We all read listicles—”The Top Ten This” and “The Eight Ways to Do That.” It’s a popular format in this era of short attention spans. But I have a tip for readers to make listicles even faster and easier to read: skip all the introductory text (such as this paragraph) and go right to the list. There’s rarely any useful information in the introduction. Or you could read the next paragraph and then proceed to the list.
Stats: I’ve been writing this blog for more than five years and have published 617 posts. Meanderings of my mind, rants about the state of our country and the world, reviews of novels and films, my own fiction and poetry, shameless promotions for my novels. I hope you have found some of it interesting. Although I’ve slowed down a bit this past year, I plan to keep writing. What else would I do?
Here are my top five posts from 2024:
1. Fatherhood: The Road Taken
I got a lot of feedback on this Father’s Day post, which started with this line: “After being the object of celebration in my household on Father’s Day yesterday, I’ve realized something about fatherhood: I can’t recommend it.”
2. Six Words Times Twenty
This post might have been popular because six-word stories are, well, only six words, i.e., quick to read. I’ve got a thing for them, as I do other specifically defined writing formats. You can also check out my take on the Sonnet and the Villanelle, along with a unique storytelling format called Pecha Kucha.
3. Was This a Senior Moment, Or Just a Shivery One?
I couldn’t find my car, the weather was freezing and windy, and I was underdressed. My mind started to play tricks. That’s not like me, or is it the new me?
4. Crows Hold Grudges. Do You?
Crows are my favs. I think this post struck a nerve with readers because you saw yourselves as secret grudge-holders.
5. Ode to an Ice Storm
This short reflection with accompanying photos is a visual prose poem.
Bonus Post: “Therein Lies the Brilliance of this Book”
Okay, this is simply an opportunity for me to crow a bit (no relation to the above post about crows). A reader wrote the best review possible of my novel IN FLIGHT. I wish I could reach more readers with this book. Another reader told me the ending was the best she’s ever read. Some other readers vehemently disagree. You decide.
I hope your year ends on a high note.
