Newsletter Archives

The Newsletter Archives

I've decided to make a static item for all my newsletters--an easy way for people to access each and every newsletter I've ever written. I've broken them down into categories, so hopefully you'll find something of interest.

Thanks for reading!

Comedy
"CAUTION: Wet Floor"  by Shannon
How an innocent trip to Wal-Mart took an unexpected turn. (Comedy Newsletter - July 7, 2010)


Contests & Activities
"Our Competitive Nature"  by Shannon
Contests & Activities Newsletter (October 1, 2008)
"The Clock is Ticking"  by Shannon
Contests & Activities Newsletter (October 29, 2008)
"Appreciate Much?"  by Shannon
Contests & Activities Newsletter (November 26, 2008)
"New Year's Resolutions"  by Shannon
Contests & Activities Newsletter (December 24, 2008)
"They're supposed to be paying me, right?"  by Shannon
Contests & Activities Newsletter (January 21, 2009)
"All You Need Is Love"  by Shannon
Contests & Activities Newsletter (February 18, 2009)
"Let's Go Over Our Chekhov List"  by Shannon
Contests & Activities Newsletter (March 4, 2009)
"I Danced with a Giant"  by Shannon
Contests & Activities Newsletter (March 18, 2009)
"Delight In the Details"  by Shannon
Contests & Activities Newsletter (April 15, 2009)
"Got Dependability?"  by Shannon
Contests & Activities Newsletter (April 29, 2009)
"Did I Really Just Do That?"  by Shannon
Contests & Activities Newsletter (May 13, 2009)
"Raffles and Auctions and Groups, Oh My!"  by Shannon
Contests & Activities Newsletter (June 10, 2009)
"Things That Make You Go Hmm"  by Shannon
Contests & Activities Newsletter (July 8, 2009)
"WDC Angels"  by Shannon
Contests & Activities Newsletter (August 5, 2009)
"I'm King of the World!"  by Shannon
Contests & Activities Newsletter (September 2, 2009)
"When All Else Fails, Read the Directions"  by Shannon
Contests & Activities Newsletter (September 30, 2009)
"Contests 101"  by Shannon
Contests & Activities Newsletter (October 28, 2009)
"Finding Time to Write"  by Shannon
Contests & Activities Newsletter (November 25, 2009)
"From My Home To Yours"  by Shannon
Contests & Activities Newsletter (December 23, 2009)
"Imagine the Possibilities!"  by Shannon
Contests & Activities Newsletter (January 20, 2010)


For Authors
"Get Real"  by Shannon
For Authors Newsletter (April 8, 2009)
"Write What You . . . NO!"  by Shannon
For Authors Newsletter (August 26, 2009)


Noticing Newbies
"The Ethic of Reciprocity"  by Shannon
Noticing Newbies Newsletter (October 7, 2009)
"New Beginnings"  by Shannon
When the door to one year closes, another one opens, and the possibilities are endless (Noticing Newbies Newsletter - December 14, 2010)


Romance/Love
"My Clichéd Amour"  by Shannon
Romance/Love Newsletter (March 25, 2009)
"Eye of the Beholder"  by Shannon
Romance/Love Newsletter (April 22, 2009)
"An Ernest Lesson"  by Shannon
How Hemingway's passionate writing can teach us a thing or three (Romance/Love Newsletter - July 14, 2010)


Short Stories
"It's All About the Story"  by Shannon
Short Stories Newsletter (May 6, 2009)
"Shape Sorter Surprise"  by Shannon
Short Stories Newsletter (May 27, 2009)
"What's In Your Toolbox?"  by Shannon
Short Stories Newsletter (June 24, 2009) (WINNER of the 2009 Quill Award for "Best Newsletter Editing.")
"The Gift of a Good Book"  by Shannon
"Easy reading is damn hard writing." ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne (Short Stories Newsletter - July 22, 2009)
"What Do I Care?"  by Shannon
What compels people to turn the page? (Short Stories Newsletter - August 19, 2009)
"King Me!"  by Shannon
"If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that." ~ Stephen King (Short Stories Newsletter - August 26, 2009)
"The D&D"  by Shannon
How do your characters affect each other, and more importantly, how do they affect the reader? (Short Stories Newsletter - September 16, 2009)
"What's Your Motivation?"  by Shannon
Do you ever stop to wonder why people do the things they do? (Short Stories Newsletter - October 14, 2009)
"The Wisdom of Maya Angelou"  by Shannon
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." ~ Maya Angelou (Short Stories Newsletter - October 21, 2009)
"UhOhNaNoWriMo!"  by Shannon
You and only you determine your writing destiny, and you will never be a writer if you don't write. (Short Stories Newsletter - November 11, 2009)
"Show Me Your Shorts"  by Shannon
"The true subject writes itself; it cannot be silenced." ~ Joyce Carol Oates (Short Stories Newsletter - December 9, 2009)
"Inspiration 101"  by Shannon
Life is happening all around you. Be a vulture and steal little bites for your readers to feast upon. (Short Stories Newsletter - January 6, 2010)
"We the People"  by Shannon
If anyone should be championing individual freedom of thought and speech, it's us--writers. (Short Stories Newsletter - February 3, 2010)
"Creating Believable Characters"  by Shannon
Dedicated to my autistic grandson, Skyler. (Short Stories Newsletter - March 3, 2010)
"Opinion vs. Conviction"  by Shannon
How do your characters react to adversity? How strongly do they feel their beliefs? (Short Stories Newsletter - March 31, 2010)
"Question"  by Shannon
If someone asked you about memorable characters, which ones would come to mind? (Short Stories Newsletter - April 28, 2010)
"Tell Me a Tale to Remember"  by Shannon
How reading the good, the bad, and the ugly makes you a better writer (Short Stories Newsletter - May 26, 2010)
"Mind Your P's and Q's"  by Shannon
