William Styron’s “Havanas in Camelot” reviewed by Michiko Kakutani—reveals love of libraries as place of refuge

Read Michiko Kakutani’s review of William Styron’s “HAVANAS IN CAMELOT:Personal Essays,” in today’s N. Y. Times by clicking here. [You may be asked to log in.] Kakutani’s review essay is titled, “Styron’s Essays Give Glimpses Into a Life Spent in Good Company” Here’s a quoted excerpt I particularly liked, because it articulates how I feel…

Riehlife Poem of the Day: Deborah Digges’ “Darwin’s Finches,” from Vesper Sparrows

Digges was born in Jefferson, Missouri and went on to write poetry that would win awards and attract passionate readers such as Sharon Olds. Learn more about Deborah Digges by clicking here. “Darwin’s Finches is from Vesper Sparrows (1986), her first book. —JGR Vesper Sparrow photo by Chan Robbins Darwin’s Finches by Deborah Digges 1…

Riehlife Bonus Poem of the Day: Freida L. Wheaton’s “Saint Louis Summer of 2006”

Photo from www.moonraker.com I met Freida L. Wheaton in 2005 at an African American Art Collectors forum at the St. Louis Art Musem. Mother was alive then, still kicking and needing care. I’d gone off on this huge adventure to the big city and it was on that day I met Freida, in all her…

How to pitch your creative work without losing your mind: 4 guidelines actors, authors, painters, and musicians can use

What do singing on Broadway, training dogs, and mastering the art of the business pitch have in common? Patience, preparation, and perspective. I learned this valuable lesson from a young friend Annemieke Farrow (daughter of Stephanie and John Farrow of Albuquerque, New Mexico). Annemieke transitioned from a successful theater career in New York City to…

Riehlife Book Review: W. T. Pfefferle’s “Poets on Place” reveals places of the heart

A friend put W. T. Pfefferle’s Poets on Place in my hands as I worked on preparing a talk on the influence of place in my own poetry. I found “Poets on Place” so invaluable that I typed many pages of detailed notes to ruminate on. It’s an attractive work replete with compementary elements to…

Riehlife Poem of the Day: John Daniel’s “Joshua Tree” from COMMON GROUND…poet of earth & place

Joshua Tree photo by Michael Reichmann “Joshua Tree” is from Common Ground (Confluence Press, 1988). These poems deal with experience, nature, the past, reading, solitude, travel, the seasons, aging, friendship, and identity. Click here for complete list of publications. ____________________________________________________ JOSHUA TREE by John Daniel These bent trees that Mormons saw as the prophet waving,…

A. O. Scott on Roger Ebert and Film Criticism in the N. Y. Times

Roger Ebert, the Critic Behind the Thumb [I believe this link only lasts for a limited time.] by A. O. Scott is a MUST READ for folks who like to watch and think and talk about movies. I love this article that covers such range: Ebert’s career as a print critic; how Siskel and Ebert…

Corey Blake, “Chairman of the Dream” keynote speech at Missouri Writers Guild Conference, Columbia, Missouri

Writers of the Round Table is a call to action. Corey Blake leads leaders. After decades of experience in the film business, Corey Blake transferred these concepts to the world of developing writers and producing books. Corey Blake is a Dream Producer. To the group of writers assembled at the Missouri Writers Guild Conference in…