I got a close-up look at the polygamous Darger family, three wives, one husband, who inspired the TV series “Big Love.” Read more.
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.
Book Openers: Robert Bellah on Religion and Evolution
Sociologist Robert Bellah on Religion and Human Evolution
The Writing Room: My Book’s Almost Done, Sorta
My computer monitor the day before my mother broke her hip and brought progress on my book to a halt for a year. Photo by Barbara Newhall[/caption]
My book is close to done. I’ve been working on it for nigh on to 13 years now. Can’t imagine what it will feel like to have it done-ish. Read more.
How to Tell if You’re a Writer
A writer is someone who . . .
The Writing Room: Write About My Aging Mother? I Don’t Think So . . .
Ten reasons why I’m finding it impossible to write about my 92-year-old mother, even though she’s all I can think about right now . . . .
Why I Can’t Write My Memoir — Not the Part About My Mom Anyway
Driving home the other day from just one of countless visits to my mom at the hospital, I had to ask myself , why aren’t I writing about her? Read more.
The Trouble With Daffodils — and My Writing
The trouble with daffodils is they have no subtext. They are all cheer and sparkle and optimism. They are avatars of perky. They get on my nerves. Read more.