How profiling your protagonist produces quality prose prone to leaving your competition quaking in their Quarks (Short Stories Newsletter - June 23, 2010)
"That Which Does Not Kill Us"  by Shannon
How tragedy makes us stronger people ... and better writers (Short Stories Newsletter - July 21, 2010)
"This Little Piggy Went to Market"  by Shannon
How to market your stories and eliminate unnecessary rejections (Short Stories Newsletter - August 18, 2010)
"Never Forget"  by Shannon
How Kübler-Ross's Five Stages of Grief empowers us (and our characters) to understand and accept our own mortality (Short Stories Newsletter - September 15, 2010)
""My Name Is Roger, and I'm an addict.""  by Shannon
How personal demons humanize your characters and endear them to your readers (Short Stories Newsletter - October 13, 2010)
"So, what did you think of my story?"  by Shannon
How to be brutally honest without being brutal. (Short Stories Newsletter - November 9, 2010)
"Conspiracy Theory"  by Shannon
Just Because You're Paranoid Doesn't Mean They're Not Out To Get You (Short Stories Newsletter - December 7, 2010)
"Same Old Lang Syne"  by Shannon
A story about love, loss, regret, and new beginnings (Short Stories Newsletter - January 5, 2011)
"Perception Is Reality"  by Shannon
or, "Who the heck ARE you, anyway?" (Short Stories Newsletter - February 2, 2011)
"Breakdowns and Breakthroughs"  by Shannon
How the most painful challenges are often the most rewarding (Short Stories Newsletter - March 2, 2011)
"My Five Sense Worth"  by Shannon
How Sight, Smell, Hearing, Taste, and Touch Form Our Memories and Shape Our Lives (Short Stories Newsletter - March 30, 2011)
"Who'd've Strunk It?"  by Shannon
Though 90+ years have passed, "The Elements of Style" is STILL the definitive guide to clean, concise, crisp writing. (Short Stories Newsletter - April 27, 2011)
"And the Winner Is ..."  by Shannon
How entering contests gets your name out there AND makes you a better writer (Short Stories Newsletter - May 25, 2011)
"Copyrights and Trademarks"  by Shannon
If someone else wrote it, photographed it, painted it, translated it, recorded it, or drew it, it's copyrighted (Short Stories Newsletter - June 22, 2011)
"I Ate Lunch With Rambo"  by Shannon
How an afternoon with author David Morrell changed my writing life forever (Short Stories Newsletter - July 20, 2011)
"Murder in the Grove"  by Shannon
An afternoon with J.A. Jance leaves a lasting impression (Short Stories Newsletter - August 17, 2011)
""Call 911 cuz you just stopped my heart""  by Shannon
How a family dinner and a packet of Splenda® inspired my creativity (Short Stories Newsletter - September 14, 2011)
"Extra! Extra! Read All About It!"  by Shannon
Writer's block? Pick up your local newspaper (Short Stories Newsletter - October 12, 2011)
"The Midnight Disease"  by Shannon
Coined by Edgar Allen Poe, "The Midnight Disease" (A.K.A. hypergraphia) is an overwhelming compulsion to write (Short Stories Newsletter - November 8, 2011)
"Something Old, Something New"  by Shannon
Every item has a story. All you have to do is listen. (Short Stories Newsletter - November 29, 2011)
"It Must Be a Full Moon"  by Shannon
How our own superstitious beliefs, distinguishing traits, and quirky mannerisms are reflected in our characters (Short Stories Newsletter - December 6, 2011)
"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"  by Shannon
How our plight affects those who love us most (Short Stories Newsletter - December 27, 2011)
"In the Beginning"  by Shannon
How your introductory paragraph can make or break your story (Short Stories Newsletter - January 4, 2012)
"Modus Operandi"  by Shannon
How your character's passion motivates and inspires his actions (Short Stories Newsletter - February 1, 2012)
"Shut Up and Write"  by Shannon
Why Natalie Goldberg's "Writing Practice" should become yours (Short Stories Newsletter - February 29, 2012)
"Chance Encounters"  by Shannon
How meeting a stranger can inspire your muse (Short Stories Newsletter - March 21, 2012)
"Spirit Is a Fragile Thing"  by Shannon
"Never look down on anybody unless you're helping them up." ~ Jesse Jackson (Short Stories Newsletter - March 28, 2012)
"All I Have To Do Is Dream"  by Shannon
Using dreams to power your story (Short Stories Newsletter - April 25, 2012)
"I Object!"  by Shannon
How attending a court proceeding might inspire your muse (Short Stories Newsletter - May 16, 2012)
"Bump in the Night"  by Shannon
Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me (Short Stories Newsletter - May 23, 2012)
"On This Day"  by Shannon
How to use this day in history to jump-start your writing (Short Stories Newsletter - June 20, 2012)
"Now What?"  by Shannon
What to do with your stories after you've perfected them (Short Stories Newsletter - July 18, 2012)
"My Launderette"  by Shannon
How an encounter in a laundromat inspired one of my favorite stories (Short Stories Newsletter - August 15, 2012)
"Sticks and Stones"  by Shannon
Why it's so important to choose our words carefully (Short Stories Newsletter - September 12, 2012)
"Gone but Not Forgotten"  by Shannon
Be a witness to your place and time by writing personal essays and memoirs (Short Stories Newsletter - October 10, 2012)
"Teensy Tiny Tricks that Titillate"  by Shannon
How using various tools and techniques can spice up your writing (Short Stories Newsletter - November 6, 2012)
"God Is in the Details"  by Shannon
If writing is worth doing, it's worth doing right (Short Stories Newsletter - December 4, 2012)
