Articles written by E. P. Ned Burke

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About me - E. P. Ned Burke

E. P. Ned Burke has worked in the publishing business for over 30 years. Besides holding the title of editor of various newspapers in Florida and Pennsylvania, he was also the editor/publisher of Yesterday's Magazette, New Writer's and Writer's Guidelines

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Arts & Humanities > Thoughts on Writing The major elements of writing fiction: 4 of 13
Make A Writing PlanBefore you lock yourself in your room to write that best-selling novel or whatever, you should honestly ask yourself what you want to accomplish. If all you want to do is pen a few poems or write some lines of prose for your own amusement, then go now with my blessing and enjoy. But, if you want your talent... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Memories of New Year's past: 1 of 3
It Happened One New Year's EveI never caught his name. But I had watched "Sad John" each winter make his home over that rusty hot air vent next to the Hotel Jermyn in downtown Scranton. I worked in a parking garage directly across the street. It was my first job and I worked as many hours as I could to support my young family... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Tales of delinquent pets: 11 of 32
The first time I saw him he was lying on his back in my neighbor's backyard with his tongue hanging out. A few minutes earlier, Mrs. Haddock had knocked on our door and begged my mother to help her."It's Jimmy!" she had said excitedly. "I think he's had a heart attack."My mother, never having met the new neighbors who had mov... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs My true garden story: 104 of 298
I'm not much of a gardener. In fact, I could never even grow a sweet potato vine. I had tried it several times in my youth, following directions from my mother who had grown beautiful, shiny dark green leaves on a vine that was so full it filled the entire window sill of my childhood home. Mine always ended up buried in a hol... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: A simpler time: 5 of 9
A Legend In My TimeIn his time, my grandfather was just another loving, hard-working father and husband who did what he had to do to put food on the table and clothes on the backs of seven children. It was only after his death that family and friends sat around to recall his exploits, many centered around his feats of strengt... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Childhood memories: 64 of 113
Why I Don't Recall My Early YearsThey say few of us can remember what happened the first years of our lives.However I have a cousin Earl who says he can recall his actual birth and even the sadistic face of the doctor who slapped his backside. Of course, Earl can't remember where he put his car keys five minutes ago, but he o... More..
Arts & Humanities > Writing Tips How to effectively revise your writing: 9 of 14
Rewriting Isn't PrettyYears ago there was a local television ad I enjoyed watching. It showed this backwoods character sitting near a stack of old tires. He wore a pair of bib overalls and he looked straight into the camera and drawled, "Folks, tires ain't purty." The ad sold a lot of tires because the actor was believable, a... More..
Creative Writing > Novel Excerpts Novel excerpts: Loss of innocence: 26 of 36
"Searching For Eldorado" - Finding Winny A DateLater that night I was three sheets to the wind on the floor in Boomer's basement. This time, in addition to Boomer, Winny and me, other preppies-namely Mooch, Froggy, and Ace-were also in attendance."Where did your parents go this time, Boomer?" Mooch asked."Some damn newspaper ... More..
Creative Writing > Novel Excerpts Novel excerpts: Thrillers: 106 of 135
Sheriff Billings tilted his office chair and placed his dusty boots atopan old metal desk. Except for the spot covered by his big feet, the onlyother place not stacked with papers was the upper right corner of thedesk where a black phone sat, caked with donut residue. The air in theroom felt heavy, almost stagnant, except for... More..
Creative Writing > Novel Excerpts Novel excerpts: Remembering: 22 of 23
"The Hero Of Barryton""It's America! It's America!"The cry rang out from one end of the immigrant ship to the other. The sound echoed off the top elite deck down to the musty levels below where the third-class passengers, mostly Irish immigrants, awaited word of the first sighting of land.Young Jack O'Connor was the first to ... More..