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Lucien Fewell shot James Clark after he apparently ran off with Lucien's 16-year-old sister. The murder trial that followed featured two Confederate generals and a former Virginia governor. What was the verdict? (also on Amazon.com)
Author Archives: arwenbicknell
Speaking So You Are Understood
I feel a bit sorry for the writers of Downton Abbey. They’re getting a lot of flak for language infractions, and I’m not sure they deserve the microscope for that particular shortcoming. Frankly, I’m more in this guy’s camp. Still, … Continue reading
Posted in Language, Philosophy
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Onward, Ever Onward
I have yet to hear back, good or bad, on any of the queries I’ve sent this month — not counting the one that rejected me inside of an hour. In the meantime, I’ve been amusing myself by reading critiques … Continue reading
Posted in Mechanics, Philosophy
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Overtaken by Events
One of the things you learn working in news — especially online news — is the art of the update. It goes something like this: A house catches fire. A short story goes on the news website. The firemen arrive. … Continue reading
Posted in Excused Absence, Process
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Why Use One Word When Thirty Will Do?
“I would have written a shorter letter but didn’t have time.” — attributed to Voltaire, Twain and Pascal, and probably a zillion other folks. It’s a clever saying, but it is incredibly, sadly true of most people I know. I’ve … Continue reading
A Matter of Perspective
The last couple of mornings, I have been driving to work in a dense fog. Not a mental fog. A real one, where mist swirls around the car and landmarks are turned into light and dark fuzzy outlines and the … Continue reading
Posted in Philosophy
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Know the Lingo, But Don’t Let It Own You
I recently heard a story about a journalist who worked in a newsroom for more than two years before learning what the word “lede” meant, laboring under the assumption it referred to a headline. (Aside for you non-journos: the lede … Continue reading
Posted in Language
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Yes and No
Things that help when writing: Quiet. Good lighting. An ability to keep your mind focused on what you’re writing about. At least one solid uninterrupted hour of sitting. Mise en place — having drinks, laptop, phones, reference materials, whatever other … Continue reading
Posted in Process
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Kill Your Babies
No, no, not a political screed. I’m not allowed to do those until I find a job that doesn’t require me to be strictly nonpartisan. I’m talking here about the editing process. One of the things they teach you in … Continue reading
Posted in Editing, Mechanics, Philosophy
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Read, Read, Read
There’s a certain literary voice I’m quite fond of. I guess it’s the Humorous Memoir voice. Think Jean Shepherd, or Clarence Day, or Patrick Dennis. (Well, Patrick Dennis’ tales of Mame were fictional, but you get my meaning.) It’s the … Continue reading
Posted in Language, Philosophy
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Measure Twice, Cut Once
Someone asked me the other day how I manage to do all the stuff I have to and squeeze in any of the stuff I want to. Well, it helps when work is slow. And it helps when it’s winter, … Continue reading
Posted in Philosophy
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Arwen Adams Bicknell 