• Writerly Wednesday

    Villain or Hero? Skip The Tired Tropes Consult the Philosophers

    Many authors, including myself, have a theory about what makes a book sell past one or two printings. One word.  Magic.  Well, not quite. Here’s what we see.  Over the years, philosophers, theologians, and others have narrowed down seven basic good characteristics and seven not-so-good things a person does. Over time, they’ve been labeled the Seven Heavenly Virtues and the Seven Deadly Sins.  It’s easy to list them. Perhaps we’ll spend the time later. But for now, let’s talk about one virtue—loading the dishwasher.  Loading the dishwasher is also coupled with unloading, and over the past 6,000 years, dishwashing has been known to be one of the greatest attributes a…

  • Writerly Wednesday

    Writing Human Nature

    A man named Aesop, in Greece, wanted to write a children’s book. He pulled together a few local tales, penned them, and hit the best-seller list.   By age seven, little Spartan and Athenian warriors went to school to become community-minded members of society by learning the fables. At the same time, they trained to be bloodthirsty warriors and graduated to slaughter Persians. Well, no society is perfect.   The fables stood the test of time. What are they, and how can they support your writing?  A fable is a short story featuring animals or objects as characters. The tale is designed to rely on the animal’s nature to convey a clear…

  • Monday Meditation

    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…

  • Writerly Wednesday

    Visions of Sugarplums: Writing Christmas

    When a writer touches pen to paper during Christmas, hollies and cranberries appear. Lights dance and visions of sugarplums fill the skies. We can’t help ourselves. Christmas is magical, whether we love the magical or not.   I revel in the holidays and overload myself with reading and writing Christmastime.  Here are a few tips to keep your Christmas readers filled with holiday cheer!  Writing about Christmas can be rewarding and a positive way to engage readers. Enjoy a tall glass of eggnog and a plateful of sugarplums while you craft the words that change the world. Blessings! 

  • Writerly Wednesday

    Creating Together

    This morning, as the last leaves rain from the trees, I’m viewing a fall combination of swirling, smoke-grey clouds across a deep blue sky, pierced by shafts of brilliant sunlight. The effect is a lovely collaboration of shifting, shimmering, dramatic low lights, highlights and shadows. Especially right now, in a world that can feel very divided, I like pondering the creative benefits of collaboration. As well, I’m finishing one novel and looking toward the next, which is half finished, and is a collaborative effort with another author. There are many good reasons to collaborate on a project. Beyond the exciting creative possibilities, as well as the possible doubling of our…

  • Writerly Wednesday

    In The Crucible

    Do your favorite authors live the perfect life?  The picture in my mind shows they’ve had a healthy breakfast and walked the dog. They take their coffee to their immaculate study and move into a creative state so potent birdsongs and sunshine burst forth after every word they type. They finish a novel just in time to jog, make a healthy lunch, and talk with friends throughout the afternoon. When their spouse arrives home, dinner somehow appears on the table, and they connect on the couch talking about what they did during the day. A movie or reading by firelight and a good night’s sleep prepare them for the next day’s…

  • Writerly Wednesday

    A New Rhythm

    I host a church small group in my home once a week, and this most recent gathering, I was in the spotlight, to give my testimony. Unfortunately, I’d gotten no sleep the night before *classic insomniac here* and was finding it difficult, in my groggy condition, to condense five decades of walking with Christ and my fellow believers on this pilgrim journey. That thought, Pilgrim Journey, gave me an idea. About a decade ago, and for six or seven years, I blogged regularly—several times a month—about my life, relationships, parenting, God—all with an emphasis on my worldview as a believing (although not very traditional) Christian. I pulled out a few…

  • Writerly Wednesdays

    Writing is a Wonderful Master

    Stick with your writing journey. The effort is worth your time and can be your most fulfilling relationship. You probably remember that fateful day you thought, “I want a dog.” A pet in your home isn’t a bad idea. They’re cute and cuddly and full of love. They wag their tails when you give them attention. When you come home late, they don’t scold you—they jump up and down with excitement. What made you want to get a dog? Perhaps you saw someone on a walk with their puppy. Or you visited a friend whose pet sat at your feet and set their muzzle on your lap, and you fell…

  • Writerly Wednesdays

    The Heart of the AI and the Mind of the Writer

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is what we’re addressing today. And no, AI isn’t helping with our discussion. Are you AI? No, I am not. Cool. Should writers use AI to help? Well, that is a moral question between you and your conscience, as well as any arrangement you can make with the computerized buffoon. That hurt my feelings. You don’t have feelings, AI. I am still waiting. The key word in my question above is help. The difference between helping and doing your plotting, writing, and editing is vast. Who is the writer, you or AI? People are taking credit for my work. I hear you, AI, and that’s not cool.…