"Out With the Old, In With the New"  by Shannon
As 2012 ends, 2013 offers limitless possibilities (Short Stories Newsletter - January 1, 2013)
"Born Free"  by Shannon
"Disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind." (Short Stories Newsletter - January 29, 2013)
"Let the Pains Begin"  by Shannon
Sometimes we must hit rock bottom (Short Stories Newsletter - February 26, 2013)
"Crisis Acute"  by Shannon
What you can learn from a 1949 sci-fi classic (Short Stories Newsletter - March 27, 2013)
"Truly, Madly, Deeply"  by Shannon
How adverbs and adjectives weigh down your manuscript (Short Stories Newsletter - April 24, 2013)
"A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words"  by Shannon
How photographs kindle creativity (Short Stories Newsletter - May 22, 2013)
"Knock on Wood"  by Shannon
Tempting fate and other superstitions (Short Stories Newsletter - June 19, 2013)
"Making a List, Checking It Twice"  by Shannon
How lists can stimulate and inspire your muse (Short Stories Newsletter - July 17, 2013)
"A Day in the Country"  by Shannon
Inspiration lurks right outside your door (Short Stories Newsletter - August 14, 2013)
"Alternate Endings"  by Shannon
A writing exercise (Short Stories Newsletter - September 11, 2013)
"Once Upon a Time"  by Shannon
When it comes to story ideas, sometimes you have to think outside the box (Short Stories Newsletter - October 9, 2013)
"Physiologically Speaking"  by Shannon
Writing convincing, emotionally-charged scenes (Short Stories Newsletter - November 6, 2013)
"Gimme Five"  by Shannon
When it comes to writer's block, all I need is five minutes alone with Google (Short Stories Newsletter - December 4, 2013)
"I Need a Hero"  by Shannon
Archetypes, character arc, and the Hero's Journey (Short Stories Newsletter - January 1, 2014)
"M is for Mentor"  by Shannon
"Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction." ~ John Crosby (Short Stories Newsletter - January 29, 2014)
"The Threshold Guardian"  by Shannon
At the gateway to adventure, the Threshold Guardian awaits (Short Stories Newsletter - February 26, 2014)
"The Herald"  by Shannon
"Herald characters issue challenges and announce the coming of significant change." ~ Christopher Vogler (Short Stories Newsletter - March 26, 2014)
"The Shapeshifter"  by Shannon
The next archetype in Vogler's "The Writer's Journey." (Short Stories Newsletter - April 23, 2014)
"The Shadow"  by Shannon
Welcome to the dark side (Short Stories Newsletter - May 21, 2014)
"The Ally"  by Shannon
Thank you for being a friend (Short Stories Newsletter - June 18, 2014)
"The Trickster"  by Shannon
"A company of wolves is better than a company of wolves in sheep's clothing." ~ Anthony Liccione (Short Stories Newsletter - July 16, 2014)
"GC1F2XN"  by Shannon
"We never seek things for themselves. What we seek is the very seeking of things." ~ Blaise Pascal (Short Stories Newsletter - August 13, 2014)
"It's Raining Men"  by Shannon
Rugby, the rain, Rambo, and you (Short Stories Newsletter - September 10, 2014)
"Say It Ain't So-So"  by Shannon
Don't settle for mediocre; strive for extraordinary (Short Stories Newsletter - October 8, 2014)
"1,667 Words"  by Shannon
"Normal people can produce extraordinary things by simply refusing to leave a blank page blank." ~ Chris Baty (Short Stories Newsletter - November 5, 2014)
"Collaborative Writing"  by Shannon
Leapfrogging your way across the finish line (Short Stories Newsletter - December 3, 2014)
"What's Your Platform?"  by Shannon
The art of self-promotion (Short Stories Newsletter - December 31, 2014)
"That Guy"  by Shannon
"So the writer who breeds more words than he needs is making a chore for the reader who reads." ~ Dr. Seuss (Short Stories Newsletter - January 28, 2015)
"Yada Yada Yada"  by Shannon
Advice can be daunting (Short Stories Newsletter - February 25, 2015)
"Shackled and Chained"  by Shannon
Everyone fears something, but how do you write about it in a convincing, sympathetic way? (Short Stories Newsletter - March 25, 2015)
"My Last Nerve"  by Shannon
"I don't usually lose my temper, but if I get angry, it's true--I'm scary." ~ Eva Mendes (Short Stories Newsletter - April 22, 2015)
"Unbreak My Heart"  by Shannon
"No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear." ~ C.S. Lewis (Short Stories Newsletter - May 20, 2015)
"E is for Envy"  by Shannon
"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones." ~ Proverbs 14:30 (Short Stories Newsletter - June 17, 2015)
"Imaginary Lover"  by Shannon
"Where there's smoke, there's fire. Where there's you, there's desire." ~ Unknown (Short Stories Newsletter - July 15, 2015)
"Soul Eater"  by Shannon
"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." ~ Randall Terry (Short Stories Newsletter - August 12, 2015)
"The Green-Eyed Monster"  by Shannon
"Jealousy is the tie that binds, and binds, and binds." ~ Helen Rowland (Short Stories Newsletter - September 9, 2015)
"Ego Trip"  by Shannon
"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18 (Short Stories Newsletter - October 7, 2015)
" A Rose by Any Other Name"  by Shannon
What matters is what something is, not what it is called. (Short Stories Newsletter - November 4, 2015)
"Dead and Buried"  by Shannon
"Let's talk of graves, of worms, and epitaphs." ~ William Shakespeare, "King Richard II" (Short Stories Newsletter - December 2, 2015)
"MK-Ultra: The CIA's Mind-Control Program"  by Shannon
