Texting, instant messaging, online chat, the mainstream media, and the general direction of our modern society and “culture”, are destroying the people’s capacity to communicate, to think, to feel, and hence also, to act rationally….This must be addressed. Here is one response, to one part of that picture. If you
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PostArctica: Pandemic Report # 6
It might be a good time for ventriloquists.
Continue readingmark a rayner: An apology to the Autistic Community (and a thanks)
Ten years ago I wrote a novel called The Fridgularity. As I often do, I prefaced it with some quotations I thought applicable to the… Continue ReadingAn apology to the Autistic Community (and a thanks) The post An apology to the Autistic Community (and a thanks) appeared first on mark
Continue readingmark a rayner: It Came from Plan B
A few years ago I had an epiphany about one of my life choices. I was a guest on my buddy Keith’s excellent podcast about… Continue ReadingIt Came from Plan B The post It Came from Plan B appeared first on mark a rayner.
Continue readingmark a rayner: Twain edits
Full quote: I notice that you use plain, simple language, short words and brief sentences. That is the way to write English – it is… Continue ReadingTwain edits The post Twain edits appeared first on mark a rayner.
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: Rules For Good Communication – Both In Writing, and Verbally, and In The Arts (Along with core points on the philosophy of language, knowledge, perception, consciousness, ontology and epistemology, and the nature of being and reality – and lessons on how not to be long-winded!)
Here are a few thoughts on writing and verbal communication, and all forms of communication. As an author, writer, reader, lover of books, and philosopher, I believe I have some potentially helpful thoughts to share on the subject, though my own communications are not without faults themselves. I am no
Continue readingScripturient: Books, writers, words, and competencies
I have always believed that any good, competent and credible writer can be judged (if judge people we must, and yet we do) by the books on his or her desk. Yes, books: printed hardcopy, paper and ink. I’ll go into why books are vastly superior to online sources a
Continue readingScripturient: Of dictionaries, memories, and friends
When a copy of this selection from Samuel Johnson’s famous dictionary arrived last week, I was delighted, and immediately reminded of my late, and well-loved friend, Bill. He would have appreciated the book, chuckled over Johnson’s witty definitions, delighted in the words at play. We would have sat around the
Continue readingmark a rayner: Writing as Therapy
“Writers get a nice break in one way, at least: They can treat their mental illnesses every day.” ~Kurt Vonnegut Photo by Ruslan Alekso from Pexels The post Writing as Therapy appeared first on mark a rayner.
Continue readingmark a rayner: Listicle: Ernest Hemingway’s 5 Surprisingly Easy Rules for Writing
Kill adjectivesMurder your darlingsSlaughter long sentencesExterminate repetitionWhiskey, but only after slaking your bloodlust writing
Continue readingBabel-on-the-Bay: Saluting Salutin.
Maybe you have never wasted much time on reading Toronto Star writer Rick Salutin. I have never considered his opinions of importance or particularly well founded. I have had the impression, that the Star editors just keep him on standby to fill empty spaces in the next edition. His recent
Continue readingScripturient: 2018 in review
As the year 2018 closes, it’s time for my customary review of what I wrote. It’s also time to thank every reader for participating, for reading my humble musings, for sharing my posts and sending me emails about them. I appreciate your presence and your comments. Twenty eighteen was another
Continue readingcentre of the universe: I wish I were joking
But I’m not. If I wrote this as fiction my editors would cross it out as too far fetched. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/comedy-holiday-horrors-jillian-bell-1.4960005
Continue readingScripturient: Storytelling cubes
You don’t expect Wal Mart to be the source for literary tools, but if you amble into the section crammed with toys, you can pick up a set of Rory’s Story Cubes for just $10 (the base set). Now, I realize these are meant as a creative game for children
Continue readingcentre of the universe: Wrong Universe – NaBloPoMo Day 8
My mum was a brilliant woman. So was my grandmother. So is my aunt. So is my other aunt. It’s pretty cool the amount of brain power all the wymmyns be bringin’ all up in this family. I used to sit on the corner of mum’s bed and watch her
Continue readingcentre of the universe: Empty – NaBloPoMo Day 7
I worked pretty hard this past weekend. I was at a retreat. Had some rewriting to do on a manuscript. Thought it’d be easy. Boy, was I wrong. I mean. I knew I had a lot to rework. I just had no idea that I could actually focus like that.
Continue readingcentre of the universe: Snow Sky – NaBloPoMo Day 5
I don’t like snow skies. I don’t like grey air and grey skies. Not one bit. I look at the ground a lot when there’s sky-poop happening. I don’t mind when the sky poop lands and it’s all pretty and sparkly and new and fresh and why the shit did
Continue readingBabel-on-the-Bay: Holding Honderich’s Hypocrisy.
It is this writer’s observation that John Honderich of the Toronto Star can be among the most puffed up of self-important Canadians. In an opinion piece on page two of his own publication the other day, Honderich bemoaned the lack of financial support for journalism by the federal government. He
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