For many years I wrote about fiction, story, belief, ordinary life, and the questions that shaped my work. More than two thousand essays remain here—not because every one represents my current thinking, but because together they tell the story of a writer learning over time.
Search for a subject, browse by month and year, or begin with the most recent writing below.
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The archive begins with the most recent writing. Use the numbered pages below to move backward through time.
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James Baldwin’s Advice on Writing
I encourage you read these powerful, awe-inspiring words from Maria Popova’s wonderful collection, Timeless Advice on Writing: The Collected Wisdom of Great Writers. Here is the link to…
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We need to become rethinkers
The following excerpts are taken from Chapter 1 of Adam Grant’s book, Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know. The title of this chapter is…
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Hemingway’s Advice on Writing, Ambition, the Art of Revision, and His Reading List of Essential Books for Aspiring Writers
I encourage you read these powerful, awe-inspiring words from Maria Popova’s wonderful collection, Timeless Advice on Writing: The Collected Wisdom of Great Writers. Here is the link to…
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Carl Sagan on the Power of Books and Reading as the Path to Democracy
Why read? I encourage you to take time to read these powerful, awe-inspiring words from Maria Popova’s site, The Marginalian. Then, ask yourself, why ban books? And, who…
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Willa Cather on Productivity vs. Creativity and the Life-Changing Advice That Made Her a Writer
I encourage you read these powerful, awe-inspiring words from Maria Popova’s wonderful collection, Timeless Advice on Writing: The Collected Wisdom of Great Writers. Here is the link to…
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Creative Magic and What Makes a Great Writer: Joseph Conrad’s Beautiful Tribute to Henry James
I encourage you read these powerful, awe-inspiring words from Maria Popova’s wonderful collection, Timeless Advice on Writing: The Collected Wisdom of Great Writers. Here is the link to…
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The Varieties of Scientific Experience by Carl Sagan
I’m reading: The Varieties of Scientific Experience is a great book by the brilliant, humble, and awe-inspiring Carl Sagan. Here’s the book abstract from Amazon: “Ann Druyan has…
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Poet Jane Kenyon’s Advice on Writing: Some of the Wisest Words to Create and Live By
I encourage you read these powerful, awe-inspiring words from Maria Popova’s wonderful collection, Timeless Advice on Writing: The Collected Wisdom of Great Writers. Here is the link to…
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The Value of Not Understanding Everything: Grace Paley’s Advice to Aspiring Writers
I encourage you read these powerful, awe-inspiring words from Maria Popova’s wonderful collection, Timeless Advice on Writing: The Collected Wisdom of Great Writers. Here is the link to…
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New blog: Read to Death
Recently I had the idea of starting a blog about reading, and its importance. I now have two blogs. They are Write to Life and Read to Death.…
Richard L. Fricks 