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Richard Bist

@richardbist.bsky.social

Writer, painter, dog lover https://richardbist.com #writingcommunity

157 Followers  |  109 Following  |  139 Posts  |  Joined: 07.09.2023  |  2.2018

Latest posts by richardbist.bsky.social on Bluesky

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Gatekeeping Creativity One of the things that annoys me about social media (and it's a LONG list) is when people become gatekeepers of creativity and creative processes. I was recently reminded of this after reading a post at Audrey Driscoll's Blog. She had come across a post on another blog where the author stated, "...it’s totally possible to write a great story without a beat sheet, but to stick your nose up at them and argue they don’t matter is ignorant to me.” So, basically, the author (whose blog I won't link to) is saying that fiction writers should be utilizing 'beat sheets' when constructing their stories and insults those who don't.

Gatekeeping Creativity

One of the things that annoys me about social media (and it's a LONG list) is when people become gatekeepers of creativity and creative processes. I was recently reminded of this after reading a post at Audrey Driscoll's Blog. She had come across a post on another blog where…

15.10.2025 11:37 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Poetry Moment – Autumn Full Moon I was out with the pups a little after 5 a.m. the other morning (as I am every morning) and was pleasantly surprised by the full moon lighting up the yard. Coupled with the cool air, the pups decided it was a great time to start chasing each other around the raised beds and chicken coop. The moon provided just enough light that I could see them running in and out of the shadows. It was a great way to start my day. I was also able to capture a couple of photos of the moon and clouds with my phone camera, which inspired today's poem.

Poetry Moment – Autumn Full Moon

I was out with the pups a little after 5 a.m. the other morning (as I am every morning) and was pleasantly surprised by the full moon lighting up the yard. Coupled with the cool air, the pups decided it was a great time to start chasing each other around the raised…

13.10.2025 11:29 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Banned Books Week – Let Freedom Read Day Today is the last day of Banned Books Week 2025, but it's not the end of the fight against censorship. Let Freedom Read day is an opportunity to take action and do something, even a small thing, to stand up to book bans and censorship. A quick post on social media, on your blog, or simply buying a copy of a targeted book can help. Awareness is the first step. Many people may not even know why books are being banned or how it will affect them and their children. …

Banned Books Week – Let Freedom Read Day

Today is the last day of Banned Books Week 2025, but it's not the end of the fight against censorship. Let Freedom Read day is an opportunity to take action and do something, even a small thing, to stand up to book bans and censorship. A quick post on…

11.10.2025 12:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Poetry Moment – Freedom to Read There are only two days left in Banned Books Week and I feel hopeful. I've not only enjoyed conversing with the people who were kind enough to comment on my posts this week, but also seeing posts on other blogs and on social media. It show me that people do care about books, about the freedom to read, and about the First Amendment. The freedom to read Is the freedom to see The freedom to learn The freedom to be The freedom to read Is the freedom to grow It's the freedom to seek…

Poetry Moment – Freedom to Read

There are only two days left in Banned Books Week and I feel hopeful. I've not only enjoyed conversing with the people who were kind enough to comment on my posts this week, but also seeing posts on other blogs and on social media. It show me that people do care…

10.10.2025 11:11 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Fight Book Censorship with Book Résumés What's a book résumé, you ask? It's a great way to help people understand the educational value of books. Like a professional resume (or a CV internationally), it's a stripped down overview of the whole that focuses on the positive aspects. The American Library Association (ALA) has a page on their Banned Books Week site with hundreds of books and their résumés. You can either scroll through the titles or type one into the search bar on the page to find a specific book. For example, one of the banned books, Lorraine Hansberry's…

Fight Book Censorship with Book Résumés

What's a book résumé, you ask? It's a great way to help people understand the educational value of books. Like a professional resume (or a CV internationally), it's a stripped down overview of the whole that focuses on the positive aspects. The American…

09.10.2025 11:24 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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The Most Banned Author in US Schools I was actually surprised to read that Stephen King was the most-banned author in U.S. schools, according to a report by PEN America. If you aren't familiar with them, they fight for free expression, both in the U.S. and around the world. Of course, King is a famous horror writer and doesn't shy away from evil spirits, evil people, and the occasional awkward sex scene, but I've never found his horror to be gratuitous. I've found him to be a comfy read, creepy and eerie, but not enough to keep me awake at night jumping at shadows.

