The Red Pen

April 10, 2026 / roughwighting / 77 Comments

JOB DESCRIPTION: Medical Editor. Graduate degree preferred with a scientific/medical background as well as English graduate-level aptitude in writing. Copyedit and proof medical tomes of fascinating surgical procedures accompanied by long-winded indecipherable descriptions of intricate invasive operating techniques. Speed and precision are a must. Salary depends on expertise and experience.

I’ve got five glorious hours ahead of me this morning to edit an upcoming book tentatively entitled Core Topics in General and Emergency Surgery. I met the author/surgeon at the publisher’s office six months ago, when the doctor signed the contract and insisted on meeting the editor. Me.

Oh, what an “honor” to meet such an important man. Continue reading →

Complex Ingredients

October 1, 2025 / roughwighting / 78 Comments

The story of my life is wide and deep

Yet when I write of it, it’s narrow and steep

My past was daughter, student, wife, and mom

Well, now my present includes writing wom(an) Continue reading →

The Dream Phenomena

August 12, 2025August 12, 2025 / roughwighting / 92 Comments

I researched a lot before I began writing about psychic dreams and found out that I already knew more than most.

Many don’t believe that dreams tell us the future, but I was just a 12-year-old when I discovered the truth. Since then, I’ve often purposely shut out memory of my dreams – the future can seem dark and dangerous. Continue reading →

A Better Dress

January 23, 2025January 22, 2025 / roughwighting / 100 Comments

Hold fast. Now is just now, it’s not then. Hold fast.

“Did you hear that?” I ask Natalie.

“What?” my daughter replies. She is much more practical than me. She only hears what is “visible” to her ears, so to speak. Continue reading →

What Went Wrong Went Right

October 2, 2024October 1, 2024 / roughwighting / 85 Comments

Any author knows the ins and outs, the worries and woes, the joys and jubilation of publishing.

Most authors love the writing part. After all, that’s the fun!

Some authors tolerate the publishing part: agent? editor? mainstream publisher? Indie publishing?

Every author I know dislikes the last part: PROMOTION. I print it in caps but whisper it in tiny letters since it’s a dirty word to many of us.