This is a blog for journalists, authors, and those who enjoy reading and learning. Here you will find a variety of posts about all forms of writing–from fiction and non-fiction to the news media and journalism. It is produced by a former foreign correspondent and journalism school dean.
This is a post I shared a couple of years ago. It deals with how much different life was in the distant and not so distant past–something that anybody who writes historical fiction needs constantly to be aware of. Enjoy! When I taught journalism classes at the University of Illinois, … Read more…
Today, ForeignCorrespondent welcomes author (and grandmother) Harriet Hodgson and her new book: Force, How Grandmothers are Changing Grandchildren, Families, and Themselves. To quote from the book’s Amazon synopsis: “Becoming the grandmother of twins changed Harriet Hodgson and altered her life course. According to Hodgson, we live in a fast-paced, complex … Read more…
There is an old adage that says “any publicity is good publicity–even if it is bad.” Why? Because the objective is to get people talking about you and your book. There is an old adage that says “any publicity is good publicity–even if it is bad.” Why? Because the objective … Read more…
Occasionally I reprint stories I wrote while working as a foreign correspondent for the Chicago Tribune. Here is one I wrote from Bangkok, Thailand in 1985. It examines the attitudes some Asian countries have toward Western (read “American”) culture—specifically, its music, its films, and what some consider its promiscuous lifestyle. … Read more…
Today, ForeignCorrespondent is pleased to host author John Fioravanti during his Spotlight Author Blog Tour. John’s topic today is Fear, or more precisely, Does Fear Own You? The topic comes from John’s book, Reflections: Inspirational Quotes and Interpretations. It is just one of fifty thought-provoking essays in the book that … Read more…
One of the more enduring activities of human beings has always been to imagine what the future will bring. We all do it, some more than others. It’s what separates us from the rest of earth’s creatures, most of which are too consumed with daily survival to think past their … Read more…
It is unsettling and sad to witness what is happening in our great country today. Never in my lifetime—and I’m older than Methuselah in dog years—have I ever witnessed such hysteria over the occupant of the White House. No, not even during Watergate—in which a real crime WAS committed, albeit … Read more…
Those of us who write historical fiction are always striving to make sure our characters are part of the period in which our novels are set. A farmer in 19th Century Kansas, for example, had to know how to hunt and fish, how to forage and how to butcher livestock, … Read more…
Today I am sharing some obscure knowledge with you, as well as a short and dubious yarn. Just what’s needed for a Blue Monday. Enjoy! Yesterday I got my permit to carry a concealed weapon. So, today I went over to the local gun shop to get a 9mm handgun … Read more…
Welcome to the final day of the #WatchRWISAWrite Showcase, where each day I have featured a different author. Today, it’s my pleasure to introduce author Bernard Foong and his collection of four short stories, VIGNETTES PARISIAN. Vignettes Parisian By Bernard Foong [Vignettes Parisian is a collection of four short stories about … Read more…