The Most Banned Author in US Schools

I was actually surprised to read that Stephen King was the most-banned author in U.S. schools, according to a report by PEN America. If you aren't familiar with them, they fight for free expression, both in the U.S. and around the world. Of course, King is a…

08.10.2025 11:15 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Poetry Moment – Censoring the Censors There is a line from a poem by the 1st century Roman poet, Juvenal, that reads, "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?". Translated, it reads, "Who will watch the watchmen?" In other words, the people we elect to run things do so without oversight. It's not supposed to be that way, but a slow erosion of our checks and balances has brought us to this point. Many of our freedoms are in jeopardy, particularly our right to read and access to books. Who will watch the watchmen? Who will censor the censors? …

Poetry Moment – Censoring the Censors

There is a line from a poem by the 1st century Roman poet, Juvenal, that reads, "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?". Translated, it reads, "Who will watch the watchmen?" In other words, the people we elect to run things do so without oversight. It's not supposed…

07.10.2025 11:13 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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The Most Challenged Books of 2024 I was looking over the list of the top 10 most challenged books of 2024 (here in the U.S.) and was struck by the pattern. None of these books were challenged due to violence (except for sexual assault), but they were all challenged for sexual content, LGBTQ+ themes, and DEI (Diversity, Equality, Inclusion). That last one is quite telling of the intent behind the challenges. You would think that a democratic nation, one that is predominantly Christian, would be promoting things like DEI. The Bible has long passages devoted to loving thy neighbor and helping strangers.

The Most Challenged Books of 2024

I was looking over the list of the top 10 most challenged books of 2024 (here in the U.S.) and was struck by the pattern. None of these books were challenged due to violence (except for sexual assault), but they were all challenged for sexual content, LGBTQ+…

06.10.2025 11:36 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Banned Books Week 2025 October 5th through the 11th is Banned Books Week here in the U.S. This past year has been a rough one for free speech here, and book bans seem to be spreading. In the past, the push for censorship in libraries and classrooms seemed to come from parents, but now it appears to be more of a government directive. The rally cry is to protect children and empower parents, but it's a false argument. Parents can already decide what they want their children to read. Nothing is stopping them. And really, I, along with many others, have read most of the titles on the hit lists and we've turned out relatively normal and well-adjusted.

Banned Books Week 2025

October 5th through the 11th is Banned Books Week here in the U.S. This past year has been a rough one for free speech here, and book bans seem to be spreading. In the past, the push for censorship in libraries and classrooms seemed to come from parents, but now it appears…

05.10.2025 09:57 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Today I’m thrilled to finally announce my philosophical fantasy book, The Dynasty of the Divine, coming out December 28. The book will be released by Semper Anticus Press, and for the first time, here's the cover. Preorders are open now! Link in bio.

04.10.2025 19:00 — 👍 43    🔁 14    💬 0    📌 0
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Poetry Moment – Pillow Fort Our older pup, Peppa, likes her alone time. Her buddy, Chili, is a ball of energy, and sometimes Peppa just needs a break. Lately, she's been slipping off into our spare room and positioning herself behind a row of pillows. We started to refer to it as her pillow fort. It's not the most secure location, but she seems to be happy there. Hidden behind the pillows A little ball of fur She thinks no one sees her And she feels secure Of course, we hear her snoring She gives herself away Seems disappointed when we find her Each and every day. Did you make pillow or blanket forts when you were young? RB

Poetry Moment – Pillow Fort

Our older pup, Peppa, likes her alone time. Her buddy, Chili, is a ball of energy, and sometimes Peppa just needs a break. Lately, she's been slipping off into our spare room and positioning herself behind a row of pillows. We started to refer to it as her pillow fort.…

04.10.2025 13:21 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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A Little Abstract Expressionism – Abstract Flowers With summer here drawing to a close, I felt compelled to try to do something to remember all the flowers I saw over the past few months. On all the dog walks and hikes in the woods, I've been lucky enough to see a wide variety of blooms in a bunch of different environments - shaded woods, open fields, and even a few around my house. I didn't use any photos as source material for these paintings. Instead, I tried to convey the impressions of the blooms, how they made me feel, the traces they left in my memory. Click on an image for a larger view. Is there one that stands out to you? RB

A Little Abstract Expressionism – Abstract Flowers

With summer here drawing to a close, I felt compelled to try to do something to remember all the flowers I saw over the past few months. On all the dog walks and hikes in the woods, I've been lucky enough to see a wide variety of blooms in a bunch…

03.10.2025 11:08 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Poetry Moment – Praying Mantis I was walking in from feeding the chickens the other day and spotted a praying mantis hanging out on the wall near the back door. In all the years I've lived here, I've never seen a mantis around my house, so I took it as a positive sign. Later, when I was looking at the photos I took, I realized just how alien it looks. And while it has wonderful camouflage and appears to fit in, it could just as well have recently landed in a spaceship from another world.

