Category Archives: Rhobin’s round robin

When the plot goes to pot

Posted on 19/06/2021 by Dr Bob Rich

Rhobin’s homework in the merry month of June (yes, I know) is “In your writing, how do you recognize and overcome plot problems or failures?” Nowadays, when I struggle with plot glitches, they tend to be in the books of … Continue reading →

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

Writing as growth?

Posted on 22/05/2021 by Dr Bob Rich

Our topic for May, 2021 is: Does writing change the author? Do you think your writing has changed you in any significant way? It’s a good day when I learn something new. All my life, research, study, learning has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Rhobin's round robin, writing | 21 Comments

Peace for the Joker

Posted on 10/05/2021 by Dr Bob Rich

This was the first short story I’d ever written, and the first to win a prize. It’s part of the anthology, Through Other Eyes. I am reproducing it now because it’s part of my Rhobin’s round robin post for May, … Continue reading →

Posted in Psychology, Rhobin's round robin, stories | 2 Comments

Name game

Posted on 17/04/2021 by Dr Bob Rich

Rhobin Courtright would like me to tell you where I find names for my characters. The first thing is, I am NOT going to quote from Romeo and Juliet. Instead, I’ll use Hit and Run as a case study. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Rhobin's round robin, writing | 19 Comments

Developing tension

Posted on 09/03/2021 by Dr Bob Rich

We Rhobin’s Rounders have written about tension before, but that was illustrating it in use. Here are several examples from my writing. My way of composing a story is to be an obedient scribe to my characters. They tell me … Continue reading →

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

A muse

Posted on 20/02/2021 by Dr Bob Rich

Rhobin Courtright’s question for her faithful bloggers: “Where do you get your ideas for stories?” This is recycled from the introduction of my anthology, Through Other Eyes: A writer is not just a person who writes. Almost anybody can write, … Continue reading →

Posted in Rhobin's round robin, writing | 24 Comments

2021 in Bob’s computer: Buddhist philosophy for Rhobin

Posted on 23/01/2021 by Dr Bob Rich

Rhobin Courtright wants to know: What is on your writing to-do list for this year? Do you have any long-range goals or just wrap-ups? Look at a river. Flick your eyes away, and back again. It seems identical, but the … Continue reading →

Posted in philosophy, Rhobin's round robin, writing | 18 Comments

Forgiveness

Posted on 19/12/2020 by Dr Bob Rich

Rhobin Courtright asked her faithful bunch of bloggers to “write a short story, flash fiction, or use an excerpt from one of your books.” So, here is a chapter from my current work, Lifting the Gloom. Matthew Trotter stared at … Continue reading →

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

Of all the many books I’ve read…

Posted on 17/10/2020 by Dr Bob Rich

This month, October 2020, Rhobin wants to know what my favourite books are. There is no question. My favourite author of all time is Dr. Seuss, that genius. I mean, who can match Green Eggs and Ham or Fox in … Continue reading →

Posted in Rhobin's round robin | 14 Comments

Behind the story

Posted on 19/09/2020 by Dr Bob Rich

Rhobin Courtright asked: “Most novels have an easily understood point to make to the reader. Do your stories ever have more subtle or intuitive themes?” One of my clichés is, you can’t even write a shopping list without revealing your … Continue reading →

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