MentalFloss

The Journal: A New Phishing Scam

In today’s Journal * A New Phishing Scam * A strange day * Of Interest * The Numbers A New Phishing Scam A couple of days ago I received a “media enquiry” from Rick Davis. He said he was on the editorial staff of True Life Magazine. He wrote “One of your social media followers nominated you for an interview with our magazine and we would like to publish you in our next issue. “We work with artists, models, musicians, entrepreneurs, influencers and people making an impact. We are very selective when choosing talent for publishing and we believe your … Read more

The Journal: One Reverse Outline Template

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * In response to John Gilstrap * Yesterday * Topic: One Reverse Outline Template * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.” Mark Twain “If I’ve started a story in the wrong spot, I generally won’t realize it until I’m around page fifty or so.” John Gilstrap “I do not romanticize the act of writing. I don’t talk about the anguish I suffer in creating. I do not have a fear of the blank page, writer’s … Read more

The Journal: Cultural Appropriation

In today’s Journal * “Cultural Appropriation”… whatever * Of Interest * The Numbers I’m a little under the weather and not in a good mood besides, so I’ll keep this short. In fact, I’m publishing it at all mostly to get the “Of Interest” stuff out to you. I was going to write a whole long rant on so-called “cultural appropriation” but I changed my mind. Aren’t you glad? Suffice to say, the actual purpose of a phrase like “cultural appropriation” is to intimidate and infuriate, not to effect actual change. To make that vein on the forehead bulge in … Read more

The Journal: Doodle-bugs and Bigfoot

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * During my morning walk * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “We set goals to help ourselves, not to harm ourselves.” a writer closely related to Wes Crowley (grin, and thanks to Aldred G. for the reminder) During my morning walk, if I encounter other creatures (jackrabbits, coyotes, lines of hard-working ants, etc.) I always say a cordial good morning. This morning on my way back to the house, a doodle-bug crossed my path. As is my habit, I said, “Good morning, Doodle-bug!” And just as I was … Read more

The Journal: Why I Try to Teach Writing

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Topic: Why I Try to Teach Writing * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Belief and reader absorption come in the details: An overturned tricycle in the gutter of an abandoned neighborhood can stand for everything.” Stephen King “The good parts of a book may be only something a writer is lucky enough to overhear or it may be the wreck of his whole damn life and one is as good as the other.” Ernest Hemingway Topic: Why I Try to Teach Writing Because doing things correctly matters. … Read more