What to Read Wednesday: God Made Us Monsters
Looking for good books for yourself or others? Join me every Wednesday for solid recommendations. God Made Us Monsters by Bill Neary is a seamless blend of historical and religious … Continue reading
Can You Learn More From Fiction Than Nonfiction?
Learning a little something from everything you read. I’ve said it a hundred times if I’ve said it once: “Write what you know, read what you don’t.” Writing what you … Continue reading
One Way to Land an Interview
My interview on The Historians Every once in awhile something falls into your lap, but if you don’t act on it, it will slip through your legs like a bad-hop … Continue reading
Why I Wrote Pete Seeger, The People’s Singer
The importance of making your own hero relevant to a new audience. When you write biographies, you get used to the question, “So, why did you write about so-and-so?” For … Continue reading
5 Steps to Making Minor Historical Figures Exciting
(This is the first of two parts. The second focuses on fiction – Five Steps to Making Your Minor Characters Exciting) Everybody has a story to tell, but some stories … Continue reading
Mary Dyer Interview
A fun father-son project. My son — a member of the target audience — interviews me about my book Mary Dyer, Friend of Freedom. A blatant promotion, but we had … Continue reading
Mary Dyer & the Celebration of International Religious Freedom Day
Today is International Religious Freedom Day — and the reason it’s today is because on this date in 1659, three Quakers were scheduled to hang. Their crime? Being a Quaker … Continue reading
Banned Books and Other Ways to Eliminate Free Speech
As Banned Book Week draws to a close, I’ve reflecting on all the other ways we attempt to limit free speech. We’ve seen banned movies, banned art, blacklists, cancellations, and … Continue reading
Why I Wrote Mary Dyer, Friend of Freedom
“My life not availeth me in comparison to the liberty of the truth.” “Why did you write about Mary Dyer?” is a question I often get. It usually comes right … Continue reading
75th Anniversary of The Wizard of OZ
Today is the 75th anniversary of the release of the most famous version of The Wizard of Oz — the one starring Judy Garland. Two months from now will see … Continue reading
John Briggs Books 