Author: Miriam Drori

Author, editor, attempter of this thing called life. Social anxiety warrior. Re-Connections, a collection of short stories, published with Ocelot Press, 15/10/2025.

Categories
Uncategorized

Fifty

I’ve been researching the number fifty.

Religion

In the Hindu tantric tradition, fifty represents the fifty Rudras and the fifty phonemes of Sanskrit.

In Judaism, fifty years marks a Jubilee cycle, symbolising rebirth and renewal. Shavuot (Pentecost) occurs fifty days after the beginning of Passover.

In Christianity, Pentecost occurs fifty days after the Resurrection.

Numbers

The Roman numeral for fifty is L, the letter we often use for Learner.

The Hebrew numeral for fifty is נ.

50% is one half.

Geometry

A polygon with fifty sides is called a pentacontagon.

USA

Fifty represents the number of states, with Hawaii being the fiftieth state.

Media and Entertainment

There’s a film called Fifty First Dates. I hadn’t heard of it.

There was a TV series called Hawaii Five-O. I haven’t seen it.

But the Paul Simon song Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover is very familiar to me. I even wrote my own words to the song once.

Also

Fifty years of marriage is a golden wedding anniversary.

I once wrote a fifty-word story that was published in The 50-Word Stories of 2024 from Vine Leaves Press. Here it is:

“Corey Kimberli March 2021.” She reads the words yet again, shivering. Two years ago, she wrote it, he chained it, tossing the key the river swallowed. Embracing, both murmured, “Forever.”

Eyes burn, cheeks dampen as she remembers harsh words, bitter separation. Forever becoming never.

A hand warms hers. “Try again?”

Do you want to add anything about the number fifty?

Why have I been researching the number fifty?

Ah, I thought you’d never ask. It’s because today, 25th October 2026, I’m celebrating fifty years of living in Israel. And I’ve never once regretted the move.

Categories
Blogging short stories

Less Is More

Hello! I realise I haven’t posted properly on this blog for ever so long. These days, my blog posts seem too frivolous for serious times, and I don’t know if anyone misses them.

However, a tiny story has caused me to come out of hiding.

I expect you’ve heard the phrase Less Is More applied to writing. It could mean that a piece of writing could be written more concisely. Or sometimes, it’s better to let readers draw their own conclusions.

I’m sure Less Is More is the idea behind 50 Give or Take, the fifty-word stories that pop into my inbox every day.

I really liked yesterday’s story, but I’d have liked it better without the title, so I’m going to copy the story here without the title:

“Here at Greenlawn, we hope you’ll come to see yourself as part of our little community. Ah, this one’s yours, between Major Barker and Miss Lyle. Wonderful neighbors.” He gestured at the lake. “Of course, a wonderful view, summer and winter.”

“All inclusive?”

“Absolutely. A standard headstone with every plot.”

I’ll come back to this story further down the page. In the meantime, it would be lovely to know if anyone wants me to return to regular blogging.

And here’s a photo of me, taken in the UK in June with…

…Frank Sidebottom!

So about that fifty-word story, the title is: Your Forever Home. Don’t you think that ruins the story? I do.

Categories
Books Reviews

Murder in Gilmerton by Val Penny

Murder in Gilmerton

Murder in Gilmerton is a re-release of the book originally called Hunter’s Revenge. I believe I’ve read all the other books in the series, but I somehow missed this one, so I was delighted to be invited by Lynsey Adams of Reading Between the Lines to take part in the blog tour for the new version.

The beautiful city of Edinburgh, the setting for the whole series, shines out in this brand new cover.

Blurb

Behind Edinburgh’s genteel facade, a killer is settling an old score . . .

An elderly man is shot dead on his own doorstep in the leafy suburb of Gilmerton.

One bullet. Point-blank range. A professional hit on a harmless old man who lived a simple life collecting rare books.

Detective Hunter Wilson knows the victim. George Reinbold was once head of Crime Scene Investigations. He’s one of their own.

What Hunter can’t understand is why George’s modest flat is fortified with reinforced doors, bomb-blast curtains and a Cold War pistol under the bed.

That same morning, a young woman vanishes from a luxury car showroom. No struggle. No witnesses. Just a discarded coat and a missing blue Volvo.

Two cases. One killer?

In a city where everyone guards their secrets, the past has come knocking.

Detective Hunter Wilson must catch a murderer who has waited a lifetime to strike.

Author BIO

Val Penny’s crime novels form the bestselling DI Wilson Series set in Edinburgh.  

