by D. L. Koontz | Jan 3, 2012 | Journal, Life of a Writer, Sense and Nonsense
And then there was the guy who asked why anyone would spend years writing a novel when you can buy one for about twenty bucks. Clearly this guy doesn’t know that we writers as a lot are generally afflicted with one or more diseases that compel us to write....
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...