Bill Conrad's Blog
September 17, 2025
Reading For Fun Is Plummeting
Growing up, my mother took me to our local library at least twice a month. I recall reading the Hardy Boys, the Mad Scientists Club, choose-your-own-adventure books, Dr. Seuss, Willard Price, Jack London, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Douglas Adams, and anything related to Nikola Tesla.
As I became an adult, I gravitated towards authors like Tom Clancy, Alex Berenson, Ken Follett, Neal Stephenson, and Homer Hickam. It seems like a normal reading environment for someone my age, but what about today’s kids? I was reading Slashdot and came across this:
https://www.sciencealert.com/reading-...
It seems that things have changed. No kid wants to read the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew when they could be watching a fast-paced TikTok dance routine. And if, for some reason, a kid was interested in Nikola Tesla, they would select the most popular influencer’s take on this historical figure. The result is “accurate,” easy, and straightforward. Books? Those silly things are a massive waste of precious time.
What does this mean for me? (an up-and-coming author) I have known for years that hundreds of new books are released every day, but the number of readers is shrinking. There is no escaping the fact that all present and past authors face a bleak future where books are declining in popularity. Bummer.
What about society? Unfortunately, the non-reading trend is depriving our youth. There are many fantastic stories in print, and much to learn. Yet, short attention spans are the new reality, and it is only getting worse.
The result is low English test scores and a lack of creative storytelling in children. As a writer, I understand how difficult it is to craft a story and present it in written form. Gaining this foundation begins with reading many books.
What about stories on television, in movies, and on other video platforms? There are indeed many great stories outside of print, but they are not as in-depth. For example, in one of my books, I spent an entire chapter on FBI characters planning a raid on a compound. There were twists, dead ends, false hope, inspiration, intense personal interaction, and finally, detailed organization. Yet, if this fantastic book, Cable Ties, were made into a movie, um… Two minutes of screen time would be all that would be required.
I have seen this decline by observing the dumbed-down entertainment targeting kids. How? I enjoy animated movies like Shrek, and they often play on the young audience television channel, Nickelodeon. The network has commercials on its live-action shows. The premise, story, and acting are over-the-top awful. Yet, kids obviously like that kind of entertainment; otherwise, Nickelodeon would not make money from advertisers. Tragic.
Is there anything that can be done to revive the enjoyment of reading? There are some considerable hurdles to overcome. Schools no longer encourage reading, and low test scores may prompt a change in reading attitudes. “Hey, let’s bring back reading. That might help.”
Another is that publishers and online retailers do not actively seek out children. I cannot recall having seen an advertisement for a young adult book since the 1980s. There is a lot of money to be made there, and they might eventually see this opportunity.
Finally, hope. Books like White Fang are timeless and will remain so. Perhaps kids will get bored with low-quality entertainment, and reading for fun will make a comeback. Why, just yesterday, I saw somebody wearing bell-bottom jeans. So, anything is possible.
You’re the best -Bill
September 17, 2025
As I became an adult, I gravitated towards authors like Tom Clancy, Alex Berenson, Ken Follett, Neal Stephenson, and Homer Hickam. It seems like a normal reading environment for someone my age, but what about today’s kids? I was reading Slashdot and came across this:
https://www.sciencealert.com/reading-...
It seems that things have changed. No kid wants to read the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew when they could be watching a fast-paced TikTok dance routine. And if, for some reason, a kid was interested in Nikola Tesla, they would select the most popular influencer’s take on this historical figure. The result is “accurate,” easy, and straightforward. Books? Those silly things are a massive waste of precious time.
What does this mean for me? (an up-and-coming author) I have known for years that hundreds of new books are released every day, but the number of readers is shrinking. There is no escaping the fact that all present and past authors face a bleak future where books are declining in popularity. Bummer.
What about society? Unfortunately, the non-reading trend is depriving our youth. There are many fantastic stories in print, and much to learn. Yet, short attention spans are the new reality, and it is only getting worse.
The result is low English test scores and a lack of creative storytelling in children. As a writer, I understand how difficult it is to craft a story and present it in written form. Gaining this foundation begins with reading many books.
What about stories on television, in movies, and on other video platforms? There are indeed many great stories outside of print, but they are not as in-depth. For example, in one of my books, I spent an entire chapter on FBI characters planning a raid on a compound. There were twists, dead ends, false hope, inspiration, intense personal interaction, and finally, detailed organization. Yet, if this fantastic book, Cable Ties, were made into a movie, um… Two minutes of screen time would be all that would be required.
I have seen this decline by observing the dumbed-down entertainment targeting kids. How? I enjoy animated movies like Shrek, and they often play on the young audience television channel, Nickelodeon. The network has commercials on its live-action shows. The premise, story, and acting are over-the-top awful. Yet, kids obviously like that kind of entertainment; otherwise, Nickelodeon would not make money from advertisers. Tragic.
Is there anything that can be done to revive the enjoyment of reading? There are some considerable hurdles to overcome. Schools no longer encourage reading, and low test scores may prompt a change in reading attitudes. “Hey, let’s bring back reading. That might help.”
Another is that publishers and online retailers do not actively seek out children. I cannot recall having seen an advertisement for a young adult book since the 1980s. There is a lot of money to be made there, and they might eventually see this opportunity.
Finally, hope. Books like White Fang are timeless and will remain so. Perhaps kids will get bored with low-quality entertainment, and reading for fun will make a comeback. Why, just yesterday, I saw somebody wearing bell-bottom jeans. So, anything is possible.
You’re the best -Bill
September 17, 2025
September 10, 2025
Whedonspeak
I occasionally watch YouTube videos by the Critical Drinker, which is devoted to lambasting awful movies and fallen Hollywood personalities. The videos are fun, but I do not take the content too seriously because life is too short to dwell on the negatives.
Besides entertainment, my main reason for watching is to learn how professionals deal with criticism. Specifically, I want to know what not to do. So, it was no surprise that I was interested in “Crash and Burn - The Joss Whedon Story.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_Szy...
In case you are not familiar, Joss Whedon is a renowned director of popular movies and television shows. This includes one of my favorites, Firefly. I adore the writing, plot, acting, and premise of this incredible space opera. The people responsible for sacking this show should be locked up in the darkest prison for eternity.
Since that show ended, I have not followed Joss Whedon’s career too closely. It came as a surprise when The Critical Drinker’s video exposed his inappropriate behavior toward the actresses. I was unaware of his awful behavior and will be going out of my way to avoid any of his upcoming material. Thanks, Critical Drinker, for the exposure.
Yet, that is not why I am writing this article. The video identified something called “Whedonspeak,” also known as Whedon Dialogue, Whedonisms, or Buffy Speak. I had no idea what this was and learned more in this excellent Reddit article:
https://www.reddit.com/r/CharacterRan...
Joss Whedon has a distinct dialogue style; each spoken line stands out with quips, puns, ridicule, tricks, straight talk, and a not-too-serious approach to life. As a result, there are no extra words, emotions, or thoughts—just power writing with explosive content. Sounds great, but there is a problem that the video and article pointed out. Audiences are tired of Whedonspeak.
To explain why, allow me to pivot to word processing. It used to be that the only fonts that a person could use were the ones built into the printer. This is because early computers could not display fonts graphically.
Now, fast computers and powerful software allow users to use any font imaginable. Cursive, bold, stylistic, funny… And with this new ability, users took full advantage. I recall resumes with over 20 fonts, business documents with five fonts in the first paragraph, and invitations with the most elegant but hard-to-read fonts the human mind can imagine.
The problem was that readers realized documents looked better with a single, boring font, which is why we now typically see everything written in Courier or New Times Roman. This font overuse was the same problem as Whedonspeak.
Audiences used to love snarky characters, bold statements, and making fun of everything. Until they didn’t. Now, Whedonspeak is box office poison.
What can I gain from this? A writer needs to understand their audience. Granted, I am not a scriptwriter. (A story 100% driven by dialogue? WAY too complicated.) But learning about Whedonspeak provides another tool in my writing toolbox.
How will I use it? I do not favor ultra-bold characters because they do not read realistically. I prefer it when average people are thrust into big situations, which forces them to rise to the occasion. Thus, my characters do not need to make fun of their surroundings, insult people, or boast.
Still, I have bold scenes and significant events resulting in robust dialogue. The Reddit article revealed the good and bad aspects of Whedonspeak, and when I write, I will keep it in the back of my mind and out of my words. Like everything with great power, a light touch is required to be effective.
You’re the best -Bill
September 10, 2025
Besides entertainment, my main reason for watching is to learn how professionals deal with criticism. Specifically, I want to know what not to do. So, it was no surprise that I was interested in “Crash and Burn - The Joss Whedon Story.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_Szy...
In case you are not familiar, Joss Whedon is a renowned director of popular movies and television shows. This includes one of my favorites, Firefly. I adore the writing, plot, acting, and premise of this incredible space opera. The people responsible for sacking this show should be locked up in the darkest prison for eternity.
Since that show ended, I have not followed Joss Whedon’s career too closely. It came as a surprise when The Critical Drinker’s video exposed his inappropriate behavior toward the actresses. I was unaware of his awful behavior and will be going out of my way to avoid any of his upcoming material. Thanks, Critical Drinker, for the exposure.
Yet, that is not why I am writing this article. The video identified something called “Whedonspeak,” also known as Whedon Dialogue, Whedonisms, or Buffy Speak. I had no idea what this was and learned more in this excellent Reddit article:
https://www.reddit.com/r/CharacterRan...
Joss Whedon has a distinct dialogue style; each spoken line stands out with quips, puns, ridicule, tricks, straight talk, and a not-too-serious approach to life. As a result, there are no extra words, emotions, or thoughts—just power writing with explosive content. Sounds great, but there is a problem that the video and article pointed out. Audiences are tired of Whedonspeak.
To explain why, allow me to pivot to word processing. It used to be that the only fonts that a person could use were the ones built into the printer. This is because early computers could not display fonts graphically.
Now, fast computers and powerful software allow users to use any font imaginable. Cursive, bold, stylistic, funny… And with this new ability, users took full advantage. I recall resumes with over 20 fonts, business documents with five fonts in the first paragraph, and invitations with the most elegant but hard-to-read fonts the human mind can imagine.
The problem was that readers realized documents looked better with a single, boring font, which is why we now typically see everything written in Courier or New Times Roman. This font overuse was the same problem as Whedonspeak.
Audiences used to love snarky characters, bold statements, and making fun of everything. Until they didn’t. Now, Whedonspeak is box office poison.
What can I gain from this? A writer needs to understand their audience. Granted, I am not a scriptwriter. (A story 100% driven by dialogue? WAY too complicated.) But learning about Whedonspeak provides another tool in my writing toolbox.
How will I use it? I do not favor ultra-bold characters because they do not read realistically. I prefer it when average people are thrust into big situations, which forces them to rise to the occasion. Thus, my characters do not need to make fun of their surroundings, insult people, or boast.
Still, I have bold scenes and significant events resulting in robust dialogue. The Reddit article revealed the good and bad aspects of Whedonspeak, and when I write, I will keep it in the back of my mind and out of my words. Like everything with great power, a light touch is required to be effective.
