One of the things that many of my students don’t know about me is that I have a strong background in music. “You? Sing?” I heard one of them say a few years ago, as if youth has a monopoly on making a joyful noise. Yes, Virginia, I did sing once upon a time, and … More The Performance
As someone who grew up going to church, I have heard all kinds of stuff blamed on Satan. When I was young, I remember Flip Wilson’s famous line, “The Devil made me do it,” and even though we might not say it, sometimes we have that attitude. We think that if Satan tempts us, we … More Give the Devil His Due
Prism World by Lyn Gilleland (398 pages). Available on Amazon. It’s really hard to be objective when it comes to reviewing a book by someone you know. And yet you as a reader, as well as the author, would not expect any less from me. And so I find myself reviewing a book that I … More Review: “Prism World” by Lyn Gilleland
This is the sixth year that I have been sponsor of the Rough Writers, the student-led, student-run, student-participative creative writing group here on the campus of Southwestern Adventist University. During that time I have gotten to know some pretty great students, many of whom I am confident will go on to be great writers. I … More Brave, New World
I’m remodeling our kitchen. For those of you who have done it, you’re either thinking, “Wow, expensive,” or “Wow, a lot of work.” And yes, you’re both right. But Shelly has been talking about redoing the kitchen almost since we moved in 15 years ago. So when the pipe broke in our kitchen wall, dumping … More Backbreaking Work…and Fun!
What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. –Ecclesiastes 1:9. Yesterday marked the first day of classes here at Southwestern Adventist University for a new school year, and once again I feel a bit of apprehension as I go into the classroom. … More A Word to the Wise…and Otherwise
Left foot, right foot. Pause and listen. Left foot, right foot. Pause and listen. Mira had learned the pattern of safely traversing Helfang Forest from her father, and even though she had no fear of being attacked by a giant leechlion or a Barbary raptor—not this close to Brindlestar—she kept to the pattern she had … More “Brindlestar”
I was a frightened 13 year old registering for high school for the first time. My mother was with me. When it came time to have my picture taken for the Funnybook, the student directory, they asked me to describe myself in one word. I refused to give a word, but when I left, my … More The Art of Living (and Writing) Dangerously
In the past couple of years and several hundred entries into this blog, I have talked about how to come up with ideas, how to organize those ideas, how to write stories and novels, and how to get them published. But for me, writing is much more than a one-time thing. I am in it … More Getting Started in a Writing Career
I just had a pleasant experience. I got a notice that Kevin Newsome, author of the great Christian suspense book WInter that I have reviewed previously, came by and read my review. It’s nice to know that other authors are out there, doing what I am doing, namely wondering what people are thinking about my … More On the Drawing Board
