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Ride The Wave
I rarely find myself with sweaty palms these days…except when I share my writing. I’ve posted and published so much over the last decade, you’d think exposure alone would seal this last fount of my social anxiety. But, no. As my finger hovers over the send or submit button, my hands are damp and shaky, every time. [Even now] Another writer asked me a question, basically, “How do we know our writing is good enough to be published? What if we share it with people and it actually sucks?” That’s the question of the social media century. We think our work is good, but we question ourselves, and what if…
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In The Driver’s Seat
If you have driven in town lately, you can testify to the following AP article premise: Average IQs are plummeting worldwide. And here’s another worry—it’s not going to get better. Fourth grade reading proficiencies are at 33%, which means 7 out of 10 ten-year-olds have a hard time sounding out words, let alone understanding them. And the DMV still publishes their manuals in written form. Oh boy. There is hope, however, and it is you. You are the sacred keeper of the meaning of its and it’s. You know the Pantheon of their there they’re. Then there’s the deeper magic—you can show, not tell. Science tells us you’re about to…
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Sing Us A Song…
He is 73, and he takes the stage. He runs a hand through his shock of white hair, exposing strands of tendons attached to wiry but impressive biceps. His T-shirt stretches tight over a broad and lean chest. His jeans make his torso look more like an upside-down triangle than a rectangle. He slings the electric guitar to the front and, with aged hands, slams a chord that fills the arena. His friend is already on stage. The friend is 75, and he sits at a piano. He is a bit thicker than the guitar player but still spry enough to pull off a few moves on stage. His hands…
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Move On, Dear Writer
Recently, I listened to a masterclass from author Dan Brown. He mentioned you can get to a point in the editing process where you edit out the “magic” from the first few drafts. The excitement, and the fire—the thing that made the story special. Similarly, I once heard in a class from Robin Lee Hatcher (February 2024 Monthly Meeting Speaker!) that there comes a point when you need to stop researching your historical and write it. Because you can research forever… especially if, like her, you enjoy research. Participants in critique groups can polish the first 30% of their story for years, even a decade, but never finish a manuscript.…
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The Right Editor
We are not the best at judging our own stories. Especially when we are fragile. We need an outside perspective, just the right one. Have freedom to search for the right one.
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Simply Uncomplicated
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:17–18 ESV) There’s a common adage taught to speakers, writers, and teachers when they’re trying to instill a new concept. You’ve probably heard, “Keep It Simple Stupid,” or KISS. There’s some biblical credence to this philosophy in 1 Corinthians 1:17-18. Paul did not speak with flowery, educated terms, but let the Holy…
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Why Does God Ask Questions in the Bible?
Why do God and Jesus ask questions? Doesn’t it seem silly? After all, God knows everything.
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Interruptions
We set goals for ourselves, but then we get distracted by things that come up along the way. We might give up on our dreams, or we might just get lost in the details and forget what we are working towards.
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Christmas Moment(s)
Part of what is overwhelming during the holidays is spending 24-plus days planning for a single day event. Or if you are one of the lucky people to start Christmas the night before, two days. It’s similar when you plan a novel. The characters, plot, editing, theme, formatting, reviews, marketing… There’s so much to mange that you might freeze instead of start. Interestingly, both Christmas and new releases have a similar letdown on the day after. Christmas is intense focus on gifts, meal, food…a perfect minute. And the more expectation you have, the greater the chance of disparity between want and reality. Instead of trying to see and plan the…
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Bottomless Solutions
Sometimes we cling to our ideas or thoughts because we're afraid it’s the best we can come up with.
