I picked up a Young Adult book while I was in Siloam Springs, Ark. because it looked interesting, and because Young Adult books–especially fantasy ones–are hot right now. The series is called The Ranger Apprentice, and though it has flaws is pretty good. It made me think about audience and how I should be writing … More Epiphany
I spent the morning at Burton Adventist Academy in Arlington, Texas, where I talked with senior and junior high school students about newswriting and writing opinion articles. I had a great time, and I hope they did too. While I was getting ready for class to start, I was approached by the sixth grade teacher, … More Worth it
Just a few words today because between Mother’s Day and Graduation I am spread pretty thin, Congratulations to Edward, Jessica, Karen, Aldrin and Rolando for surviving my class and those of other professors and moving on to the ranks of the unemployed. Hope the transition to being viably employed is swift and smooth. Since I … More Commencement…and commitment
I stand in the shadows, still a bit disoriented after my monumental trip through time. I check the chronometer on my wrist. The date and location is correct, even though things look differently than I remember. We think about our high school years as being traumatic and yet exhilarating, memorable and yet brutal, and they … More “Time machine”
I’ve said many times in this blog and elsewhere that a writer never stops being a student. But 12 years of teaching has given me the tendency to approach this bully pulpit as if I have all the answers. Believe me, I don’t. And to prove that, this blog is dedicated to a litany of … More What I don’t know
As I mentioned just a day or so ago, I’m in transition. And as I move from being a full-time professor to a full-time writer, I am aware of things going on in my head. As I have said a couple of times before, it’s all mind games. I have two final exams to give … More Tunnel vision (Mind Games III)
One of the projects I have assigned my Media Writing students in the past few years is to write a personality profile of someone they know, entitling it “My Most Unforgettable Character.” I challenge them–but don’t assign them, mind you–to find someone that on the surface may seem a bit boring and dig down deep … More So, what’s your story?
I’m in transition at present. Yesterday was the first final exam that i was responsible for. The last one comes on Wednesday. In the meantime I am also responsible for finishing up the pages for the Southwestern Spirit magazine and preparing to make two writer’s workshop visits to Burton Academy and to Ozark Academy the … More Lawdy, I sees the light
In the process of looking for papers for one of my classes, I came across notes I had jotted down last summer. I had the privilege to attend an invitation-only fiction writing workshop in Park City, Utah last June. I had a wonderful time and learned a lot. Here are a few of the things … More Words to the wise…and otherwise
Back in the good old days, I was a magazine and book editor at Pacific Press. I was rewarded with the opportunity to co-edit a brand new magazine for parents entitled ParentTalk. It lasted about a year. It was a wonderful opportunity, and was loved by the 11,000 people who subscribed. But 11,000 just couldn’t … More It’s about the reader, stupid
The Great Adventure 