A Song of Joy by Caroline Furlong
Writing for Joy
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, readers! But before we get to the chestnuts roasting on an open fire and presents under the tree, I have a last-minute gift for you. This would be Jane Lebak’s sweet Christmas story The Boys Upstairs,* one of her Father Jay novels. From the back of the… Continue reading Review: The Boys Upstairs by Jane Lebak
Not long ago, this author discovered the above picture, which discusses some fans’ thoughts on how the Fellowship of the Ring might have simply flown to Mordor to dispose of the One Ring rather than “take the long way around.” As the commenter explains, this would have been a bad idea narratively because the entire… Continue reading Thoughts on Tactics: How History Affects Fiction and Makes It Believable
Learn more through the link below, readers! Becerrillo: The Terrifying War Dog of the Spanish Conquistadors Dogs have been used as powerful weapons of war for at least the last 3,000 years. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Persians, Sarmatians, Assyrians, Britons and Romans are all known to have used dogs in combat, or for scouts, sentries, trackers, or executioners.… Continue reading Unleash the Dogs of War!
A study from 2019 suggests this may not be the case. Researchers have concluded that queens in Europe, from the Dark Ages through the Middle Ages on up to the Enlightenment, went to war more often than European kings did. This wasn’t just to solidify their power or prove they could not be dominated by… Continue reading Is War Really the Province of Men?
“Left to themselves, Americans build, cultivate, bridge, dam, canalise, invent, teach, manufacture, think, write, lock themselves in struggle with the eternal challenges that man has chosen to confront, and with an intensity not known elsewhere on the globe. Bidden to make war their work, Americans shoulder the burden with intimidating purpose. There is, I have… Continue reading Remember the Republic
If you remember the probe droids from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back* and the miniature versions seen in new franchise material such as Star Wars Rebels*, then you might find this piece particularly interesting. The pocket-sized drones described in the article below act a great deal like the probes seen in Star Wars. While… Continue reading Another Star Wars Idea Becomes Reality
The picture of war is one of horror, darkness, and loss. While not inaccurate in itself, this image does leave out a few important facts. Even in the midst of degradation, humiliation, and human horror, there are quiet moments. There are scenes of kindness, concern, and love. Amidst ruin and desolation, there is hope. If… Continue reading War Photos – Soldiers and Their Cats
A long time ago, I was given a very special book. It was the translated diary of a survivor of the Bosnia-Herzegovina war. Her name is Nadja Halilbegovich, and the title of her book is My Childhood Under Fire: A Sarajevo Diary. You can purchase it here, if you wish. It is worth reading. Growing up… Continue reading Moving Ahead One Step at a Time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRhg2zvalXc Recently, this author began to listen to the Swedish power metal band Sabaton. I am a little late to the game, since several of my fellow writers enjoy listening to and have mentioned them, but that does not matter. This group was worth the wait. For those who are not familiar with these performers,… Continue reading Courage – Timeless Inspiration for Every Age
When Iron Man 3 was released, I picked it up in order to see the next installment in the Marvel Cinematic series. But I did so with little hope that it would be better than Iron Man 2. I had to watch that film retroactively after seeing The Avengers, but it could have easily been… Continue reading Panic Attacks, Combat Fatigue, and PTS – The Differences between All Three, and Why That Matters to Authors
A Song of Joy by Caroline Furlong 