Blogging, Books, Education, Life, Literature, Poetry, Writing

When Naming Names

By Rebecca T. Dickinson One of the most common conversations I've had with writers and friends lately is: What do I do about names in my book? or Can writers name real people in their books? The conversation crosses the road from creative art to business. I know few writers who want to discuss the… Continue reading When Naming Names

Blogging, Books, Family, History, Life, Literature, Poetry, Writing

Runs in the Family: Lisa See’s Shanghai Girls

By Rebecca T. Dickinson “We all look around until we come to my mother, who has not said a word since the men entered our home. I see hardness in her I’ve never seen before. Maybe we’re all like that with our mothers. They seem ordinary until one day they’re extraordinary.” (p. 58)    … Continue reading Runs in the Family: Lisa See’s Shanghai Girls

Blogging, Books, Cooking, Food, Life, Writing

Three Weeks Round Up

By Rebecca T. Dickinson Ideas run around my mind like the Tasmanian devil. I know it’s because the last three weeks have taken consistency out of my family’s schedule due to moving and reorganizing a kitchen. So, I’d like to wrap up the most relevant lessons I have taken time to consider. No matter what, take one… Continue reading Three Weeks Round Up

Blogging, Books, History, Literature, Poetry, Writing

No, We Can’t Go Out Again

By Rebecca T. Dickinson You want to give it a chance. There is no reason why you should not. You've been interested for a long time. When dating, you meet the person you think—for whatever reason—the two of you should go out. You go on the date with the girl or guy, and you discover… Continue reading No, We Can’t Go Out Again

Books, Food, History, Life, Literature, Politics, The Bannisters, Writing

The Aftermath

PART III of the Bannister Histories By R.T. Dickinson July 1876, Bamberg, South Carolina Men on dust streets walked past stores, restaurants, and banks with green awnings. They spoke in hushed voices about when Union Army occupiers would leave. Soldiers had stayed in towns around the Low Country, and restaurant owner Joey Langston—the man from Minnesota—welcomed… Continue reading The Aftermath

Blogging, Books, Cooking, Food, Life, Literature, Writing

What is the Art of Narratives?

By Rebecca T. Dickinson Where were you born? Why is it important? Did it have a cute front porch, or roaches crawling over beds? I have a confession. I never thought I'd write or edit nonfiction. What was/ is special about my life? When I worked as a journalist, I enjoyed writing features about people.… Continue reading What is the Art of Narratives?

Blogging, Books, Cooking, Life, Literature, Writing

The Write to Cook: Before the Kitchen Calls

By Rebecca T. Dickinson A Short Narrative Life cannot be as it was before. Nothing could be as it was before: friendships, money, love, or dishware. My husband says the cooking channels are to me what porn is to some men. I don't know how true that claim is, but when I watch television, I turn… Continue reading The Write to Cook: Before the Kitchen Calls

Blogging, Life, Poetry, Writing

Raise Your Glass

By Rebecca T. Dickinson Raise a glass. Any glass will do. Perhaps a clear, plastic cup. That will work, too. As I was saying, raise a cup and chant with me: Thank you friends of the blog world for the nominations you've given me. It is you, the unseen face behind a far off computer… Continue reading Raise Your Glass

Blogging, Books, Cooking, Food, Life, Writing

The Write to Cook: Plate it in Words

By Rebecca T. Dickinson I learned a new verb on Kelsey's Essentials featured on the Cooking Channel: plate it. I worked for a short time in the food service industry, the only TV shows I watch are cooking shows, and I've never heard this terminology. Did a chef discover a new verb before writers? Photo courtesy… Continue reading The Write to Cook: Plate it in Words

Blogging, Books, Life, Literature, Writing

What It’s All For

Words by Rebecca T. Dickinson Early morning stirs before the first orange burst peaks above the horizon. I leave my warm bed. Work summons me to my laptop. Tired fog spots block vision. Glasses fail to help. Grab a cup of coffee, and fingers are off to the races. Writers work at different times. I try to… Continue reading What It’s All For