Category Archives: History

Writing-Tip Wednesday: Ten Books You Should Read

Posted on December 23, 2020 by dbjackson

Early in the year — even before the pandemic hit — I wrote a post in which I basically said that all writers should read. There are certain “rules” about the profession that are actually negotiable — writers don’t really … Continue reading →

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Writing-Tip Wednesday: Holidays As Part of World Building

Posted on December 9, 2020 by dbjackson

I have written about the holidays a good deal in the past few weeks, but I have yet to address holidays as a topic in a Writing-Tip Wednesday post. Now, you’re first response to this might be, “Well, why would … Continue reading →

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Monday Musings: He Lost. Get Over It Already. Rome Is Burning.

Posted on December 7, 2020 by dbjackson

“You fool! As if the way one falls down matters!” “Well, when the fall is all that’s left, it matters a great deal.” — The Lion In Winter He lost. He knows it. His lawyers know it. His enablers in … Continue reading →

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Monday Musings: A Nation In Need of Common Ground

Posted on November 16, 2020 by dbjackson

A video surfaced on Twitter and social networks over the weekend. It came out of D.C. and the demonstrations there, and in its first iteration, slowed down for effect, it appeared to show a left-wing demonstrator sucker-punching a Trump supporter, … Continue reading →

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Monday Musings: Breathe

Posted on November 9, 2020 by dbjackson

Breathe. In and out. In and out. It’s finally over. I am relieved, elated, a bit nervous about the shenanigans yet to come from the White House. Not because I believe they will succeed, but because I believe that even … Continue reading →

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Photo Friday: Election Day

Posted on November 6, 2020 by dbjackson

Today’s Photo Friday images come from Election Day. Here in our little town, our orderly, socially-distanced voting line stretched out the entrance of our elementary school, through the parking lot, and down the sidewalk. It took me 45 minutes to … Continue reading →

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Writing-Tip Wednesday: Real-World Influences On Our Fiction

Posted on October 21, 2020 by dbjackson

It’s also possible, particularly with our world as fraught as it is right now, that the sheer gravity of real-world events and conflicts will pull your story in directions you don’t want it to go. These influences are powerful, but … Continue reading →

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Monday Musings: Through the Looking Glass

Posted on October 5, 2020 by dbjackson

[Let me begin by saying this: I know the President is ill. I hope he recovers; I understand it’s possible that he’ll take a turn for the worse. I hope the First Lady and the growing number of public officials … Continue reading →

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Monday Musings: The Peaceful Transfer of Power

Posted on September 28, 2020 by dbjackson

For students of American history, the late eighteenth century is filled with consequential dates and events. The signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the end of the Revolutionary War in 1781, the meeting of the Constitutional Convention in … Continue reading →

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Monday Musings: Court Wars

Posted on September 21, 2020 by dbjackson

Sometimes I write my Monday posts on Saturday morning. It’s just a convenient time. And so right now I am at my desk, trying to marshal my thoughts, and rein in my emotions. I am devastated by the death of … Continue reading →

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