Tag Archives: writing

The Jonah Within

There are few Bible personalities I really connect with. You know: Ruth was so good, and Esther was fearless and beautiful, and Mary was amazing. Paul is hard for me to get my head around, and the disciples, well, they were interesting and funny, but relatable? Well, maybe not so much. But start talking about Jonah, andContinue reading “The Jonah Within”

Hard Decisions

Today, I declined an offer I’ve always dreamed of accepting. Two months ago, when I received the email with the writing-related offer, I was flattered and excited, but for various reasons, it was not possible for me to immediately accept. There was a difficult decision before me. It was as if I’d been walking along the writer’sContinue reading “Hard Decisions”

When the Words Won’t Come

One of my favorite quotes from Einstein was the speech he gave at a college banquet: “I have nothing to say.” All too often, writers are expected to have much to communicate. To be able to churn out something epic on demand. But all too often, the words aren’t there, often when we need themContinue reading “When the Words Won’t Come”

One Part Calling, Another Part Compulsion

Not long ago, someone asked why I chose to pursue writing. Responses for how, when, and where came to mind, but why was more elusive. After a moment’s consideration, the only way I could describe it was: “It was one part calling, another part compulsion.” Eric Liddell, portrayed in the film Chariots of Fire, said, “I believeContinue reading “One Part Calling, Another Part Compulsion”

To Outline, Wing It, or Both?

It’s said there are two types of writers: those who work methodically off an outline and those who write by the seat of their pants, guiding their characters into the unknown with pen, paper, and intuition their only provisions. Another type that is commonly overlooked is the hybrid. In a world of logical classification, they areContinue reading “To Outline, Wing It, or Both?”

The Color Red: the Brighter Side

When I counted every person who had critiqued the chapter I blogged about last week, I calculated twenty. Never before have I had that large of a critique group, and never before has my writing changed so drastically from start to finish. Over two months ago, before another pair of eyes had seen that chapter,Continue reading “The Color Red: the Brighter Side”