It seems like writers are encouraged to do three things: Apply bottom to chair, write regularly, and read a lot. This is great advice, and I encourage writers to do all three. But there are a lot of other things a person can do to become a stronger, more interesting writer. One of those is to say yes to new experiences. I got this advice in a session at the first … [Read more...]
The Writing Life Podcast – Non-Writing Writing Tasks
[The following is only a glimpse of the topic … not a transcription] A heads up: At over 13 minutes, this episode is significantly longer than my usual 3-6 minute podcast episodes. You sit down to write only to realize you've got a long list of tasks necessary to the work of writing, but after you check them off your list, you haven’t the word count to show for … [Read more...]
The Writing Life – Episode 5: A Writing Space with a Door
(If you’re a subscriber reading this in email, please click to website to use the audio player.) In this week’s three-and-a-half minute podcast, you'll hear about the conditions and circumstances under which E. B. White wrote—and those under which Glynn Young and Ann Kroeker continue to write. I allude to a passage from Stephen King's memoir On Writing that I … [Read more...]
Writing Conditions are Never Perfect
If I waited for perfect conditions to develop my writing life, I’d still be waiting. Back in the early 1990s, I did manage to explore writing as my work, as a way of life. I wrote and submitted a few magazine articles and met with businesses to launch a career in corporate freelance writing. Then we started our family. Our first three children were born within four … [Read more...]
Curiosity Journal: February 27, 2013
Most Wednesdays (or thereabouts) I’ve been recording a Curiosity Journal to recap the previous week using these tag words: reading, playing, learning, reacting and writing. Sometimes I mix up the order, just to keep you on your toes. Playing On the schedule this afternoon: photography and haikus (see "Learning" below). Reading From the chapter entitled "Moon Shell" … [Read more...]
Five Writing Strengths
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...]
Echoes
Our echoes roll from soul to souland grow forever and forever~TennysonAfter a week away, I've just returned home, not quite ready to share my personal experiences from Laity Lodge, where I participated in a writing workshop led by Lauren Winner and met up with my High Calling colleagues for the first time in person.Instead, as I take time to process, I'm visiting my … [Read more...]
Dry as a Creek Bed: Concrete vs. Abstract
"Look at the creek, Mama!" We were at a park, jogging across the bridge that spans a creek where my daughter remembered the water so high and the current so strong, it seemed alive and powerful, threatening to knock her over as she waded in practically up to her hips. She remembered how her feet sank into mud. Slick moss or algae coated the rocks. The day of our jog, … [Read more...]
Notes on Writing: Let My Life Speak (and other thoughts)
I found an old spiral-bound notebook.Inside, old notes.They are about writing, I guess. And they are sketchy. Spare: "What are the things … [Read more...]
My Five Writing Strengths
I was once asked to make a list of five strengths I possess as a writer. Here's what I came up with. Five Writing Strengths 1. The ability to sit still for long stretches of time Not everyone can do this, you know. Some people get antsy, restless. After a few minutes of sitting still, they fidget and have to get up and make hot chocolate or call a friend. Writers need … [Read more...]
