The lake before me runs at an even pace with ripples breaking against the rocky, wooded shoreline. November trees adorned with crumpled, brown leaves shiver in a cold breeze. Evergreens standout, their pine branches waving as if to salute distant friends who never get any closer. This should be a […]
Put Your Mind in a Better Place
“Temptations prove thee.” A line from a prayer book I read this morning stopped me in my mental tracks. I had been talking the night before with my daughter about the value of professionalism in our world and how important it is to apply the concept to our thoughts as well […]
A Great Equalizer
Outside the sun shines on still-green grass while glistening spider webs rock in a gentle breeze. Dead, prickly flower heads bob on brown stems while clusters of rust-colored oak leaves rattle against the bare branches of neighboring trees. Even the indoor plants oppose each other in stark contrast. My green […]
Opportunities
Every now and again, an opportunity strolls up and shakes my hand. Over the years, my response has changed from over-exuberant my-life will-now-be-so-much-better fantasy to a take-it-as-it-comes-live-in-the-moment reality, saving me a great deal of disappointment and offering me a whole new take on life. Recently, I connected with two podcasters, Dick and Jay, who […]
Profitable Aspects of Writing—Little Cash Involved
The most profitable aspect of writing has little to do with money. When I began my writing journey, I believed I might make enough profit to buy…to repair…to solve… To fill in some blank in my life. Yet, during the ten years that I’ve been writing and publishing novels, non-fiction […]
Learning the Craft: Genre
What is a genre? It is a category, a definition that files your book into an accepted compartment or sort. Why is genre important? Because there are specific rules for each genre. Word counts, plots, marketing, and publication all depend on the kind of genre you write. That’s not to […]
Learning the Craft: Finding your Voice
What is the writer’s voice? It is that special magic that agents and publishers look for. The literary agent, Rachel Gardner, defines the writer’s voice like this: “Your writer’s voice is the expression of YOU on the page.” It is the essence of the author and reflects the writer’s personality, […]
Learning the Craft: Introduction
It’s never too late! I didn’t start writing until I was fifty-two. I loved reading religious magazines and while I was reading I thought to myself, I would have phrased this that way or I would have written about this. Finally, one day, I put pen to paper, or rather […]
Be inspired by Romans 12
For all you writers out there, here’s the inspiration of St. Paul, according to Darlene Bogle. I have it framed and hanging in my office to remind me of my calling when I need a little balancing: I beseech you, therefore writers, by the mercies of God, that you present your […]
My Holy Spirit Mission
Each one of us has a mission that perfectly fits who God created us to become. God created this desire within us and sent the Holy Spirit to nourish it. As an introverted convert to Catholicism, I never thought I could be a public speaker – much less an evangelist […]