What do you think is the best day for a wedding? Maybe late spring or summer, I would say. Good weather, good wedding, right? …
Continue Reading about Why the Feast of the Protection is the Best Day for a Russian Wedding
What do you think is the best day for a wedding? Maybe late spring or summer, I would say. Good weather, good wedding, right? …
Continue Reading about Why the Feast of the Protection is the Best Day for a Russian Wedding
I think many of you will agree with me when I say that one of the great joys in life is making up stories for your two-year-old …
Continue Reading about 7 Obstacles for the Heroes of Slavic Mythology
I’m getting to the end of my second novel, and the climax is going to be a real heart-breaker. I’m not going to spoil anything for …
Continue Reading about This was a war you won’t read about in history books
Recently, a friend and I had a long overdue lunch. The food was good (Burmese), the company lively, and the conversation fruitful. …
Yesterday, I had a remarkably fruitful writing session at the pool. No, I didn’t swim, but my kids' squeals of delight …
Continue Reading about Five Interesting Facts about Russian Ritual Lamentation
Everywhere you look these days in the entertainment world, you see superheroes. And although we may (finally) be getting to a …
Continue Reading about 7 Superhero Warriors from Slavic Mythology
The Tsar's Menu: A Feast for the Whole World Have you ever noticed how ambivalent people are about wealth? On the one …
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You know when you have a great plan in place, when you plan your week, when you feel like you're finally going to be your best …
I’ve had a wonderful few weeks, both in terms of work and rest. My kids are growing up fast and beautiful, my work is rewarding, …
Continue Reading about 5 Unusual Codes of Behavior in Old Russia
I’m having a great time getting into the exciting bits of my new novel. Bear-riders have appeared, my main character is in the …
Continue Reading about 15 Russian expressions you’ve never heard of
Many people have an allergic reaction to the word "conventional." Or, worse yet, "traditional." They immediately sense the bonds …
Continue Reading about 8 things you’ve never heard about medieval Russian princes
Recently, my darling wife and I celebrated our third anniversary. In the midst of writing long swathes of my second novel about …
Continue Reading about 7 Things You’ve Never Heard about Russian Weddings
Right now, I’m basking in the productive atmosphere of the Oregon Coast Writers’ Retreat, and I’m getting close to a place in my …
Yesterday, I got back from an amazing trip to Saratov, Russia, where I was one of 41 men recording sacred music for a men’s choir …
In the novel I'm working on now, the generation of characters that was young in the first novel now has children. And …
Sometimes, when I get stuck in my writing, it helps to take some time to study the visual arts. The amazing flourishing of serious …
Continue Reading about The Three Warriors of Slavic Mythology: Who Were They?
The Hut on Chicken Feet Slavic mythology would not be the same without the old hag with an odd taste in food and …
Continue Reading about Villains from Slavic Mythology: Baba Yaga
These days, Tolkien isn’t particularly popular among certain readers and publishers of fantasy. To be called “Tolkien-esque” can …
Continue Reading about Things You May Not Know about “Kievan Rus”