Poetry Moment – Praying Mantis

I was walking in from feeding the chickens the other day and spotted a praying mantis hanging out on the wall near the back door. In all the years I've lived here, I've never seen a mantis around my house, so I took it as a positive sign. Later, when I was looking at…

29.09.2025 11:15 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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There’s No Art Without Sacrifice I was writing in my journal the other morning and lamenting on the fact that I often have stories laid out in my head, but have to go through the process of typing them out, which can seem to take forever. It made me realize that I have to sacrifice my time in order to make art. It comes with the territory. Art isn't easy. It takes time, practice, and even costs money. But we do it anyway because we have to. It's in our DNA. We write, we draw, we paint, we make music.

There’s No Art Without Sacrifice

I was writing in my journal the other morning and lamenting on the fact that I often have stories laid out in my head, but have to go through the process of typing them out, which can seem to take forever. It made me realize that I have to sacrifice my time in…

26.09.2025 15:21 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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A Little Abstract Expressionism – Blurry Bird One of the bloggers I follow, Yolanda, often posts amazing photos from where she lives. They are always uniquely shot and oftentimes sort of surreal. She uses different filters and angles and picks up on interesting nuances of the world around her. She recently posted a photo titled, "Blurry Bird", that caught my eye because it looked like an abstract painting. Click the link and see for yourself! Of course, I asked her permission to paint a canvas inspired by this shot. I didn't necessarily want to make it an exact copy, but I did want to capture the mood and movement.

A Little Abstract Expressionism – Blurry Bird

One of the bloggers I follow, Yolanda, often posts amazing photos from where she lives. They are always uniquely shot and oftentimes sort of surreal. She uses different filters and angles and picks up on interesting nuances of the world around her. She…

24.09.2025 11:12 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Celebrate Hobbit Day! For the Tolkien fans out there, September 22 is the birthday of both Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, the protagonists of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings novels. If you haven't read the books, they set the standard for the modern fantasy genre. One of my favorite parts of this epic saga is the opening to The Lord of the Rings (LotR), which focuses on the two hobbits celebrating their joint birthdays. In fact, it's quite the milestone event because Bilbo is celebrating his "eleventy first" birthday (he's turning 111), and Frodo is turning 33, which in Hobbit culture means he is legally coming of age.

Celebrate Hobbit Day!

For the Tolkien fans out there, September 22 is the birthday of both Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, the protagonists of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings novels. If you haven't read the books, they set the standard for the modern fantasy genre. One of my favorite parts of this…

22.09.2025 11:17 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Poetry Moment – Sleepy Dog One of the joys of my day is watching my two mutts playing in the back yard. They take turns chasing one another, rolling in the grass, and generally acting silly. After fifteen or twenty minutes, they're both panting and ready to go back inside to drink some water and rest up for the next round. Recently, I grabbed a photo of the younger one, Chili, as she caught a cat nap (pun intended) after a play session. Energy depleted, you ran at full speed, circling the yard, kicking up blades of grass in…

Poetry Moment – Sleepy Dog

One of the joys of my day is watching my two mutts playing in the back yard. They take turns chasing one another, rolling in the grass, and generally acting silly. After fifteen or twenty minutes, they're both panting and ready to go back inside to drink some water and…

19.09.2025 11:08 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Music Moment – Magic Power One of the great, but now mostly forgotten, rock bands of the 1980s was the Canadian trio, Triumph. They had a great sound that combined blues, rock, and a little bit of classical (guitarist Rik Emmett was classically trained). One of their biggest hits was 1981s "Magic Power" from their Allied Forces album. To me, the song hits in several great ways. First is the music. The song opens with some soft keyboards and acoustic guitar that, over the course of five minutes, evolves into a fantastic rocker. Then there are the lyrics, sung in Emmett's higher range, that touch upon not only the angst of youth, but also the power of music.

