Trial and Error in the Comic Novel

In the Distance the town of Meadowhawk, Nevada I soon discover whether a situation is inherently funny. If it isn’t funny it becomes clear that the scene will depend on characterization. If character and circumstances fail next is to write a funny line to try and carry the scene. Then, after being dissatisfied […]

The Western Writer

I prepare for Australia. It is looming. Like all of us born in California my life is full and not one more thing may be added now. Still, I am unsettled from another clever interview with an author who grew up in Idaho and describes herself as a “western writer”. We may all say where […]

All About Bankrupt Heart

Bankrupt Heart A Novel by Dana Smith Bankrupt Heart explores the journey a man begins under some duress when his life on one fateful day vanishes. But wait! This is only where the story begins. Victoria, Ry’s long term life partner, a composer-pianist on tour in London is not only not coming back, but is […]

Hand in Glove

Handsome, a physical specimen, educated with grace and manners but are we capable as California/artist/performer/author of being debonair? Is our style too casual, too wash and wear, with silk and linen missing from our closet? The Bordeaux is one continent and one ocean removed. We go to the Napa Valley. It is all so downscale. […]

Coming Homing, Gardening as Show Stopper

Dom and Jane live in Wooloweyah, Australia. I booted my Google Earth program and took a look. Dom elects to put as much distance between the world’s troubles and his home as space will allow. Yamba, the nearest town is a tourist destination located just north of Dom’s village. I’ve known Dom for his work […]

Testosterone is King… King of Dreams

Testosterone gathered for coffee at an outdoor café. There were four of us. One married, another cohabitating, another just back from the frontlines of new love, and a fourth sidelined for the moment. It was a good afternoon for testosterone. Each carrier of this potent point of view gave their individualized perspective of how they […]

Big Bad Boats

Rocket Science a mini-monster from the Cook Islands. This is 50 feet, water ballasted, twin ruddered, carbon fibered, wickedly fast boat with a 13 foot draft!!!! I stepped aboard a monster Sunday. The beast tethered to a dock. Sixty-five feet of ocean going, purpose built, go anywhere, under any conditions sailboat. The beast had […]

Really Loving You Now

Into the breech of our life comes the sight of the other we might chance to love. It comes out of the blue. They enter the room and you look and it’s decided right then. Not for all of us. Some of us sneak up on it. We go to school with them, work with […]

I Feel like a Natural Woman

Do you listen to your body? Do you overrule yourself and go against instinct? If you are in an odd situation how do you feel your way through things? Moving from performing to writing and then back again I am reminded of this physical guidance system built into our nervous system. I put a scene […]

Crying at Weddings

I cry at weddings. I don’t need to know the couple. I just find the whole thing so romantic. My mind begins to wander and I become overwhelmed. You know the sociologists are fretting over the differential emerging between various income groups and their likelihood that they will marry. More money is predictive of taking […]