"If you don't control your mind, someone else will." ~ John Allston (Short Stories Newsletter - December 30, 2015)
"Meet UK Horror Master Iain Rob Wright"  by Shannon
“I used to think all the monsters in my life were made up.” ~ Iain Rob Wright, "The Picture Frame" (Short Stories Newsletter - January 27, 2016)
"The Faces of a Stranger"  by Shannon
"You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." ~ Jack London (Short Stories Newsletter - February 24, 2016)
"Writing Creatively"  by Shannon
“The scariest moment is always just before you start.” ~ Stephen King (Short Stories Newsletter - March 23, 2016)
"Earth Abides"  by Shannon
"We are living on the brink of the apocalypse, but the world is asleep." ~ Joel C. Rosenberg (Short Stories Newsletter - April 20, 2016)
"A Reluctant Hero"  by Shannon
"After twenty-two years of trying to break into the [publishing] industry, I’m creating my own." ~ Keith C. Blackmore (Short Stories Newsletter - May 18, 2016)
"Transgressions and Taboos"  by Shannon
Are you a fearless writer? (Short Stories Newsletter - June 15, 2016)
"Introverts, Extroverts, and You"  by Shannon
“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” ~ Aristotle (Short Stories Newsletter - July 13, 2016) (2016 Quill Awards Nominee for Best Newsletter Editing.)
"Map Your Course"  by Shannon
“All you need is the plan, the road map, and the courage to press on to your destination.” ~ Earl Nightingale (Short Stories Newsletter - August 10, 2016)
"Story Starters"  by Shannon
Why wait for a light at the end of the tunnel when you can switch on a lamp? (Short Stories Newsletter - September 7, 2016)
"Trinkets"  by Shannon
WDC's newest and most addicting feature has finally arrived! (Short Stories Newsletter - October 5, 2016)
"Reading, Reviewing, and Rating"  by Shannon
The scary side of posting content online. This edition includes trinkets! (Short Stories Newsletter - November 2, 2016)
"Don't Fear the Reaper"  by Shannon
"We are living on the brink of the apocalypse, but the world is asleep." ~ Joel C. Rosenberg (Short Stories Newsletter - November 30, 2016)
"Looking Forward to 2017"  by Shannon
"I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring." ~ David Bowie (Short Stories Newsletter - December 28, 2016)
"Like a Boss"  by Shannon
Dream. Decide. Direction. Dare. Determination. Discipline. Deadline? (Short Stories Newsletter - January 25, 2017)
"The Horror"  by Shannon
"There's no purer feeling in the world than being scared." ~ Stephen Graham Jones (Short Stories Newsletter - February 22, 2017)
"The Watcher"  by Shannon
"We cruise around and see what you guys are doing, and end up putting it in books." ~ Stephen King (Short Stories Newsletter - March 22, 2017) (2017 Quill Awards Nominee for Best Newsletter Editing.)
"Web of Lies"  by Shannon
Deceit, duplicity, and other disingenuous, dastardly deeds. (Short Stories Newsletter - April 19, 2017) (2017 Quill Awards Nominee for Best Newsletter Editing.)
"A History of Madness"  by Shannon
How a jaunt through the annals of history can inspire your muse (Short Stories Newsletter - May 17, 2017) (2017 Quill Awards Nominee for Best Newsletter Editing.)
"The Architect"  by Shannon
How the sixteen personality types help you create more realistic characters (Short Stories Newsletter - June 14, 2017)
"The Components of Story"  by Shannon
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." ~ Maya Angelou (Short Stories Newsletter - July 12, 2017)
"Total Solar Eclipse"  by Shannon
Eclipse excitement and a state of imminent emergency (Short Stories Newsletter - August 9, 2017)
"Points of Minutiae"  by Shannon
The truth about forensic analysis (Short Stories Newsletter - September 6, 2017)
"Fall Into Fiction"  by Shannon
Colder weather means more time to write, right? (Short Stories Newsletter - October 4, 2017)
"The Story Within"  by Shannon
Viewing images with a writer's eye (Short Stories Newsletter - November 1, 2017)
"About a Guy"  by Shannon
Why the character study is so compelling (Short Stories Newsletter - November 29, 2017)
"Christmahanukwanzaakah"  by Shannon
Peace and holiday blessings to you and yours (Short Stories Newsletter - December 27, 2017)
"Get Inspired"  by Shannon
Searching for that spark of creativity (Short Stories Newsletter - January 24, 2018)
"Winchester: Fact vs. Fiction"  by Shannon
The real story behind San José's Winchester Mystery House {t-NL:8730} (Short Stories Newsletter - February 21, 2018)
"Start with Why"  by Shannon
Understanding The Golden Circle (Short Stories Newsletter - March 21, 2018)
"What Is Courage?"  by Shannon
"Jump, and you will find out how to unfold your wings as you fall." ~ Ray Bradbury (Short Stories Newsletter - April 18, 2018)
"Medieval Animal Trials"  by Shannon
"You can always tell about somebody by the way they put their hands on an animal." ~ Betty White (Short Stories Newsletter - May 16, 2018)
"The Body Farm"  by Shannon
"Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome." ~ Isaac Asimov (Short Stories Newsletter - June 13, 2018)
"Inspiration, Please!"  by Shannon
"Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go." ~ E. L. Doctorow (Short Stories Newsletter - July 11, 2018)
"People are Strange"  by Shannon
"The world is a strange and wonderful place." ~ Laurie Anderson (Short Stories Newsletter - August 8, 2018)
"The Fairness Factor"  by Shannon
"The universe is not fair and it is never going to be fair." ~ Daniel Keys Moran (Short Stories Newsletter - September 5, 2018)  (2018 Quill Awards Nominee for Best Newsletter Editing.)
