Harold and Maude
Harold and Maude is a 1971 American romantic black comedy-drama film directed by Hal Ashby and released by Paramount Pictures. It incorporates elements of dark humor and existentialist drama. The…
Full text of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s letter to Americans
posted by The Straits Times TEHRAN - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian posted a letter to Americans on X on April 1. Read the full text of his letter here: In…
‘Cicada’ COVID is spreading. Here are the symptoms.
ATLANTA — A new COVID variant has spread through at least half the nation, causing warnings from public health officials. The BA.3.2 variant, nicknamed "cicada," was first discovered in June…
Daughters of Darkness
Daughters of Darkness is a 1971 erotic horror film co-written and directed by Harry Kümel and starring Delphine Seyrig, John Karlen, Andrea Rau, and Danielle Ouimet. Set in a nearly…
LAPD uses mounted police against protesters
LAPD's horse mounted unit is funded almost entirely by private donations.
Brave New Metaphors: Lessons From Science Fiction
No matter how you begin, pay attention as you write to the consequences of whatever newness you’ve introduced to the world of your story: How will life on Earth, or…
Seek the Unknown in the Familiar: Lessons From Historical Fiction
More than one hundred fifty years ago, Henry James wrote an essay about the art of fiction that remains today an important guidepost for all fiction—including the historical novel. And…
Cultivate Suspense: Lessons From Thrillers
What makes for a great thriller? In a word, suspense. Thriller writers know that readers expect high stakes, compelling characters, and a twisting plot to keep the pages turning. Top…
Embrace the “And Then”: Lessons From Fairy Tales
Years ago one of my students captured the idea of this slippery beauty. We were talking in class about “The Twelve Dancing Princesses.” In the tale the princesses take boats…
Conjure the Strange: Lessons From Horror
Okay, you might be saying, “That’s all well and good, but how do you avoid the pitfall of exploitation, being gruesome simply for its own sake?” The genre is often…