Articles written by Mary Brotherton

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About me - Mary Brotherton

I'm a writer, editor, photographer and public speaker.

According to my mother, I have always had a book in my hand or found a way to write. She claims that as a preschooler, I wrote with a stick in the dirt before I could form my letters and on more than

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Health & Fitness > Medicine Development Should pharmaceutical companies develop a "stay-faithful" pill to reduce sexual desires?: 3 of 47

Some believe a pill can fix anything. Modern science has developed compounds that make life easier for people who suffer from bi-polar syndrome, schizophrenia and post-traumatic-stress-syndrome. Pharmaceutical companies have manufactured pills for physical conditions such as migraines, sexually transmitted diseases and even ...
Arts & Humanities > Literature (Other) The case for audio books: 2 of 19

My son was 14-years-old when he introduced me to audio books. We were going on a road trip together, and he knew we'd have nobody else in the car to distract us. He wanted to introduce me, also to one of his favorite authors, so he chose a few novels and we've both been hooked on audio books since. He and I are avid readers ...
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: My great, true, personal garden story: 69 of 381

Mama, I'm going down to cut Grandmama's grass, okay? Okay, but be careful. Her yard is like a jungle. Yes, it was a tiny, perfect little jungle and a wonderful place for a pre-adolescent to hangout. My brothers and sisters and I took turns cutting our grandmother's small yard with her electric lawnmower; we never tried to es...
Celebrations & Holidays > Celebrations & Holidays (Other) How to celebrate Constitution Day in the US: 2 of 8

Throughout the United States of America, patriots celebrate Constitution Day each September 17, though for many communities, the celebration is quiet and subdued, unlike the upheaval of 1776. To England, America's War of Independence was a revolution staged by a group of ruffians. To freedom fighters, the conflict establishe...
Relationships & Family > Communities & Support Is there such thing as gaydar?: 3 of 9

In recent years, the term gaydar has become more popular with younger adults and teens, generally when they initially discover someone close to them is gay. They might announce, “My gaydar was way off,” or “My gaydar was right, again.” Most people form first impressions upon meeting new acquaintances,...
Arts & Humanities > Thoughts on Writing Fiction-writing: The challenges and opportunities of using symbolism: 1 of 3

One of the biggest challenges of using symbolism in fiction is to find a way to accurately tell your story in an entertaining way, while ensuring your readers don't become bogged down in the symbols. It's not a task easily achieved by all writers, but Pulitzer Prize winner, Eudora Welty proved worthy of the challenge and rel...
Jobs & Careers > Employers Motivating employees: Is money or recognition more appreciated?: 14 of 36

Every person is motivated differently. Countless books have been written to coach employers and parents how to motivate others. As with everything in life, employees have two basic needs: the need to avoid pain and the need to receive pleasure. While it's pleasurable for some to receive raises rather than atta-boys, others a...
Arts & Humanities > Thoughts on Writing When you should take a break from writing: 12 of 21

When your Muse goes on Vacation You have a Muse, even if you've never been formally introduced. You may be thinking about the literal definition of the word "Muse," which means to think about or to reflect deeply on a subject, or the Grecian mythological Muses, the nine daughters of Zeus and "Na MISS sah nee". Mnemosyne was ...
Celebrations & Holidays > Christmas How to avoid spending too much on Christmas gifts?: 9 of 13

I've created my own twelve-step plan to save money on gifts. 1. Know your budget's limits. It is far more important to pay your bills and keep food on the table than to impress your family and friends with extravagant gifts. Don't sell yourself short, but don't go into debt for gifts 2. Know your recipients. Don't purchase p...
Arts & Humanities > Literary Themes & Ideas Literature versus popular fiction: 6 of 7

Those who sell the books and those who publish the books have created categories for those who write the books and ultimately, the readers who want a specific type of book to read. These categories often overlap and there are crossovers, because not every book can fit neatly into a definite style. Novels, in particular, ofte...