You’re the best -Bill
September 10, 2025
September 3, 2025
Overcoming Imposter Writing Syndrome
I have never claimed to be a professional author; instead, I refer to myself as an amateur who is doing everything possible to become better. Part of the issue is that I did not start my career as a writer. Instead, I wrote my first book at age 48 because I was unemployed and wanted to make a quick buck. This is in stark contrast to hardcore authors with an English degree from a prestigious university who have been writing award-winning movie scripts, books, and plays since they were ten.
Still, I hope to be considered a competent writer someday. Yet, I know this is a long road requiring time and effort. Thus, I search every corner of the internet to learn all that I can. And there is so much. Take dialogue integration as an example. Bill said, “Hello.” Or is it: “Hello,” Bill said. Which is it? Things get complex in that minefield.
So, it was no surprise that I discovered something new in the following article:
https://nybookeditors.com/2018/09/how...
Imposter Writing Syndrome is when an author does not feel they are an author. Essentially, they lack confidence. Well, clearly that is not me. After all, I write articles every week and have published four books. Proof positive. Done!
Well… The article highlighted three symptoms of imposter syndrome: constant self-criticism, excessive self-editing, and procrastination. Gosh, my endless self-edits were a dead giveaway that I was suffering bigtime. So, I researched the matter to learn more.
https://uoflwritingcenter.com/2023/11...
https://writingcooperative.com/how-an...
Their message is simple. Cowboy-up, and write. Ignore the doubt. Believe in yourself! At its core, this is a viewpoint issue, and I need to have a more positive attitude.
So, I have been working on solutions over the last two weeks. This includes placing Post-it notes on my monitor with inspirational messages and reading about the successes of other authors.
I also made a big change to my writing routine. I have learned the very hard way to do a self-check before beginning to write or edit. This mental evaluation ensures that I am not upset or distracted. If there is even the slightest hint of negativity, I do something to calm myself down.
I have added to this routine by reminding myself that writing is a fun activity; in fact, it is a privilege. Then, I look at one of my Post-It notes. As a final step, I recite a quote from an unlikely source, the Billy Crystal and Danny DeVito movie Throw Momma from the Train.
In the movie, Billy’s character teaches a writing class filled with mediocre students. He is also a modest author with a bad case of writer’s block. Even with all those negatives, he still has a “go get them” attitude and says this famous line: “A writer writes, always.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJYPS...
That line has stuck inside my bonkers mind for years. It means: keep going! Just write! Get out of your own way! Do it! Do it! And now, this line is helping me again.
As I write this article, I notice an improvement in attitude. Yes, I still endlessly self-edit, but I do it with more confidence. As a further reminder, I glance at the books on my shelf. They remind me that while my accomplishments are modest, they are still accomplishments.
I will conclude this article on a high note, as I thoroughly enjoyed writing it. This was fun and worthwhile. Plus, I will no longer refer to myself as an amateur author. I am an up-and-coming author. Good for me.
You’re the best -Bill
September 03, 2025
Still, I hope to be considered a competent writer someday. Yet, I know this is a long road requiring time and effort. Thus, I search every corner of the internet to learn all that I can. And there is so much. Take dialogue integration as an example. Bill said, “Hello.” Or is it: “Hello,” Bill said. Which is it? Things get complex in that minefield.
So, it was no surprise that I discovered something new in the following article:
https://nybookeditors.com/2018/09/how...
Imposter Writing Syndrome is when an author does not feel they are an author. Essentially, they lack confidence. Well, clearly that is not me. After all, I write articles every week and have published four books. Proof positive. Done!
Well… The article highlighted three symptoms of imposter syndrome: constant self-criticism, excessive self-editing, and procrastination. Gosh, my endless self-edits were a dead giveaway that I was suffering bigtime. So, I researched the matter to learn more.
https://uoflwritingcenter.com/2023/11...
https://writingcooperative.com/how-an...
Their message is simple. Cowboy-up, and write. Ignore the doubt. Believe in yourself! At its core, this is a viewpoint issue, and I need to have a more positive attitude.
So, I have been working on solutions over the last two weeks. This includes placing Post-it notes on my monitor with inspirational messages and reading about the successes of other authors.
I also made a big change to my writing routine. I have learned the very hard way to do a self-check before beginning to write or edit. This mental evaluation ensures that I am not upset or distracted. If there is even the slightest hint of negativity, I do something to calm myself down.
I have added to this routine by reminding myself that writing is a fun activity; in fact, it is a privilege. Then, I look at one of my Post-It notes. As a final step, I recite a quote from an unlikely source, the Billy Crystal and Danny DeVito movie Throw Momma from the Train.
In the movie, Billy’s character teaches a writing class filled with mediocre students. He is also a modest author with a bad case of writer’s block. Even with all those negatives, he still has a “go get them” attitude and says this famous line: “A writer writes, always.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJYPS...
That line has stuck inside my bonkers mind for years. It means: keep going! Just write! Get out of your own way! Do it! Do it! And now, this line is helping me again.
As I write this article, I notice an improvement in attitude. Yes, I still endlessly self-edit, but I do it with more confidence. As a further reminder, I glance at the books on my shelf. They remind me that while my accomplishments are modest, they are still accomplishments.
I will conclude this article on a high note, as I thoroughly enjoyed writing it. This was fun and worthwhile. Plus, I will no longer refer to myself as an amateur author. I am an up-and-coming author. Good for me.
You’re the best -Bill
September 03, 2025
August 26, 2025
The Day I Became an Adult
From a young age, my biggest goal was to be an adult. Why? Every single adult in my life was so amazing. What was not to look up to? They were tall, had endless wealth, freedom, at least one car, and did not have to attend school. Additionally, every adult was allowed to stay out late, watch any television program they wanted, and do as they pleased. As opposed to me, who was forced to follow all kinds of rules.
The problem was that there was a tidal wave of obstacles between young me and adulthood. I had to study, behave, and do what I was told. But then, it happened. I graduated from high school. That made me an adult. Right? I was happy to have graduated, but I did not feel like an adult. Besides, I had four years of college ahead of me.
Five years later (I had some issues), I graduated. And while I had anticipated I would immediately feel like an adult, I did not. Instead, I felt like an older kid. Besides, I had no job, and life was tough. After all, adults have it easy.
However, I then got a job and moved into a rented house with three roommates. Unfortunately, I was making copies at Kinko’s, but I was living on my own and had freedom. Still, it felt like I had regressed because I was not using my college degree.
Life got so bad that I had to move back in with my parents for a year. This setback harshly turned back my adulthood clock. Then, I got a real job and was able to purchase a house (with a 25-year mortgage). FINALLY, I was an adult. Living on my own, responsible, a homeowner, and free to do what I wanted. Yet, I was not. An adult should not be lonely.
After a few unsuccessful relationships, I got married to a wonderful woman. Yay! But even with all that going on, I did not feel it. Could I introduce myself as “Bill, the adult?” It did not seem like the truth.
Of course, I had all the markings of an adult—gray hair, a paycheck, savings, a car, a fantastic wife, and a house. And there were the “child” activities I no longer did. Ride dirt bikes, watch cartoons on Saturday morning, eat candy, play board games, or do everything my parents said.
Still, there were big changes. My wife and I were self-sufficient, meaning that we did not depend on our parents. We were a team. Just like two adults!
I was told all my life that being in a successful marriage is the textbook definition of being an adult. Still, I did not feel like I had officially joined the club. Fortunately, something happened that would surely change this. We had a wonderful daughter.
We did all the everyday things with her, and she indeed added a powerful element to our family. Yes, we were a family. Being a family requires two adults and at least one child. Still, I did not feel it. Sure, we put in all the effort to make my daughter happy. And we took on all the responsible tasks, such as sending her to school and setting limits. This all occurred while we were engaged in other adult activities, such as working, saving money, going on vacations, and paying our bills.
I put a lot of effort into convincing myself that I had cleared this last hurdle. It seemed true at first, but I knew something was missing. And I knew it had to do with my daughter.
Late at night, about 10 years ago, I heard a scream. I leaped out of bed, slammed open the door, and slipped on the carpet as I was making the turn to my daughter’s room. I burst in, ready to do significant harm to the person hurting my daughter. It took a few moments of rage for me to realize she was having a nightmare. So, I held onto her tightly as she cried, and my adrenaline level subsided from 10,000%.
It took time for her to recover, and that is when I noticed my wife was hugging both of us. I hobbled back to bed and massaged my ankle. It hurt, but there was no permanent damage. At that moment, something deep dawned on me. I did not give a darn (you know the swear word I was thinking of) about my ankle. I felt only relief that my daughter was fine.
At that lightning-bolt moment, I knew I had become an adult. Why? My daughter’s needs were the only needs that mattered. I finally joined the club and have never looked back.
Why discuss this now? I am in the outline stage of a new book series and have been working on character biographies. I use this brief document to establish fundamental details about background, relationships with other characters, and personality. I have learned the hard way that the most critical part of a character biography is the flaws. These gems provide the most depth in the reader’s eyes.
My idea for one main character is that he lost his daughter in a car accident, which sent him into a life-altering negative spiral. The plot is going to begin with him no longer feeling like an adult because he cannot support his daughter.
As I built the biography, I wondered how to craft this background. So, I took a high-level view and started at the beginning. When did this character first feel like he had achieved adulthood? Obviously, that occurred when his daughter was born. Umm, that sounded too predictable (corny).
I suddenly realized I could use my life experience. I stood and yelled to an empty room, “Readers will love that!” Yet, I have a strong warning for writers.
One of the mistakes I made in my first two books was using my life experiences directly as story material, character development, and dialogue. Readers can easily identify and dislike stories that are clearly the author pretending to have a better life than their own.
Thus, I will modify the above life experience to ensure it is not a direct copy. I look forward to crafting a powerful scene where my character pours his heart out. Will the scene work? At this rate, my loyal readers will have to wait about five years to find out.
You’re the best -Bill
August 26, 2025
The problem was that there was a tidal wave of obstacles between young me and adulthood. I had to study, behave, and do what I was told. But then, it happened. I graduated from high school. That made me an adult. Right? I was happy to have graduated, but I did not feel like an adult. Besides, I had four years of college ahead of me.
Five years later (I had some issues), I graduated. And while I had anticipated I would immediately feel like an adult, I did not. Instead, I felt like an older kid. Besides, I had no job, and life was tough. After all, adults have it easy.
However, I then got a job and moved into a rented house with three roommates. Unfortunately, I was making copies at Kinko’s, but I was living on my own and had freedom. Still, it felt like I had regressed because I was not using my college degree.
Life got so bad that I had to move back in with my parents for a year. This setback harshly turned back my adulthood clock. Then, I got a real job and was able to purchase a house (with a 25-year mortgage). FINALLY, I was an adult. Living on my own, responsible, a homeowner, and free to do what I wanted. Yet, I was not. An adult should not be lonely.
After a few unsuccessful relationships, I got married to a wonderful woman. Yay! But even with all that going on, I did not feel it. Could I introduce myself as “Bill, the adult?” It did not seem like the truth.
Of course, I had all the markings of an adult—gray hair, a paycheck, savings, a car, a fantastic wife, and a house. And there were the “child” activities I no longer did. Ride dirt bikes, watch cartoons on Saturday morning, eat candy, play board games, or do everything my parents said.