Music Moment – Magic Power

One of the great, but now mostly forgotten, rock bands of the 1980s was the Canadian trio, Triumph. They had a great sound that combined blues, rock, and a little bit of classical (guitarist Rik Emmett was classically trained). One of their biggest hits was 1981s "Magic…

17.09.2025 11:11 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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A Little Abstract Expressionism – Fall Colors My blogging friend, Andrea, over at Andrea, Illustrator, recently posted a wonderful piece that I felt was a great introduction to the fall season. I highly recommend her site if you're interested in fantastic illustrations that are playful, thoughtful, and often relatable. When I commented on her post, she suggested I draw inspiration from it and do my own interpretation using the same - or a similar - color palette. It took me a few days, but this is what I came up with. It's a mixture of acrylic paints and acrylic pens.

A Little Abstract Expressionism – Fall Colors

My blogging friend, Andrea, over at Andrea, Illustrator, recently posted a wonderful piece that I felt was a great introduction to the fall season. I highly recommend her site if you're interested in fantastic illustrations that are playful,…

15.09.2025 10:59 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Review – Under the Eye of the Big Bird I have to say that Under the Eye of the Big Bird was one of the most interesting, original, and unusual pieces of fiction I've read. The author, Hiromi Kawakami, has crafted something that's almost hard to define. It's a bit of science fiction, speculative fiction, and dystopian fiction, but also an ode to humanity as a whole. The book reads both as a novel and as a collection of short stories, all overlapping as they leap forward in time. The basic premise is that humanity is dying out. There aren't enough births to sustain the worldwide population, so two men come up with a plan to try to rebuild the human race.

Review – Under the Eye of the Big Bird

I have to say that Under the Eye of the Big Bird was one of the most interesting, original, and unusual pieces of fiction I've read. The author, Hiromi Kawakami, has crafted something that's almost hard to define. It's a bit of science fiction, speculative…

12.09.2025 11:13 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Poetry Moment – Indignant Chicken So I had to take one of my hens to the vet this past weekend. She'd done something to her right eye and it was a bit swollen and had a little discharge. Because I was unprepared for the situation, the only thing I could find to transport her was a cloth grocery bag. So while we were sitting in the waiting room, the hen, who we now refer to as Penelope, began poking her head out looking at one of us, then disappearing back inside the bag. Up, down, up, down...looking one way, then another.

Poetry Moment – Indignant Chicken

So I had to take one of my hens to the vet this past weekend. She'd done something to her right eye and it was a bit swollen and had a little discharge. Because I was unprepared for the situation, the only thing I could find to transport her was a cloth grocery…

10.09.2025 11:10 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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International Literacy Day September 8th is International Literacy Day, and this year's theme is "Promoting literacy in the digital era." It seems strange to me that in this modern period, with the internet and the availability of digital devices, there are still over half a billion people - both children and adults - lack basic literacy skills. You would think that this mostly affects people living in developing countries, but even here in the U.S., approximately 43 million people struggle with basic reading tasks. Literacy is something I know I take for granted.

International Literacy Day

September 8th is International Literacy Day, and this year's theme is "Promoting literacy in the digital era." It seems strange to me that in this modern period, with the internet and the availability of digital devices, there are still over half a billion people - both…

08.09.2025 11:29 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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National Read a Book Day! Saturday, September 6 is National Read a Book Day. Which seems weird to me because every day should be read a book day. At the very least, an entire month should be dedicated to reading. No one is going to get through a book in 24 hours. Well, not normal people. Book nerds will accept the challenge. I think it's also important to note that reading has many benefits. Reading regularly can: Expand your knowledge Improve your memory Help you sleep better (especially boring books) Reduce stress Build your concentration…

National Read a Book Day!

Saturday, September 6 is National Read a Book Day. Which seems weird to me because every day should be read a book day. At the very least, an entire month should be dedicated to reading. No one is going to get through a book in 24 hours. Well, not normal people. Book…

06.09.2025 13:06 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Poetry Moment: Where From Here? There's a theory in quantum mechanics called the many-worlds interpretation that, among other things, suggests that every decision we make creates a new timeline - or new reality - on a quantum level. Each of these new timelines opens up new outcomes for us, and these splits go on indefinitely. So, for example, when you approach a fork in the road and you almost go to the right, then change your mind and go to the left, that creates a new timeline. It's theoretically possible that a part of you continues on the original timeline and another follows the new timeline.

Poetry Moment: Where From Here?

