I’m what I would classify as a binge writer. All my life I have heard that you have to write everyday. That advice has depressed me, because my lifestyle doesn’t allow that to happen. Further, I have to immerse myself into a project before I can do what I consider a good job. So I … More Ducks on a Pond
When this year’s NFL Draft came around, several hundred new football players were chosen by the 32 teams of the NFL. The odds were against these new players, and many knew that despite their long hours and hard work they would be unemployed by the time preseason was over. One of those not chosen on … More Dealing with Doubt
As I mentioned last week, this semester I am teaching a class entitled Drama Writing, which involves entry-level script writing for both stage and screen. Since it has been years since I’ve written a script, I have told students that “we will learn together.” And this isn’t the first time they have heard those words … More What a Novelist Can Learn from a Scriptwriter
One of the most challenging parts of being a professor is also one of the things I like most about teaching. I teach in communication, mostly journalism. There’s a lot of people who think that journalism is dying or dead, but that’s not true. It’s evolving. Trouble is, no one is sure exactly what it’s … More New Stuff
I was a bit appalled to see that only one person read my blog yesterday. The rest of you don’t know what you missed…. Actually that whole thing fits nicely into what happened this morning and the writing thing as well. I was with the sophomores at Ozark Adventist Academy this morning, talking to them … More Archive: Addicted to Applause
I will be the first to admit that I am a novice in the field of self-publishing. But I have learned a great deal since I jumped into the business at the beginning of 2012. Probably the most significant thing I have learned was how critical two things are as far as book sales are … More What a Difference a Cover Makes!
The saying is, when the world gives you lemons, make lemonade. I haven’t always believed that way, but in the past decade or so, that’s been my approach to life. And so far, it’s been pretty helpful. I’ll give you a somewhat shocking, yet true to life, example. In 1993 my father was diagnosed with … More Archive: When the World Gives You Vultures
My wife Shelly feels like I have the most vivid dreams of anyone she has ever met. When I have one, and when I remember it in the morning, I try to tell her about it. Why? Because I have learned through my own graduate work in communication that unless you verbalize your dreams, they … More From the Archive: I Must Be Dreaming
I can’t help it. I’m a blabbermouth. When I am working on a writing project, I can’t hardly wait to finish a chapter before I print it off and start to share it. I corner my wife, harangue my students, bother my daughter, even pester you faithful blog readers just to know that someone, somewhere … More Feedback or Solitude? Another Dilemma for Writers
Mea culpa. Yes, I have been negligent in writing my blog for the past week. I have excuses–anniversary, busy at work–but suffice it to say that I will try to do better. Today I plan on doing something I have been thinking about for a while, basically since reading the excellent book on writing entitled … More Hello. Is it me you’re looking for?