Still, there were big changes. My wife and I were self-sufficient, meaning that we did not depend on our parents. We were a team. Just like two adults!
I was told all my life that being in a successful marriage is the textbook definition of being an adult. Still, I did not feel like I had officially joined the club. Fortunately, something happened that would surely change this. We had a wonderful daughter.
We did all the everyday things with her, and she indeed added a powerful element to our family. Yes, we were a family. Being a family requires two adults and at least one child. Still, I did not feel it. Sure, we put in all the effort to make my daughter happy. And we took on all the responsible tasks, such as sending her to school and setting limits. This all occurred while we were engaged in other adult activities, such as working, saving money, going on vacations, and paying our bills.
I put a lot of effort into convincing myself that I had cleared this last hurdle. It seemed true at first, but I knew something was missing. And I knew it had to do with my daughter.
Late at night, about 10 years ago, I heard a scream. I leaped out of bed, slammed open the door, and slipped on the carpet as I was making the turn to my daughter’s room. I burst in, ready to do significant harm to the person hurting my daughter. It took a few moments of rage for me to realize she was having a nightmare. So, I held onto her tightly as she cried, and my adrenaline level subsided from 10,000%.
It took time for her to recover, and that is when I noticed my wife was hugging both of us. I hobbled back to bed and massaged my ankle. It hurt, but there was no permanent damage. At that moment, something deep dawned on me. I did not give a darn (you know the swear word I was thinking of) about my ankle. I felt only relief that my daughter was fine.
At that lightning-bolt moment, I knew I had become an adult. Why? My daughter’s needs were the only needs that mattered. I finally joined the club and have never looked back.
Why discuss this now? I am in the outline stage of a new book series and have been working on character biographies. I use this brief document to establish fundamental details about background, relationships with other characters, and personality. I have learned the hard way that the most critical part of a character biography is the flaws. These gems provide the most depth in the reader’s eyes.
My idea for one main character is that he lost his daughter in a car accident, which sent him into a life-altering negative spiral. The plot is going to begin with him no longer feeling like an adult because he cannot support his daughter.
As I built the biography, I wondered how to craft this background. So, I took a high-level view and started at the beginning. When did this character first feel like he had achieved adulthood? Obviously, that occurred when his daughter was born. Umm, that sounded too predictable (corny).
I suddenly realized I could use my life experience. I stood and yelled to an empty room, “Readers will love that!” Yet, I have a strong warning for writers.
One of the mistakes I made in my first two books was using my life experiences directly as story material, character development, and dialogue. Readers can easily identify and dislike stories that are clearly the author pretending to have a better life than their own.
Thus, I will modify the above life experience to ensure it is not a direct copy. I look forward to crafting a powerful scene where my character pours his heart out. Will the scene work? At this rate, my loyal readers will have to wait about five years to find out.
You’re the best -Bill
August 26, 2025
August 13, 2025
Separating the Artist from Their Work
My favorite podcast is called The Dollop. In it, two comedians talk about non-mainstream history. However, it was a rocky start because they laughed at their jokes, and if you are a MASH television show fan, you know the damage that a laugh track can do. It took about ten podcasts to ignore this fake behavior.
A recent podcast explored a popular minister who got into trouble. As they discussed this person’s fall, one host revealed he was a talented musician. Late in his life, he released another record, which became popular.
The other host joked that people should not have purchased that album because of the controversy. So, the other host quipped, “Hey, separate the artist from their work.” This statement has been rattling around my bonkers mind, and it seemed like a good article topic. Or is this another budget therapy session? Yeah…
The idea is that a dreadful person can still make positive artistic contributions to society, and here are some examples: Francis Bacon, Kevin Spacey, Steven Seagal, Chris Brown, J. D. Salinger, and Neil Gaiman. All of these people are talented artists, but they deeply harmed the people around them.
Essentially, the statement is asking us to give these people a break. In other words, we should disregard their personal life and focus on the gift they have given.
The two artists I wanted to concentrate on are Steven Seagal and Neil Gaiman. Growing up, I enjoyed Steven’s early films. They were loaded with great lines and over-the-top action. And Neil, what a wordsmith! Such powerful stories. I wish I had 10% of his creative ability.
Late in their careers, it became public knowledge that both men had deplorable personal lives, leaving a trail of misery. I find such destructive behavior to be completely unacceptable. But what about their work? Should I still enjoy it?
Well, as the statement goes, we should place their personal lives aside and enjoy their creations. Yeah, no. Both men are monsters who should be behind bars. And their art? Deleted from history with a vengeance. However, there is more to this topic. What about art intended to offend?
Some art is controversial, dubious, contested, disgusting, pornographic, hateful, offensive, or fearful. Artists do this to jog our minds, spark insightful discussions, shake up society, attract negative publicity (because they believe all publicity is good), or because they are bored with traditional art. While I generally do not like this type of expression, I certainly see that it has value and should not be universally condemned.
Still, that was not quite the thought that made me want to write this article. What about separating me from my art? Indeed, several people have reacted negatively to my books or articles. So, instead of a bad person with good art, I am a good person (in my mind) with (potentially) bad art. Still, I am asking people to separate the two.
A good example occurred in a recent article when I discussed the lack of books or films about Covid-19. I wrote it without intending to be mean or controversial, nor did I request writers to enter this story territory. Yet, people were offended. And if I indeed crossed a line, readers have a right to be offended. I certainly get offended by awful material.
Well, I learned a lesson and will not write about Covid-19 again. That is fine, but the question remains. Should the people I offended give me a break? Separate me from my art? If these very words offend you, will you give me a break? My real question is: Do I want you to give me a break? Do I want to hear, “Hey Bill. Good people make mistakes. It is fine. Keep writing.” Can I go on without hearing this?
Honestly, I am struggling with an answer. Society presents tough questions, and we need tough answers. Meaning we must be tough people in order to keep society moving. Yet, we must be ethical and not tolerate those who bring society down. Yet, my article offended. Umm… A cook must break eggs to bake a cake, meaning people will always be offended.
Artists release material and get unexpected reactions. The problem lies in the next step because the offense cannot be undone. Pick up the pieces? Ignore the criticism? That sounds like a cop-out.
My answer is that I am not sure I want people to give me a break. What I do know is that I feel bad for the few people who were offended by my work. Well, writing this article has given me a lot to think about. Fortunately, there are biking and hiking trails nearby to ponder this topic.
You’re the best -Bill
August 13, 2025
A recent podcast explored a popular minister who got into trouble. As they discussed this person’s fall, one host revealed he was a talented musician. Late in his life, he released another record, which became popular.
The other host joked that people should not have purchased that album because of the controversy. So, the other host quipped, “Hey, separate the artist from their work.” This statement has been rattling around my bonkers mind, and it seemed like a good article topic. Or is this another budget therapy session? Yeah…
The idea is that a dreadful person can still make positive artistic contributions to society, and here are some examples: Francis Bacon, Kevin Spacey, Steven Seagal, Chris Brown, J. D. Salinger, and Neil Gaiman. All of these people are talented artists, but they deeply harmed the people around them.
Essentially, the statement is asking us to give these people a break. In other words, we should disregard their personal life and focus on the gift they have given.
The two artists I wanted to concentrate on are Steven Seagal and Neil Gaiman. Growing up, I enjoyed Steven’s early films. They were loaded with great lines and over-the-top action. And Neil, what a wordsmith! Such powerful stories. I wish I had 10% of his creative ability.
Late in their careers, it became public knowledge that both men had deplorable personal lives, leaving a trail of misery. I find such destructive behavior to be completely unacceptable. But what about their work? Should I still enjoy it?
Well, as the statement goes, we should place their personal lives aside and enjoy their creations. Yeah, no. Both men are monsters who should be behind bars. And their art? Deleted from history with a vengeance. However, there is more to this topic. What about art intended to offend?
Some art is controversial, dubious, contested, disgusting, pornographic, hateful, offensive, or fearful. Artists do this to jog our minds, spark insightful discussions, shake up society, attract negative publicity (because they believe all publicity is good), or because they are bored with traditional art. While I generally do not like this type of expression, I certainly see that it has value and should not be universally condemned.
Still, that was not quite the thought that made me want to write this article. What about separating me from my art? Indeed, several people have reacted negatively to my books or articles. So, instead of a bad person with good art, I am a good person (in my mind) with (potentially) bad art. Still, I am asking people to separate the two.
A good example occurred in a recent article when I discussed the lack of books or films about Covid-19. I wrote it without intending to be mean or controversial, nor did I request writers to enter this story territory. Yet, people were offended. And if I indeed crossed a line, readers have a right to be offended. I certainly get offended by awful material.
Well, I learned a lesson and will not write about Covid-19 again. That is fine, but the question remains. Should the people I offended give me a break? Separate me from my art? If these very words offend you, will you give me a break? My real question is: Do I want you to give me a break? Do I want to hear, “Hey Bill. Good people make mistakes. It is fine. Keep writing.” Can I go on without hearing this?
Honestly, I am struggling with an answer. Society presents tough questions, and we need tough answers. Meaning we must be tough people in order to keep society moving. Yet, we must be ethical and not tolerate those who bring society down. Yet, my article offended. Umm… A cook must break eggs to bake a cake, meaning people will always be offended.
Artists release material and get unexpected reactions. The problem lies in the next step because the offense cannot be undone. Pick up the pieces? Ignore the criticism? That sounds like a cop-out.
My answer is that I am not sure I want people to give me a break. What I do know is that I feel bad for the few people who were offended by my work. Well, writing this article has given me a lot to think about. Fortunately, there are biking and hiking trails nearby to ponder this topic.
You’re the best -Bill
August 13, 2025
August 6, 2025
What Fictional World Would I Like to Live In?
My daughter is in her first year of college, and her writing professor presented a question to the class: What fictional world do you want to live in? Her classmate’s answers spanned the spectrum of anime, adventure, drama, cartoon, Minecraft, and science fiction. She asked me the same question, and my answer was, “Umm, I don’t know. Let me think on that.”
Fiction can take us anywhere. Take Ken Follett’s “The Pillars of the Earth” series. An incredible novel set in 1800s England. It is loaded with drama, romance, politics, and some of the best scene descriptions of any book. Why not live there? Umm… What if I get an infection? Antibiotics will not exist for another 50 years.
How about another direction? One of my favorite television shows is Rick and Morty. Each episode is loaded with fantastic technology, exciting plots, outrageous characters, and nearly anything is possible. Plus, I do not have to be the main character since the other characters have lots of fun. True, but in many episodes, somebody dies. In one episode, an entire planet went poof!
How about a romance? The movie Outsourced was fun, realistic, and a good story. Plus, nobody was injured, and all the medical science we have today is available. And the plot? Everything worked out fine. I could do that! But could I? I have a wife and daughter. Leave them for a far-flung romance? Pass.
Alright, I might be taking this too seriously. How about Futurama? Suddenly, I am in the future: just me and a fantastic world of fun, humor, and science fiction adventure. Yes, my family wouldn’t be there, but the main character overcame the loss of his family, and so could I. Umm, I would be devastated.
