Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence in rooms he rented from bricklayer Jacob Graff at 700 Market Street in Philadelphia. The home is administered by the National Parks Service and is open to public tours. The desire for independence from Great Britain grew slowly in American colonists' hearts. Their central grievance with the mother... Continue Reading →
Seasoning the Writer and the Writing
Gus and Gus, a Rehoboth Beach boardwalk food stand operating since 1956, serves an outstanding burger. I stood a few hours ago at their ocean-facing counter and watched my cheese, fried-onion, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, and mustard masterpiece come together on a grill possibly original to the stand. The grill is the magic ingredient. Grilling lore tells us my... Continue Reading →
ESWA– The Subject is Writing
To all of our teachers in the Eastern Shore Writers Association (and ESWA writers interested in education), please check your inboxes for an invitation to the Thursday, May 8th session The Subject is Writing beginning at 7:30 PM via Zoom. We will explore practical techniques to promote writing across subject areas and grade levels-- and... Continue Reading →
Multiple-choice Items That Measure Up
Many interns I have worked with possess the common misconception writing multiple-choice items is quick, easy, and assessments composed of these items are a breeze to administer and score. Reality sets in as they draft their first sets of questions and submit these to me for feedback. They find themselves suddenly in the weeds of communicating... Continue Reading →
Movement and Energy in Writing
Plot, character development, and setting are expected ingredients for an engaging and moving story, but what about energy? A pivotal moment in my evolution as a writer occurred in the late nineties when Stuart Jaffe and David Bender, fellow members of a writers’ group, helped me to see the relationships between pacing, rhythm, and scenes, which... Continue Reading →
Jimmy Grits, Private Eye Cover Reveal
Here is the final cover spread for Jimmy Grits, Private Eye. Thank you to Aubrey Brown for the incredible cover art and Stephanie Fowler of Saltwater Media for the cover design. The last of the logistical decisions are being made, and next comes the proof from the printer. See the blog post entitled “Cover Art for Jimmy Grits,... Continue Reading →
Show Me The Proof
A quick update... Saltwater Media had sent me the Jimmy Grits page spread, and I completed the proof this weekend. Next comes the final cover and back material. Stay tuned!
Cover Art For Jimmy Grits, Private Eye
Sometimes, I know exactly what I want then someone shows me what I really want. This is the story of how my poor attempt at concept art for the cover of Jimmy Grits, Private Eye became something brilliant when placed in the skilled hands of Philadelphia-based artist Aubrey Brown. Drawing is not in my skill... Continue Reading →
Jimmy Grits, Private Eye
I am excited to announce my first novel, Jimmy Grits, Private Eye, is scheduled for release late this fall from Saltwater Media Publishing. Jimmy is a man who feels he needs no introduction, but he is going to give us one, anyway. "I did more than my part sweeping miscreants from Ocean Mist’s streets, and... Continue Reading →
Flipping The Flipped Classroom
“Think of the presidential election process as having two parts.” A student in the third seat of the second row caught my eye, and I drifted toward her as I continued our lesson. “The first part involves state-level elections.” Lily tapped her iPad screen woodpecker-like and bit her lip. I leaned toward her. Lowered my voice. “You okay?” “It’s... Continue Reading →
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