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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
  • MY EVER-CHANGING FAMILY
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Barbara Falconer Newhall

Crime Novelist David Corbett: Acting Taught Him How to Write Scenes

August 15, 2015 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Cover of David Corbett's book "The Art of Character."

What’s the best way to master the art of scene writing? By acting out scenes by the playwriting biggies. That’s the advice of writer David Corbett. Read more.

Author Don Lattin: Americans Are More Thoughtful About Religion Than We Think

August 13, 2015 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

As part of the THIRST temporary art installation, hundreds of prayer flags hang from the circular path from the pedestrian bridge down to Lady Bird Lake in Austin. Photo by BF Newhall

Religion writer Don Lattin says there’s more to religion in America than atheists vs. fundamentalists. The real story is less alarming and much more interesting. Read more.

Journalist Kay Campbell: ‘WWG Bows to the Enduring Mystery of the Universe’

August 6, 2015 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Barbara Falconer Newhall's book Wrestling with God: Stories of Doubt and Faith on sale at Book Passage bookstore, Corte Madera, California. Photo by Barbara Newhall

My Religion Newswriters Association colleague Kay Campbell says this about Wrestling with God: Stories of Doubt and Faith. Read more.

Does Islam Scare You? If So, Here’s Why

July 30, 2015 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Intricate blue, red and white tiles decorate the wall of a mosque in Istanbul. Does Islam scare you?  Photo by Barbara Newhall

It’s the puritanical Wahhabi Muslims and their global proselytizing efforts that are giving Islam a bad name. Here’s how. Read more.

Dying Jesus . . . Dying Churches?

July 23, 2015 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

The flogging of Jesus Christ, and crucifixion, a painting at the Melk Abbey, Austria. Photo by Barbara Newhall

I saw a lot of Jesus in the old European churches I visited last month. Sad to say, in church after church, Jesus was almost always dead or dying. Read more.

Goodreads Giveaway Results: Wow. A Lot of People Want a Copy of “Wrestling with God”

July 16, 2015 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Barbara Falconer Newhall, author of "Wrestling with God," is shown with a copy of her book. 2015. Newhall is offering free copies of her book through the Goodreads Giveaway program. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Wow. Success. A total of 685 people clicked “Enter” to win a copy of “Wrestling with God” during this week’s Goodreads Giveaway. Read more.

Atticus Finch — Meet Mother Emanuel

July 14, 2015 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

My copy of "Go Set a Watchman" on the counter of my local bookstore. Atticus Finch story. Photo by Barbara Newhall

“Go Set a Watchman” didn’t have a craft problem. It had a theme problem – in the character of a bigoted Atticus Finch. Read more.

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ON THE FUNNY SIDE

SXSW: Austin — A City With Its Soul on Its Sleeve

A statue of the Virgin Mary in blue and white clothes and outstretched arms in a front yard in Austin, TX. Photo by BF Newhall

 

Austin has the reputation of being not your typical Texas town — it’s more liberal and more secular than the rest of this Bible Belt state. Perceptions aside, there’s plenty of religion going on in Austin, and you can see it from the street. 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!

Ceramic cake by Richard Shaw -- "Bride and Ship, 2003." Photo by BF Newhall

Ceramics Envy at the Berkeley Art Center — I Want to Get My Hands into that Earthy, Messy, Squishy Clay

Barbara Falconer Newhall's next book, she hopes, will include columns she wrote for a local newspaper back in the 1980s. Photo by Barbara Newhall

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

two women wearing 1960s Spirella Sarong girdle with sign "happiness is a flat tummy."

Mad Men Exposes the ’60s Girdle — But Will She Get It Off in Time?

religion-bookshelf

The Top Religion Stories of 2025 — From Religion News Association

MORE DON'T MISS!

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