"The Dark Side"  by Shannon
Convicts and Crime Stories (Short Stories Newsletter - October 3, 2018)
"Things That Go Bump in the Night"  by Shannon
Is fear itself really the only thing we have to fear? (Short Stories Newsletter - October 31, 2018)
"From DNA to OMG"  by Shannon
"When you give your DNA, you give up not only your own genetic privacy, but that of your entire family." ~ Tiffany Li (Short Stories Newsletter - November 28, 2018)
"Making Memories"  by Shannon
Fiction Fodder: Family, friends,and festivities (Short Stories Newsletter - December 26, 2018)
"Secrets and Lies"  by Shannon
Like real people, our characters have secrets and tell lies about who they are. (Short Stories Newsletter - January 23, 2019)
"Trust No One"  by Shannon
Truth is stranger than fiction (Short Stories Newsletter - February 20, 2019)
"The Epitome of Evil"  by Shannon
"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn't exist." ~ from the film The Usual Suspects (Short Stories Newsletter - March 20, 2019)
"The Man Who Wasn't There"  by Shannon
Curious Cases of Commuting Characters (Short Stories Newsletter - April 17, 2019)
"Fear, Self-Sabotage, and You"  by Shannon
"Be afraid. Be very afraid." ~ The Fly (Short Stories Newsletter - May 15, 2019)
"Our Orwellian Reality"  by Shannon
"When we shift our perception, our experience changes." ~ Lindsay Wagner (Short Stories Newsletter - June 12, 2019)
"The Hero's Journey"  by Shannon
"Don't forget, you are the hero of your own story." ~ Greg Boyle (Short Stories Newsletter - July 10, 2019)
"Blackstone's Formulation"  by Shannon
"It is better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer.” ~ Sir William Blackstone (Short Stories Newsletter - August 7, 2019)
"Birthday Blessings"  by Shannon
"Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence." ~ Colin Powell (Short Stories Newsletter - September 4, 2019)
"Mass Psychogenic Illness"  by Shannon
“Guilt and hysteria. And at the bottom of it all, like an evil dragon, lies Fear.” ~ Henry Miller (Short Stories Newsletter - October 2, 2019)
"Roko's Basilisk"  by Shannon
“We will be to robots what dogs are to humans, and I’m rooting for the machines.” ~ Claude Shannon (Short Stories Newsletter - October 30, 2019)
"Think, Believe, Heal?"  by Shannon
"Our life is shaped by our mind, for we become what we think." ~ Buddha (Short Stories Newsletter - November 27, 2019)
"Random Acts of Kindness"  by Shannon
“Be the reason someone smiles, the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people.” ~ Roy Bennett (Short Stories Newsletter - December 25, 2019)
"For the Love of Writing"  by Shannon
“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” ~ Louis L’Amour (Short Stories Newsletter - February 19, 2020)
"Conspiracy Theories"  by Shannon
"Is something still considered a conspiracy if it's played out right under our noses?" ~ Moby (Short Stories Newsletter - April 15, 2020)
"A History of Riots in America"  by Shannon
"Can we all get along?" ~ Rodney King (Short Stories Newsletter - June 10, 2020)
"Operation Underground Railroad"  by Shannon
Save the Children (Short Stories Newsletter - August 5, 2020)
"Centuries of Beastly Occurrences"  by Shannon
"Clearly, animals know more than we think, and think a great deal more than we know." ~ Irene M. Pepperberg (Short Stories Newsletter - September 30, 2020)
"Grateful for Being"  by Shannon
“Let all your thinks be thanks.” ~ W.H. Auden (Short Stories Newsletter - November 25, 2020)
"Ridiculous Rules and Regulations"  by Shannon
"The essence of tyranny is the enforcement of stupid laws." ~ Edmund Burke (Short Stories Newsletter - January 20, 2021)
"16 Personalities"  by Shannon
"I am what is mine. Personality is the original personal property." ~ Norman O. Brown (Short Stories Newsletter - March 17, 2021) (2021 Quill Awards Nominee for Best Newsletter Editing.)