I may be missing the point of the exercise. It is supposed to be: “Pick the universe that would be the most enjoyable. The one you wish you were born into.”
My answer is: “That mental leap is difficult because I am very attached to the universe I am living in.” Live a little. This is just a thought experiment. Your family will still be there during and after the experiment. Here, I will get this started. You are now in the cartoon universe of Richie Rich and have a trillion dollars. Go!
I have met wealthy people and seen how their money does not bring them happiness. While I would like a few more bucks, billionaire land is not a desirable universe.
Just disconnect from everything. You are Luke Skywalker. Confident, attractive, desirable, and essential. Umm, didn’t several people try to kill him? I prefer to be a moisture farmer in the Star Wars universe.
Try harder! I enjoyed the writing and setting of Star Trek Lower Decks. Plus, only a few characters get injured. The episodes are fun, exciting, not too serious, with some romance and lots of new things to see. I guess I could stick my little toe into that deep pool of a different universe. Finally! Now, what adventure would I like to go on? Remember, this is just a thought experiment; everything is fine.
I suppose it would be interesting to try alien food, meet beings from another world, and see futuristic technology. How about a bit of adventure? Explore a safe planet. And then what? Something more adventurous. I could use my skills to save the ship. I guess.
My problem with this thought experiment is that I find an alternate existence difficult to relate to. Yet, that is not entirely true. I have three book series in which I have mentally spent a lot of time imagining myself in the story. How about living there?
Yes, my characters experienced a mix of drama, success, and fun. And for all practical purposes, I was mentally living there. So which one would I pick? I suppose my spy novel, Cable Ties. I modeled every scene and character to be as close to reality as possible.
So… I would be living my life as usual, but be in a giant plot to steal data? Errr, I want no part of that. Leave it to the professional law enforcement. And my other books? My Interviewing Immortality novel features ruthless characters, while Pushed to the Edge of Survival offers harrowing drama and otherworldly interactions. My quiet life has too much drama.
Why, just this morning, I was trying to sell something on eBay. The person paid for the item and was about to take the package to the post office. Now, they insist on a shipping discount. ENOUGH DRAMA!!!!
Let’s pretend I lived in the Harry Potter universe. That would up my stress level 100 times. Why do stories contain so much harm, adversity, pain, and discomfort?
The answer is that writers must elevate their stories and universes to make their narrative compelling; otherwise, readers would not buy their books or attend their films. The result is dangerous, unrealistic, foolish, and illogical. Plus, writers invent all kinds of things that sound/look fantastic, but are horrific. Luke Skywalker’s Light Saber? No, thank you.
I guess I am to suck in my humble life, but I do apply a tiny effort to push boundaries. Like today, I am going on a bike ride. I do this knowing I could get hurt. Still, I am going to do it. Well, how about a tiny step? Mentally take that bike ride on a distant planet. No need for drama, just different trees. I could even imagine myself on the Star Trek Lower Decks holodeck and program it for 100% safety. That is the absolute smallest step outside my comfort zone, and I know it would be fun.
Fine, I surrender. So, I’ll do it. When I go on my bike ride, I will imagine the trees are not from Earth. But just for the beginning of my ride. Well, maybe the first ten feet.
PS, I went for my ride and saw a rattlesnake in my path. Drama! Then I got a flat tire. Mega-drama! But then something unexpected happened. I re-inflated the tire and continued my ride without the tire going flat because I have a “slime” tube, which sealed the puncture. Hmm, seems quite fantastic; as if I were on a holodeck…
You’re the best -Bill
August 06, 2025
Fiction can take us anywhere. Take Ken Follett’s “The Pillars of the Earth” series. An incredible novel set in 1800s England. It is loaded with drama, romance, politics, and some of the best scene descriptions of any book. Why not live there? Umm… What if I get an infection? Antibiotics will not exist for another 50 years.
How about another direction? One of my favorite television shows is Rick and Morty. Each episode is loaded with fantastic technology, exciting plots, outrageous characters, and nearly anything is possible. Plus, I do not have to be the main character since the other characters have lots of fun. True, but in many episodes, somebody dies. In one episode, an entire planet went poof!
How about a romance? The movie Outsourced was fun, realistic, and a good story. Plus, nobody was injured, and all the medical science we have today is available. And the plot? Everything worked out fine. I could do that! But could I? I have a wife and daughter. Leave them for a far-flung romance? Pass.
Alright, I might be taking this too seriously. How about Futurama? Suddenly, I am in the future: just me and a fantastic world of fun, humor, and science fiction adventure. Yes, my family wouldn’t be there, but the main character overcame the loss of his family, and so could I. Umm, I would be devastated.
I may be missing the point of the exercise. It is supposed to be: “Pick the universe that would be the most enjoyable. The one you wish you were born into.”
My answer is: “That mental leap is difficult because I am very attached to the universe I am living in.” Live a little. This is just a thought experiment. Your family will still be there during and after the experiment. Here, I will get this started. You are now in the cartoon universe of Richie Rich and have a trillion dollars. Go!
I have met wealthy people and seen how their money does not bring them happiness. While I would like a few more bucks, billionaire land is not a desirable universe.
Just disconnect from everything. You are Luke Skywalker. Confident, attractive, desirable, and essential. Umm, didn’t several people try to kill him? I prefer to be a moisture farmer in the Star Wars universe.
Try harder! I enjoyed the writing and setting of Star Trek Lower Decks. Plus, only a few characters get injured. The episodes are fun, exciting, not too serious, with some romance and lots of new things to see. I guess I could stick my little toe into that deep pool of a different universe. Finally! Now, what adventure would I like to go on? Remember, this is just a thought experiment; everything is fine.
I suppose it would be interesting to try alien food, meet beings from another world, and see futuristic technology. How about a bit of adventure? Explore a safe planet. And then what? Something more adventurous. I could use my skills to save the ship. I guess.
My problem with this thought experiment is that I find an alternate existence difficult to relate to. Yet, that is not entirely true. I have three book series in which I have mentally spent a lot of time imagining myself in the story. How about living there?
Yes, my characters experienced a mix of drama, success, and fun. And for all practical purposes, I was mentally living there. So which one would I pick? I suppose my spy novel, Cable Ties. I modeled every scene and character to be as close to reality as possible.
So… I would be living my life as usual, but be in a giant plot to steal data? Errr, I want no part of that. Leave it to the professional law enforcement. And my other books? My Interviewing Immortality novel features ruthless characters, while Pushed to the Edge of Survival offers harrowing drama and otherworldly interactions. My quiet life has too much drama.
Why, just this morning, I was trying to sell something on eBay. The person paid for the item and was about to take the package to the post office. Now, they insist on a shipping discount. ENOUGH DRAMA!!!!
Let’s pretend I lived in the Harry Potter universe. That would up my stress level 100 times. Why do stories contain so much harm, adversity, pain, and discomfort?
The answer is that writers must elevate their stories and universes to make their narrative compelling; otherwise, readers would not buy their books or attend their films. The result is dangerous, unrealistic, foolish, and illogical. Plus, writers invent all kinds of things that sound/look fantastic, but are horrific. Luke Skywalker’s Light Saber? No, thank you.
I guess I am to suck in my humble life, but I do apply a tiny effort to push boundaries. Like today, I am going on a bike ride. I do this knowing I could get hurt. Still, I am going to do it. Well, how about a tiny step? Mentally take that bike ride on a distant planet. No need for drama, just different trees. I could even imagine myself on the Star Trek Lower Decks holodeck and program it for 100% safety. That is the absolute smallest step outside my comfort zone, and I know it would be fun.
Fine, I surrender. So, I’ll do it. When I go on my bike ride, I will imagine the trees are not from Earth. But just for the beginning of my ride. Well, maybe the first ten feet.
PS, I went for my ride and saw a rattlesnake in my path. Drama! Then I got a flat tire. Mega-drama! But then something unexpected happened. I re-inflated the tire and continued my ride without the tire going flat because I have a “slime” tube, which sealed the puncture. Hmm, seems quite fantastic; as if I were on a holodeck…
You’re the best -Bill
August 06, 2025
July 30, 2025
If I Cannot Email It, It Doesn’t Exist
At the beginning of my education, learning how to write was a big struggle. Why was it so important to learn this skill? Handwriting is fundamental to our knowledge base. It gives us the ability to record thoughts and observations. With it, we can create stories, reports, records, transactions, plans, and goals. Without it, we cannot communicate.
Fast forward to my life today, and my handwriting has not improved. So, I make a point not to use a pen, and I also avoid printing documents. This approach is not a green crusade; it is a core philosophy, which is, “If I cannot email it, it doesn’t exist.”
This way of life began during the dawn of my computing first steps, the word processor. With this fantastic tool, I could create a document, allowing me to capture the thoughts in my bonkers mind and print them. And the result? While the grammar, spelling, and content were atrocious, the words were crystal clear. This sudden freedom was incredible, like taking the first breath of fresh air.
And there was more good news. With a few keyboard presses, I could apply changes, including fixing an error, deleting a section, or copying a section. Then, as if by the wave of a wizard’s arm, I could print the corrected document. I could even change a single letter and reprint the entire document.
There was even better news. I could make a copy of that digital file and give it to a person on a five-inch floppy disk. What this meant is that a humble person like me (and everyone else) could distribute words to the entire world.
Today, I create a wide range of digital files, including computer programs, digital pictures, books, videos, audio, lists, databases, 3D models, and my resume. Even my phone can take a photo and send it to somebody.
Yet… That is not what my philosophy is about, so allow me to provide an example. My former boss at the fourth company I worked for was adamant that I keep a notebook. So, I did; we all did. My notes and drawings were abysmal; lousy even by my standards.
Meanwhile, I generated excellent reports and properly stored them on the company server and my local drive, ensuring they were backed up.
When someone asked me about a project I had worked on, I would email them one of my detailed documents. If I did not have the exact information available, I would write a well-worded email to address their request. What did they get? Precisely what they asked for, and if not, we would professionally go back and forth via email to get the answers they needed.
What did they do with the information or files I provided? They used my content to enhance their work, stored it for later use, used it as the basis for a new design, or forwarded it to their peers who did the same.
Meanwhile, my boss maintained over a hundred notebooks. When I had a question, he would photocopy a page out of his notebook. This knowledge storage approach was incredibly frustrating, and I told him point-blank multiple times, “If you cannot email it, it doesn’t exist.” He disliked my philosophy and continued down this path. What was his result? Allow a side tangent to explain.
At the same company, I took over a project from an employee who left. He documented the design in four notebooks and two drawers jammed with file folders. Fortunately, the official drawings were in digital format. It took him two years of hard work to generate this mound of paperwork.
The notebooks and file folders had endless pages of hand calculations, hand-drawn graphs, handwritten observations, and mounds of printed test data. It was well organized, but I could not make any progress with it. Why?
The design was complex, making it unclear how it worked. What was missing was a basic overview, a basic description, pictures of the tests, and explanations of how the tests were conducted. Most importantly, no single document described the entire project or why certain design decisions were made.
What about the data captured during a test? Yes, and that was all printed, but the original files were deleted. Bonehead! What about the official drawings? They were digital and clear. The problem was that they only explained how to manufacture the item.
