Roy L. Pickering Jr.'s Blog, page 27

Writer Defined

This morning I happened upon the blog of paranormal author Jo Lynne Valerie. She posed some interesting questions that I felt compelled to answer about why someone is defined as a writer, by themself as well as by others. I liked a response that came after my own in which the person wrote that one can be able to dance reasonably well without being considered a dancer, or sing pleasantly enough without being considered a singer, so surely not everyone who has written should be considered a...

Advice for Aspiring Authors

So much of what I have had to say lately, particularly that expressed in writing, initially comes out one tweet at a time. I'd consider this a bad thing except that Twitter's constraint of 140 characters and the fact that I sometimes receive tangible proof that people are paying attention has turned out to be liberating. Who knew I had so much to say? Well, truth is, I did. But now others, mostly strangers, do as well. An actual audience. Nothing wrong with that to go along with my slowly...

Rite of Passage

Rite of Passage

Healthcare Reform - A Start

What has just been taken - the first step on the road to a public option for healthcare insurance that one day will result in 100% of Americans being covered, or the first step in major escalation of racial animosity in America? President Obama's signature may have set both in motion. I've been commenting on this subject via Twitter over the past couple weeks and have gathered my thoughts below. What are you opinions on this matter?



This is how American politics works basically. If Obama...

Do Not Get Me Started

The following statements originated as a series of tweets in response to an article about whites adopting black children. Whether the forum is this blog, Twitter, or elsewhere in the universe or cyberspace, my opinions on the matter remain set in stone. Hopefully anyone who happens upon these words is enlightened enough to agree with them, not because I require validation, but because I treasure common sense precisely because it is less common than its name suggests.



ABC Pushes View Whites...

A Work of Art

Spring is almost here, meaning days are getting longer and warmer, baseball bats are once again swinging, and the emergence of great beauty is just around the corner. Thus I was inspired to present some visual splendor for those who pop into this blog from time to time. Isn't the painting above something special? Words to accompany it seem in order. I'm done with Short Story Sunday postings, but that doesn't mean you won't find a short story of mine placed here at A Line A Day on occasion as ...

PRESS RELEASE - GONE DIGITAL

Some might argue by turning my own words on me that I've been slow to accept emerging technologies, particularly in the realm of literature. But never let it be said that I'm against anything that puts good writing into the hands of avid readers. I'll leave the choice of whether that reading will be done off paper, screen, or some yet to be invented medium up to the individual. My debut novel Patches of Grey was written out on paper and eventually turned into a printed book that I hold in my ...

Feeding the Squirrels: A Novella - Prologue Excerpt

You may be envious once I've related a little about myself. Or perhaps you will despise me. No matter. I seek neither acceptance nor punishment. And as for peace of mind, that elusive serum for hobgoblins which sets so many self-indulgent tongues in motion, I never held much stock in the stuff. I choose to spill my guts for no other reason than that they overflow.


This is not my life story. About myself there isn't much to tell. Not because the passage of time has been uneventful. My travels ...

Second Childhood Continued

Here are some more mini-reviews of children's books cherished by my soon to be 4 year old daughter, as well as by her mother and I.


Blueberry Girl - My first Neil Gaiman book. Probably won't be the last. The non-religious prayer that he gifts readers with in Blueberry Girl is one of the most moving things I've ever read. If you have a daughter, buy this book.

I Ain't Gonna Paint No More - I'm not sure who gets more of a kick out of Karen Beaumont's books, me or my 3-year old daughter. I'll...

John Mayer sings the blues with foot in his mouth

Below are my thoughts, originally stated on Twitter, about John Mayer's controversial statements in his interview with Playboy.



In an interview with Playboy, singer John Mayer said "My dick is sort of like a white supremacist. I've got a Benetton heart & a fuckin' David Duke cock" when asked about his interest in black women. Here's a link to the full interview - http://bit.ly/bcSP6T


John Mayer doesn't owe me an apology for being an A-hole. But he does owe me the $5 back that I spent on...