In Part One, I introduced Julie Zickefoose, writer and artist, whose new book The Bluebird Effect is now one of my favorites. In this earlier installment, I discussed Zickefoose’s rescue of a starving Turkey Vulture and mothering infant hummingbirds to fledglings. Zickefoose saves her most poignant chapters for last, as discussed below. Julie Zickefoose saves […]
Monthly Archives: March 2013
Julie Zickefoose‘s husband is an editor of Bird Watcher’s Digest, a magazine I have enjoyed for several years and which I give to friends who enjoy birdwatching. Julie has written articles for the digest and has contributed many paintings and drawings to it. When I read that she had recently published The Bluebird Effect: Uncommon Bonds with […]
“I read what I write so I know what I think,” said Carson McCullers. She must have been speaking of journaling. Whether or not you’re a writer it’s good to record your thoughts. There are many reasons why, and they fall into three main categories: Logging – The simplest reason to keep a journal is […]
In Part One of this post we looked at the way Pat Barker links real events and personages with her fully realized character creations to portray the grisly horrors of WWI and its effects on soldiers and families alike. In this post we will see the writer’s craft in action as we examine her portrayal […]
What passing-bells for these who die as cattle? Only the monstrous anger of the guns. Only the stuttering rifles’ rapid rattle Can patter out their hasty orisons. From “Anthem for Doomed Youth” –Wilfred Owen Most of my professional life has revolved around treating people who suffer from what we call PTSD—Post–traumatic […]
In Part One, I discussed Flannery O’Connor’s life and home. Here I will give a brief look at her work and ideas. Never heard of Flannery O’Connor? Or have you read a story by her and scratched your head? Barely remember her name from a distant high school class in American Literature? You’re probably not […]
Here in the South, we are blessed to have The Southern Literary Trail, the nation’s only tri-state literary trail, featuring writers’ homes in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi—three states said to be perennially at the bottom of US literacy rates. William Faulkner was once asked, Why don’t more Southerners read? He replied, Because they’re too busy writing. […]
Readers Unbound 