Seth Haines's Blog

What to Do When You Have COVID

1. Read Widely; Read a Lot

I’m back after a rather unpleasant dance with the devil—COVID. “It’s not if you’ll get COVID but when,” the experts say, and evidently, I had a date with the disease, which was a rather mild date as it turns out and one I’d rather not endure again.

During my time in quarantine, I took the advice of Dr. Ruth J. Simmons to heart: “I’m much less convinced than many others that there is a prescriptive list of books that you must read. I’m more convinced that it is the readin...

The Remedy for Chaos (Observation of the Week)

1. Another Christmas; Another Night of Hope

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us;

upon his shoulder dominion rests.

They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,

Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.”

I heard these words again at another Midnight Mass, another midnight marking the beginning of another church year (or the end of another secular year, whichever you celebrate.) This year, these words vibrated in my bones, nearly shook the earth under me. I wanted those vowels and consonants to ...

Stealing Your Eyeballs? (Observations of the Week)

1. They’re Coming For Your Eyes!

THE QUESTION: What is the internet?

The Answer: Oh boy…

It is the place we go for the latest news, which is mostly terrifying, disheartening, or in the very best cases, vitriolic. In the last week alone, I’ve been: (1) swept into the Omicron craze (Omicron, my conspiracy-theorist social-media buddies have claimed, translates to the “end of time” virus); (2) informed of abuse allegations in an international non-profit I’ve supported in years past; (3) told that Po...

On Conspiracy Theories, Confusing Data, and Denialism (Observations of the Week)

1. An Observation on Denialism

There was a moment in history when the world’s brightest minds were subject to persecution for believing the earth orbited the sun, which was contrary to the popular belief that we were the center of the universe and that the sun orbited us. There was likewise an era when those who believed the world was round were subject to the inquisition. In each instance, there were deniers—Orbital Deniers and Global Deniers—and their denial was bolstered by the kings, the chur...

On Endings (Observations of the Week)

1. A Bit of Hard-Earned Writing Advice

I am a writer, and not just of books with my name on the cover. I’m a co-writer and editor, the kind of pen-wielder who helps authors and publishers breathe life into their books.

Several years ago, I labored on a handful of books, each which had a clear beginning (with rising tension), a clear middle (with harrowing climax), but no clear ending. And so, in each instance, we created aspirational endings, endings which attempted to project some future resolut...

Advent, CoVID Variants, and the Dawn of Meta (This Week's Observations)

Writers are, if nothing else, observers. It’s been some time since I’ve written on this blog, but I’ve decided to engage in a bit of a reboot. For the next few weeks, I’ll share a few short observations, things that caught my attention during the week (whether in writing, spirituality, business, art, or current affairs). If you enjoy this short series, perhaps I’ll keep it up through the new year. Feel free to drop me an e-mail to let me know your thoughts.

1. New beginnings

Monday, November 29. I...

Advent, CoVID Variants, and the Dawn of Meta (This Weeks Observations)

Writers are, if nothing else, observers. It’s been some time since I’ve written on this blog, but I’ve decided to engage in a bit of a reboot. For the next few weeks, I’ll share a few short observations, things that caught my attention during the week (whether in writing, spirituality, business, art, or current affairs). If you enjoy this short series, perhaps I’ll keep it up through the new year. Feel free to drop me an e-mail to let me know your thoughts.

1. New beginnings

Monday, November 29. I...

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The Best Laid Plans COVID (And the Books I've Found Time to Read)

The best laid plans of mice and men, they say, are wrecked by COVID. This is not really what they say of course, but times being what they are, a little modification is in order.

I’d planned to drop another weekly update here on Monday, but Amber came down with that wicked virus. She immediately quarantined, holed up in our bedroom where she’s been left in relative peace (if anything about COVID can be peaceful). This has left me with a bit fuller plate than normal—boys and business and school a...

A COVID Memorial

A year ago this month, the COVID lockdowns set in across America. In those 365ish days, we’ve all felt the effects—physical, mental, financial. And in this second Lent of the pandemic, the days in which a vaccine brings some shad of hope, the coronavirus from Hell continues to work us over.

John Blase, a friend and fellow writer, felt the effects of COVID last week.,He shared the news on Twitter.

My Dad died today. He was the most beautiful man I know. He died in a COVID ICU shut off from those h...