Matthew Arnold Stern » Matthew Arnold Stern

Writing about history

Matthew Arnold Stern — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:33:12 +0000

To write about history, you first have to understand how history works. The way history is taught in school, it sounds like it is shaped by important people doing important things on important dates. We learn things like, “In fourteen hundred and ninety two/Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” Easy to remember, easy to write down …

Language and Politics

Matthew Arnold Stern — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:40:39 +0000

The quote of the day comes from Roy Peter Clark’s Help! for Writers. This is an excellent book that gives plenty of practical writing tips from organizing your research to editing for clarity. He also makes an important point about political language. Our political discourse has devolved into a war of slogans from the left …

Doria is now available in paperback — and on sale!

Matthew Arnold Stern — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:34:49 +0000

My novel Doria is now available in paperback. For a limited time, you can also get it on sale. Order it from Lulu for only $13.99, a savings of 30% off the regular $19.99 list price. If you order by January 31, you’ll get free shipping from Lulu. (Enter code WHOASHIPPING at checkout.) Click here …

Review — Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

Matthew Arnold Stern — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:24:15 +0000

Modern society puts a high premium on extroversion. In school, we have “show and tell” and are graded for “playing well with others.” At work, good eye contact, a firm handshake, and the ability to present a PowerPoint deck are requirements for success. If we are successful enough, the only avenue for advancement in most …

What is good technology? — Part II

Matthew Arnold Stern — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:37:29 +0000

Some big technology news came out over the past few weeks. First, the gadget-fest known as the Consumer Electronics Show. Second, Apple’s iBook announcements. And finally, the collapse of Congressional support for SOPA after the Internet’s show of force on Wednesday. What do all these tell us about good technology? Good technology is useful technology. …

No on SOPA/PIPA!

Matthew Arnold Stern — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:50:24 +0000

With all the protests going on throughout the Internet today, I wondered who would support legislation like SOPA/PIPA? These people. I was surprised and disappointed to see both of my state’s senators in favor of this legislation, especially since technology is one of our state’s key industries. So, write your congressional representatives and tell them you …

Tebow! So?

Matthew Arnold Stern — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:15:26 +0000

Why is everyone making such a big deal about Tim Tebow? Sure, he wins football games. Sure, he’s exciting to watch. So what if he wants to kneel and pray after a great play? Anyone who complains about displays of religiosity in sports hasn’t watched baseball. I’ve seen plenty of ballplayers cross themselves before they …

Goals, not resolutions

Matthew Arnold Stern — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:20:10 +0000

I’ve said it before, but I’ve never been a fan of New Year’s resolutions. It’s better to set goals, and make sure that they are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-targeted. But goals, like resolutions, can be set with all of the best of intentions and still be tossed aside and forgotten within weeks. How …

Doria on sale now!

Matthew Arnold Stern — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 18:47:54 +0000

Need something to put on the eReader Santa put under your tree? My new novel Doria is now available for the Nook, iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch, and Kindle. It will also be available soon in paperback. To learn more about the book, visit my Doria page. To get your copy, click here.

Can Pujols and Wilson save Orange County youth baseball?

Matthew Arnold Stern — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:00:19 +0000

Frankly, I wasn’t too excited when the Angels signed Albert Pujols. Ten years, $250 million for a player in his thirties? Perhaps he can do for the Angels in the teens what Reggie Jackson did in the eighties, if he doesn’t get hurt. CJ Wilson was a better catch, a player in his prime who …