Introducing Delilah – the Newest Dragon(et) on the Reef

Synchiropus ocellatus  – the “Ocellated dragonet” (or “Scooter Blenny”) is one of my favorite marine fish. A couple of months ago, not-so-little Elvis began a nightly ritual: swimming back and forth, up and down, along the surface of the water. He did it for hours on end, starting just after sunset and continuing until the tank lights went out for the night. After a little research, I realized he was trying to find a mate; in the wild, male blennies “dance” near the surface to advertise their availability to females in the area.  Unfortunately for Elvis, no female was going to wander into his territory

Read more

A Visit to Nanzen-ji (and the Abbot’s Garden)

Originally established during the late 13th century, Nanzen-ji remains one of Kyoto’s preeminent Rinzai Zen (Buddhist) Temples and a popular destination for tourists as well as local Japanese visitors. Nanzen-ji’s precincts house a number of smaller temples, as well as the famous “Abbot’s Garden” located adjacent to the Hōjō, or Abbot’s quarters. Although admission to the garden requires payment of a separate fee (there is no fee for admission to the primary grounds, or viewing the Sanmon, but there are fees for entering various parts of the temple grounds), fans of Japanese gardens and traditional landscape art will find the Hōjō worth the price of

Read more

The Benefits of Copyright Registration

In the United States, copyright protection for creative works attaches to qualifying works (like novels) automatically at the time of the work’s creation. Formal registration is not required to create a copyright in an author’s work – however, registration does provide important benefits. For that reason, authors should ensure their creative works are properly copyrighted, preferably within three months after initial publication. The issue of copyright registration should be addressed in every publishing contract. Authors should know whether the contract obligates the publisher to register copyright, and if not, the author should arrange for registration of the work himself (or herself). When is a work

Read more

How to Conquer the Fear of Pitching Your Novel

Many authors find pitching scary, whether they’re talking to editors and agents or to readers. Sometimes, this fear (or nerves, if you prefer) is responsible for the pitch running far too long and becoming convoluted. Often, authors think they need to read the pitch off a card or “cheat sheet,” to keep themselves from forgetting critical elements. Nervousness, the “need to read” and stress-induced over-complication of pitches are symptoms of the same problem, and today we’ll talk about how to overcome it. Tip #1: Write a Strong, SHORT, Pitch That Can Be Delivered in a Single Sentence.  If the pitch is too long, too complex,

Read more

Corals Are Smarter Than You Think.

Reefkeeping poses many challenges, chief among them the need to integrate species that live in different natural environments–sometimes thousands of miles apart–and although good reef keepers know to stock only compatable species within a single tank, sometimes even compatable fish and corals need to learn how to get along. Some corals are photosynthetic, others eat plankton, and others eat larger, meaty foods (including fish — another reason to be careful what you stock in your captive reef). Since corals lack eyes, brains, and complex nervous systems, they react to the environment immediately and without considering consequences. Some sting, while others produce

Read more

Waraku-an, Nijo Castle’s Teahouse and Garden

Last summer’s research trip to Kyoto took me to Nijo Castle, a shogun’s palace constructed on the order of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Construction commenced in 1601, although the palace was not completed until 1626.  Admission to Nijo Castle gives visitors access to Wakaru-an, but only if they purchase tea (or snacks) in the teahouse adjacent to the garden. Since I feel an attachment to the garden, we decided to head inside. Large hedges fronted by decorative stones block the garden and teahouse from passersby; Once inside, you can stay as long as you like to enjoy your tea. I had a traditional matcha drink, along with

Read more

Crafting Elevator Pitches, Part 2

Last week, we took a look at the elements of a winning logline-style elevator pitch. Today, we’re looking more closely at how to apply them and craft the pitch itself. To recap, the elements you’re looking for are your novel’s protagonist, active antagonist, stakes, and high concept. And remember: the high concept might or might not make it into your pitch, but you need to keep it in mind. Remember, also, that a logline pitch is merely the start of a conversation with an editor, agent, or reader. For that reason, it shouldn’t be long – a single sentence, or a single

Read more

Crabs on the Reef

People often ask “what else” I have in the reef, aside from seahorses: Three emerald crabs–who have no names, because it’s difficult to tell them apart, and also because they haven’t been with me long enough to receive or deserve them. If and when they become distinguishable, either in appearance or by behavior, we’ll give them names. Three porcelain crabs–Ripley, Small, and Alien Queen–who, though not “true crabs,” are easy to spot and smart enough to eat from the feeding tube I use with the seahorses. I also have about two dozen tiny red-legged hermits, which inhabit shells that range

Read more

Tōrō: Japan’s Traditional Lanterns

Traditional Japanese stone lanterns, known as tōrō, came to Japan from China as part of Buddhist temple architecture, most likely during or shortly before the Nara Period (8th century A.D.).  Many bear inscriptions of poetry or donors’ names: and the hanging form, tsuri-dōrō, most commonly displayed on eaves. Above the base, the post that supports the fire box (normally cylindrical, but sometimes carved with legs or in other geometric shapes) represents the element of water. Not surprisingly, the fire box (commonly square, but in rare cases octagonal or hexagonal) represents fire.   Today, some tōrō still burn with traditional flames, while others have been outfitted with electric or battery-powered lights.

Read more