She is an American author living in SW Scotland with her husband and their cat.

My Review

Anyone in the business of story writing will tell you that the first line has to hook the reader, and Val Penny has definitely achieved that with this one. From there on, this fast-paced story takes the reader on an intriguing journey, solving several puzzles that arise.

DI Hunter Wilson, whose full name is the source of some embarrassment in one of the lighter themes of the book, thought he knew George. But while investigating George’s murder, he discovers that he didn’t really. The other murder victim doesn’t seem to have had any connection to crime, so why was she targeted?

I enjoyed reconnecting with familiar characters, on either side of the law, although this book can also be read stand-alone.

Categories
Books Reviews

Death in a Shetland Family By Marsali Taylor

Last July, I reviewed Marsali Taylor’s novel, An Imposter in Shetland. Now, she has a new mystery out: Death in a Shetland Family.

Here’s some information about it:

About the Novel

Shetland sailing sleuth Cass Lynch is definitely out of her comfort zone when she helps round up a prize-winning stallion escaped from the renowned Klaufister stud. She’s even less impressed by its owner, Keith Arthurson, a returned city slicker who’s already made enemies in his community.

An unexpected visit to the Arthursons shows Cass the tensions simmering within the family. When Keith’s found dead, can she uncover the motive for his murder without putting herself in danger?

How to buy: Paperback | Kindle

About the Author

Marsali Taylor grew up near Edinburgh, and came to Shetland as a newly-qualified teacher. She is currently a part-time teacher on Shetland’s scenic west side, living with her husband and two Shetland ponies. Marsali is a qualified STGA tourist-guide who is fascinated by history, and has published plays in Shetland’s distinctive dialect, as well as a history of women’s suffrage in Shetland. She’s also a keen sailor who enjoys exploring in her own 8m yacht, and an active member of her local drama group.

Author Facebook Page | Amazon Author Page | Website

My Review

Another great mystery from this author with a background of sailing. This time, I also learned about crofting in Shetland. In the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, crofting is a system of land tenure by tenants, who use the attached land for pasturage. Cass, an old hand at sailing, is new to crofting and forced to learn on the job. I was happy to sit back and read about it.

On top of all this extra work, Cass tries to help solve the murder, discussing who might be responsible with anyone who might have useful information. Naturally, this puts Cass in danger, leading to an exciting and surprising revelation.

As with the other novel, I enjoyed the writing and loved learning about the Shetland way of life. The mystery added to my enjoyment.

Many thanks to the author and to Lynsey Adams of Reading Between the Lines for the chance to read this book.

Categories
memoir memories

Responses to Writing About Fathers

Here are four responses to my last post on writing about fathers:

Just write down your thoughts and feelings.
I’m taking this one on board. I’ve been overthinking the writing part. I should write it all down and then decide what to include in the memoir.

Talk into a tape about the memories and use the recordings as a basis.
This could help many people. I’m not so into talking. I prefer writing.

What about abusive fathers?
It’s a valid point, or would be if I were planning a project on fathers in general and how to write about them. But actually, I’m planning to write about my father as part of my memoir, and my father wasn’t abusive.

The comment from Jean Davison is most helpful.
It describes a situation that’s probably very common. As young children, we look up to our parents for love and protection and see only the good in them. But as we grow older, we realise the complexity of their characters and often disapprove in part. I think this can be particularly true of fathers. In the past, they were the breadwinners and also had more of an opportunity to escape responsibilities. The biggest challenge when writing a memoir is to decide what to include and what to leave out.

Check out Jean’s excellent memoir: The Dark Threads.

Categories
Books memoir

Writing About Fathers

Writing about my childhood will necessarily include examining my relationships with my parents. With that in mind, I’ve been researching how to write about fathers. Here’s my summary.

Nina B. Lichtenstein wrote:

Some of us grow up close with our fathers, some of us not. Others become estranged as adults or find a way back to closeness as the years go by. There can be love, play, alliances, respect, and deep connection in father-child relationships, but there can also be defiance, struggle, abandonment, secrets, and abuse. And then there’s regret. How do we write through and with and about regret?

Think about how this often-complex relationship can bolster or belittle us, challenge and reward us.

The Meaning of Fatherhood

We need to work out what fatherhood means to us, what values and qualities we associate with the role. It could be about providing guidance, support and unconditional love. It could be about being a source of strength.

The Three Ps

Provider, Protector and Permanence
Or: Protect, Provide and Preside

These are the three roles typically associated with fathers. Did your father fulfill these roles? Did you expect him to do so?

