Tag Archives: Longreads

Bridging the Great Divide: Counting on a Fictional Blind Girl

At the center of my novel, The Heart of Applebutter Hill, is a plot to steal the powerful and dangerous Heartstone of Arden-Goth. the legend of the Heartstone (a blue, heart-shaped sapphire) was inspired by a passage from C.S. Lewis’s … Continue reading

Posted in adventure-mystery, authors, Blindness, bullying, Education, fantasy, Guide dogs, Self-Publishing, The Heart of Applebutter Hill, TheHeart of Applebutter Hil, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired, young adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Powerful New Song of God’s Love & Awesome Lifetime Opportunity

Do you remember your first Florida vacation? Mine was a bit of a saga for an old homebody. The result, however, was a wonderful trip with the love of my life and a new song, which led to an opportunity … Continue reading

Posted in authors, Bible, Christian, Dogs, Donna Weiss, Faith, Guide dogs, Harvest, memoir, Pennsylvania, Song Lyrics, songwriting, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Writer’s Rant: Unchain Me from This PC!

Hope springs eternal … at least until it is dashed on the rocks of reality. Whether it’s a month, a year or a decade, perceptions of that perfect house, job, community or relationship can switch from a beautiful thing to … Continue reading

Posted in Accessibility, ADA, authors, Blindness, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired, Wrighting | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Equal Rights for Blind Americans? Author Says We’re not There Yet

As a member of various blindness, advocacy and guide dog organizations, it’s not uncommon to come across a request from a college student to take a survey on blindness, and I’m always happy to participate. Rarely, however, (in fact, never) … Continue reading

Posted in Accessibility, authors, Blindness, Disability, Guide dogs, novel, Service Dogs, Smashwords, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired, young adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Changing Behavior Network: Teaching Diversity Through Fiction, Freebies & More 

Win an autographed copy of The Heart of Applebutter Hill; download a free MP3 of “The Rules of the Game;” take a quiz and listen to the best interview I’ve ever done. I never thought I’d say that about just … Continue reading

Posted in authors, Blindness, diabetes, Education, novel, songwriting, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired, Wrighting, young adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Authors, Advocates & the Press: Humiliation, Angst & Recovery

Hurray! I can finally scratch “getting humiliated by a national law journal” off of my bucket list. Oh, wait, it wasn’t on there to begin with. Nonetheless, it happened. I hope sharing the experience will enlighten my fellow authors and … Continue reading

Posted in Accessibility, ADA, authors, Blindness, marketing, PR, Print Disabilities, Self-Publishing, Smashwords, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired, Wrighting, young adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Police Protection for Elderly Rural Pennsylvanians with Disabilities: an Alarming Story

In late December, an elderly, rural Pennsylvania couple, with medical and disability issues, were awakened at 2:00am by the sounds of thumping and clanging on their back porch. From the peep hole in the door, the husband spotted a large … Continue reading

Posted in Disability, older adults, Pennsylvania, Police, Rural Life, Service Dogs, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Symbolism of the Locks on the Erie Canal & an Author’s Dog Fighting IBD

Do you take comfort in certain manmade structures? Two of my top three – lighthouses and covered bridges – have virtually universal appeal. Lighthouses are beacons of hope, turning unforeseen disasters into visible rock formations, skirted with a flick of … Continue reading

Posted in authors, Blindness, Cats & Dogs, Dogs, Guide dogs, Service Dogs, Visually Impaired, Wrighting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Is Literacy Really for Everyone? – the Numbers Tell a Different Story 

“They’re right! It is nice to snuggle up with a good book.” – photo by Rich Hill Which minority has the greatest disparity between literacy, unemployment and income on the one hand and intellect, talent and willingness to work on … Continue reading

Posted in Accessibility, Blindness, Braille, Disability, Education, Libraries, Literacy, Print Disabilities, Visually Impaired | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Novel or Scrapbook: the Benefits of Being a Writer

A Goodreads member recently asked my thoughts on the best thing about being a writer. The following is based on my answer. My first inclination was to make it clear up front that in enumerating the wondrous world of the … Continue reading

Posted in authors, Blindness, breast cancer, bullying, fantasy, novel, Uncategorized, Wrighting | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments