Charity Singleton Craig quoted Russ Ramsey in her article about becoming masterful: What are you mastering? What are you practicing in order to make clear what you don’t yet know? If you’re anything like me, I’m sure you reach points where you begin to wonder if it might just be easier to plateau. And if not plateau, then quit altogether. Don’t. Please. This world is … [Read more...]
Clearly and Boldly
Oswald Chambers spoke to me today.Not audibly. That would be freaky.No, Mr. Chambers spoke via the words he was faithful to record many years ago, preserved in My Utmost for His Highest, though even phrasing it that way seems a bit much. Maybe we could just say that I was inspired.In any case, please join me in pondering his advice. I've included it in its entirety here: … [Read more...]
Rescue the Stories
An actual dream I had while in Texas: As I stood next to a pool, a little girl who couldn't swim jumped in and sank to the bottom. She didn't struggle at all. In fact, she was intent on rescuing a piece of paper or two, lifting them up over her head, trying to bring them to the surface. She couldn't make it back up on her own. … [Read more...]
What’s Next?
Just as our nonfiction workshop was finishing up at the Laity Lodge writers retreat, Lauren Winner said to the group, "I don't know what you're planning to do with your afternoon break, but I would suggest that you take advantage of the time and write."Had she seen the canyon? The river?Have you? … [Read more...]
“What is X doing for this piece?”
Because I signed up for the nonfiction track of the Laity Lodge writers retreat, I was required to submit in advance ten pages of "spiritual nonfiction." The workshop format meant that each person would receive a copy of every other participant's ten-page submission to evaluate and critique. I can't reveal details of our sessions, because in order to build trust and … [Read more...]
What’s Your Story?
In the Steven Spielberg film "Amistad," there's a scene where John Quincy Adams (played by Anthony Hopkins) talks with a fictional character named Mr. Jodson (played by Morgan Freeman) about who the Africans on the "Amistad" really are. Someone published the dialogue from that scene in an essay both here and here, so I pulled from that source to post it. The interaction … [Read more...]
