Ronald E. Yates's Blog, page 106
July 23, 2016
The Donald’s Convention Speech: Analysis
I am always amazed at how pundits manage to twist, squeeze, knead, and otherwise manipulate reality to fit their perception of it. Take, for example, Donald Trump’s acceptance speech at the GOP convention Thursday night. It was a ripsnorter, a humdinger, delivered with passion and Trumpesque intensity. It not only explained what’s wrong with our ... Read more...
July 11, 2016
Study Says All Stories Conform to One of Six Plots
It had to happen. Scientists recently analyzed more than 1,700 stories from classics like Romeo and Juliet to modern tales like Harry Potter and identified six core plots which form the building blocks of all complex narratives. Okay, now bear with me. Things get rather technical at this point. But please read on because at ... Read more...
July 8, 2016
A Marine Corps Vet’s Views on Honor and Hillary
This commentary by a U.S. Marine Corps veteran arrived in my inbox the day FBI Director James Comey announced his agency’s recommendation to not prosecute Hillary Clinton over her insecure email setup and her subsequent handling of classified materials. Like millions of Americans, he was disappointed about that decision, but he also had something more ... Read more...
July 7, 2016
Hillary Wiggles Off the Hook—Again
When I was in the United States Army Security Agency, I had a top-secret and crypto security clearance. It took the FBI a good 12-months to vet me, and my clearance was one of the highest a person could have. Why? We handled top secret information and performed duties that I was not allowed to ... Read more...
July 5, 2016
My Favorite Classic Hotels
(One of the great things about being a foreign correspondent is the opportunity one has of staying in classic hotels around the world. During my career, I stayed in my share of them–some more classic than others. In some cases, I lived in a hotel for months at a time [the Continental Palace in Saigon, ... Read more...
July 1, 2016
Available Now: Book 2, Finding Billy Battles Trilogy
A note to those who have read Book 1 of the Finding Billy Battles trilogy: Billy is back! And he is definitely not in Kansas anymore. As The Improbable Journeys of Billy Battles (Book 2 of the Finding Billy Battles trilogy) opens, Billy is far from his Kansas roots—and his improbable journeys are just beginning. ... Read more...
June 30, 2016
On Writing: A Q & A with Ron Yates
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? Probably when I was in the sixth grade. I loved writing stories, and I had a teacher (Mrs. Gooch) who encouraged me. My mother also bought me books and took me often to the library–a place that I found magical and magnetic. She often ... Read more...
June 29, 2016
Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules of Writing: Annotated
Every so often I find it useful to take a look at the late Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules of Writing. It is sage advice from a master. Every writer should read these rules and remember them. I’m doing my part by posting them here for your edification and enjoyment. I began reading Elmore Leonard’s books ... Read more...
June 21, 2016
Available Now: Book 2, Finding Billy Battles Trilogy
A note to those who have read Book 1 of the Finding Billy Battles trilogy: Billy is back! And he is definitely not in Kansas anymore. As The Improbable Journeys of Billy Battles (Book 2 of the Finding Billy Battles trilogy) opens, Billy is far from his Kansas roots—and his improbable journeys are just beginning. ... Read more...
June 7, 2016
Jogging With the Greatest
When I heard the news of Muhammad Ali’s death last Friday, I was reminded of my two encounters with the boxing legend while I was a reporter for the Chicago Tribune. My first encounter was the result of one those spur of the moment assignments from the Tribune’s city editor. “Yates,” he shouted at me. ... Read more...