There's a theory in quantum mechanics called the many-worlds interpretation that, among other things, suggests that every decision we make creates a new timeline - or new reality - on a quantum level. Each of these new timelines opens up new outcomes for us, and…

05.09.2025 11:45 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Writing Prompt: What promises do you make to yourself? I make a lot of promises to myself. To be a better person. To write daily. To paint daily. To do something creative every day. To stop buying so many books. I'm more successful with some than I am with others. I reiterate those promises to myself every morning. There's a bit of time after I wake up when I have the house to myself. Just me and the dogs stumbling about the kitchen, sleepy-eyed and yawning. That's when I think about the things I didn't accomplish. The promises to myself not kept.

Writing Prompt: What promises do you make to yourself?

I make a lot of promises to myself. To be a better person. To write daily. To paint daily. To do something creative every day. To stop buying so many books. I'm more successful with some than I am with others. I reiterate those promises to…

03.09.2025 10:42 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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How Many Words? I was writing in my journal the other morning when a random thought popped into my head: How many words have I written over the years? I've been writing poetry and fiction since I was very young. I have a memory of writing a love poem (I think I was inspired by a song on the radio) when I was eight or nine, but even before that I was trying to write and illustrate my own comic books. Sadly, those pieces are all lost to time. I really started to crank out poems and short fiction when I was a teenager.

How Many Words?

I was writing in my journal the other morning when a random thought popped into my head: How many words have I written over the years? I've been writing poetry and fiction since I was very young. I have a memory of writing a love poem (I think I was inspired by a song on the radio)…

01.09.2025 10:14 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Poetry Moment – Light at Dawn I tend to be up before the sun rises in the morning and occasionally I get to see something unique. Recently, I caught this burst of sunlight erupting from the eastern horizon. I'm not sure what caused it, but it was so amazing to witness. Sleep-filled eyes look to the east expecting the soft glow of the sunrise only to find a burst of light, like pink fire erupting over the dark treetops. Morning announces herself like royalty and I unconsciously stand at attention welcoming her with wide eyes and a smile. Do you prefer a beautiful sunrise or sunset? RB

Poetry Moment – Light at Dawn

I tend to be up before the sun rises in the morning and occasionally I get to see something unique. Recently, I caught this burst of sunlight erupting from the eastern horizon. I'm not sure what caused it, but it was so amazing to witness. Sleep-filled eyes look to…

30.08.2025 09:23 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Music Moment – Steppin’ Out One of the great songs of the early 1980s, "Steppin' Out" is English singer-songwriter Joe Jackson's biggest hit. The song is a wonderful mix of electronic and traditional instruments, and it blends a classic pop sound with the New Wave sound of the time. On the surface, the song is about a guy convincing his girlfriend (or maybe just a girl he met) to go out driving around the city with him. But a deeper dive on the lyrics hints at fear of growing older, wanting to escape from the real world and disappear into the night, or maybe just running off together to see what the future holds.

Music Moment – Steppin’ Out

One of the great songs of the early 1980s, "Steppin' Out" is English singer-songwriter Joe Jackson's biggest hit. The song is a wonderful mix of electronic and traditional instruments, and it blends a classic pop sound with the New Wave sound of the time. On the…

29.08.2025 10:39 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Poetry Moment – I Love Books It shouldn't come as a surprise that I love books. Particularly physical books. I love the way they feel in my hands, the weight of them. I love the sound the pages make when I flip through them. I love looking at the jacket art, the font choices, the color schemes. I'm also fond of the smell of books, especially old books, but also new books. The aroma of the paper and ink makes me feel at ease. Old books, new books Even dusty old school books Hardback, paperback On a shelf or on a rack…

Poetry Moment – I Love Books

It shouldn't come as a surprise that I love books. Particularly physical books. I love the way they feel in my hands, the weight of them. I love the sound the pages make when I flip through them. I love looking at the jacket art, the font choices, the color schemes.…

27.08.2025 11:11 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
A Little Abstract Expressionism – Feeling Blue For the past week, I've challenged myself to paint using only shades of blue with white as my accent color and mixer. I wanted to see what I could do with a limited palette and painting without a plan. When I write fiction, I often start off with an idea and no idea where it's going to lead me. It's not the most efficient way to write, but it works for me. I enjoy discovering where my characters are going at the same time they do. As the poet Robert Frost once said, "No surprise for the writer, no surprise for the reader."

A Little Abstract Expressionism – Feeling Blue

For the past week, I've challenged myself to paint using only shades of blue with white as my accent color and mixer. I wanted to see what I could do with a limited palette and painting without a plan. When I write fiction, I often start off with an…

25.08.2025 11:29 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

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