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.
We’re in the middle of final exams at my university. I’m also in the middle of a book launch. Actually, two book launches if you count the one that is being handled by Pacific Press in the Adventist Book Center system. In addition, I’m head deacon at an exceptionally busy church. So the past six … More Surveying the Wreckage of Another Year
We’re in the process of saying goodbye to a good friend and colleague in our department. Kyle Portbury, professor and filmmaker extraordinaire, is returning to Australia with his family after four years of teaching at our small university in north Texas. We’ve all grown very close, and it’s hard to say goodbye, but it’s one … More It’s Not About the Money. (Trust me.)
In the next few days, we’ll be putting the finishing touches on the cover of Soul Survivor, my latest Christian suspense novel. I’m really excited about it, especially since it combines characters from two of my favorite series, The Champion Series, and The Foundation Series. Here’s another look at it and some of the people … More Quick Look: Soul Survivor #2
Back in 1993, then Phoenix Suns basketball star Charles Barkley declared, “I am not a role model.” The issue was that he just wanted to play basketball, and his fame was getting in the way. However, the reality was that as he became more well known, his responsibility went beyond what he did on the … More A Writer’s Duty
I’m writing this next to a picture window larger than the big screen TV I have at home, looking out at the passing north Texas landscape. Shelly and I are sneaking away for two and a half days of sublime retreat in San Antonio at the beginning of Spring Break. In this year of austerity—we’re … More Thoughts from a Slow Moving Train
In coming days, I’ll be sharing some scenes from the upcoming book, Soul Survivor. If you liked The Champion Trilogy, or if you liked The Key of Solomon, you’ll be pleased to know that Soul Survivor features characters from both series. Strange, I know. I’m not sure exactly how well it’s all going to work … More Quick Look: Soul Survivor #1
You’ve had them to yourself for a long time. Perhaps years. You’ve done your best by them. You’ve tried to raise them up right. But face it. You don’t know everything. It’s time to call in the professionals. I’m talking, of course, about when it comes time to send your manuscript off to an editor. … More Sending the Kids Off to School
It’s a necessary evil for authors. I’m talking about the M word. Yes, that’s right. Marketing. If you’re like me, you’d rather be churning out pages toward your next title, or even editing the one you have, OR talking to other authors about the challenges of selling books these days. But the hard part, the … More The Writer Who Speaks
One of the real perks of teaching is that I often find myself learning more than I think the students themselves are learning. Out of the mouths of babes, and all that. I was thinking back on a statement that one of my otherwise not-so-impressive students shared in class several years ago. It had a … More You Have to Have Something to Say
