The Essence of Andy Clithroe-by Naguib Kerba

 The Essence of Andy Clitheroe | Medieval Times Knight's Journey of Courage & Perseverance — Naguib Sami Kerba Photography

In Flanders Fields

 

Wide of the Mark

(Click here to buy)

   

 

  

To buy any of my books, visit

J. S. Marlo's Books

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That marks our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

John McCrae
Flanders, 1915

Captain John McCrae was a surgeon in the Canadian Army. He served with the 1st Field Artillery Brigade during the battles of the Ypres salient. The death of his friend and former student, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer of Ottawa, inspired him to write this poem.

On January 28th, 1918, Lieutenant Colonel McCrae died of pneumonia and meningitis. He never saw the end of World War One, which ended nine and a half months later.

"In Flanders Fields" came to immortalize the symbol of sacrifice the world over. 

On every November 11, we honour the brave men and women who served and continue to serve our country. At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of that eleventh month, we pause in silence to remember their sacrifices, and the sacrifices of their families and loved ones. 

They fought for the freedom we enjoy. They gave their today so we could have a tomorrow. We owe them a debt that can never be repaid.

 

Lest we forget - N'oublions Jamais

JS

Reference: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/military-history/history-heritage/remembrance-ceremony/4.html

 

 

J. S. Marlo's Website

Thankful for Readers by Eileen O'Finlan

 

                                
          

Click here for purchase information      

Here in the United States, Thanksgiving falls in November. As the day of feasting approaches, thoughts turn to the many things for which we are grateful.

I have much to be thankful for - family, friends, home, my cats, my writing group, a good job, lots of books to read, and time to write - to name a few. But I recently received something in the mail that reminded me of another thing for which I am deeply grateful - my readers.

One of my cousins told a friend about my debut book Kelegeen and its sequel, Erin's Children. His friend read the books and told him how much she loved them. So, my cousin asked me if I would send her a signed copy of each of them. I was happy to do so. 

It was a pleasant surprise when not much later, I found an envelope in my mailbox with a return address that seemed familiar though I couldn't place it. Upon opening it, I found a lovely card with a drawing of a seaside cottage upon a cliff reminiscent of the Irish landscape.

I took a moment to admire it before opening the card. What I found on the inside was a delightful surprise. For this reader to take the time and effort to create something so personal and lovely touched my heart.

To all of my readers, please know that I truly appreciate and am thankful for every one of you!

Let's Get Cozy!

                             Voices                                    Echoes                                    Slingers

Help yourself to your very own copy of one of my books by clicking on the links above!

Autumn! This is a time when nature allows people in the Northern Great Plains to slow their roll. The panic-rush of the short growing season and harvest comes to a close, and the process of buttoning up for winter begins. 

Autumn is also my writer's world. It's a time for a little more sitting, a little more reflection, and a little more inspiration. 

So here is a nod to autumn writing.

Let's Get Cozy

Put away the rake. 
Winterize the mower. 
Bust out your sweaters.
Let's move a little slower. 

Take a deep, cleansing breath.

Pause as geese fly.

See leaves change colors.

Trace clouds drifting by.

Fire up the crockpot.

Cook something creamy.

Switch on the fire.

Bake something dreamy.

Let the house be quiet.

Let your thick socks slouch.

Pull your laptop closer.

Curl into the couch.

Slip into writer's world.

Sip a warm cup of cider.

Let your mind drift far away,

And your thoughts stretch wider.

Let time tick, unnoticed. 

Let the sun slip discreetly.

Hear the keyboard click.

Write your story neatly.

Pause and go back.

Revisit what you wrote.

Smile at your genius.

Make a few notes.

Get up. Take a walk

In the crisp autumn air.

Refill your senses.

Find inspiration there.

Return to your passion.

Let the plotline unfold.

Use words you love.

Make characters bold.

Make someone quirky.

Have your villain cause trouble.

Let your hero suffer.

It's all about the struggle.

Let words swirl around you.

Get a little prosy.

Nestle into autumn, and

Let's get cozy!

Lights, camera, action by donalee Moulton

 

I have co-authored a new book Newsworthy: Media Relations Without the Spin. The focus is on how organizations can, and should, work with mainstream and other media to get their message out. I've put an excerpt below I hope will be of interest to authors looking to better understand how to garner coverage and to readers itching for a little insight into how the news, hard and soft, is created today. 

    

         FIND OUT MORE HERE

Times have changed. Online sources have opened up a new and often affordable world for individuals looking to access information and con­tribute to the information age. Mainstream media formats are no longer considered essential by many even if they are still primary sources of in­formation for some.

The move to digital has had significant implications for journalists and other information providers. Speed is of the essence. This means, on the one hand, we get news more quickly and get to keep up to date on issues as they emerge and as they change. On the other hand, speed also means errors, confusion, corrections. Audiences are suspect. The Reuters Institute 2024 Digital News Report found that concern about accuracy had risen globally three percentage points in the past year to 59 percent. The level of concern is even higher in the United States at 72 percent.

Digital media is also global media. Events happening around the world are reported on with the same speed as local news. We no longer wait for news from overseas. It is only a click away.

This often means digital media is using information, photos, and links from mainstream, or legacy, media. Digital media may do less actual re­porting and more distributing. When you’re considering where to pitch, consider that.

The demand for immediacy—and the expectation that this demand will be met—has put pressure on journalists and others to report quickly, often at breakneck speed. There is equal pressure to report over diverse media. Journalists covering a trial, for instance, will be expected to tweet about events, post updates, take pics, and perhaps even offer commen­tary. One journalist we know remembered with dismay ducking out of a courtroom to post something on the media outlet’s socials only to return and discover a key piece of evidence had been introduced in their absence.

The new world of media is a new world for those reporting on it as well.

Another major change is the move from specialist to generalist. For larger media outlets, it was common to have reporters dedicated to sports, movies, entertainment, politics. They got to know these sectors and could report authoritatively. Today, specialization has given way to generaliza­tion for many media, including larger companies. This means a journalist may be reporting on a medical breakthrough on Monday, the verdict in a criminal trial on Tuesday, and puppy yoga on Wednesday.

Fewer reporters, camera operators, editors, producers, production staff means a new way of working for many. Reporters now often do their own camera work. One TV morning show we are familiar with has no camera operator at all. Instead, a stationary camera is set up in one specific location and all interviews are conducted from behind a desk. Another brings a smartphone with him to conduct interviews by setting the phone up and pressing record.

Those being interviewed are limited in what they can show and do without stepping outside stationary camera range.