As a result, the technicians and I were unable to troubleshoot. So, I started documenting from scratch, beginning with the released drawings. In the process, I attempted to refer to the paper files and notebooks, but they were too cryptic. It took two months to fully understand the design, answer people’s questions, and develop formal documents.
In creating my documentation, I avoided handwritten calculations, as I was unsure which one matched the released design. Instead, I developed my calculations based on the digital files.
I kept the paper files for a year and then tossed them. When people had questions, I emailed them my files. Why did I throw away the paper? I could have at least scanned them in for posterity.
The answer is that the random pages were incomprehensible because it was impossible to know where to start. And there was a bigger problem called double documentation. This occurs when there are multiple places to obtain information. In other words, it is unclear which file is the most up-to-date. What the company needed was a central repository of clear information to allow employees to understand the design quickly.
Still, one could argue that my document was incomplete because it lacked test data. True, but what it did have was a clear starting point for a knowledgeable person to determine answers. A test cannot explain anything unless it is conducted within a specific context.
My philosophy goes further. Some people hoard their digital files, never allowing them to be on a public server or be emailed. I think of this kind of data like the gold at Fort Knox. The people in charge are certainly not going to give me a single nugget. Meaning that, from my perspective, the gold does not exist. Now, if somebody gives me one of those gold bars and I take a picture of it, then I can email it. Only then will it exist in my life.
Take this article. I can email it to you, and then you can store it on your computer, read it, forward it to a friend, send it to a website, or delete it. This makes my creation valuable. Now, if I wrote this article in a notebook? Who cares? I would argue that the effort is worse than not writing at all.
What about my daughter’s generation? They would insist that email is obsolete. “If I cannot text it to you, it does not exist.” I suppose I agree, but texting only works until it does not. The problem occurs when trying to save, archive, store, or use a text message. At least with an email or file on a USB drive, the data can be moved around.
What about my grocery list? Yes, I am still old school and do not use my phone. Instead, I write down the items on a Post-it. True, but that is also my point. That Post-it is a one-time use device, meaning it has no future value.
What would my former boss think of this article? Many people feel that a handwritten or printed document is more valuable. To them, email, searching, indexing, and archiving are not nearly as important as an original. They would point out that something done by hand is special, personal, and a one-of-a-kind original. Translation: Some documents were never meant to be emailed.
What about a legal document? It is called “signed” for a reason; somebody took out a pen and signed it. Original signed documents cannot be emailed. While there are digital signatures, I agree that a signed document is the only legally acceptable form. Still, I can scan a hand-signed document or any other original and email it.
It is what happens next that proves my point. Once I have the digital file of a scanned document, I can make multiple backups. If the original document is destroyed, I still have numerous copies; in theory, forever, unlike a single document, which can only exist in one place.
Why did I write this article? My philosophy might seem arrogant. Here is a computer guy blabbing about making everything digital. Somebody might want to give me a kick in the bum and say, “Feel that? That’s not digital.” All true, but not my goal.
Instead, I am examining an approach to information. When I create or obtain something, I am always thinking about how to make it the most useful. This philosophy is part of that process, and I hope it has given you something to think about. Or, am I crazy? Yeah, that’s more likely.
You’re the best -Bill
July 30, 2025
Fast forward to my life today, and my handwriting has not improved. So, I make a point not to use a pen, and I also avoid printing documents. This approach is not a green crusade; it is a core philosophy, which is, “If I cannot email it, it doesn’t exist.”
This way of life began during the dawn of my computing first steps, the word processor. With this fantastic tool, I could create a document, allowing me to capture the thoughts in my bonkers mind and print them. And the result? While the grammar, spelling, and content were atrocious, the words were crystal clear. This sudden freedom was incredible, like taking the first breath of fresh air.
And there was more good news. With a few keyboard presses, I could apply changes, including fixing an error, deleting a section, or copying a section. Then, as if by the wave of a wizard’s arm, I could print the corrected document. I could even change a single letter and reprint the entire document.
There was even better news. I could make a copy of that digital file and give it to a person on a five-inch floppy disk. What this meant is that a humble person like me (and everyone else) could distribute words to the entire world.
Today, I create a wide range of digital files, including computer programs, digital pictures, books, videos, audio, lists, databases, 3D models, and my resume. Even my phone can take a photo and send it to somebody.
Yet… That is not what my philosophy is about, so allow me to provide an example. My former boss at the fourth company I worked for was adamant that I keep a notebook. So, I did; we all did. My notes and drawings were abysmal; lousy even by my standards.
Meanwhile, I generated excellent reports and properly stored them on the company server and my local drive, ensuring they were backed up.
When someone asked me about a project I had worked on, I would email them one of my detailed documents. If I did not have the exact information available, I would write a well-worded email to address their request. What did they get? Precisely what they asked for, and if not, we would professionally go back and forth via email to get the answers they needed.
What did they do with the information or files I provided? They used my content to enhance their work, stored it for later use, used it as the basis for a new design, or forwarded it to their peers who did the same.
Meanwhile, my boss maintained over a hundred notebooks. When I had a question, he would photocopy a page out of his notebook. This knowledge storage approach was incredibly frustrating, and I told him point-blank multiple times, “If you cannot email it, it doesn’t exist.” He disliked my philosophy and continued down this path. What was his result? Allow a side tangent to explain.
At the same company, I took over a project from an employee who left. He documented the design in four notebooks and two drawers jammed with file folders. Fortunately, the official drawings were in digital format. It took him two years of hard work to generate this mound of paperwork.
The notebooks and file folders had endless pages of hand calculations, hand-drawn graphs, handwritten observations, and mounds of printed test data. It was well organized, but I could not make any progress with it. Why?
The design was complex, making it unclear how it worked. What was missing was a basic overview, a basic description, pictures of the tests, and explanations of how the tests were conducted. Most importantly, no single document described the entire project or why certain design decisions were made.
What about the data captured during a test? Yes, and that was all printed, but the original files were deleted. Bonehead! What about the official drawings? They were digital and clear. The problem was that they only explained how to manufacture the item.
As a result, the technicians and I were unable to troubleshoot. So, I started documenting from scratch, beginning with the released drawings. In the process, I attempted to refer to the paper files and notebooks, but they were too cryptic. It took two months to fully understand the design, answer people’s questions, and develop formal documents.
In creating my documentation, I avoided handwritten calculations, as I was unsure which one matched the released design. Instead, I developed my calculations based on the digital files.
I kept the paper files for a year and then tossed them. When people had questions, I emailed them my files. Why did I throw away the paper? I could have at least scanned them in for posterity.
The answer is that the random pages were incomprehensible because it was impossible to know where to start. And there was a bigger problem called double documentation. This occurs when there are multiple places to obtain information. In other words, it is unclear which file is the most up-to-date. What the company needed was a central repository of clear information to allow employees to understand the design quickly.
Still, one could argue that my document was incomplete because it lacked test data. True, but what it did have was a clear starting point for a knowledgeable person to determine answers. A test cannot explain anything unless it is conducted within a specific context.
My philosophy goes further. Some people hoard their digital files, never allowing them to be on a public server or be emailed. I think of this kind of data like the gold at Fort Knox. The people in charge are certainly not going to give me a single nugget. Meaning that, from my perspective, the gold does not exist. Now, if somebody gives me one of those gold bars and I take a picture of it, then I can email it. Only then will it exist in my life.
Take this article. I can email it to you, and then you can store it on your computer, read it, forward it to a friend, send it to a website, or delete it. This makes my creation valuable. Now, if I wrote this article in a notebook? Who cares? I would argue that the effort is worse than not writing at all.
What about my daughter’s generation? They would insist that email is obsolete. “If I cannot text it to you, it does not exist.” I suppose I agree, but texting only works until it does not. The problem occurs when trying to save, archive, store, or use a text message. At least with an email or file on a USB drive, the data can be moved around.
What about my grocery list? Yes, I am still old school and do not use my phone. Instead, I write down the items on a Post-it. True, but that is also my point. That Post-it is a one-time use device, meaning it has no future value.
What would my former boss think of this article? Many people feel that a handwritten or printed document is more valuable. To them, email, searching, indexing, and archiving are not nearly as important as an original. They would point out that something done by hand is special, personal, and a one-of-a-kind original. Translation: Some documents were never meant to be emailed.
What about a legal document? It is called “signed” for a reason; somebody took out a pen and signed it. Original signed documents cannot be emailed. While there are digital signatures, I agree that a signed document is the only legally acceptable form. Still, I can scan a hand-signed document or any other original and email it.
It is what happens next that proves my point. Once I have the digital file of a scanned document, I can make multiple backups. If the original document is destroyed, I still have numerous copies; in theory, forever, unlike a single document, which can only exist in one place.
Why did I write this article? My philosophy might seem arrogant. Here is a computer guy blabbing about making everything digital. Somebody might want to give me a kick in the bum and say, “Feel that? That’s not digital.” All true, but not my goal.
Instead, I am examining an approach to information. When I create or obtain something, I am always thinking about how to make it the most useful. This philosophy is part of that process, and I hope it has given you something to think about. Or, am I crazy? Yeah, that’s more likely.
You’re the best -Bill
July 30, 2025
July 23, 2025
AI Scraping
I recently came across this article, but I must warn you that it is a cryptic read.
https://www.axios.com/2025/06/19/ai-s...
This article examines the issue of AI scraping, which occurs when an automated system downloads all relevant information from a website. AI developers use this data to train their models and generate content. There are multiple issues with this practice, including copyright infringement and server slowdowns. But first, let’s rewind the clock.
Way back in 2022, machine learning, also known as AI, was not yet a familiar concept to everyday users or websites. What existed was search engines. Companies like Google sent out vast queries all over the internet to locate data that their users might be interested in. Thus, if you searched for “spinach recipes”, Google would sort through its database of collected information to produce a list of sites that had “spinach recipes.”
Other entities also automatically gather data, including database companies, governments, criminals, hackers, and bulk data collectors.
This torrent of searches created problems for website owners who did not want their data removed or had slow servers. So, they placed an invisible file within a website that tells search engines: “Please do not automatically take my data.” Legitimate companies, such as Google, respected this, but unscrupulous entities did not.
The following line of defense is the CAPTCHA. I am sure you’ve visited a website, and a box appears asking if you are human. Sometimes these are a puzzle, such as reading text with lines or identifying which pictures feature motorcycles. Why always motorcycles?
Today, most automated data capturing is done by AI companies. Some go to great lengths to sidestep every possible attempt to prevent their systems from scooping up every scrap of data. There are even dedicated companies that collect data for sale to smaller AI companies.
The above article discusses CloudFlare’s efforts to prevent automated systems from stealing its content. Why is this important? Let’s say I am a big spinach fan. Love the stuff! So, I spent hours creating recipes, collecting them, comparing the results, and taking pictures of my delicious creations. Then, I post my hard-earned info to a popular recipe site.
After an AI scrape, all that knowledge is suddenly merged into an AI model, enabling it to become an expert in spinach cooking. Meaning that there is no need for a human to look at popular cooking websites. This is something every spinach-cooking expert wishes to avoid.
What does this have to do with me? Well, I am a (very minor) content creator. Yes, the humble words coming out of my bonkers mind have enriched this world a minuscule amount. Yay? And I would prefer that AI not take credit.
