Hobbies

Do you sing? No, I don’t mean, are you an opera singer, because there are precious few of those. I just mean do you like to sing, for instance, in the shower or in the bath? Or perhaps to yourself as you potter around the house. It is a joyous activity…

Whenever I counsel fiction authors about getting started in self-publishing, and they ask what they should concentrate on to become a success, I always advise them to be great storytellers. If you can’t tell a great story, no amount of marketing will make…

As Flannery O’Connor famously quipped, anyone who has survived childhood has enough material to write for the rest of her life. That’s good for us because memoir writing is one of the most popular pursuits in retirement, but also daunting for many people…

It’s raining and warm, yes warm, in Chicago this first week of November. Does this mean that the coming winter will be as warm as last year? I never wore my sub-zero coat. Regardless of the weather, books keep us venturing into other worlds. The following books…

When I first retired, I had this fantasy about sleeping in. I pictured myself lounging until 10 a.m., with the sun already high in the sky, a steaming cup of coffee in hand. I’d be well-rested, with a full day ahead to read, exercise, and maybe conquer the world – or at least…

A few years ago I was looking after a gallery exhibition. Sometimes artists have to share this duty for joint exhibitions and this was my turn. During a quiet moment on a Saturday morning I noticed a man stop outside the open gallery doors and look in. He then declared in a loud and smug voice, “You guys must really be suffering these days!” He then turned around and walked off…

Turning 60 can be a time of incredible change. But it can also be a time of rediscovery. With more freedom and fewer responsibilities, you might have more time on your hands. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore hobbies and interests that you’ve put aside for years…

Mahjong is a centuries-old game that originated in China and has since become popular worldwide. While the game may appear complex at first glance, its fundamental rules are easy to grasp once you understand the basics. Whether you’re playing the traditional…

I have a side I want the world to see. This side of me is shiny, positive, smart, and practically perfect, like Mary Poppins. It’s my A-side, the one I spin for company, acquaintances, and anyone who might catch a glimpse of me from afar. It’s curated, polished, and, let’s be honest…

There probably has never been a better time to become a published author. Just 15 years ago, your best chance of getting published meant submitting to traditional publishers and keeping your fingers crossed while you wait months for them to respond with whether…