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Barbara Falconer Newhall

Veteran journalist Barbara Falconer Newhall riffs on life as she knows it.

  • A CASE OF THE HUMAN CONDITION
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My Elderly, Old School Blog — It’s Still Going Strong

September 27, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

my elderly old school blog spam-russian

I started blogging to promote my book back in 2009. Now my elderly, old school blog is spam-riddled and in need of an update.  Read more.

Linguist Anne Curzan: Grammar That’s Funner Than Ever

September 13, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

says-who-book-cover-curzan

A kindly University of Michigan linguist, Anne Curzan, makes grammar funner than ever with her new guide to usage, “Says Who.”  Read more.

The Art of Rhetoric — If a Two-Year-Old Can Master It, So Can You

December 28, 2024 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

2-year-old-in-ink-sweater

Even my toddler knew how to ply the art of rhetoric. It’s something we humans use every day, on each other, starting at an early age.  Read more.

Writing Tips From a Famous Author — I Put on My Best Socks to Get Them

January 22, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

balega-socks famous author class

I’ve got years of writing experience to my credit. Why in the world would I spiff myself up to take a writing class from that famous author?  Read more.

Why Do ‘Those People’ Make Me So Mad? A Philosopher Sheds Some Light. Sheltering at Home Week 20

July 29, 2020 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Stars and Stripes. In a message to those people, a man hangs the American flag on the front of his house. Photo by Barbara Newhall

When we address “those people,” do we really want to be heard? Or do we just want to get mad, feel righteous and force our desired outcomes on those “other” people? Read more.

I’m Back! The Writer in Me Is Back With a Book Pitch

March 26, 2019 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

The Douro River from a Viking Cruise ship. After travels, writer me is back at work on a book pitch.

I’m back at the keyboard and hard at work on the book pitch for my project. What do you think? Read more.

My First Writers Retreat — It Won’t Be My Last. Here’s Why

June 16, 2018 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Author Barbara Falconer Newhall gets some writing done in a quiet classroom at St. Mary's College during the Bridgeingwriters retreat held June 9. Barbara Newhall photo

I thought those romantic writers retreats were an indulgent waste of time. A one-day retreat ten miles from home showed me otherwise. Read more.

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ON THE FUNNY SIDE

Sibling Loyalty: My Brother Has a Sister. And I’ve Got a Brother

sibling-loyalty  scowling-baby

Sibling loyalty. Sometimes it means you can ignore your writing deadline and have a fun visit with your brother who just had knee surgery.  Read more.

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TO MY READERS

Please feel free to share links to my posts with one and all and to quote briefly from them in your own writing, remembering, of course, to attribute the quote to me and to provide a link back to this site.

My Oakland Tribune columns, btw, are reprinted by permission of the Trib. With the exception of review copies of books, I do not accept ads or freebies of any kind. Click on the "Contact" button if you have questions. Enjoy!

 

DON’T MISS!

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Am I an Artist? Or Am I a Brand?

Did my long-lost dead ancestors live in old frame houses like these on Minneapolis's Seventh Street South? Photo by Barbara Newhall

My Long-Lost Dead Ancestors — I Found Them in a Parking Lot

A kitchen in a house for sale in Minneapolis is small, but has an attractive bay window. Photo by BF Newhall

The Weekend I Talked — And the Kids Listened

bride-and-brother

I Miss My Grown-Up Children — More Than I Can Say. Sheltering at Home Week 30

MORE DON'T MISS!

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