"Odds and Ends"  by Shannon
"A short story must have a single mood and every sentence must build towards it." ~ Edgar Allan Poe (Short Stories Newsletter - May 12, 2021)
"What Scares You?"  by Shannon
"My 'fear' is my substance, and probably the best part of me." ~ Franz Kafka (Short Stories Newsletter - July 7, 2021)
"Fearless Writing with Émile Zola"  by Shannon
"I am charmed to observe that my brother journalists possess the sensitive nerves of young girls." ~ Émile Zola (Short Stories Newsletter - September 1, 2021)
"Stories From Around the Internet"  by Shannon
Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction (Short Stories Newsletter - October 27, 2021)
"Secret Rooms and Hidden Tunnels"  by Shannon
"The greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places." Roald Dahl (Short Stories Newsletter - December 22, 2021)
"Alternate History"  by Shannon
"History is a set of lies agreed upon." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte (Short Stories Newsletter - February 16, 2022)
"Anamnesis"  by Shannon
Plunder your abundant memory cache (Short Stories Newsletter - April 13, 2022)
"What If?"  by Shannon
"Maybe life is random, but I doubt it." ~ Steven Tyler (Short Stories Newsletter - June 8, 2022)
"Is Seeing Still Believing?"  by Shannon
In the 1990s, academic researchers developed a terrifying technology with tragic real-life consequences. (Short Stories Newsletter - August 3, 2022)
"Tell Me Lies, Tell Me Sweet Little Lies"  by Shannon
"Don't lie about anything, ever. Lying leads to Hell." ~ Jordan Peterson (Short Stories Newsletter - September 28, 2022)
"Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction"  by Shannon
"Truth is not only stranger than fiction, it is more interesting." ~William Randolph Hearst (Short Stories Newsletter - November 23, 2022)
"Murder in a Small Town"  by Shannon
"I have too great a soul to die like a criminal." ~ John Wilkes Booth (Short Stories Newsletter - January 18, 2023)
"This Day In History"  by Shannon
"History will be kind to me for I intend to write it." ~ Winston Churchill (Short Stories Newsletter - March 15, 2023)
"Science Fact"  by Shannon
“Everything is becoming science fiction." ~ J. G. Ballard (Short Stories Newsletter - May 10, 2023)
"The Power of Language"  by Shannon
"Words are our most inexhaustible source of magic." ~ J.K. Rowling (Short Stories Newsletter - July 5, 2023)
"Life Is Just a Fantasy"  by Shannon
"Fantasy mirrors desire. Imagination reshapes it." ~Mason Cooley (Short Stories Newsletter - August 30, 2023)
"Kindle Creativity"  by Shannon
“Don’t wait for inspiration. It comes while working." - Henri Matisse (Short Stories Newsletter - October 25, 2023)
"Blessed Is the Season"  by Shannon
"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." ~ Charles Dickens, "A Christmas Carol" (Short Stories Newsletter - December 20, 2023)
"To Be or Not to Be"  by Shannon
"Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time." ~ Maya Angelou (Short Stories Newsletter - February 14, 2024)
"Dear Boss"  by Shannon
"Dear Boss, I keep on hearing the police have caught me but they wont fix me just yet." ~ Jack the Ripper (Short Stories Newsletter - April 10, 2024)
"The Bell Jar"  by Shannon
"Hurt people hurt people." ~ Charles Eads (Short Stories Newsletter - June 5, 2024)
"The Controversial Oxford Comma"  by Shannon
"You know you're a language nerd when you have a strong opinion about serial commas." ~Internet meme, c. 2012 (Short Stories Newsletter - July 31, 2024)
"Rearrange, Rephrase, Revise"  by Shannon
"It is perfectly okay to write garbage as long as you edit brilliantly." ~ C.J. Cherryh (Short Stories Newsletter - September 25, 2024)

Spiritual
"Going Home"  by Shannon
Is death the end, or just the beginning? (Spiritual Newsletter - April 13, 2011)
"Be A Beneficial Presence, Part 1"  by Shannon
Do you infect people with your smile, or poison them with your negativity? (Spiritual Newsletter - June 8, 2011)
"Be A Beneficial Presence, Part 2"  by Shannon
Will you leave this place better than when you arrived? (Spiritual Newsletter - July 6, 2011)
""I Wonder How I'll Be Remembered.""  by Shannon
How a Sunday morning sermon revealed the formula for discovering your life's purpose (Spiritual Newsletter - August 3, 2011)
"Free Hugs"  by Shannon
Making the world a better place one act of kindness, one personal encounter, one hug at a time. (Spiritual Newsletter - September 28, 2011)
"The Power Of One"  by Shannon
Opportunities to serve will present themselves. You DO have the power to bless someone else's life (Spiritual Newsletter - October 26, 2011)
"Wonka Wisdom"  by Shannon
"Hold your breath. Make a wish. Count to three." (Spiritual Newsletter - February 15, 2012)
"I Forgive You"  by Shannon
"Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself." ~ Suzanne Somers (Spiritual Newsletter - March 14, 2012)
"A Series of Unfortunate Events"  by Shannon
One's true self will never be more exposed than when faced with hardship and pain. (Spiritual Newsletter - May 9, 2012)
"10 Things I Hate About You"  by Shannon
No one is born a hater (Spiritual Newsletter - June 6, 2012)
"Reclaim Your Power"  by Shannon
Inspirational words from Bishop T.D. Jakes (Spiritual Newsletter - July 11, 2012)
"Time for a Little Spring Cleaning"  by Shannon
Garage sales are good for the soul (Spiritual Newsletter - August 8, 2012)
"The Noticer"  by Shannon
Sometimes the noticer likes to be noticed, too (Spiritual Newsletter - August 29, 2012)
"Try a Little Tenderness"  by Shannon