Do I spend my evenings worrying about this? After all, the things I care about are selling and protecting my books. So no, I am confident that no AI company would spend $2.99 to download one of my books because it contains little value. Yet, I do have concerns about my articles because they contain content I cherish. Let me explain.
I recently wrote an article discussing micro paragraphs, which is the new trend in sentence/paragraph writing style. A few people read that article, and as a community, we would call it a pea-sized bump in the infinite knowledge highway.
What did my article contain? From a high level, I clearly explained an observation, cited examples, and made a solid conclusion. During my research to create the article, I discovered that I had gained new writing technique insights, which translates to new knowledge for our planet. This type of content is what AI companies desperately desire, and this humble article is far more valuable than all four of my published books.
Why? My article was well-stated, on point, and incredibly relevant to AI training, making it valuable to both readers and those using AI. I guess that makes sense, but what about my other posts that were far less relevant?
Let’s examine my first article, “Why I Write.” At its core, it is an opinion piece. Spoiler alert! Many people write for various reasons, and mine are no exception. So, an AI data scrape would find zero value in my words. Right? No, even that article has great AI value.
Let’s say somebody asks ChatGPT to “list reasons why an author would write books.” Then, a processor in some dark room would search its vast database for relevant topics (including my article) and compute an answer. Although there are thousands of sources on “why authors write,” my article still holds great value. This is because it was singularly on point, not too long, and readily available. As compared to, let’s say, an entire book by an author who spent 20 chapters explaining in detail why they chose to write.
Of course, I am powerless to prevent the thousands of robust systems from collecting every article I have written. My problem is that I wish this were not the case. Why? I put a lot of effort into these articles with a not-so-hidden attempt to promote my books. (And this is budget therapy, but that is another topic.)
I want to yell to the AI companies: “Do your own work! Stop stealing mine!” Yet, you might point out, I have not copyrighted the very words you are reading. Meaning that anyone is free to read them, print them, email them, or consider them their own. In reading these words, I probably would not care. But when AI uses my thoughts? I do care.
The linked article above is a call to arms to prevent AI from claiming the best of humanity as its own. But if you have read this far, you might have learned something. AI is doing the same thing: learning. That’s fair. Right?
It is, but no. It feels like somebody is cheating. I cannot instantly become an expert on spinach, yet AI can. Oh well, it seems like I cannot do anything about it. Well, that is not true because I have an ace up my sleeve. You.
Why did you read this far? It was your tenacity. You were curious and, with some luck, I satisfied your interest. Meaning you may have learned something and perhaps had a touch of enjoyment. The ace up my sleeve is that to AI, this hand-crafted article was one of billions of files. Meaning that the few people who read this will have gained something special, and no AI model will ever appreciate what that was.
You’re the best -Bill
July 23, 2025
https://www.axios.com/2025/06/19/ai-s...
This article examines the issue of AI scraping, which occurs when an automated system downloads all relevant information from a website. AI developers use this data to train their models and generate content. There are multiple issues with this practice, including copyright infringement and server slowdowns. But first, let’s rewind the clock.
Way back in 2022, machine learning, also known as AI, was not yet a familiar concept to everyday users or websites. What existed was search engines. Companies like Google sent out vast queries all over the internet to locate data that their users might be interested in. Thus, if you searched for “spinach recipes”, Google would sort through its database of collected information to produce a list of sites that had “spinach recipes.”
Other entities also automatically gather data, including database companies, governments, criminals, hackers, and bulk data collectors.
This torrent of searches created problems for website owners who did not want their data removed or had slow servers. So, they placed an invisible file within a website that tells search engines: “Please do not automatically take my data.” Legitimate companies, such as Google, respected this, but unscrupulous entities did not.
The following line of defense is the CAPTCHA. I am sure you’ve visited a website, and a box appears asking if you are human. Sometimes these are a puzzle, such as reading text with lines or identifying which pictures feature motorcycles. Why always motorcycles?
Today, most automated data capturing is done by AI companies. Some go to great lengths to sidestep every possible attempt to prevent their systems from scooping up every scrap of data. There are even dedicated companies that collect data for sale to smaller AI companies.
The above article discusses CloudFlare’s efforts to prevent automated systems from stealing its content. Why is this important? Let’s say I am a big spinach fan. Love the stuff! So, I spent hours creating recipes, collecting them, comparing the results, and taking pictures of my delicious creations. Then, I post my hard-earned info to a popular recipe site.
After an AI scrape, all that knowledge is suddenly merged into an AI model, enabling it to become an expert in spinach cooking. Meaning that there is no need for a human to look at popular cooking websites. This is something every spinach-cooking expert wishes to avoid.
What does this have to do with me? Well, I am a (very minor) content creator. Yes, the humble words coming out of my bonkers mind have enriched this world a minuscule amount. Yay? And I would prefer that AI not take credit.
Do I spend my evenings worrying about this? After all, the things I care about are selling and protecting my books. So no, I am confident that no AI company would spend $2.99 to download one of my books because it contains little value. Yet, I do have concerns about my articles because they contain content I cherish. Let me explain.
I recently wrote an article discussing micro paragraphs, which is the new trend in sentence/paragraph writing style. A few people read that article, and as a community, we would call it a pea-sized bump in the infinite knowledge highway.
What did my article contain? From a high level, I clearly explained an observation, cited examples, and made a solid conclusion. During my research to create the article, I discovered that I had gained new writing technique insights, which translates to new knowledge for our planet. This type of content is what AI companies desperately desire, and this humble article is far more valuable than all four of my published books.
Why? My article was well-stated, on point, and incredibly relevant to AI training, making it valuable to both readers and those using AI. I guess that makes sense, but what about my other posts that were far less relevant?
Let’s examine my first article, “Why I Write.” At its core, it is an opinion piece. Spoiler alert! Many people write for various reasons, and mine are no exception. So, an AI data scrape would find zero value in my words. Right? No, even that article has great AI value.
Let’s say somebody asks ChatGPT to “list reasons why an author would write books.” Then, a processor in some dark room would search its vast database for relevant topics (including my article) and compute an answer. Although there are thousands of sources on “why authors write,” my article still holds great value. This is because it was singularly on point, not too long, and readily available. As compared to, let’s say, an entire book by an author who spent 20 chapters explaining in detail why they chose to write.
Of course, I am powerless to prevent the thousands of robust systems from collecting every article I have written. My problem is that I wish this were not the case. Why? I put a lot of effort into these articles with a not-so-hidden attempt to promote my books. (And this is budget therapy, but that is another topic.)
I want to yell to the AI companies: “Do your own work! Stop stealing mine!” Yet, you might point out, I have not copyrighted the very words you are reading. Meaning that anyone is free to read them, print them, email them, or consider them their own. In reading these words, I probably would not care. But when AI uses my thoughts? I do care.
The linked article above is a call to arms to prevent AI from claiming the best of humanity as its own. But if you have read this far, you might have learned something. AI is doing the same thing: learning. That’s fair. Right?
It is, but no. It feels like somebody is cheating. I cannot instantly become an expert on spinach, yet AI can. Oh well, it seems like I cannot do anything about it. Well, that is not true because I have an ace up my sleeve. You.
Why did you read this far? It was your tenacity. You were curious and, with some luck, I satisfied your interest. Meaning you may have learned something and perhaps had a touch of enjoyment. The ace up my sleeve is that to AI, this hand-crafted article was one of billions of files. Meaning that the few people who read this will have gained something special, and no AI model will ever appreciate what that was.
You’re the best -Bill
July 23, 2025
July 16, 2025
AI-Generated HOA Stories
Three weeks ago, I had a home owners association (HOA) issue. They did not like my gate color and sent me a nasty letter. Oh, the humanity! Of course, being a good neighbor, I have kept the gate and its paint in good condition. And it was the same color as when I moved in. How do I know? The previous owner left cans of paint with writing on the sides, such as “inside wall” and “outside gate,” which I have used to maintain the gate. Additionally, I have digital photos of the house for insurance purposes, which confirm that I have not changed the color. Side note: My neighbor has a gate five feet away with the same color, and the HOA did not send them a nasty letter. Typical…
The problem is that the HOA changed the official fence color. (Yes, somehow, they classified my gate as a fence…) So, I rode around the neighborhood and saw that half the gates or fences were the new color and the rest were the old color. (Why on earth would anybody care about gate colors???) And one was bright green…
Rather than make a fuss, I painted my gate the approved color. The entire episode irritated me, and in the process of searching for “HOA gate color rules,” I found many other people’s HOA frustrations.
There are not one, but three YouTube channels dedicated to HOA nightmares. Sign me up! I began watching the many outlandish HOA horror stories. Wow, their audacity! Quite entertaining.
The creators of these channels all followed the same pattern. They had an AI animated scene showing arguing people, a narrator explaining what the HOA did, and how the homeowners responded. Here is one such YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@HoaStories-k8
Last Thursday, I had a few minutes and clicked on a video. The HOA began charging a local rancher to drive through their neighborhood even though he had an easement granting access. The nerve! Well, the video named names and locations, so I searched the internet to learn more about the dreadful incident.
And what did I find? Umm, nothing. I then broadened my search to “HOA charges a rancher fees.” There were a few hits, but nothing matched. So, I watched the video again to gather more details, and that’s when I noticed it.
All the AI patterns: long-winded descriptions, precise focus, re-emphasizing the same topic, repetitive language, heightened drama, subtle mistakes, unusual English, and a lack of authenticity. It was all there.
When I looked at the comments, many people stated that it was AI-generated. The incident angered me more than my original HOA issue, and I blocked all the YouTube HOA story channels.
Why was I so upset? It was not real. I clicked on those links to learn more about what HOAs were doing and how homeowners addressed their HOA problems. Instead, I viewed AI-generated nonsense. What is so wrong with this type of entertainment? It is dishonest, like a machine is tricking me.
Now hold on. I have allowed myself to be tricked by a machine—for example, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland. I am not a pirate, and the ride was not in the Caribbean. Still, I enjoyed the experience because I knew it was fake in advance. Is this not the same thing?
The difference is that the HOA video did not have a disclaimer. And there was an insidious aspect of this video; it was pulling at my heartstrings. I felt like I was being duped by an online scam or a con artist. Not cool! But I have more bad news. This is just the beginning. Hyper-focused AI-generated stories are on the rise, and they are getting better. Is there any good news?
In past articles, I have claimed that readers/viewers are becoming increasingly adept at identifying AI-generated content. Like me, they are not happy about it. I now see more reviews like, “This looks like AI wrote it.” I assert that a major AI-generated backlash is forming in our society, and here is some proof:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/techno...
Yet, there is an added insidious element. When I was in college, I had a good friend who was also an electrical engineer. We attended classes and had a lot of fun off campus. So, it was only natural that we took Basic Electronics 102 together. I learned a great deal about the topic, and we gained a lot from each other’s prior electronic experience.
Fast forward to my second job, and I was working on a circuit. I couldn’t figure out what was going wrong, and my coworker was confused by my approach. So, we went to a whiteboard, and I explained how transistors worked. “No, you have that all wrong,” he said. I was adamant, and he pulled out a textbook. Dang, I was woefully incorrect.