Four Types of Fathers

  1. Those who play an active part in caring for and raising their children from day one.
  2. Those who are bystanders, who leave parenting to women.
  3. Those who would rather wait until their children are older and relatively independent before they begin to play a role.
  4. Those who are unavoidably absent or excluded from caring for their children.

Which sort was yours?

Lessons Learned From Your Father

List the traits, beliefs and peculiarities that you have acquired from him. These might be positive or negative. Also, what negative patterns have you tried to reverse?

Duties

According to Oilgrow, these are the ten duties of a father within a family:

  1. Provider
  2. Protector
  3. Disciplinarian
  4. Emotional support
  5. Role model
  6. Mentorship
  7. Quality time
  8. Breadwinner
  9. Teacher
  10. Companion – love, companionship, and support

Do you agree? How did your father perform the duties?

Characters (not only fathers) in a Memoir

Steven B. Killion says:

You are not the most important character in your life story—it is the other people in your life who give it meaning and who make it interesting.

I don’t agree. Yes, the other people are important, but you are the most important character in your story. After all, you are the only one who appears in every single scene written from your memory rather than from hearsay.

Readers, please comment. Do you agree with the points above? Do you have anything to add?

To end this post, I looked for a photo of my father and me. I found only one and well…

Categories
Blogging Books memoir short stories

I’m Back

Reading by the beach in Tel Aviv. You can’t see me reading because the book and the camera are on the same device.
In Cyprus

I know, you haven’t seen me here for over a year, apart from a few book reviews and notices about my latest book (Re-Connections: thirty-seven stories of connecting, disconnecting and reconnecting).

What Happened?

I’d been writing blog posts since March 23, 2009 – almost seventeen years. I used to have quite a few active followers. Over the years, I noticed my following dwindling until most posts gathered no comments and only a few likes.

Why was that? I think people were overwhelmed by content; I know I have been. Also, my content has changed. There is just so much new stuff to say about social anxiety. And anyway, just as I don’t want social anxiety to control my life, I don’t want it to control my output. There is more to me than that.

I saw that many people began to write posts on Substack and decided to jump on the bandwagon, starting on January 1, 2024. But I didn’t get many followers there either, and that’s probably because I didn’t promote myself enough. Besides, why should I spread myself thin?

So now I’m back to posting on my website with renewed vigour and fresh ideas. Also, thanks to world leaders and our Home Front Command, all my outside activities have been paused, giving me more time to write.

What Fresh Ideas?

Last month, I attended a writing retreat in the Trudos Mountains of Cyprus, led by a fabulous duo: Jennifer Lang and Sherri Mandell. I learned a lot about writing memoir and hope to produce one of my own. The first topic I want to research for that is: how to write about fathers. In my next post, I plan to bring you what I’ve learned on that topic. I hope some of you will have things to add.

See you again, soon.

Categories
Books Reviews

A Right Cozy Historical Crime

I’m delighted to be part of the blog tour for A Right Cozy Historical Crime. This is an anthology of short stories compiled by Wendy H. Jones including cosy mysteries written by contributing authors:

Marti M. McNair

Olga Wojtas

Sheena Macleod

Loretta Mullholland

Lexie Conyngham

Barbara Stevenson

Meg Woodward

Dianna Sinovic

Gareth Williams

Lisa Harkrader

Sheila Dené Lawrence

Penny Hutson

Lisabeth Early

The tour is organised by Lynsey Adams of Reading Between the Lines.

About the Book

Step into the comforting fog of time with A Right Cozy Historical Crime, a deliciously diverse anthology of cozy mysteries that span centuries and continents. From ancient alleys to a Victorian medical school, American towns to Scottish glens, these tales take you on a gentle stroll through history – where murder hides behind lace curtains and secrets linger in candlelit corridors. Perfect for fans of clever sleuths, rich historical detail, and mysteries solved with more brains than knowledge.

