Articles written by Aaron Lazar

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About me - Aaron Lazar

Aaron Paul Lazar writes to soothe his soul. The author of LeGarde Mysteries and Moore Mysteries savors the countryside in the Genesee Valley in upstate New York, where his characters embrace life, play with their dogs and grandkids, grow sumptuous gardens,

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Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Grandparents: 3 of 36
My grandson and I trundled along on our John Deere lawn tractor, pulling a cart full of leaves and sticks toward the burn pile. "Papa!" Julian shrieked "A birdie! Don't run over it!"I slowed down and turned off the tractor."It's okay, buddy. We didn't hit it. But I'm afraid it's dead."The starling lay on its side; its plumage... More..
Arts & Humanities > Writing Tips Word choice advice for writers: Forbidden words: 1 of 5
I've collected some great writing advice over the past years. Some of it has worked, and some hasn't. Recently, however, the list of "forbidden" words has grown through advice from fellow writers, agents, editors, and publishers.It can be paralyzing.Every time I bump against "that" or "had" in my prose, my heart beats wildly ... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Halloween: 16 of 54
Living in an antique home has its problems, especially when you're not a handyman. My father taught me all sorts of wonderful things when he was alive, including passion for the arts, gardening, nature, gourmet cooking, and a good mystery. He didn't know much about mechanical, plumbing, electric, or woodworking skills. Though... More..
Health & Fitness > Alternative Therapies What's the best way to cure a headache?: 8 of 26

I've suffered from headaches all of my adult life. They're ranged from daily morning headaches that seemed to come from the sinus area, to sharp, knee-buckling migraines that could only be assuaged by sleep. I remember lying on my pillow in a darkened room while Dale tried to keep the little ones quiet downstairs... the nois... More..
Arts & Humanities > Writing Resources Writing with a partner: The benefits of tag-team writing: 5 of 10
I thought it couldn't be done. Write a piece with another author? Someone who has a distinctly different voice than mine? No way! We'd clash. We'd argue. Neither of us would be satisfied, and the end result would be disastrous, a muddied representation of watered down prose.When a friend of mine asked for help with her query ... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: When sleeping with your cat leaves you too cozy to get to work: 2 of 4
I shot myself in the foot.Well, not literally, of course. I did it inadvertently when I bought a fancy-dancy "memory foam" pad for our bed. Memory foam? Am I supposed to remember my dreams better? Maybe so. I've had some doozies lately. Like the one where six helicopters swarmed down on my house and unloaded armored agents fr... More..
Creative Writing > Essays Essay: Morning car troubles: 1 of 2
It was just one of those mornings.The day started out fine. I slept well and woke at 4:30 to email a fellow author who's ghostwriting a book on The Power of Positive Thinking. I'd promised a few examples of my own philosophy. You know, the kind of stuff that is infused with optimism and oozes rhapsodic enthusiasm?The email wa... More..
Arts & Humanities > Writing Resources Public writing critique experiences: 1 of 2
Has your literary work ever been publicly shredded? I'm not referring to valid criticism, of course. I'm talking about verbal disemboweling, about those vicious, nasty, condescending slams that make your soul curl up in disgust. I've been trying to analyze why I'm fuming after reading comments about the upcoming new suspense ... More..
Health & Fitness > Asthma Grandchildren stories: Overcoming asthma: 1 of 1
The past nine days have propelled me from dizzying heights of joy to the depths of despair. I survived, and thankfully so did my grandson.A rare new form of strep bacteria invaded Gordie's baby lungs, aggravating his asthma. He wheezed, coughed, and struggled to breathe. I know what that feels like because I have asthma, too.... More..
Arts & Humanities > American Literature Book reviews: Tailwind, by Lad Moore: 1 of 1
Title: Tailwind: Days of Cottonmouths and Cotton CandyAuthor: Lad MoorePublisher: BeWrite BooksPublisher's Address: 363 Badminton Road, Nibley, Bristol,BS37 5JFISBN number: 1-904492-02-9 Price: $16.75Publisher phone number and/or website address: www.bewrite.net Tailwind: Days of Cottonmouths and Cotton CandyBy Lad MooreRevie... More..