Writer, Speaker, Editor, Blogger
At a recent family gathering, as the grandchildren zoomed through the room, our two-year-old granddaughter stopped in mid-run and announced, “I’m wide-open” before resuming her full-tilt forward motion. Not long after, she was clutching a blanket and staring, fighting the exhaustion that was steadily overtaking her. Often, we know we are over-extending ourselves, but do […]
My 20-month-old grandson is a single word kind of guy—shoes, walk, hot, light, bird, tree, uh-ugh, EAT—yet he knows how to effectively communicate. He listens, makes eye contact, gets to his core message quickly, and then waits for a response. For adults, communication is often more complicated, especially in today’s world where statements and opinions […]
Have you ever known a person you’d describe as hard-hearted? You know, someone who is closed, non-communicative, devoid of compassion, unfeeling, stern. Behind the stiff exterior are probably many factors related to how and why the person reached this point, but you’d likely never be able to crack through the layers of protective shell to […]
Last week’s writers conference was a mountaintop experience. Instruction, inspiration, connection—all combined to instill a feeling of being able accomplish anything. However, there is always a down side, literally, to being on top. No matter how hard you try to maintain the high, the inevitable coming down plunges you back into reality. Then, as is […]
I’m teaching at a writing conference in North Carolina this week. Attendees have gathered from across the country, and beyond, to learn and meet with editors, agents, and professional writers. Conferees come with hopes, dreams, and expectations. For some, hopes and dreams come to fruition; for others, expectations go unrealized. Writers are an interesting bunch. […]
As I left the gym Saturday, the teen sitting behind the reception desk stifled a yawn while wishing me a good day. “Sorry for yawning,” she said. “I graduated last night and didn’t get much sleep.” After getting in the car, I thought about what it means to be a senior and how seniority has […]
I just returned from several days in New York City for the American Society of Journalists and Authors annual conference. Attending the conference is akin to drinking from a fire hose. Information and connections came at me so fast I barely have time to swallow, much less digest, before the next flood of information washed […]
Last weekend, I held a copy of our new church history book in my hands, a project more than five years in the making. As I turned the pages, I recognized passages I had written as well as the writing of many others. I saw pictures of friends and family members no longer with us, […]
Several days ago, I pulled a wooden basket off a shelf and quickly realized the handle had deposited a splinter in my finger. It hurt, but not enough to slow down preparations for a family dinner. However, the next day, my finger demanded attention. I worked on it with a needle and some pressure and […]
One night, just as I was getting in bed, I heard the persistent whine of an alarm. After several minutes, I peeked out the window, slightly annoyed that someone was allowing the noise to continue for so long. But the sound seemed closer than a neighbor’s house. I walked down the hall and the sound […]