About two decades ago, I was a book editor at Pacific Press Publishing Association in Boise, Idaho. One of the books that came through for my consideration was a manuscript from my friend Clifford Goldstein entitled “Best Seller.” In it, he tells of his desire to become a world-famous novelist and how he struggled for … More Sacrifice, Surrender and Commitment: A Christian Writer’s Dilemma
One of the first exercises I had the students in my Narrative Writing class do this semester is write about their greatest fear. It was hard; I know, because I did it myself. And I will have to admit that I cheated somewhat. I told the class three things I was afraid of, but the … More Life Outside the Comfort Zone
Yesterday was my first time teaching my new Narrative Writing class. I’m a communication professor, and it’s an English class, so it seems a bit odd. But the English department is excited, I’m excited, and I hope my students will be excited too. Actually, the feeling I got from them yesterday morning was one of … More To be totally honest….
Yesterday I finally got up the courage to publicly announce that I was going the self-publishing route. I gave several reasons for my irrationality. Then after I finished my blog, I thought of some more. Here’s a specific one that comes to mind. Publishers tend to be married to specific audiences. They produce magazines and … More The Island of Misfit Authors
My life–as my students know–has been one big experiment. I come from a traditional background in publishing. I spent five years as a weekly newspaper managing editor, and ten as a book and magazine editor. I have eight books published under two different publishing house brands. And so I am not unfamiliar with how the … More The Case for Self Publishing
I have wanted to do a graphic novel for a long, long time. Trouble is, I don’t have the money to invest in an illustrator, inker and designer. And as for me, I would have better luck as a jet pilot than as an artist. I paint with words, but I needed someone who could … More The Graphic Novel Experiment
Playtime is over. I had a rough semester. The last week was a killer, punctuated by final exams, four recruitment presentations, putting a magazine to bed, graduation and a major septic problem at my house. It’s one thing to be productive when you have lots on your plate; try doing that when all of your … More Getting my act together
One of my students and writing colleagues brought up the age-old question the other day that many Christian writers struggle with: What to do about writing swear words? I have had some professional colleagues tell me, there is NEVER an excuse for including swear words in your writing, no matter what. I know of other … More Profanity, Obscenity and Indecency
I never really thought I was crazy. That’s despite the fact that a panel of three psychiatrists, a judge and jury of my peers, and an ongoing evaluation by a state-certified mental institution said that I was. Three years in the Hillsboro Institute for the Criminally Insane was like thirty years anywhere else. Screaming at … More “Crazy Man”
I’ve always loved to write. In fifth grade, my teacher told me I would someday make a great freelance writer (I had no idea at the time what that meant, but it stuck with me). When I was in high school, my friends dubbed me the poet laureate of our class. And so I dreamed … More Quitting Your Day Job
