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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’s Riffs on Life

You’ve Got the Agent, You’ve Got the Publisher — But Do You Have the Publicist?

March 13, 2014 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Computer monitor shows title page of "Wrestling with God" book manuscript ready to send to publisher. Photo by BF Newhall

You get an idea for a book. You like it a lot. You think people are going to want to read this book. You’re stoked. Then you fret for months and years over how to transform this idea you like so much into a 250-page manuscript that people will actually read. Read more.

My Computer is Dead, Long Live My Omputer

March 7, 2014 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Jon Newhall, the author's geeky husband, sets up her new Toshiba laptop. Photo by BF Newhall

I went away for the weekend, and when I showed up in my writing room on Monday morning my laptop had crashed. “It’s not your fault,” said the computer repair guy. “Computers are machines. Machines break.“

For Wetter, For Drier — I’m Married to California

February 27, 2014 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

The slopes along the Grapevine in Southern California are dry and grey during February 2014 drought. Photo by BF Newhall

Basically, there are two kinds of Californian. Those who are delighted by a sunny February day. And those who are dismayed. Jon is one of the latter. You can chart the weather by Jon’s moods. Read more.

Yippee! I Did It — I Finished My Book

February 20, 2014 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

the first page of Barbara Falconer Newhall's manuscript for Wrestling With God appears on her computer monitor. Photo by BF Newhall

At 6:02 p.m. yesterday evening I hit the send button and sent the manuscript for Wrestling With God off to my publisher, Patheos Press. To tell you the truth, I’m very proud of this book. Read more.

Stalking Superman

February 13, 2014 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Actor Christopher Dennis on curb of Hollywood Boulevard dressed as Superman. Photo by BF Newhall

There he was. In the flesh. Tall and slender and muscled and oh-so-handsome. Sigh. It was Superman. The Man of Steel of my girlhood fantasies. My dream man. Read more.

Making Friends — Trying To — With the Dread Serial Comma

February 6, 2014 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Barbara Falconer Newhall in her writing room with book contract. Photo by Jon Newhall

My book contract says that I’m to deliver my book manuscript “in conformity with the provisions in ‘The Chicago Manual of Style.’” That means that, at long last, I’m finally going head-to-head with the serial comma. Read more.

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ON THE FUNNY SIDE

Scrubbing the Floor With My Daughter Cinderella

cover of the vhs version of the disney movie, cinderella

There was no getting around it. Christina, who is 51/2, intended to wash our kitchen floor. She had been studying her “Cinderella” videotape for weeks, and now she wanted nothing more than to scrub. Read more

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

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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!

 

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Family photos in frames on bedroom dresser. Photo by BF Newhall

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The hills of California's Grapevine pass are dry and silvery gold in the drought winter of 2014. Photo by BF Newhall

For Wetter, For Drier — I’m Married to California

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