“It didn’t matter who your parents were or if you were a star football player or a cheerleader or the class valedictorian or the class stoner or clown, you were going to be treated like everyone else. For those forty-two minutes, in Mr. Kelley’s room, every one of us were one of the cool kids.”
Author Archives: tyfroth
Playing the WWJD Card
“I’d like to believe that the pastor and or congregation, represented by the declaration on the sign, apply their aversion to social distancing in all situations, not just the ones that may fit a political view or a need to fill pews and collection baskets.”
Pastiche Makes Perfect
I’m often asked where the ideas for my novels come from. Typically, they are inspired by existing stories: those I teach and those I’ve enjoyed. My most recent effort, Island No. 6, can best be described as a Patchwork Pastiche of some of those stories. In literature, a pastiche is a text that celebrates anotherContinue reading “Pastiche Makes Perfect”
Some of the People in My Life,Volume 2: Julie Roth
Whenever I tell my wife, Julie, that I’ve sent a another Letter to the Editor, posted a blog article, or published a new novel, a slight, involuntary gasp escapes from between her lips. It is a nearly imperceptible gasp, yet it teems with meaning. “Oh, God, who do I need to warn or avoid thisContinue reading “Some of the People in My Life,Volume 2: Julie Roth”
The Sandusky Sixteen (or So)
“Braving potential confrontations with teenage bag boys and price gun-wielding shelf-stockers, they stormed past the yellow floor barricades warning “Wet Floors.”
Signs, Signs, Everywhere’s There Signs
“What was once a relatively meek show of support for one’s preferred candidate has morphed into what feels like a full-blown act of belligerent in-your-face aggression.”
Some of the People in My Life: Del Culver
“Del possesses one of the most capacious hearts I’ve ever encountered, meaning there’s room and love in there for just about everyone.”
High Hopes
“If the melting pot metaphor still has relevance, it may be in our public schools. I hope that the seeds of division currently being sown across the political spectrum will be left to wither in the field by the young people of America now.”
A Bad Romance: The Story Behind the Story of Island No. 6
“I picked up the pieces of my writer’s broken heart and put myself and my work out there once more. Who knows? Maybe Mr. or Mrs. Right Agent is still out there. If so, I’m willing to put the bad romance behind me and to learn to love again.”
36th Year – To Teach or Not to Teach
“Soon I’ll begin my 36th year in the classroom. It will certainly be the most bizarre of school years and likely the most challenging, and over the summer, there have been moments when the thought of retiring has flickered across my mind”
Ty Roth 