Years ago, when I was still teaching high schoolers, the movie Life is Beautiful came out, and it was the topic of much discussion as my students entered and exited my room during passing periods. “Go see it, Elliott,” they’d say. [They always knocked off the “Mrs.” I think it was their way of including […]
Better Together
For the last week, I’ve been holed up here in northern Minnesota, in a cabin off Lake Superior, trying to finish my second novel. Well, as of a few minutes ago, I’ve finished. I feel like playing the Hallelujah chorus. I feel like I should be smoking or drinking or something. Now come the revisions […]
Art & Children’s Book Characters
Do I have some fun for you today, brought to my attention by Alison Morris of Publishers Weekly! And it’s not just delightful fun for adults, but for kids, too. I confess. I’ve read Gaiman’s dark book Coraline, but I’ve not seen the movie. I will after viewing these exquisite behind-the-scenes videos on how Coraline […]
I Love You, Too
Recently, out of the blue, while we were sitting at the dinner table, Liliana turned to Dan and said–full sentence, I kid you not–“I love you, Papa.” Then she cocked her head, smiled, and looked at me. “I love you, Mama.” Oh heart, be still. Where did she learn to say that? And how did […]
Why Can’t We Be Good?
This is the most fascinating book. Needleman is a philosophy professor at San Francisco State University and the author of numerous books. This one drew my attention, because of the book I’m writing now. Needleman starts with a story, which you may have heard already. Bear with me. There are two men facing each other–a […]