Thieving & Thriving Ad Scams

This is a little off the beaten path of writing, but speaks well toward your reading and comprehension skills. You remember – one of the frightening categories of the ol' SATs!

So I’m looking for a new place to live. I don’t own, I rent. I don’t need much, it’s just me – though I’d love to enjoy the company of another “killer” guard-cat someday.

This past week I began perusing the Craigslist ads – oh, how I hate doing that – but shelling out for a “service” that may or may not find a great match is not an option. I tried that last time, without success. When on a lean-and-mean financial budget, Craigslist is a necessary evil.

Rummaging through the ads for various reasons is something I do periodically, so I am not new to its advantages and vices. Today I am reminded of its underbelly.

3 Despicable Deeds of Like / Share

Call me anti-social or simply obstinate, but I truly dislike being told to take action that I believe is benign participation, which in reality disguises someone else’s gain to further their agenda.

My focus: the ubiquitous “Please Like / Share” tease on inspirational, thought-provoking or humorous photos / texts, posted on social network platforms.

Though this article does not strictly reflect the art of writing, it does apply to what we publish or the creative writing / art we link to in our social networks.

It’s time for a rant …

1) As early as 2011, reports noted that MANY (if not most) of those contrived heart-string messages are tied to advertising or at worst, malicious software, and every time you Like / Share it, someone somewhere chants cha-ching!

The Junk Drawer of Your Mind

(Originally published at Medium.com, June 6, 2013.)

You know the “junk drawer” in your home? Oh, c’mon, everybody has one – it’s generally in the kitchen, but could be the office (actually my desk has one, too) or garage. Wherever yours is, it likely contains the little odds-and-ends that come in handy and are a pain to find if they were in their rightful place. Utility scissors, scotch tape, a couple of tacks, matches, zip ties, a small hammer, batteries, rubber bands … sound familiar?

I just realized that I also create a daily “junk document.” Yep, this very article began with thought fragments on a junk document.

Do you open a new page in your word processor and just start dumping things onto it? I do. Generally first thing in the morning as I peruse news headlines, or as the coffee kicks in; but I can be half way through my day before anything of interest pops up that I’m not immediately sure where to store, expand on, or disseminate.

I may not know what I’m going to do with the information or thoughts; but they’re more than mildly interesting and too important to be fleeting. (And all of my thoughts are fleeting these days, if I don’t write them down!)

Lead by Example – Except in the News

Or … When can you call yourself a “writer”?

Lead by example, right? Argh, are we in for some bad grammar from our kids and grandkids! Quick, delete the news links from your computer!

Why? By reading what passes for journalism these days, our children are definitely getting the wrong impression – that typos and bad grammar are A-OK. How can our schools combat illiteracy with what passes for news articles every day on the Internet?

When I was a kid … oh, quit rolling your eyes. I know that’s a disdainful cliché, but it’s appropriate! BTW, while typing that sentence, the Microsoft grammar tool urged me to change “it’s” meaning “it is” – which is proper – to “its.” See what I mean?

So … when I was in school …

Blast from YOUR Past: Writing a Living Legacy (tm)

This is one of those rare times that I can write one article for both of my primary blogs (Penchant for Penning and Blast from YourPast) – love it! Am I lazy? Probably. But let’s call it an efficient use of time. :-) Either way, my plan is to remind you that your life is important …

In this day and age of prolific publishing and everyone-is-an-author era, we still often forget to write what matters most at “The End.”

This was brought to my attention as I wrote the first book in my series, Blastfrom Your Past! Rock & Roll Radio DJs: the First Five Years 1954-1959. About halfway through, I realized I was helping these men and women leave a legacy for their descendants. Most would likely never write an autobiography. In telling their anecdotal behind-the-microphone tales, I am also leaving a legacy of my own – one that gives back to others. The realization pleased and humbled me.

Autobiographies of us “ordinary” people are rarely written. Do you think they’re only for famous folks or the fleeting, extra-ordinary events that pop up in life? Think again.

I’m talking about “Writing a Living Legacy” …

With the share-ability of the Internet, we are no longer stifled with just one book that truncates our lives at “The End.” In a Living Legacy, long after you have written your last word, future generations can laugh with you, cry with you, exclaim at your antics … and add their own.

A Bit O' the Irish for Everyone!

I'll make this short-n-sweet: Top O' the Mornin'! Or whatever time of day it is when you read this. 

We're celebrating me dear Grandpa Connelly's heritage -- and let's face it, no matter what your ancestors' culture, everyone is a wee bit o' Irish today.

This quickie note is just to regale you with a fun list of links to Irish sites, personally selected by yours truly, that will provide Irish fodder for your Erin Go Bragh get-togethers. Witty sayings, Irish lore and legend, and even wonderful wee gifts from the Leprechauns! Click on the shamrock!

I have no connection to any of these sites or owners -- other than we share a love for everything Irish. This information is for your pleasure and entertainment any time you feel like wearin' the green!


(I reviewed again, all of the links to ensure their current status, but of course, I cannot take any responsibility [or credit!] for any anomalies you might encounter.)

Publishing’s Redheaded Stepchild Waiting in the Wings for Center Stage

Yes, Self Publishing thrives! In spite of its beer bubbles in publishing's wine tasting room.

Four years ago I wrote “Publishing’s Death Knell Premature" (01/01/09),  about the redheaded stepchild of the book industry: Self Publishing. Of course, I’m using the term “self publishing” as the masses do – ANY form of publishing that is not through a traditional publisher.

I know, I know, that is not correct – have you tried changing public perception lately? (Click here if you want to know the difference between forms of publishing.)

So, let’s pretend this is January 1, 2013 again – seriously, I meant to write this then – after four years we can attest that the industry has indeed, changed. Not news. But the stagnation of self publishing’s image is.

After four long, recessionary years in which self publishing has exploded, unlike other industries, a recent journalist’s query requested to connect with “authors who have not yet been signed to a publisher,” still assuming all authors have the desire to sell their souls to a traditional publisher. I nearly choked on my coffee (OK, it may have been beer … don’t recall what time of the day).