Category Archives: Rhobin’s round robin

Even villains are apprentice Buddhas

Posted on 22/10/2022 by Dr Bob Rich

Rhobin Courtright’s homework for her faithful followers is: “Have any of your villainous characters reached redemption for their actions? How did you go about it?” Last century, my answer would have had to be no. Rather, naughty people got punished … Continue reading →

Posted in Rhobin's round robin, stories, writing | 10 Comments

Secret dossier

Posted on 24/09/2022 by Dr Bob Rich

Rhobin Courtright wants to know: “What do you define in your writing about your characters and what do you leave to the reader’s intuition? Is there anything you never tell about a character?” The dossier is a useful tool for … Continue reading →

Posted in Rhobin's round robin, writing | 15 Comments

Killing my darlings

Posted on 30/07/2022 by Dr Bob Rich

For July, 2022, Rhobin sent us a list of 6 topics suggested by Connie Vines, asking us to make a smorgasbord selection. I consider this wasteful: if I was running the show, which I am not, thank heavens, I’d consider … Continue reading →

Posted in Rhobin's round robin, writing | 5 Comments

Currant Fairies

Posted on 25/06/2022 by Dr Bob Rich

Rhobin Courtright wants to know about the inclusion of current affairs in our writing, and sorry, I just can’t help the title. Her examples are: Do you ever include politics in your stories (why and how?) Do you ever address … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate change, philosophy, politics, Rhobin's round robin, writing | 6 Comments

Writing = life = writing

Posted on 28/05/2022 by Dr Bob Rich

Our Robin’s Round homework for May, 2022: “What are your favorite things to do when you need to get away from stalled writing? Does it help you to resume with new ideas on the book you are writing?” When I … Continue reading →

Posted in Rhobin's round robin, writing | 10 Comments

Reading breeding writing

Posted on 23/04/2022 by Dr Bob Rich

Our homework from Rhobin Courtright for April, 2022 is “How much reading do you do, both for pleasure and for a work in progress?” In the antediluvian times when I was young, reading was one of my addictions. If a … Continue reading →

Posted in Rhobin's round robin, writing | 12 Comments

Massaging the global culture

Posted on 19/03/2022 by Dr Bob Rich

In March, 2022, Rhobin Courtright would like to know what messages my books give to my readers. Terribly sorry, but it’s affliction of mine. I cannot help it. I cannot have the word “message” in my mind without “massage,” and … Continue reading →

Posted in fun, philosophy, Rhobin's round robin, writing | 8 Comments

The perfect protagonist

Posted on 19/02/2022 by Dr Bob Rich

Rhobin Courtright’s homework for her faithful followers is a flawed hero or heroine, but I find alliteration amusing, so I’ll talk about the perfect protagonist instead. When I was a student, a club I belonged to had regular discussion topics. … Continue reading →

Posted in fun, Rhobin's round robin, writing | 12 Comments

Virus-infected writing

Posted on 22/01/2022 by Dr Bob Rich

Connie Vines suggested this topic: “How are you dealing with the COVID pandemic in your contemporary novels/short stories?” It so happens that I haven’t written any new novels since the globe was panned with the pandemic, and none of the … Continue reading →

Posted in environment, Psychology, Rhobin's round robin, writing | 16 Comments

Have my family experiences affected my writing?

Posted on 18/12/2021 by Dr Bob Rich

Rhobin wants to know: “How do your family experiences translate into writing scenes?” I used to be a red hot debater and know all the debating tricks. This one is called “begging the question.” You know, the prosecutor asking, “Mr … Continue reading →

Posted in fun, Rhobin's round robin, writing | 4 Comments