Jan Van Eyck Was Here
“Jan Van Eyck was here”: the presence promised by the artist’s riddling signature on the Arnolfini Portrait raises about as many questions as a Banksy…
Read MoreThe Power of Stories
Once again, as an election barrels toward us in the U.S., we desperately need stories of hope to outshine spreading tales of hatred and fear…
Read MoreMy Advice to Writers
I’m often asked for advice on how to become a writer. The answer is to write. If you’re aiming at fiction, forget about “writing what you know”…
Read MoreNasty Woman
I am a proudly nasty, intelligent, educated, experienced, ambitious woman, and I believe in tolerance, generosity, kindness, science, historical fact, and basic manners: so today I got up and put on pants…
Read MoreThe Speckled Monster Cameos in a Presidential Debate
Senator Rand Paul gives a shout-out to The Speckled Monster during the Republican Presidential Debate, September 16, 2015
Read MoreRossetti’s Lady Lilith
“And round his heart one strangling golden hair”: Desire has always seemed a dangerous kind of magic…
Read More
About My Blog
Occasional musings about stories, history, art, ideas, and the adventures of a writer's life...
