreams

Turning Rejection into a Book Deal

📚 My first rejection? 1987. The manuscript typed on a TRS-80 and printed on a dot matrix printer. It took hours to print. Brutal. Fast forward to 2019: I pitched my old idea at a writing conference. I landed a book deal on the spot. 💡 Writing doesn’t happen in a…

Lessons from Meathead: Fighting Prejudice in America In the 70s, I realized that I was surrounded by adults who rarely questioned the subtle bigotry woven into everyday conversation. That was when "All in the Family" was the rage on network TV. I watched Rob Reiner as Meathead, punching toe-to-toe with Archie Bunker about prejudice and Nixon’s politics.

Lessons from Meathead: Fighting Prejudice in America

In the 70s, I realized that I was surrounded by adults who rarely questioned the subtle bigotry woven into everyday conversation. That was when "All in the Family" was the rage on network TV. I watched Rob Reiner as Meathead, punching toe-to-toe…

Maximize Earnings with Best Chance Media’s Revenue-Sharing Approach Best Chance Media offers a unique compensation model for indie authors that differs from traditional royalty systems. Authors earn 50% of every sale, receive quarterly payments, and maintain copyright ownership. Additionally, Best Chance treats books as assets, promoting financial stability for writers. Interested authors can submit their manuscripts through an online form.

Maximize Earnings with Best Chance Media’s Revenue-Sharing Approach

Best Chance Media offers a unique compensation model for indie authors that differs from traditional royalty systems. Authors earn 50% of every sale, receive quarterly payments, and maintain copyright ownership. Additionally, Best…

A Twinkle at the End A lifetime of healthcare misadventures, told backwards:Read it now, before I rewind completely. Most memoirs start with childhood and end with death. Mine does the opposite: I begin as an old guy on the verge of a kitchen mishap, work my way backward through Medicare mix-ups, acupuncture torture, and raisin-based arthritis remedies, until I fade out as a zygote. Think about cradle-to-grave coverage in reverse.

A Twinkle at the End - A lifetime of healthcare misadventures, told backwards. Read it now, before I rewind completely.

Most memoirs start with childhood and end with death. Mine does the opposite: I begin as an old guy on the verge of a kitchen mishap, work my way backward through Medicare…

Mastering Turning Points in Storytelling 🚨 Stuck in the middle of your story? You might be missing a turning point. Every scene should shift something: an emotion, a choice, a direction. Whether it’s a missed bus or a life-changing “yes,” something must change. ✍️ Inciting incident? That’s your spark. 🎬 End of Act I? That’s your no-turning-back point. 🏁 Climax? That’s the final pivot before the end. Whether you’re an outliner or a pantser, turning points are your best friend. Keep the story moving. Don’t write in circles—write to change. #WritingTips #StoryStructure #TurningPoints #AmWriting #FictionWriters #WritersOfInstagram #PlotTwist #KeepWriting #PantsersAndPlotters #WriteToChange

Mastering Turning Points in Storytelling

🚨 Stuck in the middle of your story? You might be missing a turning point. Every scene should shift something: an emotion, a choice, a direction. Whether it’s a missed bus or a life-changing “yes,” something must change. ✍️ Inciting incident? That’s your…

Mastering Short-Form Writing: Essential Strategies Aspiring short-form magazine writers should transition from daydreaming to producing work. Building a robust portfolio through local publications, nonprofit newsletters, and online platforms is crucial. Writers must master strict word counts and maintain factual accuracy. Creative entrepreneurship requires a solid safety net and a business mindset to succeed in this competitive field.

Mastering Short-Form Writing: Essential Strategies

Aspiring short-form magazine writers should transition from daydreaming to producing work. Building a robust portfolio through local publications, nonprofit newsletters, and online platforms is crucial. Writers must master strict word counts and…

Exploring Healthcare Misadventures in Reverse Alan O'Hashi's memoir, "Views from Atop My Bedpan," unfolds in reverse, beginning with his senior years and retracing his healthcare misadventures. From Medicare issues to quirky remedies, the narrative reveals the paradox of healthcare reliance on chronic conditions. O'Hashi humorously chronicles life experiences, ending as a zygote.

