Archive for June 2014
Truth or (ancient) fiction?
I recently went with my family to visit the fabulous Alma-Tadema exhibition in Rome at the Chiostro del Bramante. Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema was a Dutch artist who moved to England and became part of the late nineteenth century Pre-Raphaelite movement. Although not as well known as Dante Gabriel Rossetti or Edward Burnes-Jones, Alma-Tadema’s artwork was…
Read MoreThe splendors of Taipei’s National Palace Museum
I’ve already written an overview of tips from my vacation with my sons in Taipei, Taiwan last summer. One of the places you absolutely cannot miss on your visit to the Taiwanese capital is the impressive National Palace Museum (Guoli Gugong Bowuguan). The museum is considered the world’s greatest repository of Chinese artifacts. The works…
Read MoreHow do you know when to give up on a project?
This question was posed in a post over at the fabulous Nathan Bransford blog. Bransford was asking readers when they decide it’s time to lay a current project to rest. It’s an interesting question for writers. After all the effort- and blood, sweat, and tears-writers put into their work, is there a moment when you…
Read MoreA bird’s eye view over Hamburg from St Michaelis
St. Michaelis, whose tower is perhaps the most famous landmark of Hamburg, Germany, is actually the newest of Hamburg’s main churches. The church, with its entrance marked by St. Michael slaying a writhing devil at his feet, has an unlucky history. The first church, built in 1649, was destroyed my lightening in 1750. The 18th…
Read MoreLife in the fast lane? … Or not
I’m not referring to authors here. The last time authors lived life in the fast lane may well have been back in 1920s Paris. Instead, I’m interested in novel pacing. As authors, we all know how crucial it is to find the ‘hook’ – that situation that will compel our readers to continue reading after…
Read MoreReason #5375 to love Rome: Golden Gala 2014
I spend a lot of time at children’s track and field meets, so it’s a nice change of pace each June when the international stars of track and field – the adult variety- descend upon Rome to participate in the competitions of The Golden Gala. I already wrote about the competition last year. This year’s…
Read MoreSign up for early-bird rates for the Matera Women’s Fiction Festival
It’s that time of year again – time to start planning to attend the annual Matera Women’s Fiction festival, held each September in Matera, in southern Italy. If you sign up by 30 June 2014, you can sign up at the early-bird rates – this is meant for you Nicola, Grace, Ashlinn, Claire… and Evelyne,…
Read MorePoppies amidst the fortress ruins in Skopje, Macedonia
I live in Rome, and each spring I watch the poppies growing in the high grass, peeking out from the ancient ruins. On a recent trip to the Balkan country of Macedonia, I smiled as I visited the ancient 11th century Kale fortress to see that it was also overrun with the beautiful red blooms.…
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