Cambodian Monsoon

Cambodian Monsoon

For the first few years of my coming to Cambodia, I came during the dry season. I remember one talk I was giving at the International School in Phnom Penh when, after the students had finished with their questions, the teacher turned to me and asked if I had any...
Back East

Back East

I’m now back in Cambodia for a busy couple of weeks splitting my time between Writing Through and Anjali House. I can tell you that it’s a much longer trip to SE Asia from New York than it is from London. The jet lag was pretty intense, but after five days...

Does Spelling Count?

Isn’t that the question that every student asks? Well now for me it really does seem to matter in  a new way. Over the past quarter century I adopted the British way of spelling in most of my writing, and as someone whose stock in trade is words, that was...
Getting Into Your Writing Head

Getting Into Your Writing Head

I can’t even begin to say how much stuff there is in my head — not necessarily useful stuff, mind you, but the kind of stuff that feels important and necessary at the time. Over the past few years, I have gotten used to juggling lots of different...
Huh? What Did They Say?

Huh? What Did They Say?

There’s a lot of serious stuff going on these days and, to be honest, I’m in the need for a bit of fun. Plus, it’s the middle of August, and here on my island home that means the height of the summer season with all of its excesses and silliness. So,...