Dom Testa
Author, Speaker, Broadcaster
Author, Speaker, Broadcaster
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Started as a kid, published as an adult, and much more to come.
Fiction and non-fiction
Traditionally and independently published
A variety of pen names
“Multiple exclamation marks are a sure sign of a diseased mind”
The sentence didn’t look right. I read it twice, and thought, “An editor at ESPN missed this.”
The line read: “Morrison played just 28 percent of the defense of snaps for the Packers last season . . .”
The defense of snaps?
Then, in the next paragraph, it happened again, only with a different team: “Morrison played 75 percent of the defense of snaps for the Colts . . .”
It took a few seconds before the big a-ha moment: Somebody dictated this article and the artificial intelligence mistook “defensive” for “defense of.”
One of the best pieces of advice a writer can receive has to do with building a lead character:
Make them likable or unlikable, but for God’s sake make us feel something about them.
I recognize Melissa McCarthy’s stature as a comedic star. I mostly enjoyed her turn in Bridesmaids, but after a while her schtick grew a little tired to me. And, based on recent box office results, it’s not clicking too well with the rest of the movie-going public, either.
I’m writing this on Election Day 2018, and we all know how ridiculous it can get. But there’s one thing in particular I can’t understand.
Why, oh why, do so many celebrities - on both the left and the right - keep warning us that they’ll “move to Canada” if their candidate loses?
Opening weekends for movies are generally not my thing. But I made an exception this weekend because Gretchen and I were both anxious to see the new movie about Freddie Mercury and Queen called Bohemian Rhapsody.
This is not a review of that movie - all I can say is that it was fantastic. Go see it.
There was an interesting contrast that stood out to me, however.
(There’s currently a movement underway to adjust where Halloween falls on the calendar. I think it’s a good idea - but they got the details wrong, I believe. So I’m resurrecting this post from two years ago to set the story straight. This is how we should change things.)
I like Christmas, but I love Thanksgiving. It’s got everything you want in a holiday: time off from work, a chance to hang with family and friends, a little bit of football, and the best food of all time. On top of that, while it might inject a little bit of stress, it doesn’t come close to the crushing pressures we associate with Christmas.
The only problem is that Thanksgiving comes at the wrong time. Let’s move it from late November to the fourth Thursday of October. Here’s why:
There was a recent study about boredom, and I couldn’t help but notice that once again the basic attitude seemed to be that this is a bad thing. People have no patience whatsoever for boredom.
Which is sad, I think. In fact, I have such an appreciation for boredom that I made it the subject of an entire chapter in my latest book, The Color of Your Dreams.
This book was written to help people who want to get published but perhaps lack the confidence it takes to get their words out there. It’s not a “how to write” book, but rather a “get off your butt” book.
But chapter 12 is all about boredom, and how we should embrace it, especially if we want to tap into our creativity. Here’s a free excerpt from The Color of Your Dreams featuring that chapter. If you’d like to dive into the entire book - or hopefully share it with friends, maybe as a holiday gift - you can find it at Amazon, or right here on my site.
WARNING: There is language that may offend. This book is not for kids.
By now I’m sure you’re familiar with the term FOMO, or Fear of Missing Out. The explosion of social media has created an entire sub-category of people who mourn the fact they’re not out having as much fun as all those hipster-doodles they see on Facebook or Instagram.
Apparently I’m a big weirdo, because when I see photos from some crowded, crazy event the first thought that goes through my mind is: “I’m so glad I’m not there.”
It’s one thing to get older and gradually notice aches and pains, especially first thing in the morning. (Putting on my socks never used to be such an effort, but at 4am my back isn’t on board with my get-ready-for-work routine.)
But it’s another thing to notice something else deteriorating, something I’ve done pretty well for half a century.
My handwriting has gone straight to hell. There was a time when I was proud of my penmanship, thanks to some wonderful elementary school teachers and to my mom, whose cursive was practically calligraphy.
In case we need any more proof of the personal connection we make with art, here it is.
You can criticize almost anything about a person, like their car, their lawn, even their hairstyle, and they’ll probably just shrug. We generally don’t care what people think of our choices.
But tell them the music they love is crap and they’ll storm off. Say something derogatory about their favorite movie and they’ll practically unfriend you. Disagree when they rave about a book and you’re not only wrong, you’re a shithead and likely to get punched in the face.
We may not like it when someone disses our shoes but that’s nothing compared to questioning our favorite art. (Although, yes, for many people shoes count as art.) This puzzled me for the longest time until I realized it’s not just a matter of different styles.
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So how would you like to just think something and have it converted into spoken words?
Well, as scary as that could sometimes be, its also a huge win for some patients.
Also, if you seem to constantly battle strep throat in your home, I can tell you why.
And let’s get to the bottom of this 10,000 steps per day rule. You’ll never believe where it came from.
Time to get your nerd on!
We got a cosmic two-fer several billion years ago. We got a beautiful moon and something even more important.
Rock-a-bye-baby is fine for an infant. It’s time we started demanding equal time as adults.
And you may have had a crappy year or two in your life, but wait until you hear about the worst year ever.
It’s all in this week’s Newz for Nerdz, which you can access right here. Plus, subscribe to the weekly NFN mailer right here so you never miss a chance to get your nerd on.
We got a cosmic two-fer several billion years ago. We got a beautiful moon and something even more important.
Rock-a-bye-baby is fine for an infant. It’s time we started demanding equal time as adults.
And you may have had a crappy year or two in your life, but wait until you hear about the worst year ever.
It’s all in this week’s Newz for Nerdz, which you can access right here. Plus, subscribe to the weekly NFN mailer right here so you never miss a chance to get your nerd on.
Those memories you cherish? They may be totally false.
That 100% grade on a test? It might be bad for you.
Some big rocks in space? They could really ruin your day.
All in this week’s Newz for Nerdz!
Here’s the portal where you can listen right now. You can also find NFN on Spotify and iTunes, with even more to come!
This week we take a close look at your relationship and how long it might last - as predicted by a machine.
Also, new studies on the science of fasting are getting people excited. Could it be right for you?
And my favorite story of the week is about a frog named Romeo, who may - FINALLY! - get lucky.
Find it all inside the Newz for Nerdz podcast, which you can listen to right here.
This week we see how an insect uses a catapult to launch its pee, all in the name of self-preservation.
Also, don’t be surprised if your next surgeon seems straight out of Star Wars.
And let’s have some fun by watching slo-mo video of the proper way to shoot a rubber band.
One of the greatest guitarists in rock music also happens to be an astrophysicist. His new song is an ode to the pioneering spacecraft, New Horizons.
Also, could your cat’s poop turn you into a successful entrepreneur?
And we close out with a weird piece about falling to your death. Just how high do you need to be?
Click through and listen to this week’s Newz for Nerdz podcast.
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Here’s where I recommend some favorite novels, books on writing and productivity, and even tech gear I like. Just follow this link to dive in.
On the radio show we talked about couples renewing their wedding vows, a practice often seen on 10th or 20th anniversaries.
I gave it some thought during a commercial break and came to the conclusion that people might be looking at it the wrong way. Sure, you can renew your vows and pledge once again to be faithful and supportive — you know, the usual words spoken millions of times before.
But to me this puts your marriage vows on the same level as your car’s registration, a routine that’s somewhat mechanical, following an established procedure on a predetermined timeline that everyone follows.
After the show I drove home, still pondering the idea. Here’s what I think: