Rachel Byler is an artist who creates a fantastical artistic watercolor painting that takes the viewer and sends that to a fantastical place. I’ve always been drawn to fantasy. If you follow anything else I do, you have probably been able to deduce that I am drawn to things that recreate the world entirely, such […]
Watercolor Painting and Magic: Rachel Byler Read More »
Fantasy literature always has certain books that become classics. But most fantasy is seen as relegated to nerd culture because of its content. Last week, I talked about how stories can draw us into a and can help us elicit memories and feelings that border on fantasy. This week, I continue talking about what fantasy
Fantasy Literature and its Importance in Culture Read More »
Chuck Close is an artist who is still alive, and he is an artist who makes art that elicits awe in those who see his work. But who he is may surprise. I went to The Art Institute of Chicago with some friends about five years ago (something like that). Since I live up in
Chuck Close: Massive Photorealistic Paintings Read More »
Early childhood is a forgotten time for anyone past the age of twelve, but those who seek to create might find fertile ground in these times. I have this weird experience almost daily where I experience something that isn’t part of my memory. Similar to nostalgia, this experience deals with the early childhood and is
Early Childhood Forgetfulness: Mythology and Creativity Read More »
American culture is a conglomeration of many different cultures centered around English ideas. Many say that the United States has no culture. Happy July 4th! This week I talk about how American culture is unique among all other cultures. I take a broad overview of what people say about Americans before talking about how Americans
American Culture and Creativity in America Read More »
What is In Memoriam? In Memoriam, the series that begins with The Ninth Hour, is a passion project of mine. I have seen how powerful long-form storytelling has been in my own life, and this story that started off as an idea for one book begged to be told in the form of multiple books.
In Memoriam: Why I Write and the Power of a Story Read More »
Unique art can be found everywhere. It is not hard to find art that fascinates us, but some artists go beyond what we expect. And Li Hongbo is one of those. One of the most powerful things a piece of unique art can do is surprise us. Most often, any surprises we find in art
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Character change is at the essence of a good story. This week on How to Write Good, Emily Brady of the podcast Plotboilers guests. We talk about two different books, “The Count of Monte Cristo” and “My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry.” We talk about how slow and satisfying the character change
Character Change: The Count of Monte Cristo-Emily Brady Read More »
Should I be a writer? When questioned, some professional writers answer in the negative and state. They’re probably wrong. The short answer is yes, but a yes wouldn’t convince me so I doubt it would be a sufficient answer for anyone who has questioned the value of her creations. But I believe a more thorough
Should I be a Writer: Creating and Value Read More »
The power of metaphor is not lost on the literary world. Metaphor is something that conveys deep meaning in stories, but metaphor informs our lives as well. This week I talk about the power of metaphor both in stories and in the human life. Starting out with the idea of vivid descriptions, I first talk
The Power of Metaphor: Metaphor and Human Connection Read More »
