by D. L. Koontz | Dec 30, 2011 | Journal, Life of a Writer
Dear Editors: I know you vehemently dislike “ly” words. You unapologetically have made that brutally clear at each conference I’ve dutifully attended, and with each painstakingly written work of mine that you’ve heartlessly, err, wisely rejected. Fortunately, I...
by D. L. Koontz | Dec 30, 2011 | Awesome Cuisine, Journal
In college, I discovered that I am more productive and creative, and can remember things longer, when I’m eating. (Yes, I gained the “freshman fifteen” and then some.) Fast forward more years that I want to admit, and here I am—a writer and consultant working from a...
by D. L. Koontz | Dec 28, 2011 | Civil War Tears, Journal
I am fascinated with the Civil War ─ the era, the political atmosphere, the differing cultures of the North and the South, the sadness of how the four-year struggle destroyed a country, countless states, communities and, mostly, families. More than 10,000 military...
by D. L. Koontz | Dec 26, 2011 | Journal, Tripping Around the Blue Ridge
I was born in Pennsylvania, but now live in what I call the Marpennsylginia region. It includes “wild, wonderful West Virginia.” Yes, that’s one of the official slogans of the state. The unofficial slogan, however, and one which the natives are quick to share, is...
by D. L. Koontz | Dec 23, 2011 | Journal, Sense and Nonsense
A list: I can make someone yawn from 107 miles away. The only thing worse than the alarm going off in the morning is the alarm not going off. The people who aren’t present are always wrong. When people ask for critical feedback, what they really want is praise....