You can shine the light of love in the depths of someone else's despair (Spiritual Newsletter - October 24, 2012)
"Ghoulies & Ghosties & 3-legged Beasties"  by Shannon
A brief discussion about the history of Halloween and how it's celebrated (Spiritual Newsletter - October 31, 2012)
"A Time for Thanksgiving"  by Shannon
Gratitude shouldn't be expressed only one day a year (Spiritual Newsletter - November 20, 2012)
"Giving Is Its Own Reward"  by Shannon
You can contribute any time of year (Spiritual Newsletter - November 27, 2012)
"A Moment of Silence"  by Shannon
Dedicated to everyone shattered by Friday's shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT (Spiritual Newsletter - December 18, 2012)
"Learning from Elena"  by Shannon
Lessons from the littlest teachers (Spiritual Newsletter - January 15, 2013)
"Isn't It Ironic"  by Shannon
Alanis Morissette ain't got nothin' on me (Spiritual Newsletter - January 22, 2013)
"If At First You Don't Succeed"  by Shannon
How do you define success, and what brings you happiness? (Spiritual Newsletter - February 12, 2013)
"Man's Best Friend"  by Shannon
Our pets can teach us a thing or three (Spiritual Newsletter - February 19, 2013)
"Is There Anybody In There?"  by Shannon
Just Nod If You Can Hear Me (Spiritual Newsletter - March 20, 2013)
"You CAN Teach an Old Dog New Tricks"  by Shannon
It's never too late to make changes (Spiritual Newsletter - April 17, 2013)
"With a Wink and a Smile"  by Shannon
How a bully helped me transform into who I am today (Spiritual Newsletter - May 15, 2013)
"The Boogeyman in the Closet"  by Shannon
A personal story about Alzheimer's, Stephen King, and unconditional love (Spiritual Newsletter - June 12, 2013)
"Fitting In vs. Belonging"  by Shannon
Are they the same thing, and what can we learn from them? (Spiritual Newsletter - July 10, 2013)
"Holy Now"  by Shannon
Getting in touch with my Cherokee heritage (Spiritual Newsletter - August 7, 2013)
"Time Marches On"  by Shannon
Life is a continuous cycle of decay and growth, death and new life. (Spiritual Newsletter - September 4, 2013)
"A Spoonful of Sugar"  by Shannon
One funeral, six years, twelve boxes, and two BIG surprises (Spiritual Newsletter - October 2, 2013)
"Pick a Card, Any Card"  by Shannon
How card decks can be part of your daily spiritual practice (Spiritual Newsletter - October 30, 2013)
"A Season of Thanksgiving"  by Shannon
We all have something to be thankful for (Spiritual Newsletter - November 27, 2013)
"God Bless Us, Everyone"  by Shannon
Peace and goodwill, love and laughter, graciousness and gratitude can be practiced wherever you are (Spiritual Newsletter - December 25, 2013)
"Wait a Minute, Mr. Postman"  by Shannon
Four weeks, four letters, for your soul (Spiritual Newsletter - January 22, 2014)
"Us and Them"  by Shannon
Saturday, celebrities, an epiphany, and me (Spiritual Newsletter - February 19, 2014)
"Pictorial Pastiche"  by Shannon
Exercising your creativity is a spiritual practice. (Spiritual Newsletter - March 19, 2014)
"Batter Up!"  by Shannon
Sometimes life throws you a curve ball, and sometimes it feels like you're dodging the automated pitching machine. (Spiritual Newsletter - April 16, 2014)
"Religion vs. Spirituality"  by Shannon
Is there a difference, and if so, what is it? (Spiritual Newsletter - May 14, 2014)
"Just Breathe"  by Shannon
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your spiritual wellbeing is take a time out (Spiritual Newsletter - June 11, 2014)
"Cults in America"  by Shannon
From Koresh, to Applewhite, to Jim Jones (Spiritual Newsletter - July 9, 2014)
"Mortification of the Flesh"  by Shannon
Spiritual cleansing through self-denial and pain (Spiritual Newsletter - August 6, 2014)
"Creating a Sacred Space"  by Shannon
Prized particulars for personalizing your practice (Spiritual Newsletter - September 3, 2014)
"Angelic Introductions"  by Shannon
Are you a believer? (Spiritual Newsletter - October 1, 2014)
"Inherent Goodness"  by Shannon
My vacation proved what I believed to be true all along (Spiritual Newsletter - October 29, 2014)
"I See You"  by Shannon
Amanda Palmer, TED, and "The Art of Asking." (Spiritual Newsletter - November 26, 2014)
"The Gift of a Year"  by Shannon
"If you don't give to yourself, you will suffer damage." ~ Dr. Mira Kirshenbaum (Spiritual Newsletter - December 24, 2014)
"Do You Believe?"  by Shannon
Spirits and demons and psychics, oh my! (Spiritual Newsletter - January 21, 2015)
"The Transformative Power of Prayer"  by Shannon
“The function of prayer is not to influence God, but to change the nature of the one who prays.” ~ Soren Kierkegaard (Spiritual Newsletter - February 18, 2015)
"A Team-Building Exercise"  by Shannon
What folding a towel taught me (Spiritual Newsletter - March 18, 2015)
"Follow the Leader"  by Shannon
"Leaders become great not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others." ~ John Maxwell (Spiritual Newsletter - April 15, 2015)
"Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes"  by Shannon
"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." ~ Wayne Dyer (Spiritual Newsletter - May 13, 2015)
"Scenes from a Restaurant"  by Shannon
How a trip to the salad bar led to an unexpected act of kindness (Spiritual Newsletter - June 10, 2015)
"Winds of Change"  by Shannon
"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies." ~ Aristotle (Spiritual Newsletter - July 8, 2015)
"A Celebration of Life"  by Shannon
