- Sleep
- Drink coffee
- Write
- Read.
- Watch old episodes of Star Trek that I have watched so often that I have virtually memorized the dialogue…
Ask a foolish question…
March 21, 2024
Trolling trolls rarely works
March 21, 2024
On March 13th, someone on Goodreads shelved Bringer of Light, and on March 14th gave it a one-star rating, the lowest possible.
On March 15th, Bringer of Light was finally published online.
I flagged the “review” as violating Goodreads policy, and received an email saying the company would deal with it appropriately.
Six days later, the one-star “review” still stands.
It’s been very tempting to post a comment. But for the moment, I have resisted.
If you don’t like my work, that’s fine. But it is simply mean-spirited to try to judge it without even bothering to read it.
There are lots of trolls out there. They must be starving for attention.
Poor buggers. You’ll have to find food elsewhere.
Bringer of Light: Characters
March 11, 2024
This time I tried “mmhmm” studio. Some bumps and bruises, but managed to survive!
Oh, and it doesn’t really have a “pronunciation guide.” Oops. The names (I thought) were fairly easy to pronounce. (Weng is not “wehng” but more like “wong,” or even “wung,” but otherwise straightforward…)
Hope you like the video! (2 of 4, I hope)
I’m not the “doubting one,” but…
March 9, 2024
Daily writing prompt
What is your middle name? Does it carry any special meaning/significance?
My middle name is actually Thomas. I chose to use “M Thomas” as a pen name out of respect for my father, who taught me how to write. As a professional communications writer, he was responsible for lots of public documents for the NYS DMV, including traffic safety reports, driver manuals, press releases from the Governor, all sorts of “my boss will feel the need to edit this, so I will deliberately leave behind something for him to do so as he doesn’t screw up the entire thing” document.
I may or may not have adopted this strategy in my own professional work (I certainly adopted the attitude…)
Another reason is because I had a baby brother named Thomas. He passed away before reaching five months old when I was not quite 11. It had a major impact on me as a child (and indeed as the adult and as the father I am).
I have no sons. It bothers me that I may be the last Thomas in our family. For a while, anyway.
What I am still not used to is…
March 6, 2024
What is one question you hate to be asked? Explain.
“Where are you from?”
I never understood why this question might rankle some people…until I moved to Japan.
I’ve been in Japan since 1999. “Where are you from?” was one of the first questions people asked me at the time, when I was teaching in junior and senior high schools.
No problem, I thought. I’m from Upstate.
“I’m from New York.”
Nods of understanding. “Ohhh, the Big Apple.”
Uh, no. Upstate.
“New York is a state?”
🤦♂️
Today’s quote
March 2, 2024
Show me a completely smooth operation and I’ll show you someone who’s covering mistakes. Real boats rock.
Frank Herbert, Chapterhouse: Dune
Another…uh, milestone, I guess?
March 2, 2024
I’m not sure why 1,337 is a magical number, but if my readers are happy, then I’m happy.
Thank you, all! I hope to continue to like your posts as well, and hope I can continue to write more ✍️ 💻 📱
Aristotle had something to say about this…
March 1, 2024
Do you believe in fate/destiny?
Every choice closes off one path and opens another…
From the Thought Police files…
February 25, 2024
If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?
I would not ban any words from any language, ever. I am not a Language Nazi.
People should learn that words have power, words hurt, and words heal. People should learn when to say or write what to whom, when and where. Banning language does not prevent people from using language, and in fact simply adds to language power.
Only Nazis ban language. Think for yourself. Grow up!
Booooooring
February 22, 2024
What bores you?
What doesn’t?
OK, I guess I’ll play along…
- Boring people
- People who talk a lot but say very little
- Morning “news”
- Talk shows
- Game shows
- Most TV, to be quite honest
- Pop music. Of any era.
- Dancing
- Politicians
- Business people
- Pointless paperwork
- Activities that require no thought or skill
- Card games (seriously…sorry, I just don’t get the attraction)
- Long lists about boring things (hey!)
