I still remember flying back from my mother’s funeral three years ago. My parents were in love for 42 years and yet were like peas and cucumbers–different as night and day. When retirement came, Dad just wanted a piece of land where he could farm and build things and hole up to read Zane Grey … More Do what you love, and #@$%^ the rest
Hello friends…..been a month of Sundays since I frequented my writing blog. But I guess that says something about how my life is going these days. I am, as you know, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde…Hyde of course being my writing self. But I found an excuse to drop a quick line. I got a … More I got a gimmee!
With apologies to my readers, the title was a reference to Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign when George Bush denied that there was any problem with the economy. No direct insult intended. In 1998, I was leaving a 10-year job as a book and magazine editor at Pacific Press Publishing Association in Idaho. The tradition there … More It’s about people, stupid
I am finishing up the last few chapters of a three-book, four-year series entitled “The Champion.” My protagonist is a pastor who is called by God to accuse a corporation of wrong doing and thwart their efforts. In the process, he is tried and sentenced to prison as a terrorist, not once but twice. In … More Should he live? Should he die?
My dad’s been gone since 1993. I miss him still, but he still visits me two ways. One, I dream about him and Mom often. Two, I never hesitate to use the sayings he used to pass onto me. Today one in particular comes to mind: “Sometimes you eat the bear; sometimes the bear eats … More Sometimes you eat the bear….
As part of my pledge to be more “honest” in my writing, I am trying to open myself up and share the fears and foibles that come with writing. At least for me. Someone–I don’t remember who–wrote: “The difference between successful writers and unsuccessful writers is that successful writers have more rejection slips.” Translation: You … More Authenticity and stage fright
Tomorrow is the last day for the 30 day challenge that Edward Cheever and I are on. Out goal is 45,000 words in 30 days. Then we will take a break until July 1. At that time we will hit it again–45,000 words by July 31. Any brave souls who are interested in writing and … More Last day
You might have noticed that I haven’t posted for a few days. I have been busy working on my latest writing project, entitled “Elijah.” I am involved in a variation of National Novel Writing Month. Every November, several hundred thousand people pledge and encourage each other to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days. I … More Five days left
Douglas followed Paddy into the elevator that was guarded by two massive men in blue blazers. They stood on either side of the elevator as if they were bored, but Douglas suspected that they were a lot more alert than they appeared. Paddy pushed the elevator button marked 1, and the elevator began ascending. A … More Elijah–Chapter 2B
The other stuff I have written so far this summer has always had at least a few readers, and I am thrilled about that. But the work that I have the greatest anticipation for, the novel “Elijah,” has had no takers. So far, I am the only one who has read through the prologue and … More What’s in a name?
