Matthew Arnold Stern's Blog, page 10

Latest post: Who is the real devil?

This week is Halloween, although you probably couldn’t tell from all the Christmas decorations that have been in the stores since July. But it’s still time for scary movies, and it’s the 50th anniversary of one of the scariest of all, The Exorcist. I never watched it. The stories of people fainting and fleeing theaters […]Related posts:How to read a religious textHorror movies: Fantasy lessons for the real worldGiving The Talk in 2022

Why I make writing a priority

I finally have my newsletter ready to go. (If you want to subscribe, the form is on this page and at the end of this post.) It took a lot longer than I expected. I had to wade through a wide variety of options and steer away from those that cost a fortune. And once […]Related posts:Book marketing and rediscovering my why45 things I learned about writingBeyond a doubt

Latest post: Why I make writing a priority

I finally have my newsletter ready to go. (If you want to subscribe, the form is on this page and at the end of this post.) It took a lot longer than I expected. I had to wade through a wide variety of options and steer away from those that cost a fortune. And once […]Related posts:Book marketing and rediscovering my why45 things I learned about writingBeyond a doubt

I side with humanity

You would think an American Jew with relatives in Israel would be the first to have Israeli flags and “I stand with Israel” all over my social media. But I know the history, and I’ve talked with Palestinians and Israelis. It’s a complex problem with a long history, and it can’t be reduced to memes […]Related posts:Do svidaniyaCan we discuss politics civilly anymore?My Eat Like a Writer Interview

Latest post: I side with humanity

You would think an American Jew with relatives in Israel would be the first to have Israeli flags and “I stand with Israel” all over my social media. But I know the history, and I’ve talked with Palestinians and Israelis. It’s a complex problem with a long history, and it can’t be reduced to memes […]Related posts:Do svidaniyaCan we discuss politics civilly anymore?My Eat Like a Writer Interview

And God laughs

Friday, I had planned to go to my high school homecoming game. Then, I developed tendinitis in my right shoulder that made it a bad idea to drive 70 miles to Reseda. This was the second time I had to cancel reunion plans in the past few months. Our family was supposed to meet my […]Related posts:Friday night footballWhen someone says “Turn back to God,” run!Why high school matters

Latest Post: And God laughs

Friday, I had planned to go to my high school homecoming game. Then, I developed tendinitis in my right shoulder that made it a bad idea to drive 70 miles to Reseda. This was the second time I had to cancel reunion plans in the past few months. Our family was supposed to meet my […]Related posts:Friday night footballWhen someone says “Turn back to God,” run!Why high school matters

Featured book: The Remainders

What’s The Remainders about? A homeless son and troubled father must reconnect in Southern California. Dylan Glass, an 18-year-old high school dropout, was kicked out of his mother and stepdad’s home and must sleep in his SUV. He struggles to make a new life, but he finds himself challenged by old temptations and a new woman, […]Related posts:What makes a great reviewMy Eat Like a Writer Interview60 quotes about 60 things I’ve learned in 60 years

Book marketing and rediscovering my why

My publisher didn’t pick up Christina’s Portrait. They had a limited number of slots, and they needed to allocate them for books with a greater potential of sales. That’s fair. My book sales have been flat. I haven’t paid attention to marketing because I’ve been focusing on writing (and my family, job, and well, just living […]Related posts:Why you should write a marketing plan before you write your book400 booksAn interview with Joannes Rhino

Three Good Things

I rejoined Weight Watchers (WW) nearly four years ago. What I’ve learned there not only helps me with weight management, but in all aspects of life. Recently, I was introduced to a practice called Three Good Things. You take time out and think about three good things that happened to you today, no matter how […]Related posts:Interview with Karen E. OsborneThree boxes of booksHow I retired from certain foods