Articles written by Richard Max Detrano

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About me - Richard Max Detrano

I write articles, personal essays, fiction and humor. I have been published in Small Press Magazine, Alaska Airlines Magazine, The Sun's 'reader's write' section, Northwest Magazine, and The Seattle Weekly. In the 1970's I got started publishing articles

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Arts & Humanities > Writing Tips Getting over writer's block: 5 of 138
The inner critic, the voice that says you can't do it, or I'll bet you can't do it again, sends more writers out to buy grapefruit or clean toilets, or take out the trash, or do ANYTHING but write. Writer's block is a symptom of perfectionism. Here are a few tricks for getting over writer's block. 1 Lower your expectation... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Pets: 6 of 138
Dear Mr. President,The inauguration is over. I know you have a lot on your plate. You are surrounded by the best and the brightest, but it came to my attention that there is one thing you may know very little about. The vice president of the American Dog Breeders Association says you are a novice when it comes to dogs.On the ... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Dating: 4 of 49
50+ DatingStarting over is never easy. But, harder still if you are past 50. At the risk of sounding flip, one of the best tools for survival is humor.Dating after 50 and shopping for a used car have some things in common. In both situations we are looking for compatibility and trustworthiness. Some are tempted to buy the fir... More..
Local Guides > Seattle The best day trips outside of Seattle: 1 of 11
Day trips from Seattle are fun, and offer lots of diversity. Whether nature, history, architecture, or a trip abroad is your thing, you can get there within a day from Seattle. My top ten trips rated for value and quality of experience, ranked one to ten are: 1. The Victoria Clipper from Downtown Seattle. (All day) The hyd... More..
Health & Fitness > Exercise Tips How posture affects walking: 1 of 9
Correct posture is essential to walking. Once you learn a few tiny tricks you will be able to walk long distances without ever getting tired.Start with these ten steps:1. Posture. Stand up straight. Tuck in your tush. Roll your shoulders forward and pull them down without rounding your back. Stretch your neck, tucking your ch... More..
Pets & Animals > Dog Training Puppy potty training 101: 5 of 43
Over the years people have been amazed how fast my puppies get house trained. I have broken it down to ten simple steps.All that is required is an old cardboard box, a few towels, a ticking clock, and a dedicated pet owner. In the end you will save weeks of struggle. 1. Recognize that your puppy wants companionship.You... More..
Relationships & Family > Friendship Advice How to apologize to a good friend: 5 of 17
Sometimes it is hard to apologize, even to the best of friends. We just cannot swallow our pride. Even if we are haunted by our screw up, we do not want to own up to our embarrassment. Here are a few tips on how to say you are sorry and heal a valued relationship. Mean what you say. Be sincere. Reach deep inside yourself... More..
Personal Finance > Spending & Saving (Other) How to avoid buying from kids selling door to door: 1 of 3
How do you avoid buying from kids selling things door to door that you probably do not want? Set up some rules, and stick to them.Here are some suggestions:1. If you do not plan to buy anything, say, "I am sure yours is a worthy cause, but no thank you." Being polite is perhaps the most important element. If he or she persist... More..
Arts & Humanities > Origins & Firsts in History The origin and short history of pirates: 2 of 5
Piracy has been around since men took to the sea.The United States has a long and messy history with piracy. Faced with fighting the Revolutionary War without a navy, the newly formed US Government hired nearly 800 vessels, called privateers, some of them pirates, to wreak havoc on British merchant shipping.Some, like John Pa... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > St. Patrick's Day The origins of St. Patrick's Day: 5 of 9
What are the origins of St. Patrick's Day?We wear green, drink beer (often dyed green), eat green bagels, and paint green stripes down the center of streets. We eat corned beef and cabbage, and we go to parades. Is any of this really Irish? And what has it got to do with St. Patrick?1. ParadesThe first and the biggest St. Pat... More..