K.R.M. Morgan

“Write what you know.” ― Mark Twain Role Models for Aspiring Authors When aspiring writers look for advice on how to guide or develop their own writing they often come across the axiom “ Write what you know ”, a saying attributed to both  Twain  and  Hemingway  (I have cited Twain as he was the earlier of the two writers).  As a novice writer one can understand how life experience acted as a powerful catalyst for some writers to make their work both realistic and highly detailed.  If we take the action and espionage genre of fiction, then we can see clear examples of how individuals who enjoyed careers in the intelligence community went on to write highly successful spy novels.  Ian Fleming served in the British Navy Intelligence during the second world war and his experiences were used to create the James Bond series of spy novels.   David John Cornwell  (better known by his ...

I wish all my readers, and their loved ones, a very Happy Holiday Season and a peaceful and healthy Happy New Year! Konrad 

Guns are like thermometers, only instead of measuring body temperatures they measure our fear. -  Jean Zimmerman History The invention of the firearm in 10th century China transformed warfare and, as the technology spread along the Silk Route the nature of combat changed fundamentally forever. Before the arrival of the gun the outcome of a fight was determined by physical strength, determination and skill in using weapons.  As we have discussed in our post related to Martial Arts such skills with armed and unarmed fighting took considerable time to develop.  It also required courage to stand against another opponent and physically exchange blows and techniques in a competition where life itself was at stake. Philosophical Considerations The gun transformed the nature of combat so that a weaker person could kill a physically stronger opponent from a distance and without any risk.   The gun was, and remains, the perfect weapon for the weak to ove...