Will the increasing capability of AI chatbots help or just replace fiction writers? I decided to experiment. Like many writers, I’m keeping tabs on the ongoing discussion about the role of AI, particularly ChatGPT, in the future of our craft. Will the growing ability of this mindless brain eventually make us obsolete? Will it always rely on humans to set the tasks and write the questions? …

I had a nasty realization this morning: I’ve become high maintenance. And it appears to all be related to aging. Once upon a time, I used to be able to spring out of bed, wash my face and comb my hair, and be ready to greet the day. Every other…

In which the writer muses on the value of an automated thank you. If you have a telephone you’ve probably received a robo-call. They come in all shapes and flavors — scams, polls, advertising — and usually at inopportune moments like dinner time or when you’re on the second floor…

In which we ponder how to review an “interesting” restaurant experience. I’d like to tell you the story of a fine dining experience, and my uncertainty regarding an appropriate review. And yes. It’s a problem of privilege for sure. And no, this is not a restaurant review. Yet. We had…

A lesson in semiotics, for beginners like me When I was much younger, I spent a lot of time in formal education, studying communications, adult learning, sociology — all those lovely social sciences that went out of style when STEM subjects became the recommended key to future prosperity. For the…

I am one of those people who has decided to leave Twitter. The “final straw” was Elon Musk following through on his threat to purchase it. But I’d been considering the move for some time. I was recognizing the signs of digital addiction — the oft-described state of urgency for…

3, 2, 1, write. Right? If only it were as easy as that. I work in a cyclical business. Certain times of the year are reliably busy — “back to school”, fiscal year end, strategic planning season. And in between there are the lulls, when contractors like me have stern talks with ourselves about how there will indeed…

Staging is an important psychological tool — but it ain’t comfortable. Yes, staging: the process of de-personalizing a home to make it more attractive to potential buyers. It involves renting trendy furniture, erasing all signs of the people who actually live there, and making it possible for new folks to…

Please pay attention to this important announcement: I’m no longer going to dye my hair. I am letting the grey grow, and I’m going to “look my age”. I can see men rolling their eyes, and women of a certain age shifting uncomfortably in their chairs, some of them nodding sadly. Why? Because when men go grey, they become “distinguished”. Women? We get discarded. And so I’m doing this as a…