Someone, I think it was Ernest Hemingway, gave the advice that writers should first go out and live outrageously for 20 years before they start writing. The point there was that one has to have some experience to write from before one can write seriously. Maybe that’s why so many of my writing students want … More The Wellspring of Significance
My daughter, Melissa, and I just came back from a weekend in Conroe, TX, where she was interviewed for a possible job yesterday. She is working presently, and for the most part enjoying where she is. But the new position is in a better region, pays better with better benefits. We got there Friday afternoon … More Serendipity or Divine Plan?
I’ve learned something interesting about writing blogs. I’ve known for a while that the more consistent you are with writing, the higher your number of hits will be. Other bloggers recommend 2-3 weekly. My goal is to post an average of 5 times a day. A couple of times I have had more than one … More Double Duty
When my two kids were in high school, I used to get amused by how they went about doing their homework. My daughter, specifically, would turn on the TV, have earbuds in with her favorite music, have friends calling her on her phone, and have one or possibly two textbooks open. I was amazed that … More Ambient Noise for Ambient Boys
Just as an aside from what I previously posted: I am presently looking for reviewers for two of my books. Tom Horn vs. The Warlords of Krupp, and The Kiss of Night. If you are interested in reviewing either or both of these, leave a comment with your email address, and I will send you … More Book Reviews
Well, May is gone, and June is proceeding along faster than I would like. What that does is prompt me to get done the things that I have planned, yet haven’t so far. I have learned that I can’t get writing work done at home, at least these days. Too many distractions, I guess. Even … More Junk in the Attic
My son, Matthew, was the kind of teenager that most parents dread. Obstinate, short-sighted, rebellious, he was a handful all through his teen years. A friend of mine, who was himself raising three daughters, told me, “I can’t imagine raising a teenage boy. It must be incredibly difficult.” And it did have its challenges, like … More Believing Is Not Enough
OK, I am still in the learning curve when it comes to independent publishing. I have a marginal background in marketing, having worked professionally as a book and magazine editor. But no formal training, and this whole online experiment is all totally new to me. So for the most part, we’re making this thing up … More What I know. What I don’t.
One of my students sent me a link yesterday that I have to share with you. I have already posted it on my Facebook page. The link is an 18-minute presentation by a fellow named Simon Sinek about what it takes for companies to succeed, specifically in the area of innovation. Of course, while I … More Passion, Vision and Faith: What Makes It All Work
I have told my writing classes many times that if you are serious about writing, you never stop being the student. And it’s true. My students think I am the Writing Master, but I am the first to admit that I still have a lot to learn about writing. And that, I think, is one … More The Student Becomes the Teacher
