Author Archives: wrightba

How Corruption Inflicts Psychological Wounds on a Community

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“Power-lust is a weed that grows only
in the vacant lots of an abandoned mind.”
― Ayn Rand

“When buying and selling are controlled by legislation,
the first things to be bought and sold are legislators.”
― P.J. O’Rourke

Importance of Media

Good quality reporting and disclosure of information enhances political accountability by focusing on the transparency within the day-to-day maneuverings and backroom shenanigans that define a government; but, its interpretation and our attitudes to how it is applied (if at all) lies ultimately with our collective will as a citizenry to act on that information. When that collective will is compromised by a community’s indifference to all things crooked, the law and order which defines our democratic society begins to crumple.

Corruption Left Unchecked

Multidimensional in its impact, corruption—if left unchecked—undermines our political, economic, social and environmental initiatives. When local politicians are corrupt, it casts a stench over the whole community because it directly attacks our democratic system and public institutions in a way that neuters the very offices put in place to protect and serve us. When the misappropriation of resources through fraudulent procurement by a public official goes unchecked, it ripples insidiously through the community as destructive cynicism, stripping the community of its will to meaningfully engage in their rights and obligations within the democratic process. Continue reading →

Within the Moment- A Trifecta Writing Challenge

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In continuing the writing challenge adventure, I’ve chosen to participate in this weekend’s Trifecta Writing Challenge: 33 words written in first person narrative. For more information on the prompt (and Trifecta in general) please visit their website.

Now, for your enjoyment and reflection:

Within the Moment- A Trifecta Writing Challenge

Eyes touch and caress each other across a crowded room engorging my mind with a rush of forbidden thoughts that quickly flutter away to await another dream-scape when I take my child’s hand.

The Mutton Dinner – A Trifecta Writing Challenge

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In continuing last week’s writing challenge adventure, I’ve chosen to also participate in the Trifecta Writing Challenge! For more information on the prompt (and Trifecta in general) please visit their website.

Without further ado:

The Mutton Dinner – A Trifecta Writing Challenge

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Challenging Norms, Alternative Realities and Consequences

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“If you don’t know where you’re going, any road’ll take you there.”
– George Harrison, Cloud Nine

word diceWhen I was looking for a quote to start off this post on risk taking, writing, and an author’s choices,  this quote most affected my natural reflective and introspective self.  At first, I wondered whether it had anything to do with my recent Beatles music immersion with the Cirque du Soleil’s presentation of Love. Maybe it did. Who knows? The point is that it struck a chord in me that I have never considered before, especially with respect to my writing. You see, I’m an organic writer who more often than not starts off a chapter with images (and ideas) then just lets it evolve according to its natural flow. Often in this early stage of my writing, development is more driven by characters and situations than by me. Strange though that may sound, at this stage I would describe myself more akin to a back stage technician critical to the play’s success out front. To me, George Harrison’s quote tells me that it’s okay not to always know where I’m going with a particular chapter or plot because each ‘thought-thread’— different in texture and creative bent—will eventually take me to a location where I should and must be in that particular piece of writing.

Challenging Norms, Alternative Realities and Consequences: Risk Taking Choices for a Writer

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The Moment – a Write on Edge Prompt

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Four hours he had made her practice! Four goddamn hours! Until she defiantly screamed out: “Papa! I don’t want to be a ballerina! I will never be one! Do you hear? Never!”  Stomping her foot, she crossed her arms tightly across her chest and purposely took on a belligerent stance.

The room flooded with anger so palpable it almost smothered her with its intensity. Attempting to flee ahead of him, she lost as he caught her in mid-flight and began to shake and hit her.

Too absorbed in protecting her head and getting free, Angelina barely heard him.

Her father stayed with her and kept repeating his truth; a dogma that snapped at the air like the gnashing teeth of a vicious, rabid dog.

“I promised her! You have no choice!” he yelled over and over again as he struck her.