Links: Paperback / Kindle

About Wendy H. Jones

International Award Winning Author Wendy H. Jones lives in Scotland, and her police procedural series featuring DI Shona McKenzie are set.Wendy has led a varied and adventurous life. Her love for adventure led to her joining the Royal Navy to undertake nurse training. After six years in the Navy she joined the Army where she served as an Officer for a further 17 years. Killer’s Countdown was her first novel and the first book in the Shona McKenzie Mysteries. Killer’s Crew won the Books Go Social Book of the Year 2017. The seventh book in the series. Killer’s Curse will be released early august 2020. The Dagger’s Curse, the first book in The Fergus and Flora Mysteries, was a finalist in the Woman Alive Magazine Readers Choice Award Book of the Year. Turning to humorous crime the Cass Claymore Investigates series was born. She is also a highly successful marketer and is currently in the process of rereleasing her completely updated marketing book Marketing Matters. This will be part of the Writing Matters Series following the release of Motivation Matters. She is also the author of the Bertie the Buffalo picture book and associated soft toy and colouring book. Wendy is delighted to be one of the authors in two anthologies aimed at empowering women – The Power of Why, and Women Win Against All Odds. She is proud to be the President of the Scottish Association of Writers and is the host of The Writing and Marketing Show podcast, a writing and marketing coach. and CEO of Writing Matters online writing school, Authorpreneur Accelerator Academy.

My Review

These stories cover a wide range of historical periods and various topics and locations, though Scotland is well-represented. All are well-written and well-crafted. I enjoyed every one of them.

If I were to choose one over the rest, it would be the story by Wendy H. Jones: Cadavers and Conspiracies. That’s because it made me laugh and I need humour, especially in these trying times.

Categories
Books Reviews

Queen of Grime

I’m delighted to take part in the blog tour for Queen of Grime by Helen Forbes. The tour is organised by Lynsey Adams of Reading Between the Lines.

About the Book

The Queen of Grime is about to pay. Big time. 

Erin Flett is used to clearing up the sad debris of forgotten lives and tragic deaths. A crime and trauma scene cleaner from a deprived Edinburgh housing estate, she’s made a good life for herself and her daughter. But a secret from the past is about to catch up with her.

Ten years ago, Erin told a desperate lie with serious consequences. Now, someone else knows, and they’re determined to make Erin and her loved ones pay.

Following a terrifying late-night attack, the tension mounts until Erin doesn’t know who she can trust. As she struggles to keep her family safe, little does she realise just how close the danger is…

Queen of Grime is the first in a new series introducing Erin Flett, crime and trauma scene cleaner, and a rich cast of characters, set against the backdrop of the city of Edinburgh. With an occasional undertone of dark humour, it is a tale of family lies and family ties, friendships, secrets and loss.

Links to buy: Paperback / Kindle

About the Author

Helen Forbes is an author of Scottish crime fiction. She lives in her home-town of Inverness, in the Scottish Highlands. Helen began by writing contemporary and historical fiction, with no intention of turning to crime. It was a chance remark at a writing group about one of her short stories that led to her debut police procedural novel, In the Shadow of the Hill, set in Inverness and South Harris, featuring Detective Sergeant Joe Galbraith. Madness Lies is book 2 in the DS Joe Galbraith series, set in Inverness and North Uist.

Helen Forbes is an author of Scottish crime fiction. She lives in her home-town of Inverness, in the Scottish Highlands. Helen began by writing contemporary and historical fiction, with no intention of turning to crime. It was a chance remark at a writing group about one of her short stories that led to her debut police procedural novel, In the Shadow of the Hill, set in Inverness and South Harris, featuring Detective Sergeant Joe Galbraith. Madness Lies is book 2 in the DS Joe Galbraith series, set in Inverness and North Uist.

Helen has had two standalone crime thrillers published by Scolpaig Press. Unravelling, set in Inverness, was published in July 2021. Deception, set in Edinburgh, was published in January 2022.

Spoils of the Dead, a novella, was published in November 2022, and Queen of Grime, the first in a new series, was released in December 2022.

Helen would be delighted to hear from readers. Please contact her and join her mailing list on her website to get her author news and a free copy of the novella, Spoils of the Dead.

Author links: Facebook / Website / Amazon Author Page

My Review

Family plays an important role in this novel. Even when family members have behaved badly or lied, even when relationships are kept secret and only revealed later in the story, loyalty takes precedence.

I learned plenty from this novel, especially about Erin’s job. I’d never considered that specialised cleaning could be necessary following a death. Queen of Grime is great name for it.

Danger builds gradually throughout the novel until the thrilling climax. I had to keep reading, hoping for a happy ending but worrying all was lost. Highly recommended.

Categories
Everyday life Israel

Independence Park

I’ve lived in Tel Aviv for twenty months and I’m still discovering parts of it. I’ll probably continue to do so for a long time.

Independence Park is my latest find. It’s not so far from my home and has existed for decades, so I really should have known about it. It has wonderful views of the sea below. I expect I’ll be returning to it soon.