Writers Gotta Write? Right?

by Catherine Giordano


Words, like a cascading waterfall.

Writers gotta Write? Right?

Absolutely. I mean that literally. The ideas are in my head like a classroom of unruly school children.  The ideas lean forward in their seats with their hands raised and waving wildly. “Pick Me! Pick Me,” they shout.  And I can pick only one.

Sometimes they can’t wait for me to pick one. A few of hen start shouting out at once.  The idea has begun to write itself and I am not at my computer  and I don’t even have pen and paper. And still I can pick only one. 

So I pick one and begin writing. I try to shut out the shouts from the other ideas and focus on just the one. The other ideas are jealous. “Quiet,” I shout. “You will get your turn. I have put you on my list. I will get to you.”

I have become obsessed with writing. I eat at my desk and I only stop when I am making so many typing errors, I know that I am too tired to continue.

Here are some links to my writings about writing. 

CLICK HERE

How to Write: Quotes from Famous Writers on Writing

 

How to Get Ideas for Writing: 30 Ideas in 30 Minutes | Writing Prompts

Tips for Writers: How to Write a Poem

Words: Why English is the World's Greatest Language

If you want to know a famous writer’s thoughts on writing, read Stephen King’s book: 

 

On Writing: 10th Anniversary Edition: A Memoir of the Craft

 

Here's my newest post for writers. It's all about how to get free writing lessons, coaching and pep talks.

Free Stuff for Writers: Advice on How to Write , Edit, and Get Published

 




The History of Presidents Day

George Washington

by Catherine Giordano

Presidents Day is celebrated on the third Monday of February. This year (2015) it falls on Monday, February 16^th.  Before you rush out to take advantage of Presidents Day sales, check out some facts about Presidents Day 

President’s Day began as a holiday on February 22 celebrating the birth of George Washington, the first President of the United States. It began in 1879, but it was a holiday only for the District of Columbia. In 1885, it became a national holiday. 

Nearly 100 years later, in 1971, congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in order to create a three-day weekend. The holiday was moved to the third Monday of February.  (Memorial Day, Columbus Day and Veterans Day were also moved to Monday. However, in 1980, Veterans Day was moved back to its original November 11 date.) 

The holiday known as Presidents Day was originally intended to honor only George Washington. However, since it was so close to Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 11, people came to see Presidents Day as a day to honor both Washington and Lincoln. The federal government refers to the third Monday or February as Washington’s Birthday, although it is known as Presidents Day in most of the states.  

Today it is seen as a holiday to honor all presidents. Interestingly, despite having four* presidents who were born in February, Presidents Day never falls on the actual birthday on any of them.  They were all born either too early or too late in the month to have the third Monday fall on the date of their birth.  

I’ve got two posts about some of our most important presidents that celebrate these men as human beings rather than historical figures.  

The Childhoods of U.S. Presidents

 

The Jobs of U.S. Presidents (Before They Were President)

I also have one for  the presidents’ wives. They are important too.

First Ladies: The Wives of the U.S. Presidents

 

There is only one other federal holiday which honors an individual.  That is Martin Luther King Day celebrated on the third Monday of January.  Since all of February is Black History Month, I’m adding a post about Martin Luther King.

Thoughts of King Inspire: Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes

By the way, you will see the name of this holiday spelled three different ways: Presidents Day, President's Day, and Presidents' Day. Take your pick--just be consistent. 



 CLICK HERE Presidents' Day Book

*The four presidents are George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, William Henry Harrison, and Ronald Reagan.

 

 

February 12 is Charles Darwin Day

Charles Darwin was mocked.

by Catheine Giordano

February 12 is Charles Darwin Day, the anniversary of his birth in 1809.  

In a letter to a friend, Darwin called Origin of the Species “presumptuous” and “foolish”. It was false modesty because he clearly had a fairly good idea of how his findings in the field of “natural science” would change everything.  He said that publishing his work was like it was like “confessing to a murder.” 
During his own time, some scientists recognized the genius of his work which came to be known as “The Theory of Evolution” while others tried to refute it. Some misunderstood and misused his findings to foster their own philosophies.  Some simply mocked. He is still mocked today by ignoramuses.   

You can learn more about the origins of Darwin Day here: 

What is Darwin Day and Why is It Celebrated?

If you would like to learn more about Charles Darwin and his work, this is a good website.

Charles Darwin and Evolution 

Darwin knew that his work would have a profound effect on religion. He was right.  Darwin’s work explained the workings of the natural world and made God superfluous.   

I made it possible for me to write my own little essays in support of humanism and atheism. 

What is Secular Humanism?

Secular humanism is a little understood human–centered philosophy of life. It is non-theistic, rooted in science, with explicit moral and ethical directives.

Pascal's Wager: Is it a Good Bet?
The famous “Pascal’s Wager” asks us to consider the question of the existence of God as a wager. Which is the better bet—belief or disbelief?

The Billboard Wars: Good without God

"Good without God" may be an idea whose time has come. A recent spate of dueling billboards on this topic has people talking.