Fear is the mind killer. —Dune, Frank Herbert We’re two weeks from wrapping up the fall semester, and my Writing for Publication class is sweating out the likelihood of getting published and getting a passing grade for my class. In the process, we’ve talked a lot about the life of being a writer. “How do … More The Writer’s Secret Weapon
This September will mark the eighth year that we have had a student-led creative writing club on the campus of my university. The Rough Writers have become a home for many would-be writers who never had the courage to share what they have written, or to dream of writing something in a genre they enjoy. … More What Readers Want
One of the most annoying things I say in my writing classes–and believe me, there are many–is this statement: “Writing is easy. All you have to know is where to start, where to stop, and what to include in the middle.” My students don’t seem to like my simplistic answer, and I am currently becoming … More Writing Is Easy….
It’s been all of five days since I introduced my new book Chosen to the world. It’s been a long time coming, just a dream for most of that time, and now it is reality. I’m eager for you and the rest of the world to read this book, because I think it’s one of … More Letting Go
I was at our regular weekly meeting of the Rough Writers last Thursday, when I asked if any of the students there were planning on participating in National Novel Writing Month. Kaylee raised her hand. “What is it?” “During the month of November, you go to the NaNoWriMo website and pledge with 100,000 other people … More Yes Virginia, There Is an Insanity Clause
Life is what happens while you’re making other plans. –John Lennon I started teaching college level sixteen years ago after a two-decade career as an editor. My goal was to train–and motivate–future Christian writers. Most of the students I deal with find writing a bore, a chore, and would rather be playing basketball. Once … More …And Then Life Happens.
I’m currently teaching two classes that are unintentionally vexing my students to death. One is intended to make them into editors, the other one into reporters. What vexes them is the simple fact that they can’t seem to come up with stories to write. Well, that’s not exactly correct. We have planning sessions where I … More I Hear Voices….
When I was in college—many, many, many years ago–I was on fire to become a writer. Then I graduated, got married and started looking for a job. I had in my mind that someday, someday SOON, I would become a writer. And I would be really good. Four years later, I was still waiting for … More One Way. Or Another.
You know how it goes with brilliant ideas. Sometimes there are…complications. I still think my concept of putting a low-cost e-book on the psychology of writing is a good idea. I think that the fact that I have been writing along those lines for five years in my blog is great. It’s even wonderful that … More A Complication with a Compilation
My son Matt was involved in an auto accident in 2002 that resulted in a traumatic brain injury. Immediately after his accident, his rehab doctor told us that the brain is a black box, and when there’s an injury, there’s no telling what the results will be. He’s doing better now, but at one time … More I’m Looking Through You…Which Isn’t a Bad Thing
The Great Adventure 