Ask the Author: John Caher
Answered Questions (6)
John Caher
It had been in the back of my mind for a long time. I had covered the Kiryas Joel story as a newspaper reporter for many years, but it was only fairly recently that my wise and talented co-author, Lou Grumet, planted the idea for a book. Actually, he nagged me until I relented. And I will be forever grateful!
For a very long time, I have been intrigued by the two absolutely essential elements of the Establishment Clause -- freedom OF religion (Madison) and freedom FROM religion (Jefferson) -- and saw both as vital to our freedom.
In a good chunk of the world, where there is no equivalent of the Establishment Clause and people are either denied the right to worship as they see fit or forced to worship as others see fit, what do we see? Violence. Mayhem. Chaos. Destruction. Murder. All in the name of "God."
When people convince themselves that they are God's chosen or that they and their friends hold the holy grail, they can rationalize a heck of a lot.
Freedom OF and FROM religion is crucial to individual rights.
For a very long time, I have been intrigued by the two absolutely essential elements of the Establishment Clause -- freedom OF religion (Madison) and freedom FROM religion (Jefferson) -- and saw both as vital to our freedom.
In a good chunk of the world, where there is no equivalent of the Establishment Clause and people are either denied the right to worship as they see fit or forced to worship as others see fit, what do we see? Violence. Mayhem. Chaos. Destruction. Murder. All in the name of "God."
When people convince themselves that they are God's chosen or that they and their friends hold the holy grail, they can rationalize a heck of a lot.
Freedom OF and FROM religion is crucial to individual rights.
John Caher
I don't know that I get "inspired" so to speak. It'd be more accurate to say that I stumble on something that interests me, get excited about it (I like to tell stories) and get started. It's rarely a chore, and with my long background as a journalist I don't sit around waiting for inspiration to rain down on me. With apologies to Nike, just do it.
John Caher
Something unlike anything I've done before -- a photographic memoir featuring the images and anecdotes of a legendary photojournalist. Stay tuned!
John Caher
I like to learn and I like to tell stories. Being a writer allows me to do both those things.
John Caher
Just tell the story, don't get enamored with your descriptive prose and remember it's not all about you -- it's all about your reader. In my view, good writing is seamless and, for the reader, effortless.
I would suggest reading a wide variety of books and newspapers, and keeping a journal of phrases or words that you like. Sometimes, I'll just really look a few words that someone strung together, and I'll save them. I'm not suggesting plagiarism of course, but sometimes when writing and struggling I'll look over the collection and something will come to mind.
I would suggest reading a wide variety of books and newspapers, and keeping a journal of phrases or words that you like. Sometimes, I'll just really look a few words that someone strung together, and I'll save them. I'm not suggesting plagiarism of course, but sometimes when writing and struggling I'll look over the collection and something will come to mind.
John Caher
I've spent most of my career as a newspaper reporter, and over the years have written approximately 10,000 bylined articles. If I get "writer's block" the problem is one of two things: either I don't know what I'm talking about, and need to do more reporting; or I've wandered mentally.
The "fix" is real simple: I open up a blank document and make myself write, in one sentence and no more, what this article or chapter or portion of chapter is about. It works wonderfully.
The "fix" is real simple: I open up a blank document and make myself write, in one sentence and no more, what this article or chapter or portion of chapter is about. It works wonderfully.
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