

Show Don't Tell
So how can you show the way the words are spoken?” Please, not by attaching an adverb like angrily, sadly, or happily, or worse yet, by...


Is the Word “SAID” Dead for Writers?
There are a million synonyms for the word “said.” When tagging ordinary speech, you could replace said with stated, reported, or added....


Riveting Mysteries Set in the Distant Past
Wiki Ezvid names The Deadliest Lie one of the nine most riveting mysteries set in the distant past. What does Wiki Ezvid say about...


The Peculiar Status of Prostitutes
Along with gladiators and actors who also exuded a sexual allure, prostitutes were regarded as shameful. Even if free by birth, they were...


Dill as an Ancient Medicine
Dill has been widely used as a medicinal herb for at least 5,000 years, especially to ease digestion. In fact, its seeds were served...

The Roman Garden
The plan of a Roman garden was dictated by the topography, the garden’s effect on the surrounding buildings, and the availability of...


Why Was Alexander Considered Great?
One reason Alexander was considered great is he had a great tutor. His father, Philip, chose Aristotle to instruct his 13-year-old son....


Help Miriam Solve The Locked-Room Murder Mystery
Miriam herself will tell you that solving the murder of that sailor was the most baffling case of her career: “He couldn’t have died from...


More About Salt
In last week’s blog, we saw that the word for salt is the basis for the word for salary. It is also the basis for the word salad, since...


Salt Cellars
In Ancient Rome, salt was so valuable that it was sometimes used as payment for soldiers (hence the word “salary” and the term “earning...