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Writing, Math and Gratitude: Insights from a First-time Author Part 2

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writing, challenge, practice, adapt, change, publish, book, author, path, forest, hike

Challenge yourself to become better; the path won’t be easy, but it’ll be worth it.

As a writer, it is important to never get locked into a specific a style of writing. I hope that every book I write will challenge me to climb higher along the learning curve. For me, that will probably include taking risks (stepping outside my comfort zone). Recently, I read Patrick DeWitt’s The Sisters Brothers. It’s an excellent novel written in first person from the point of view of the protagonist. Telling a story in first person point of view is something that I would like to try. It won’t occur in my second book (or even the third) but I know at some future date it will happen. My aim at each stage is to always work toward being a better writer. How? It can only happen if I continually broaden my base and adapt to the world. It must always be a given that quality must not be compromised. That having been said, I would be naïve to think that everything I write will be liked. That’s life. But, I will do everything in my power to be viable as a writer.

My writing and research feed into each other. In other words, the research provides the writing with the ideas, sense of presence and creditability; while the writing breathes life into the research through the characters and situations. The two of them are constantly evolving in an ‘organic’ partnership to not only provide the initial ideas but others for me to ponder on. Sure, some of the research is garnered from the internet but the ‘real stuff’ comes from actually eating, sleeping, drinking, walking and just generally having both a presence and experience there. In other words, all I’m trying to say is to get out there and live it (just like Hemingway did).

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Writing is Hard Work – Stick with it

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“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember,
involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin.

writing, work, publishing, author, paper, pen, Moleskin, notebook, ideas, practice, bookAs an educator and now a writer, those words carry a lot of meaning for me, in the context of the interaction between teacher and student and the between writer and reader. Making the process work is not an easy process (and nothing worthwhile usually is) its rewards are lofty and worth seeking. Writing and teaching are life-long learning processes. Once you forget that, both your readers and students suffer because you as a writer (or teacher) begin to lose that “…emotional being—the effervescence, the sparkle,” as Patricia Cornwell describes it, so essential to keeping connected to both reader and student.

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Writing, Math and Gratitude: Insights from a First-time Author Part 1

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math, puzzle, Betrayal of Trust, author, indie pub, writing tips, theory, story, novel, book

Every piece is important to the final story.

Going into the publishing process, I was a bit overwhelmed. As a first time writer, I discovered that there was so much more than “writing” to get a handle on – learning how to develop and deliver an effective pitch, how to interview, learning how to market myself, etc. Early on, I learned that how you deal with disappointment is critical to your success. Failure can either shut you down or spur you on; you can let it define you or you define it. Simply, you always have a choice.

I strongly dislike, no, let me just say it, I hate using the word “failure.” It conjures negative, hurtful images from my time at school and maybe it does for you. Let’s replace the word ‘failure’ with the phrase (at least until I find something better) ‘brain-teaser.’ Why ‘brain-teaser?’ Well, most people enjoy solving puzzles, no matter how many attempts it takes to solve them. The joy and challenge comes from solving it and/or winning. Few people keep a record of your failures (oops, there I go using that word again). Most people will laud your accomplishment and be amazed with your success. In other words, if you’re not successful the first time you attempt something, don’t sweat over it. Watch and learn from others who have been successful and the missing links will eventually fall into place, allowing you to be successful on your own terms.

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Welcome to Betrayal of Trust

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What if everything you ever believed in turned out to be a lie?

Betrayal of Trust, indiepub, amwriting, amreading, crime, thriller, suspense, fictionWhen Edward Slocum, executive vice president of KemKor Pharmaceuticals, sees armed men at Building 3C on the company premises he becomes suspicious of his organizations operations. Before long, he finds himself propelled on a dangerous rollercoaster ride of events that will irrevocably change his own life and endanger the future of his entire community.

This is just the beginning! Check back frequently for update, tidbits, information regarding my new book, Betrayal of Trust.

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