I reflected on where I obtained my incorrect information and realized that my knowledge originated from the 102 class, where my friend explained how transistors worked. The thing is, he applied great effort to explain the topic; it made perfect sense. He answered all my questions and was confident in his knowledge. How did he get so confused? I had no idea.
Fast forward five years. My roommate got married, and I attended the wedding. During the reception, I asked why my friend was not at the wedding. Well… There had been a major falling out between him and our group. It turns out that he is a pathological liar. The light bulb went off. In college, he intentionally misled me. Evil!
The problem is that transistors are a fundamental part of electronics, and my foundation had a huge void. It took a lot of effort to rewire my brain (an electrical engineering pun) to think with correct knowledge.
Now, I have the same bad HOA information locked in my bonkers mind. In other words, my mental foundation has flaws, and I could mistakenly use this information. Society refers to this as “fake news.” Why is this a problem? I do not want to mislead anybody or think incorrectly. Yet… Here I am, loaded with AI junk.
What could happen? Let’s say I am in an HOA discussion and I mention the time “they blocked that rancher from using the road.” This sounds like a good example of an out-of-control HOA. The problem is that it is pure fiction, which means that the premise for my discussion is incorrect.
What if I wrote an article all about HOA problems and cited the incidents in the video? That would further spread fake information, causing all kinds of issues with the people who used my “information.”
Would my readers be upset? You bet! And would they direct their anger toward YouTube? No, they would be upset with me, even though my misrepresentation is not my fault. There would be no choice for me but to accept all blame and deal with the consequences and guilt of misleading my readers. Not cool!
And I am not alone. AI-generated junk is everywhere,* and here is an article discussing it:
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/technolog...
* “AI-generated junk is everywhere” sounds like the line from a song. Funny how life imitates art.
This HOA story incident was a wake-up call for me. From this point forward, I must apply great effort to identify this type of “entertainment” and avoid it at all costs.
You’re the best -Bill
July 16, 2025
The problem is that the HOA changed the official fence color. (Yes, somehow, they classified my gate as a fence…) So, I rode around the neighborhood and saw that half the gates or fences were the new color and the rest were the old color. (Why on earth would anybody care about gate colors???) And one was bright green…
Rather than make a fuss, I painted my gate the approved color. The entire episode irritated me, and in the process of searching for “HOA gate color rules,” I found many other people’s HOA frustrations.
There are not one, but three YouTube channels dedicated to HOA nightmares. Sign me up! I began watching the many outlandish HOA horror stories. Wow, their audacity! Quite entertaining.
The creators of these channels all followed the same pattern. They had an AI animated scene showing arguing people, a narrator explaining what the HOA did, and how the homeowners responded. Here is one such YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@HoaStories-k8
Last Thursday, I had a few minutes and clicked on a video. The HOA began charging a local rancher to drive through their neighborhood even though he had an easement granting access. The nerve! Well, the video named names and locations, so I searched the internet to learn more about the dreadful incident.
And what did I find? Umm, nothing. I then broadened my search to “HOA charges a rancher fees.” There were a few hits, but nothing matched. So, I watched the video again to gather more details, and that’s when I noticed it.
All the AI patterns: long-winded descriptions, precise focus, re-emphasizing the same topic, repetitive language, heightened drama, subtle mistakes, unusual English, and a lack of authenticity. It was all there.
When I looked at the comments, many people stated that it was AI-generated. The incident angered me more than my original HOA issue, and I blocked all the YouTube HOA story channels.
Why was I so upset? It was not real. I clicked on those links to learn more about what HOAs were doing and how homeowners addressed their HOA problems. Instead, I viewed AI-generated nonsense. What is so wrong with this type of entertainment? It is dishonest, like a machine is tricking me.
Now hold on. I have allowed myself to be tricked by a machine—for example, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland. I am not a pirate, and the ride was not in the Caribbean. Still, I enjoyed the experience because I knew it was fake in advance. Is this not the same thing?
The difference is that the HOA video did not have a disclaimer. And there was an insidious aspect of this video; it was pulling at my heartstrings. I felt like I was being duped by an online scam or a con artist. Not cool! But I have more bad news. This is just the beginning. Hyper-focused AI-generated stories are on the rise, and they are getting better. Is there any good news?
In past articles, I have claimed that readers/viewers are becoming increasingly adept at identifying AI-generated content. Like me, they are not happy about it. I now see more reviews like, “This looks like AI wrote it.” I assert that a major AI-generated backlash is forming in our society, and here is some proof:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/techno...
Yet, there is an added insidious element. When I was in college, I had a good friend who was also an electrical engineer. We attended classes and had a lot of fun off campus. So, it was only natural that we took Basic Electronics 102 together. I learned a great deal about the topic, and we gained a lot from each other’s prior electronic experience.
Fast forward to my second job, and I was working on a circuit. I couldn’t figure out what was going wrong, and my coworker was confused by my approach. So, we went to a whiteboard, and I explained how transistors worked. “No, you have that all wrong,” he said. I was adamant, and he pulled out a textbook. Dang, I was woefully incorrect.
I reflected on where I obtained my incorrect information and realized that my knowledge originated from the 102 class, where my friend explained how transistors worked. The thing is, he applied great effort to explain the topic; it made perfect sense. He answered all my questions and was confident in his knowledge. How did he get so confused? I had no idea.
Fast forward five years. My roommate got married, and I attended the wedding. During the reception, I asked why my friend was not at the wedding. Well… There had been a major falling out between him and our group. It turns out that he is a pathological liar. The light bulb went off. In college, he intentionally misled me. Evil!
The problem is that transistors are a fundamental part of electronics, and my foundation had a huge void. It took a lot of effort to rewire my brain (an electrical engineering pun) to think with correct knowledge.
Now, I have the same bad HOA information locked in my bonkers mind. In other words, my mental foundation has flaws, and I could mistakenly use this information. Society refers to this as “fake news.” Why is this a problem? I do not want to mislead anybody or think incorrectly. Yet… Here I am, loaded with AI junk.
What could happen? Let’s say I am in an HOA discussion and I mention the time “they blocked that rancher from using the road.” This sounds like a good example of an out-of-control HOA. The problem is that it is pure fiction, which means that the premise for my discussion is incorrect.
What if I wrote an article all about HOA problems and cited the incidents in the video? That would further spread fake information, causing all kinds of issues with the people who used my “information.”
Would my readers be upset? You bet! And would they direct their anger toward YouTube? No, they would be upset with me, even though my misrepresentation is not my fault. There would be no choice for me but to accept all blame and deal with the consequences and guilt of misleading my readers. Not cool!
And I am not alone. AI-generated junk is everywhere,* and here is an article discussing it:
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/technolog...
* “AI-generated junk is everywhere” sounds like the line from a song. Funny how life imitates art.
This HOA story incident was a wake-up call for me. From this point forward, I must apply great effort to identify this type of “entertainment” and avoid it at all costs.
You’re the best -Bill
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025
How I’d Survive in My Novels
Authors can create anything in words. A different universe loaded with flying whales? Sure. A rooting-tooting bunch of cowboys? Easy. A book allows the author and the reader’s mind to be and do anything. How does this work? Simple, the author thinks about a topic and writes up a storm. The only problem is that their imagination limits them.
This means that they must visualize some part of themselves in the action, and I am no exception. Long before I wrote my first book, I spent hours before falling asleep thinking about adventure stories. I was the lead character and got into all kinds of trouble.
When I decided to become an author, I chose my top three ideas, and the writing battle began. Unfortunately, I made a big mistake. In my first two books, my main male character was modeled too closely to me. I did not understand that distancing a character from myself would have provided more freedom to explore the plot—rookie mistake. Fortunately, I added a few differences. So, I thought it would be a fun exercise to explore how I would do in the environments I created.
My first book is about a less-than-perfect, and mildly successful, author who gets forced to interview a woman who has been alive for over 500 years. Now, I admit to another mistake. I have since learned that readers immediately compare my plot to Stephen King’s novel, Misery. While my book has nothing to do with his novel, I should have made my main character a blogger, influencer, or English teacher. Live and learn…
How well would I fare if I were transported into my imagined reality? First, I must point out a key difference. I am not a less-than-perfect person. Yes, my life is boring, but I have far more confidence, higher ethics, greater intelligence, and am less susceptible to manipulation than my main character. This leads to a problem with my mental exercise. The immortal woman in my story searched for a specific kind of person whom she could scare into doing her bidding. Thus, only a weak individual would have survived in my story.
If I were in this situation, she would have captured me, asked me to write her story, and I would have refused. Then, she would have disposed of my body. A poorly written one-chapter book… Yikes!
Yet, there is more to this hypothetical situation. Sure, I have covered the basics, but humans are survivors. Could I navigate the situation differently, resulting in a different plot? So, I put on my thinking cap and developed an alternate possibility.
This woman is open to reason and there is a slim chance I could successfully state my case. “I have a family. Please do not kill me.” My only other option would be a fight to the death. While I am certainly not a martial arts person, I would have put in every ounce of strength to survive. Therefore, the story would contain a capture, a passionate argument, and a short, yet intense, fight scene. So… three chapters? More noodle effort required.
Let’s consider my strengths. I am more logical and realistic than my main character. Therefore, I would have identified her needs and allowed myself to become the kind of person who could have survived. Notepad in hand, I would have learned about her life just like my main character, and I can see myself enjoying the process because she is a fascinating individual.
In conclusion, if I allowed my morals to slip, I would see myself as a survivor. It would not be a great story because the main character would yield to her every wish. And it would make a lousy first book because I wanted a foundation for subsequent works. Meaning the theme of overcoming flaws would not exist, and I use this series of flaws to allow my character to grow over the following four books.
Yet, as I think about this possibility, I come to another conclusion. This outcome has a slim chance of success because my female main character is very perceptive and likely would have seen through my ruse. That is why my compelling story kept me entertained for so many years…
My second book also had a main character that hit too close to home. An electrical engineer with a family on an Alaskan cruise. Big surprise! I developed this plot while on an Alaskan cruise with my family, and I am an electrical engineer. Fortunately, like my first book, the main character and I have differences. He was more intelligent, but had less confidence, personality, and physical strength.
In the story, this male character and a young woman survive a cruise ship disaster. They hike through the foreboding Alaskan wilderness with many adventures. How would I do in this situation?
My first reaction would be to spend more time waiting to be rescued rather than trekking through the rugged wilderness. This decision is more logical and the result would be that my companion and I would have starved to death. And there is another problem, besides being an adventure, this book is a romance.
When I developed the plot, I took great care to set up the exact circumstances that would destroy the values of an upstanding married man enough to enable him to fall in love with his companion. This was a bear attack combined with confronting the loss of his family.
I am not the type of person who holds in their emotions; therefore, I would have immediately mourned for my family. Plus, while a bear is a daunting predator, I have better self-defense skills than my main character. Of course, that last sentence is easy to write in my calm office. So again, I put on my thinking cap and thought about how the real me would react.
The interactions between the two characters on the cruise ship would be different. The man is easily intimidated by a confident and attractive woman. She takes advantage of his deficiencies to help her situation, which leads to the beginning of a relationship. So, I do not think a romance would ever occur. But what about an adventure?
