Today is the first day of National Novel Writing Month, and this is the eighth time (at least I think it is) that I have participated. I’ve completed the 50,000 words in 30 day challenge five times. The first time I did it, I started two days late, and finished it in 17 days. A … More Want to learn how little you know? Write a book.
People say that the Root of All Evil is the love of money. But I’ll wager that it’s just money, period. The fact that we need it, and most of us don’t have it. Right now, it’s pretty much running my life. And I’m sick of it. I’m not writing right now. Okay, I’ve admitted … More The Root of All Evil
I attended a writer’s conference in Park City, Utah back in 2007 because I had a question in my head. I’d been writing for quite a while, but mostly for my own people. When I say “my own people,” I talk about members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. There’s about a million of us in … More Big fish in a small pond…or small fish in a big pond?
I was watching Jerry Seinfeld’s great series on Netflix called Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee where he interviewed Seth Rogen. Something Rogen said stuck with me, and I immediately thought of writing books–of course. Seth Rogen was talking about being a stand-up comedian, and why he decided to quit. “It’s like that famous quote, ‘I … More What Writers Can Learn from Boxers (and other Pugilists)
Author: Dear God… God: Glen! Good to hear from you! How are you doing? Author: Fine. Sorry, it’s been a while. I’ve been busy. I have something to ask you. God: Of course you do. Why else would you be here? Author: I need help with my book sales. God: (pauses) Are you sure you … More An Author’s Conversation with God
Once we got past the morning parade in the local city of Keene, my project for July 4th morning was to complete the demolition of my grandson’s treehouse in our backyard. I built it for Gavin when he was a little shaver, barely able to climb the ladder to get up into the treehouse, and … More It’s All About the Work
In my 21 years as a university professor, I’ve seen the same thing time and again. An exceptional student comes to college and is overwhelmed by all the extracurricular options available to him or her. I remember one particular journalism major. He was a Student Association officer, on the gymnastics team, on the elite choir, … More What are you willing to give up?
It wasn’t just a dragon. It was an ancient dragon. And I was on its bad side. Wait, let me back up here. I’m a big fan of the game Skyrim, so much a fan that my character has gotten really good. And fighting things like dragons have become pretty commonplace. I’ve slain my share … More Lessons from a Dragon
I’m in a fortunate position in that I don’t have to rely on my writing as a primary source of income. Because of that, there’s a tendency to want to write what I want when I want it. But there was a day when I was just trying to get published. I focus on those … More Should You Write from the Heart? Or the Head?
Looking back on the past six weeks, I was suffering from a bad case of T.M.I. Too much information. The signs were all around me. I had a full-time professorship, was launching two books, and served as head deacon of a 3,000-member church. Everything I did involved absorbing, processing and regurgitating information. I got to … More T.M.I.
