How to write a holiday letter that people will love (by Laurel Anne Hill, Author of "Heroes Arise")
Want to write a holiday letter that your friends and family will love to read? Well, don't drown your paragraphs in details. Sprinkle in your news, like seasoning to flavor a stew. I've used this technique with success for thirty years.
This month, I'm podcasting a three-part series about writing holiday letters, available for free on iTunes or by visiting my bedroom closet at http://laurelannehill.libsyn.com. I've now posted part one, approximately 13-1/2 minutes long. And yes, I really do set up my "recording studio" in my bedroom closet.
By the way, if you have book lovers ages 9 to 90 on your Christmas list, please consider my award-winning novel, "Heroes Arise," now available in hard cover, trade paperback and as a Kindle e-book. For more information about "Heroes Arise," visit my website at http://www.laurelannehill.com.
Warm wishes,
Laurel Anne Hill (Author and Former Underground Storage Tank Operator)
Climategate: Will Investigative Heroes Please Arise? (by Laurel Anne Hill, Author of "Heroes Arise")
This week I've followed both the "Climategate" controversy and lack of controversy, that is, the simultaneous media reaction and lack of reaction to the electronic documents and communications stolen from the servers of the Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia in England. The possibility that test results unsupportive of man-made global warming have been swept under the scientific rug is profoundly disturbing. Yes, disturbing enough for me to use an adverb.
As I recall from my own days in scientific research, the scientific method boils down to the following:
* Ask "the question"
* Do preliminary research
* Formulate your hypothesis about the question
* Test the hypothesis experimentally, collect data and analyze results
* Draw a conclusion that accepts or rejects your hypothesis
* Communicate your results/conclusions along with recommendations for future experiments
The process of scientific research should not include concealing data or preventing the communication of results and conclusions. Nor should scientists close themselves off from criticism. The scientific method should serve as a tool in humanity's search for truth.
I hope to see this matter clarified in an informative and non-sensationalistic manner.
Will investigative "heroes" please arise?
Laurel Anne Hill (http://www.laurelannehill.com)
Come to the Bedroom Closet of Laurel Anne Hill (Author of "Heroes Arise) for Sewers and Sorcery
Here's the basics about my sewer and sorcery tale:
Mysterious deaths. A stolen brooch. A woman tormented by sorcery. A seemingly harmless Russian fairy tale. Add them together, sprinkle in a bit of Paris and the result becomes "An Incomprehensible Force," a short story and fantasy.
Parts 1-3 of "An Incomprehensible Force" are now available for free on iTunes. (Search iTunes on "Laurel Anne Hill.") Or you may go to my audioblog at http://laurelannehill.libsyn.com. Each part is approximately 21-24 minutes long, including the introduction and sound effects. For more information about me or my award-winning novel, "Heroes Arise," please visit my website at http://www.laurelannehill.com
OryCon 31 Schedule for Laurel Anne Hill (Author of "Heroes Arise")
I'm looking forward to OryCon 31 this week. Here's my schedule:
FRIDAY, NOV. 27
3-4 pm, "Bread and cheese and yet not constipated?" in the Morrison room, with Laurel Anne Hill, Rebecca Neason, Lisa Linderman & Lenora Rain-Lee Good
4-5 pm, "Will blogs replace the conventional media?" in the Morrison room, with Mark Niemann-Ross, Richard A. Lovett, Michael Briggs and Laurel Anne Hill
SATURDAY, NOV. 28
10-11 am, "But I thought you wanted my opinion!" in the Roosevelt room, with Jeff Soesbe, Laurel Anne Hill, Nisi Shawl, Kamila Miller, Bill Johnson
11:30-12, Laurel Anne Hill will be at autograph table 1
1-2 pm, "Computers and the writer" in the Hamilton room, with John Hedtke, Michael Briggs, David W. Goldman, Laurel Anne Hill and M. K. Hobson.
3-4 pm, Laurel Anne Hill and David W. Goldman will participate in a writing workshop
5:30 – 6 pm, Laurel Anne Hill will do a reading in the Madison room.
9-10 pm, "Smut, gore and more," in the Grant room with Theresa "Darklady" Reed, Deb Taber, Laurel Anne Hill and Kal Cobalt
10-11 pm, "Wash your mouth out with soap," in the Grant room with Laurel Anne Hill, Theresa "Darklady" Reed and Deb Taber
Hope to see you,
Laurel Anne Hill (http://www.laurelannehill.com)