I was surprised recently to read that of all the writing genres, Fantasy required the most structure. But as I thought about it, it makes sense. You are asking the reader to suspend disbelief, but in order to do that, you have to establish rules for your own created universe, and then stick by them. … More World Building
I’ll be the first to admit, talking about evil, real evil, gives me a chill. And rightly so. Christians know about Satan, and believe, just as we believe in the goodness and redeeming power of Jesus Christ. And just knowing Satan is real gives one pause. But the Bible also tells us: “…whatever is true, … More How Should a Christian Portray Evil?
I am presently reading the book “Story” by Robert McKee. I’m reading it in preparation for a class on Dramatic Writing I will be teaching beginning next month. I will have to say that it is one of the best books on writing I have ever read–and I have read quite a few of them. … More Character vs. Characterization
I’d been joking when I mentioned McDonalds, but Finn knew I wasn’t kidding about being hungry. My hypoglycemia was kicking in, and I knew that if I didn’t get something to eat soon, I would either become a very cranky person or collapse on the trail we were following. Finn didn’t want to stop and … More Chapter 5: Burgers with No Fries
Two days of rest made a world of difference for me and Infinity. We barely had had the strength to make it up the hill where Evangelist was camped out, but in two days I felt like I was ready to hike across the United States, which it sounded like was Evangelist’s plan from the … More Ch. 4: No Rest for the Weary
I guess it was unusual to send someone new to the job for such an important task. But those were crazy days. The Secret Service was spread thin; 120 men and women responsible for the President, Vice President, members of the Cabinet and their families. Congress had their own worries and their own branch to … More Chapter 3: The Wiseman and the Obstinate
As I probably mentioned, I am working on the very rough draft for “Infinity’s Reach,” the post-apocalyptic retelling of Pilgrim’s Progress. My experience in the past week or so has very much been a revisit of the principles of “the best laid schemes of mice and men often going awry” (with apologies to Robert Burns) … More Triple Play
I’ve had pretty good luck in the past few years with sermons I have heard linking up with what’s going on in my own life. This past Saturday was one of those occasions. Our pastor, Mic Thurber, (we’ll miss you, Mic!) spoke on worry. He said there was was always something to worry about, but … More I’m Not Worried…
Ch. 2: A LIFE FORGOTTEN The next few minutes were surreal. The stranger had said he would help us escape. I don’t know what I was expecting; maybe for him to come riding down on a white horse and sweep us up, or maybe ride in in some kind of tank. But he didn’t … More Ch. 2 – A Life Forgotten
Chapter One The sun baked our brown bikinied bodies, and we reveled in it. Four of us—Marcie, Kimmy, Infinity and me, Ellie—were on permanent spring break. School was out, and we had no plans to ever return—ever. The resort that Kimmy had found was just yummy. The pool boys brought us towels when we got … More Infinity’s Reach–Chapter One