A lifetime of healthcare misadventures, told backwards: Read Views from Atop My Bedpan now, before the author rewinds completely.

Most memoirs start with childhood and end with death. Author Alan O'Hashi does the opposite: He begins as an old guy on the verge of collapsing in the kitchen.

Master Self-Editing Before Hiring an Editor 📚 You finished your draft—congrats! But don’t hire an editor just yet. First, self-edit like a boss. Then choose the right editor for the job. Not sure where to start? This post breaks it all down—tools, timing, and types of editors you actually need.✍️ #AmEditing #WritingTips #IndieAuthorLife #SelfEditing #EditingTips #Grammarly #ProWritingAid #WritersOfInstagram #WritersCommunity #FinishTheDraft #WritingJourney #HireAnEditor

Master Self-Editing Before Hiring an Editor

📚 You finished your draft—congrats! But don’t hire an editor just yet. First, self-edit like a boss. Then choose the right editor for the job. Not sure where to start? This post breaks it all down—tools, timing, and types of editors you actually need.✍️…

Why Picking a Genre Matters More Than You Think By Jennifer Braddock - Editor When I first started reading about query letters, one piece of advice kept popping up: agents and publishers want to know your genre. At first, I resisted. “My book doesn’t fit into a neat little box,” I thought. “It’s unique!” But here’s the truth: uniqueness and marketability aren’t the same thing.

Why Picking a Genre Matters More Than You Think. Readers expect books to be categorized. They don’t want to be confused!

Why Shopping Local Matters During Holidays November marks the beginning of the winter holiday season, highlighting the importance of supporting local artists and businesses. Spending within the community boosts economic vitality, cultural enrichment, and community bonding. Each purchase contributes to a cycle of support that nurtures talent and stimulates growth, enriching the neighborhood and enhancing quality of life.

Why Shopping Local Matters During Holidays

November marks the beginning of the winter holiday season, highlighting the importance of supporting local artists and businesses. Spending within the community boosts economic vitality, cultural enrichment, and community bonding. Each purchase…

The Publishing Game is Rigged: Support local and indie authors this holiday season Let’s face it: The publishing industry reflects the same economic divide we see everywhere else. The rich and famous receive substantial advances, national interviews, and prime shelf space. The rest of us? We’re bootstrapping book tours, setting up folding tables in the corner of a bookstore, and hoping someone picks up a copy. This isn’t just about books. It’s about art, access, and whose voices get heard. The creative economy has its own top 1%. So if you're tired of seeing the same celebrity memoirs dominate the conversation, you can do something about it: support local authors. Champion the storytellers in your own backyard.

The publishing world has a top 1%—and most of us aren’t in it.
Support your local authors.
📚 Buy from the guy at the card table, not just the celebrity display.
📖 Pick a hometown book for your next club read.
✍️ Join us at Best Chance Media—we’re rewriting the rules.

#SupportLocalAuthors…

Unlock Your Writing Potential with Best Chance Media Perhaps you write romance stories or young adult fiction, and then set them in a historical context. If you're writing a memoir, reflect on historical events that happened during the experience that changed your life. Fantasy and science fiction can be set in historical contexts of the earthly world.

Unlock Your Writing Potential with Best Chance Media

Perhaps you write romance stories or young adult fiction, and then set them in a historical context. If you're writing a memoir, reflect on historical events that happened during the experience that changed your life. Fantasy and science fiction…

Stay Focused: Writing Amid Holiday Chaos By Jennifer Braddock - Editor It’s November. You’re stirring gravy with one hand, and wrangling kids in turkey costumes with the other. Somewhere in the back of your mind, your novel is begging for attention. School pageants and office parties are demanding your attention. You are also planning Thanksgiving dinner for twelve, plus the mysterious “plus ones.” Writing can feel like a luxury you…

🦃Don’t let turkey day derail your writing goals. Claim your time and turn holiday chaos into creative gold! ✍️
#WritingThroughTheHolidays #WritersLife #ThanksgivingWriting #WritingRoutine #AmWriting #NaNoWriMoSurvival