So said, (according to the Goodreads website), British fantasy fiction author H. O. Charles. What, you ask, has such an unmentionable bodily function got to do with literature, or anything remotely related to it? So, here’s the entire quote to put into context. On the subject of publishing, Mr. Charles proffered that he “. . . often think[s] publishing a book is like doing a poo. Once it’s ready for the world, you have to relinquish that control and let nature take its course

Do you love Ted? I sure do. And if you’re wondering who the hell this guy Ted might be, I’m referring here to the twenty-some-year-old lecture series that started as a conference where technology, entertainment and design converge. I’ve spent many an hour watching TED lectures instead of doing what I’m meant to be doing (a-k-a writing). I justify my indulgence by assuring myself that I’ll discover something inspirational to write about. Now and again I hit paydirt, like the o

I’m writing this post on the eve of the US presidential election. And oh, what an election season it’s been! I have my opinion about who is the more qualified of the two candidates, of course. But this blog isn’t about my opinion or anyone else’s for that matter. It’s about recognizing worthwhile discourse, which includes writing of all types. Although one can argue that fiction doesn’t quite qualify as discourse per se, I contend fiction writers speak with great authority ab

I couldn’t let a trip to Ireland go by without paying homage to an Irish writer. I had a lot to choose from, as the little emerald isle has churned out a substantial number of linguistically brilliant people. There’s James Joyce, Yeats, and George Bernard Shaw, and Sam Beckett, Maeve Binchy and CS Lewis, to name a few. After much consideration, I’ve chosen Ireland’s most famous aesthete, Mr. Oscar Wilde. Although many assume Oscar Wilde was British, by virtue of his long term