Les Cochran Blog

Fiction Author

November 27, 2014
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Happy Thanksgiving, Laptop!

I have a lot to be thankful for this year. Sometimes we just need to think about how fortunate we are to have our family and friends.  My year didn’t start so well when I learned that my new left … Continue reading

October 12, 2014
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The Real Les: Elementary

Just for fun, I will periodically be sharing some of my childhood stories. I’ll label this series “The Real Les.” The first in this series takes place when I was in elementary school. My legal name is Leslie and that is what my mother called me when I was young. In the old days a male called Les was either Leslie or Lester. Today I go by Les otherwise people think I am a girl! <a href="”> Read More…
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August 21, 2014
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NCAA’s Two-Step Placates Few: Time for the Big Dance

We all remember Saturday afternoon and the big football game—homecoming, parties, dances and rallies—what could be better? Student tickets were free and alums found a reason to return. Student-athletes went to class and graduated in four years. They earned their scholarship by working on campus. Players had personal responsibilities. And so it was fifty years ago. <a href="”> Read More… Continue reading

August 14, 2014
by lescochranblog
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FUNDraising Can Be FUN!

Asking for money is right up there with some of the most feared things people do—deal with death, experience a divorce, give a speech—most people say, “I could never do that.”
For the first two-thirds of my career, I rationalized it the same way. “I don’t want to be a university president,” I’d say. “No way I’m going around town with a tin cup in my hand.”
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August 7, 2014
by lescochranblog
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My Red Pen Came Back to Bite Me!

When I retired people celebrated for many reasons. Those closest to me were relieved—NO MORE RED INK!
My red ink obsession had become part of the office talk. . . . . staff members were overwhelmed by the amount of red ink I deposited on their work. <a href="”> Read More… Continue reading

July 31, 2014
by lescochranblog
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It’s No Joke Being a Provost

        “I’m only human,” the provost said.         “Human? You’re the provost—that’s an oxymoron.”   Those are the last two lines in Costly Affair (#2 in trilogy of love, lies and liaisons.)  The quote makes … Continue reading

July 24, 2014
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Real Life Brain Tumor?

The first challenge in writing a novel is to start with an exciting scene—as the experts say “a grabber”—something that draws the reader in. My editor clearly stated, “I want to see drama, intrigue.  Give me something exciting!  Start in … Continue reading

July 17, 2014
by lescochranblog
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Storyboard Tells the Rest of the Story

Being an author generates lots of questions from friends.  Some think they might like to try their hand at publishing.  For others it’s the least likely thing they’d ever do.  Still, the questions come:  “How do you keep track of … Continue reading