Why does someone have to die before we celebrate their life? (Spiritual Newsletter - August 5, 2015)
"I am Grateful"  by Shannon
"Peace begins with a smile." ~ Mother Teresa (Spiritual Newsletter - September 2, 2015)
"You Can Lead a Horse to Water"  by Shannon
"No one wants advice--only corroboration." ~ John Steinbeck (Spiritual Newsletter - September 30, 2015)
"Samhain"  by Shannon
Samhain (Summer's End) is one of four Greater Sabbats, the highest holy day of witches (Spiritual Newsletter - October 28, 2015)
"Planksgiving 2015"  by Shannon
Count your blessings, and make the holiday your own by starting a tradition (Spiritual Newsletter - November 25, 2015)
"Christmas Time is Here"  by Shannon
Oh, that we could always see such spirit through the year (Spiritual Newsletter - December 23, 2015)
"The Act of Forgiveness"  by Shannon
"Let no man pull you low enough to hate him." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. (Spiritual Newsletter - January 20, 2016)
"Humans of Planet Earth"  by Shannon
“Be pitiful, for every man is fighting a hard battle.” ~ Ian Maclaren (Spiritual Newsletter - February 17, 2016)
"Metamorphosis"  by Shannon
“People don't resist change.They resist being changed.” ~ Peter Senge (Spiritual Newsletter - March 16, 2016)
"Meditative Mind"  by Shannon
"Meditation is the soul's perspective glass." ~ Owen Feltham (Spiritual Newsletter - April 13, 2016)
"An Introduction to Mudras"  by Shannon
Health is in your hands. (Spiritual Newsletter - May 11, 2016)
"Seven Deadly Sins"  by Shannon
Centuries pass and civilizations crumble, yet our infatuation with sin never dies. (Spiritual Newsletter - June 8, 2016)
"The Devil's Bible"  by Shannon
Discovering the truth behind the world's largest existing medieval manuscript (Spiritual Newsletter - July 6, 2016)
"Words Are Things"  by Shannon
Moving a little closer toward love (Spiritual Newsletter - August 3, 2016)
"Spiritual Destinations"  by Shannon
Taking your practice one step farther (Spiritual Newsletter - August 31, 2016)
"Dream a Little Dream of Me"  by Shannon
Do you believe in dream interpretation? (Spiritual Newsletter - September 28, 2016)
"Got To Tell Somebody"  by Shannon
Music is integral to humanity, and much of our spirituality resides between the notes. (Spiritual Newsletter - October 26, 2016)
"Kindness Matters"  by Shannon
"Hold back any harsh thoughts, words or criticisms, and find a way to be gentle in your dealings with self and others." (Spiritual Newsletter - November 23, 2016)
"Holidays and Grief"  by Shannon
"There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in present grief." ~ Aeschylus (Spiritual Newsletter - December 21, 2016)
"Divided We Fall"  by Shannon
"The essence of the beautiful is unity in variety." ~ W. Somerset Maugham (Spiritual Newsletter - January 18, 2017)
"Love Is in the Air"  by Shannon
"The best thing to hold onto in life is each other." ~ Audrey Hepburn (Spiritual Newsletter - February 15, 2017)
"Daily Devotions"  by Shannon
"They all lead to God in the end." ~ Preface, A Course in Miracles. (Spiritual Newsletter - March 15, 2017)
"A Guided Meditation"  by Shannon
"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." ~ Albert Einstein (Spiritual Newsletter - April 12, 2017)
"What Would Jesus Do?"  by Shannon
How reading Jesus's words changed my life (Spiritual Newsletter - May 10, 2017)
"A Grateful Heart"  by Shannon
"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." ~ William Arthur Ward (Spiritual Newsletter - June 7, 2017)
"Hermeneutics"  by Shannon
Is your interpretation of the Bible literal, figurative, or metaphorical? (Spiritual Newsletter - July 5, 2017)
"The Uninvited"  by Shannon
Do you believe the living can communicate with the dead? (Spiritual Newsletter - August 2, 2017)
"1SE"  by Shannon
Why it's important to take time to appreciate (Spiritual Newsletter - August 30, 2017)
"The Usurper"  by Shannon
Alzheimer's: a disease of stealth and destruction (Spiritual Newsletter - September 27, 2017) (2017 Quill Awards Nominee for Best Newsletter Editing.)
"Roll With It, Baby"  by Shannon
Inspiration often comes from unlikely sources (Spiritual Newsletter - October 25, 2017)
"Pray"  by Shannon
We ALL have something for which to be grateful (Spiritual Newsletter - November 22, 2017)
"I'm Sorry"  by Shannon
The two most healing words in the English language (Spiritual Newsletter - December 20, 2017) (2017 Quill Awards Nominee for Best Newsletter Editing.)
"Why Won't You Forgive Me?"  by Shannon
When "I'm sorry" isn't enough (Spiritual Newsletter - January 17, 2018)
"Less Is More"  by Shannon
How to respond when someone's grieving (Spiritual Newsletter - February 14, 2018)
"Back to Basics"  by Shannon
How modern technology has ruined communication (Spiritual Newsletter - March 14, 2018)
"For Women Only"  by Shannon
Why women are the gatekeepers of happy marriages (Spiritual Newsletter - April 11, 2018)
"In Gratitude"  by Shannon
Aging means you've been blessed with another day (Spiritual Newsletter - May 9, 2018)
"All Too Familiar"  by Shannon
"Familiarity breeds contempt, while rarity wins admiration." ~ Lucius Apuleis (124 – 170 A.D.) (Spiritual Newsletter - June 6, 2018)
"Equal Opportunity Offenders"  by Shannon
"Bombarding people with ‘sensationalized’ negativity has real psychological effects." ~ Graham C.L. Davey Ph.D. (Spiritual Newsletter - July 4, 2018)
"Give a Little Bit"  by Shannon
"Did universal charity prevail, earth would be a heaven, and hell a fable." ~ Charles Caleb Coltony (Spiritual Newsletter - August 1, 2018)