Sometimes—ok, a lot—I get discouraged in the writing life. That’s when I need the reality of those who walk this road ahead of me. What a blessing that writers such as Brandilyn Collins, Randy Ingermanson, and the various …
The Kite Runner
This is my first ever attempt at a book review. I have to say, I’m doing it as much for me as for anyone out there reading this. In spite of my love of reading and even of literature classes, I have never done well at …
Writing Aerobics
I know all the arguments for consistent aerobic exercise. You’ll have more energy. You’ll lose weight. You’ll be healthier—in body and mind. In fact, I know a woman who is clinically depressed who says if she doesn’t get …
Losing Words
I lost my words today. Over 1700 of them. Seven pages. They just vanished due to an error when I tried to close and save my file. Fortunately, I’d printed them, due to a similar loss last week. But now I have to type them …
Juggling Act
I have two novels finished, one in the process. Well, actually, I can already see work that needs to be done on the other two, so I guess technically, they aren’t finished. I need to tighten the writing and plot in book #1. I …
A Short Story
In participation with the Celebration of New Christian Fiction (click here for a listing of participating posts), I am posting one of my yet-to-be-published short stories. It’s an experiment in present tense and I think it …
Turned On Its Ear
It’s an interesting exercise—taking a well-known story and putting in a plot twist diametrically opposed to what people have thought all their lives. I’ve run across two of these in the past few weeks, a novel and a play.When …
One Fell Swoop
I woke Saturday morning to a glorious sight—an article with my byline in the Dallas Morning News’ Rockwall/Rowlett Neighbors pullout section. A full page. With color pictures. And a line in italics at the end that declared me …