Amanda Ripley made this point in her WSJ piece from last Saturday: The all-important issue is not how easy it is to fire the worst teachers; it’s how to elevate the entire craft without going to war with the teachers. In her mind, both sides are crucial to the health of the system. Not unlike […]
Things you can’t say in words
As an author, the less you say, the better. Strunk and White ring this bell in Rule 17 — omit needless words. But what if your theme eludes description? Novelist Jennifer DuBois provides an example of what to do in her Word Craft column from last Saturday: In the middle of a novel about music […]
Seven Things I’ve Learned About Commuting
(1) If you work from home you have zero commuting costs. Or wardrobe costs. Or going-out-for-lunch costs. You also never leave work. (2) If you work a mile from home you can walk, ride your bike, drive, or take a longboard. Pretty nice. Also pretty easy to work evenings and weekends. (3) If you work […]
Seven Things I’ve Learned About Communication in Marriage
(1) It’s the water that keeps your relationship hydrated. You’re friends. You trust each other. So talk about what you’re thinking, feeling, planning, doing, learning, and believing. That’s what friends do. (2) Do it with love. Affection is nice, but love goes the distance. It reaches deep and rouses kindness — a reliable guardrail for steering […]
Seven Things I’ve Learned About Writing Fiction (from The Hunger Games)
(1) Tension. Something’s not right about all this. (2) Respect. A strong, competent hero. (3) Empathy. Characters I care for. (4) Conflict. Most of these characters are in mortal danger. (5) Enemies. Opposition that is believable and overwhelming. (6) Romance. Between characters I’m rooting for, but with plenty of #1, above. (7) Resolution? Wrap things […]
paulsanthouse.com 