I have a strong drive to survive, so in desperation, I can see myself heading south in the Alaskan wilderness. The difference is that in my book, the decision process only took two pages, whereas I would require at least half a chapter to think it through. The result, while tough, would be an interesting bear attack and nothing else. Six mildly adventurous chapters conclude with the two main characters departing company with a hearty handshake. Yay, romance…
My third book is a classic spy novel, and by the time I wrote this story, I had learned my lesson. None of the characters are based on me or any aspect of my life. So, what would have happened if I wrote myself in? The answer is not much.
My story begins with two hunting buddies finding a secret installation that intercepted government communication cables. So, let’s pretend I was one of the hunters. I can see myself doing exactly what they did. Not very exciting. Why? I did not write an adventure story. It is an international mystery that governments solve through law enforcement.
The same is true of all the other characters—for example, the FBI agents. To become an FBI agent, one must undergo training and then work alongside fellow agents. So, if I were magically put into the plot as an FBI agent, I would do precisely what the FBI agents did in my plot.
This was the overall theme of my book. I wanted to create a realistic spy novel, far different from a James Bond kind of mega-hero. In my plot, characters fulfill their roles, and other characters are inadvertently drawn into the plot. I did this because this is how the real world works.
So, yes, I would be scared when the bad guys were mean, but I would react in the same way I do in daily life. Allow me to provide an “exciting” example from my real life.
Four weeks ago, I was driving home from the local movie theater at 9:30 p.m. when I saw a man running on the sidewalk. I took no interest. Suddenly, he spun around and fired a gun twice. (He may have been shooting at the person chasing him.) The event scared me silly, and I called 911 while driving away, almost hitting a car. Side note: I provided the police with my dash camera video and assisted with their investigation. So far, the case remains open.
But… Is that event worthy of writing into a book? Absolutely not, but that was not how I wrote my book. I created each fictional event not to be exciting. When combined, the total formed a thrilling plot. So, based on my recent shooting experience, I would have been frightened, but that’s it.
I have two upcoming books, which are about four years away from publishing. One is a dystopian science fiction romance, and the other is a dystopian young adult survival/drama. How would I survive in these words?
For the romantic book, I admit that the main male character is hitting too close to home again. As I polish the outline, I will try to distance myself from him. So, how would I survive this bleak, futuristic world?
At its heart, my story is a romance, not an adventure or drama. Thus, I would do fine. Meaning, the most significant battles are with the legal system. Yet, I must ask myself, “Would I make the same mistakes and decisions?”
Like my first two books, my main character has flaws that I do not have, so there would be differences, but I think the result would be the same. At its core, my story is about a man falling in love with a robot. Can I see myself in this situation? I suppose, but it would be tough to overcome my morals. (I admit it. I like women. Robots… Yeah, not so much.) I plan to make this dilemma the heart of my story. Get it? Heart. Yes, that was a pun.
My other story is about teenagers, and at this stage of development, the main female character does not have another main character to interact with. Can I set aside my reality and imagine myself as a female teenager navigating a tough, futuristic situation?
This is a difficult task because my story has many differences from the present day. Let me remind you that, like you, my brain is a product of living in today’s society. Everything I have learned socially and technically would not be present in this character. How could it? You and I are not living in a bleak future. So, let me put my thinking cap on again.
My character has far more inner strength, street smarts, a survival drive, and life experiences that are more challenging than my own. I must conclude that I would not be strong enough to survive in this future. Until this very moment, I had not considered this. Hmm. I guess I could be a minor character. But… all the minor characters are jerks.
This exercise taught me a lot about myself and my writing. I think I will do it again in a year and compare the results. Stay tuned.
You’re the best -Bill
July 09, 2025
This means that they must visualize some part of themselves in the action, and I am no exception. Long before I wrote my first book, I spent hours before falling asleep thinking about adventure stories. I was the lead character and got into all kinds of trouble.
When I decided to become an author, I chose my top three ideas, and the writing battle began. Unfortunately, I made a big mistake. In my first two books, my main male character was modeled too closely to me. I did not understand that distancing a character from myself would have provided more freedom to explore the plot—rookie mistake. Fortunately, I added a few differences. So, I thought it would be a fun exercise to explore how I would do in the environments I created.
My first book is about a less-than-perfect, and mildly successful, author who gets forced to interview a woman who has been alive for over 500 years. Now, I admit to another mistake. I have since learned that readers immediately compare my plot to Stephen King’s novel, Misery. While my book has nothing to do with his novel, I should have made my main character a blogger, influencer, or English teacher. Live and learn…
How well would I fare if I were transported into my imagined reality? First, I must point out a key difference. I am not a less-than-perfect person. Yes, my life is boring, but I have far more confidence, higher ethics, greater intelligence, and am less susceptible to manipulation than my main character. This leads to a problem with my mental exercise. The immortal woman in my story searched for a specific kind of person whom she could scare into doing her bidding. Thus, only a weak individual would have survived in my story.
If I were in this situation, she would have captured me, asked me to write her story, and I would have refused. Then, she would have disposed of my body. A poorly written one-chapter book… Yikes!
Yet, there is more to this hypothetical situation. Sure, I have covered the basics, but humans are survivors. Could I navigate the situation differently, resulting in a different plot? So, I put on my thinking cap and developed an alternate possibility.
This woman is open to reason and there is a slim chance I could successfully state my case. “I have a family. Please do not kill me.” My only other option would be a fight to the death. While I am certainly not a martial arts person, I would have put in every ounce of strength to survive. Therefore, the story would contain a capture, a passionate argument, and a short, yet intense, fight scene. So… three chapters? More noodle effort required.
Let’s consider my strengths. I am more logical and realistic than my main character. Therefore, I would have identified her needs and allowed myself to become the kind of person who could have survived. Notepad in hand, I would have learned about her life just like my main character, and I can see myself enjoying the process because she is a fascinating individual.
In conclusion, if I allowed my morals to slip, I would see myself as a survivor. It would not be a great story because the main character would yield to her every wish. And it would make a lousy first book because I wanted a foundation for subsequent works. Meaning the theme of overcoming flaws would not exist, and I use this series of flaws to allow my character to grow over the following four books.
Yet, as I think about this possibility, I come to another conclusion. This outcome has a slim chance of success because my female main character is very perceptive and likely would have seen through my ruse. That is why my compelling story kept me entertained for so many years…
My second book also had a main character that hit too close to home. An electrical engineer with a family on an Alaskan cruise. Big surprise! I developed this plot while on an Alaskan cruise with my family, and I am an electrical engineer. Fortunately, like my first book, the main character and I have differences. He was more intelligent, but had less confidence, personality, and physical strength.
In the story, this male character and a young woman survive a cruise ship disaster. They hike through the foreboding Alaskan wilderness with many adventures. How would I do in this situation?
My first reaction would be to spend more time waiting to be rescued rather than trekking through the rugged wilderness. This decision is more logical and the result would be that my companion and I would have starved to death. And there is another problem, besides being an adventure, this book is a romance.
When I developed the plot, I took great care to set up the exact circumstances that would destroy the values of an upstanding married man enough to enable him to fall in love with his companion. This was a bear attack combined with confronting the loss of his family.
I am not the type of person who holds in their emotions; therefore, I would have immediately mourned for my family. Plus, while a bear is a daunting predator, I have better self-defense skills than my main character. Of course, that last sentence is easy to write in my calm office. So again, I put on my thinking cap and thought about how the real me would react.
The interactions between the two characters on the cruise ship would be different. The man is easily intimidated by a confident and attractive woman. She takes advantage of his deficiencies to help her situation, which leads to the beginning of a relationship. So, I do not think a romance would ever occur. But what about an adventure?
I have a strong drive to survive, so in desperation, I can see myself heading south in the Alaskan wilderness. The difference is that in my book, the decision process only took two pages, whereas I would require at least half a chapter to think it through. The result, while tough, would be an interesting bear attack and nothing else. Six mildly adventurous chapters conclude with the two main characters departing company with a hearty handshake. Yay, romance…
My third book is a classic spy novel, and by the time I wrote this story, I had learned my lesson. None of the characters are based on me or any aspect of my life. So, what would have happened if I wrote myself in? The answer is not much.
My story begins with two hunting buddies finding a secret installation that intercepted government communication cables. So, let’s pretend I was one of the hunters. I can see myself doing exactly what they did. Not very exciting. Why? I did not write an adventure story. It is an international mystery that governments solve through law enforcement.
The same is true of all the other characters—for example, the FBI agents. To become an FBI agent, one must undergo training and then work alongside fellow agents. So, if I were magically put into the plot as an FBI agent, I would do precisely what the FBI agents did in my plot.
This was the overall theme of my book. I wanted to create a realistic spy novel, far different from a James Bond kind of mega-hero. In my plot, characters fulfill their roles, and other characters are inadvertently drawn into the plot. I did this because this is how the real world works.
So, yes, I would be scared when the bad guys were mean, but I would react in the same way I do in daily life. Allow me to provide an “exciting” example from my real life.
Four weeks ago, I was driving home from the local movie theater at 9:30 p.m. when I saw a man running on the sidewalk. I took no interest. Suddenly, he spun around and fired a gun twice. (He may have been shooting at the person chasing him.) The event scared me silly, and I called 911 while driving away, almost hitting a car. Side note: I provided the police with my dash camera video and assisted with their investigation. So far, the case remains open.
But… Is that event worthy of writing into a book? Absolutely not, but that was not how I wrote my book. I created each fictional event not to be exciting. When combined, the total formed a thrilling plot. So, based on my recent shooting experience, I would have been frightened, but that’s it.
I have two upcoming books, which are about four years away from publishing. One is a dystopian science fiction romance, and the other is a dystopian young adult survival/drama. How would I survive in these words?
For the romantic book, I admit that the main male character is hitting too close to home again. As I polish the outline, I will try to distance myself from him. So, how would I survive this bleak, futuristic world?
At its heart, my story is a romance, not an adventure or drama. Thus, I would do fine. Meaning, the most significant battles are with the legal system. Yet, I must ask myself, “Would I make the same mistakes and decisions?”
Like my first two books, my main character has flaws that I do not have, so there would be differences, but I think the result would be the same. At its core, my story is about a man falling in love with a robot. Can I see myself in this situation? I suppose, but it would be tough to overcome my morals. (I admit it. I like women. Robots… Yeah, not so much.) I plan to make this dilemma the heart of my story. Get it? Heart. Yes, that was a pun.
My other story is about teenagers, and at this stage of development, the main female character does not have another main character to interact with. Can I set aside my reality and imagine myself as a female teenager navigating a tough, futuristic situation?
This is a difficult task because my story has many differences from the present day. Let me remind you that, like you, my brain is a product of living in today’s society. Everything I have learned socially and technically would not be present in this character. How could it? You and I are not living in a bleak future. So, let me put my thinking cap on again.
My character has far more inner strength, street smarts, a survival drive, and life experiences that are more challenging than my own. I must conclude that I would not be strong enough to survive in this future. Until this very moment, I had not considered this. Hmm. I guess I could be a minor character. But… all the minor characters are jerks.
This exercise taught me a lot about myself and my writing. I think I will do it again in a year and compare the results. Stay tuned.
You’re the best -Bill
July 09, 2025
