The Stories Hats Carry: Power prompts
As a writer, people give me stories. Sometimes, they come in words—fragments whispered over coffee, the quiet confession of a stranger, the weight of a gasped secret. But sometimes, stories arrive in objects. And my favorite? Hats. And an intriguing hat makes for a powerful writing prompt. Writing prompts are more than just words on […]
The Earth Opened
When the earth cracked open and the sky rained fire, author Mark R. Clifford emerged from the ashes of Mount Pinatubo. When the streets whispered secrets, he listened—and witnessed cases that shook nations. His survival-His investigations-His legacy. . . These aren’t just stories; they’re dispatches from the edge of history. Now, his latest chapter has […]
Join Author Mark R. Clifford for an Inspiring Journey into Autobiographical Fiction!
Discover how storytelling can illuminate the past, reshape the present, and inspire the future.
In Honor of Veteran’s Day: A Veteran’s Story
Trapped in a Quonset hut as Mount Pinatubo erupted, Marine Staff Sergeant Mark Clifford and his men faced suffocating darkness and scalding ash, fighting for survival as a typhoon turned the volcanic debris to cement.
AN AUTOMATION PARADOX: JOHN HENRY IN THE AGE OF ROBOTS
Automation renders many humans obsolete. The legendary struggle of John Henry, immortalized by Johnny Cash’s famous ballad, serves as a cautionary tale for institutions like today’s longshoremen.
Lava Leadership: Lessons learned from a volcanic crucible
Leadership is the alchemy that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. My gripping “lead to gold” story’s vivid images will transport you to the heart of a leadership conundrum. A mountain called “Pinatubo” (Tagalog for “to have made grow”) gifted me with a bulletproof leadership method: COACH (Creativity, Openness, Adaptability, Communication, and Humanity). The COACH […]
Pleasant Hill Writers Panel – March 11, 2024
Uncover the riveting stories behind local authors’ must-read novels at the Pleasant Hill Library’s Author Panel. Hear how real-life experiences inspire unforgettable fiction during this insightful literary event on March 11th.
Heroes for Hope: Heroes vs. AI
The rise of artificial intelligence is drastically changing the world we live in. For first responders on the frontlines, adapting to new AI technologies presents both opportunities and challenges.
Financial Intelligence Interview
From battlefield to police beat: ‘Typhoon Coast’ unveils an all-American hero’s transformation through war’s trials, personal healing, and post-traumatic growth.
What’s Really Happening: Guinea Pigs and Pop Tarts
Mark recounts his experiences in 1991 as a young Marine buried during Mount Pinatubo’s eruption; discussing the importance of mental health.
