It was the chance of a lifetime: going into the backcountry to search for section corners and quarter-section corners set by surveyors one-hundred and one years before. The fly-in-the-ointment was that the surveyors probably had done their work while perched on a barstool in 1882. Someone knew how to nurse a beer. In cadastral surveyingContinue reading “The Chance of a Lifetime”
Author Archives: Norm Benson
Sections, Townships, and Range
A long time ago (call it 1983) in a place far, far, away (call it Mountain Home State Forest), a small band of courageous neophyte surveyors began a project that many in the California Department of Forestry hierarchy felt to be impossible. We started work on finding, and then marking, the precise boundaries of MountainContinue reading “Sections, Townships, and Range”
My Old Day Job
I worked as the assistant forest manager at Mountain Home State Forest from 1979-1986. The old joke asks, “Where do forest rangers go to ‘get away from it all?’” As if working in the forest was not, well, work. I remember days when I’d been stung by wasps, hiked cross-country through thorny buckbrush in theContinue reading “My Old Day Job”
Frank Morgan
In November, I asked Michael Connelly, on his Ask Michael Connelly portion of his message board, about a piece of music at the beginning of the video Blue Neon Night (Frank Morgan can be heard playing “Lullaby” at the end of the linked YouTube snippet). He answered in early February that if it had pianoContinue reading “Frank Morgan”
Writing's Aphorisms
Over the past couple weeks I have passed along a list that my instructors mentioned in class. It is a list of some mistakes that beginning storytellers (like me) make. Top Ten Mistakes Newbie Writers Make 10. Flat writing with weak verbs 9. Setting and description delivered in large chunks 8. Telling instead of showingContinue reading “Writing's Aphorisms”
Writing’s Aphorisms
Over the past couple weeks I have passed along a list that my instructors mentioned in class. It is a list of some mistakes that beginning storytellers (like me) make. Top Ten Mistakes Newbie Writers Make 10. Flat writing with weak verbs 9. Setting and description delivered in large chunks 8. Telling instead of showingContinue reading “Writing’s Aphorisms”
John Stewart – Never Goin’ Back
America has lost its voice and a piece of its soul. With apologies to Don Maclean, the music died at 7:30 AM on January 19, 2008. John Stewart (September 5, 1939 – January 19, 2008) was an American songwriter and singer, best known for being a member of the Kingston Trio (1961–1967). He was muchContinue reading “John Stewart – Never Goin’ Back”
John Stewart – Never Goin' Back
America has lost its voice and a piece of its soul. With apologies to Don Maclean, the music died at 7:30 AM on January 19, 2008. John Stewart (September 5, 1939 – January 19, 2008) was an American songwriter and singer, best known for being a member of the Kingston Trio (1961–1967). He was muchContinue reading “John Stewart – Never Goin' Back”
Reason #2 – Head Hopping
Head hopping Head hopping is where the point of view for the characters is not fixed and hops from head to head. One of the things we look for when we read is a narrator who’s voice we like. The narrative voice chosen to tell the story affects the tone of the story and howContinue reading “Reason #2 – Head Hopping”
The #1 Mistake – No Scene Structure/Episodic Action
No scene structure and action is episodic Why would scene structure matter? Have you ever noticed how things work better when the work is organized? Whether it’s a space launch or a pancake breakfast, organizing makes the whole thing work more efficiently. Certain people have certain tasks. Organization applies to stories too. Communication is underpinnedContinue reading “The #1 Mistake – No Scene Structure/Episodic Action”
Nullius in Verba 