CHAPTER 1 What was I thinking? Those are usually the first words out of people’s mouths when they hear about the incident at the Johnson County Courthouse. They hear about how I climbed the four floors of scaffolding outside the old building early on Sunday morning (the only time we knew there wouldn’t be workers … More Crash Corrigan–chapter 1
A scientist friend of mine tells me that if it can’t be measured, it doesn’t exist. Well, I am here to tell you that she’s wrong. I know from experience that these things exist. There are things around us that we can’t see, can’t hear and can’t feel. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t as … More Prologue: Crash Corrigan
I have the first 1540 words written on my new book. You can read them here: http://roughwriters.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=novels&thread=115 Be aware: these are from a very rough draft.
I’m running out of excuses to prevent me from putting words on paper. The arguing still continues, but the procrastinator in me is losing out. Thanks to Edward Cheever for being willing to participate in a mini NaNoWriMo–just the two of us. We agreed to write 1,500 words a day for the next 30 days … More Procrastination and…
I picked up a Young Adult book while I was in Siloam Springs, Ark. because it looked interesting, and because Young Adult books–especially fantasy ones–are hot right now. The series is called The Ranger Apprentice, and though it has flaws is pretty good. It made me think about audience and how I should be writing … More Epiphany
I spent the morning at Burton Adventist Academy in Arlington, Texas, where I talked with senior and junior high school students about newswriting and writing opinion articles. I had a great time, and I hope they did too. While I was getting ready for class to start, I was approached by the sixth grade teacher, … More Worth it
Just a few words today because between Mother’s Day and Graduation I am spread pretty thin, Congratulations to Edward, Jessica, Karen, Aldrin and Rolando for surviving my class and those of other professors and moving on to the ranks of the unemployed. Hope the transition to being viably employed is swift and smooth. Since I … More Commencement…and commitment
I stand in the shadows, still a bit disoriented after my monumental trip through time. I check the chronometer on my wrist. The date and location is correct, even though things look differently than I remember. We think about our high school years as being traumatic and yet exhilarating, memorable and yet brutal, and they … More “Time machine”
I’ve said many times in this blog and elsewhere that a writer never stops being a student. But 12 years of teaching has given me the tendency to approach this bully pulpit as if I have all the answers. Believe me, I don’t. And to prove that, this blog is dedicated to a litany of … More What I don’t know
As I mentioned just a day or so ago, I’m in transition. And as I move from being a full-time professor to a full-time writer, I am aware of things going on in my head. As I have said a couple of times before, it’s all mind games. I have two final exams to give … More Tunnel vision (Mind Games III)
The Great Adventure 