I am a regular contributor to Quora.com, the website that answers all your questions and asks you to contribute answers–if you have any. As a decades-long writer and someone who teaches writing, you can guess what I answer questions about. One of the questions that I get frustrated with are people who continually ask how … More Writing and the Value of Downtime
I was watching Jerry Seinfeld’s great series on Netflix called Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee where he interviewed Seth Rogen. Something Rogen said stuck with me, and I immediately thought of writing books–of course. Seth Rogen was talking about being a stand-up comedian, and why he decided to quit. “It’s like that famous quote, ‘I … More What Writers Can Learn from Boxers (and other Pugilists)
Author: Dear God… God: Glen! Good to hear from you! How are you doing? Author: Fine. Sorry, it’s been a while. I’ve been busy. I have something to ask you. God: Of course you do. Why else would you be here? Author: I need help with my book sales. God: (pauses) Are you sure you … More An Author’s Conversation with God
Once we got past the morning parade in the local city of Keene, my project for July 4th morning was to complete the demolition of my grandson’s treehouse in our backyard. I built it for Gavin when he was a little shaver, barely able to climb the ladder to get up into the treehouse, and … More It’s All About the Work
In my 21 years as a university professor, I’ve seen the same thing time and again. An exceptional student comes to college and is overwhelmed by all the extracurricular options available to him or her. I remember one particular journalism major. He was a Student Association officer, on the gymnastics team, on the elite choir, … More What are you willing to give up?
Shelly and I are spending the Memorial Day weekend in a traditional pursuit that many of you can probably relate to. We are holding a yard sale. We emptied out our camping shed with all the stuff we put there when we moved from Idaho 21 years ago. We’ve emptied out our son’s and our … More A Rose By Any Other Name… Is Still Marketing
I’m in a fortunate position in that I don’t have to rely on my writing as a primary source of income. Because of that, there’s a tendency to want to write what I want when I want it. But there was a day when I was just trying to get published. I focus on those … More Should You Write from the Heart? Or the Head?
We’re in the middle of final exams at my university. I’m also in the middle of a book launch. Actually, two book launches if you count the one that is being handled by Pacific Press in the Adventist Book Center system. In addition, I’m head deacon at an exceptionally busy church. So the past six … More Surveying the Wreckage of Another Year
Back in 1993, then Phoenix Suns basketball star Charles Barkley declared, “I am not a role model.” The issue was that he just wanted to play basketball, and his fame was getting in the way. However, the reality was that as he became more well known, his responsibility went beyond what he did on the … More A Writer’s Duty
You’ve had them to yourself for a long time. Perhaps years. You’ve done your best by them. You’ve tried to raise them up right. But face it. You don’t know everything. It’s time to call in the professionals. I’m talking, of course, about when it comes time to send your manuscript off to an editor. … More Sending the Kids Off to School
The Great Adventure 