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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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On Writing & Reading

Here you'll find author profiles as well as mini – and not-so-mini – book reviews. I’m a writer who loves to talk about writing, so if you like to write I hope you’ll stop by now and then for some writing tips and to chat about the writing life.

The Lost Poems of Jane Johnston Schoolcraft — A Native Michigan Voice Rediscovered

September 19, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Pine and oak trees growing on a bluff along Lake Michigan. Photo by BF Newhall

In the process of moving their collection, the librarians at the Illinois State Historical Library came across some boxes of old documents. One of them contained a lost cache of writings by Jane Johnston Schoolcraft, a little known Ojibwe poet from Michigan. Read more.

Yea! A Book Contract for “Wrestling with God”

July 25, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Writer Barbara Falconer Newhall in her writing room holding a copy of her book contract with Bondfire Books. Photo by Jon Newhall

Good news. I’ve signed a contract with a publisher for my book "Wrestling With God." The publisher is Bondfire Books in partnership with Patheos.com.

I Can’t Take My Eyes Off Those Flowers — From the Mighty Rose to the Humble Daisy

May 23, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Yellow roses by Svenja Brotz of Chestut and Vine Floral Design, Berkeley, CA. Photo by BF Newhall

The fine artist wannabe in me asserts that, as a rule of thumb, flowers are just too nice, too darned pretty to be the subject of Real Art. Real Art needs grit. It needs to be problematic. It needs tension. Something has to be askew. Flowers, on the other hand, never seem troubled to me, or even ruffled. Read more.

Look for Me on Thursdays

April 11, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Large pink and yellow tulips, close up. Photo by BF Newhall

Dear Readers. From now on I’ll be posting on Thursday mornings instead of Saturdays. Here’s why.

. . . And Two Books I Did Read, Sorta — By Lauren Winner and Anne LaMott

April 7, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Anne LaMott at a reading of her book "Help, Thanks, Wow." Photo by BF Newhall

Yesterday I wrote about five intriguing books that have come across my desk in recent months, good books that I never got around to reading. Here are two more books — by memoirists Anne LaMott and Lauren Winner — that I’ve actually managed to blast through in a couple sittings each. Read more.

Good Books I Haven’t Really Read: Anna Quindlen, Stephen Prothero, David Talbot and a Book About French Love . . .

April 6, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Portrait of Marilyn Yalom, author of "How the French Invented Love' with a lipstick kiss on her cheek. Photo by BF Newhall

There are seven intriguing books currently languishing on my bookshelf, crying out to be read. Books I’ve dearly wanted to spend quality time with in the past year, but haven’t. And that’s because I’m writing — and promoting — a book myself. Read more.

Writing Tips — Begged, Borrowed, but Mostly Stolen From My Favorite Writing Coaches

March 8, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

San Francisco novelist and editor of Narrative Magazine Carol Edgarian. Photo by David Matheson

 

I’ve been writing personal essays, newspaper columns and blog posts for years now. I’ve learned some writing tricks the hard way — by trial and error. Others I’ve just plain stolen from my various writing coaches. Here are some of my favorite personal essay writing tips.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

Superbowl: My Guys Are Talking Sports — And All Is Right With the World

nfl 2015 superbowl playoffs, seattle-greenbay, TV screen shot of game. Photo by Barbara Newhall

I like listening to my husband and son talk about football and basketball. I like the comfortable, father-son tone: My guys are talking sports and all is right with the world. 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!

 

DON’T MISS!

Bride in violet and cerise sari with guest in fuchsia sari at a wedding in San Francisco Bay Area. Photo by BF Newhall

When the Bride Doesn’t Wear White — And Neither Does Anyone Else

at-the-beach-in-the-1940s

Was My Mother a 1950s Tradwife?

jack kornfield. Photo by robert vente

Buddhist Teacher Jack Kornfield on Sex, Drugs and Enlightenment

trump-tower-las-vegas

Will Donald Trump Be the Death of Me? Pardon My Rant as I Shelter in Place — and Wind Up Praying for the President. Day 11

MORE DON'T MISS!

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