Category Archives: writing

Has social media changed the way silly people communicate?

“The disease of social media is that people on Facebook and Twitter – particularly after dinner – say things that in many cases they regret afterwards.” – Nigel Farage. I can remember a time long ago, back when the Internet … Continue reading

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Can you tell a good story statistically?

Statistics are useful for many things. Getting insurance for instance, or doing a health and safety report. If you know that ten percent of all shots attempted on a certain kind of ladder result in accidents, it may be an … Continue reading

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Dara Says writing contest

Ptara website started out with a fan fiction writing contest, and that was still one of our favorite stories. Now, we’ve decided to give everyone the opportunity to get involved in telling a story about Dara Says.  In the spirit … Continue reading

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Interview of a job hunt: from Pizza Hut to the Ben Franklin of the 21st century

In the past Ptara interviewed documentarians and historians, those who have been published and won awards. We’ve had some interesting viewpoints from those who’ve studied history and used it for work. This time, we questioned an entrepreneur, and the Employee … Continue reading

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The art of picking the right title

Attention gmail users and social media addicts! This is no writing lesson, it’s a complaint.  It won’t help you write an award winning best-seller.  No professional writer learns his craft on the Internet. What I will do, is help you … Continue reading

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Lesson from history: only a madman would write for a living

It started as a story on the Hokusai Manga, for the 1812 timeline, and it turned to the study of an inconvenient truth. Okay, some writers are billionaires. I’m ready for your list of best selling authors and other freaks. … Continue reading

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We ain’t free because we claim freedom, but because the Faulkner estate hasn’t sued us yet.

As my contacts well know, I’m all for protecting one’s reputation and intellectual property.  I recently made fun of a politician who used a pirated image, and later explained to him that just because you can find it on Google … Continue reading

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Why screenwriters should grow spines

William Goldman shares two important lessons in Adventures of the Screen Trade.  First, he claims that Nobody Knows Anything.  Then, he contradicts himself with his strongest piece of advice : Protect Your Story’s Spine To The Death. Yes, Goldman whines … Continue reading

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One moment describes nothing

What’s your favorite quote from history or a movie? I don’t really like most quotes out of context. There’s a quote in the 1990s version of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” where the dad asks his young son “would you … Continue reading

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Guest bloggers, artists, and interview subjects wanted

“The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” – Winston Churchill. To interest more people in history, and how it affects them, Ptara has started a timeline project.  The first year we are dealing … Continue reading

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