One of the strengths of creative nonfiction is its person-to-person feeling, as if writer and reader were friends. It happens when the writer sounds genuine and trustworthy, thanks to a mix of words, rhythms and attitude called “voice.” Voice conveys personality–someone to believe in, or not; someone who mysteriously charms, or not. When the voice [...]
You’ve been P.C. in the bedroom long enough. Now it’s time to step into the way-back machine — set it to “B.C.” — and learn some no-holds-barred, bedrock-shaking moves. You: man. Me: woman in age of feminism. Me teach you: Be responsive to my desires. Stay attuned to my subtle cues. Also: Stop hitting me [...]
By Walter LaVerne Jones There are many triggers in life. Some you pull and watch as the target dies. Some you watch in the scope until life passes. Mostly, I myself just watch. Dreams are made of this. Angels dancing in the mind, singing your favorite song. Some day I will sing along. Not so [...]
My boyfriend and I had a great sex life, but he had always wanted to try anal sex. Since it was important to him, I thought I should give it a try. It did nothing for me, but he loved it. Now it’s all he wants to do! We’ve only had regular intercourse twice in [...]
By Ginger S Simpson Grace Wallace gained weight with the birth of their son, but she was still the same person inside that she had always been. It was hard to understand why her husband treated her as though she was someone else. It had been months since they had been intimate, and even [...]
It was the winter of 1991 when I heard a harrowing report over the radio as I drove the long, snowy stretch of 1-81 to my first teaching job at Cortland College in upstate New York. A father had accidentally shot and killed his son on the first day of buck season. When he saw [...]
CHILDREN under 16 would be automatically reported to the police if they seek advice on contraception, pregnancy or abortion, under government proposals. Family planning and health campaigners said yesterday that the plans, which would do away with a child’s right to confidential sexual health advice, would be disastrous because they would deter many from seeking [...]
By Tel Asiado This is an excerpt from my tribute to Mozart on his birthday. The shortest but close to this category. Recently, a friend’s question took me by surprise. “What’s your favorite Mozart music?” She knows how I feel about Mozart, the only composer I consider “immortal.” In fact, I’ve loved the master’s music [...]
MOMS AND DADS who write might have a practical edge with editors of regional parenting publications, but you don’t have to be a parent to write for one. These magazines need well-written, family-focused stories on Iraq and computers as well as potty training and pacifiers. If you can provide information that readers need, you can [...]
The ATO auditor is not surprised when Ralph shows up with his attorney. The auditor says, “Listen, sir, you have an extravagant lifestyle and no full-time employment, which you explain by saying that you win money gambling. I’m not sure the ATO finds that believable.” “I’m a great gambler, and I can prove it,” says [...]