If you can take the song out and it doesn’t leave a hole, then the song’s not necessary.”
— Stephen Sondheim, a”h
Tag: writers
A breed apart from ordinary humans, and responsible for much of their culture. Some would call them the salvation of humanity; others wouldn’t call them a cab.
Words To Bring Back: “Kratocracy”
– Definition: n. A government established by seizure, utilizing force or deceit, with rule maintained by strength. – Used in a sentence: One side effect of social-media-as-lie-amplifiers is that they can more easily enable a kratocracy. – Why: Please, God*…
When we stand in awe, our lips do not demand speech, knowing that if we spoke, we would deprave ourselves. In such moments talk is an abomination. All we want is to pause, to be still, that the moment may last. … The meaning of the things we revere is overwhelming, and beyond the grasp of our understanding.”
— Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
Words to Bring Back: “Inveigle”
– Definition: v. to entice or induce by guile or flattery – Used in a sentence: Demagogues often use exceptionalism to inveigle their would-be followers. – Why: It is something so pervasive that critical-thinking skills should be taught beginning in…
Meetin’ and Greetin’
MY PUBLISHER ADVISES ME THUS: “…[W]rite a blog post that you’ve published an in-depth Q&A interview … and invite your blog readers to comment on your blog and suggest additional questions they’d like to see answered in your interview (and…
Our Meaningful Century
THIS PAST WEEK SAW A couple of personal milestones: the completion of my 100th Prosatio Silban story, and my e-book‘s first review. (Pop the confetti and cue the corks.) To celebrate, here are synopses for all the Cook For Any…
Word to Bring Back (Okay, Forward): “Fabtastic”
– Definition: adj. portmanteau of “fabulous” and “fantastic” – Used in a sentence: You have fabtastic style, my dear. – Why: I generally dislike modern portmanteaus, but this one leaped onto the screen when I tried to type “fantastic” and…
… Cervantes compared translation to the other side of a tapestry. At best we see a rough outline of the pattern we know exists on the other side, but it lacks definition and is full of loose threads.”
— Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z”tl
5 (Well, 6) Thoughts: How I Write
(THE FOLLOWING IS A BRIEF account of how the Prosatio Silban tales are conceived and written. It’s mostly meant for fans of those works, but if you’re interested in the writing process in general, read on — if not, I…
Only great pain is the ultimate liberator of the spirit […] I doubt that such pain makes us ‘better’; but I know that it makes us more profound.”
— Friedrich Nietzsche
Words To Bring Back: “Badinage”
– Definition: n. humorous or witty conversation – Used in a sentence: One thing I miss about Sputnik and Wheels is our frequent and good-natured badinage. – Why: Not sure whether it’s the word or the concept that needs resurrecting.…
A Self-Defrocked Holyman In A Fantastic Land Ekes Out A Meager But Honest Living As A Mercenary Cook
(For other entertaining and thoughty blog posts, please scroll downpage.) PROSATIO SILBAN ONCE MINISTERED TO the souls of the Uulian Commonwell’s faithful. But now, his heartfelt devotion is to tend the palates and gullets he encounters on his journeys as…