Luck is the Residue of Design
“Luck is the residue of design.” – Branch Rickey, legendary baseball general manager Branch Rickey is most famous for being the general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers who signed Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to become a regular player in Major League Baseball. In baseball circles, though, he’s perhaps even more famous for inventing what […]
How Writing a Business Proposal is Usually a Trap
Many times during my freelance digital marketing career, I felt it necessary to write a business proposal to send a prospective client. Not only are they not fun to write up, but in my experience, writing business proposals is usually a trap for yourself. Why is writing a business proposal often a waste of time […]
Talent is a Terrible Thing to Waste
“Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” – Stephen King Human beings are blessed with one sort of talent or another. Some are great at public speaking. Others are great at composing music. Still others are very good at writing essays; […]
Creative Writing Prompts for Charlotte’s Web
Charlotte’s Web is one of my all-time favorite books from my childhood. E.B. White’s work is very special to me. In fact, his essay work was my chief inspiration for becoming an essayist in my adulthood. So, when researching keywords for my new ongoing series for writing inspiration, I was pleasantly surprised to see that […]
5 Signs You Have a Bad Literary Agent
Finding a literary agent to pitch your book to publishing houses is a major step forward in getting your book into print. Many publishers will not accept unsolicited queries from authors without an agent. So, finding a reputable agent is extremely important. This agent becomes your book’s advocate. Not only that, but if your book […]
What I’ve Learned About Diversions and Distractions
Many diversions can be quite enjoyable, serving their purpose in the name of work-life harmony. Indulging in hobbies and other recreational activities is necessary for all of us to maintain our overall well-being. We all lose ourselves in a good book, become mesmerized by a favorite TV show, or succumb to the rapturous embrace of […]
How Do We Free Our Writing From Cultural Limitations?
Edward Said, author of “Orientalism,” shared in that work how learned and imaginative writings are never truly free. They’re tightly bound by distinct boundaries that dictate the imagery employed, the assumptions made, and the intentions behind the writings. Understanding these limitations offers a fresh lens through which to examine and interpret such pieces. Let’s uncover […]
What is a Real Seeker After Truth?
Analyzing the Rene Descartes Quote About Doubt and Finding Real Truth “If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things.” – Rene Descartes How do you seek the truth? Do you try to verify what you already […]
It’s Not the Volume That Matters But the Frequency
In December of 2021, I penned and posted a piece on my website titled “The Crossroads at Panic Street and Heartbreak Avenue.” It was later removed and published as a part of my short essay collection, Cloud Pieces. I have no idea how I came up with that title, but it’s still there today. The […]