Today, I’m working in my office, gazing westward to the massive Central Vietnam mountains outside my office window. Some day, I’ll write about Vietnam. But while I’m gazing at jungly mountains, I’m working on an African novel, second in a series. I’m thinking about having the climatic chase enfold along…
It’s time for an intervention! Here in Vietnam, we’re back in a Covid lockdown, no longer teaching with the school closed, and family far away. So, I began exploring fun, positive things to lift my spirits. I discovered BPS—the “best possible self” intervention, and I tried it. Today, I feel…
Many people worldwide have developed through childhood with versions of Aesop’s Fables. If not, they probably heard variations in cartoons or films, not realizing the storyteller. This has been true for thousands of years. Most of us never realized these tales were originally religious, political or social commentaries aimed at…
Genesis I tell people I grew up on Sanibel Island, Florida. That’s not true. But there is a truth in that statement that I want to share. Literally, I was born in the Washington, D.C. area, and then, as a youth, I lived in Maryland, Hawaii, and Taiwan. After high…
Randy Ingermanson writes an advanced fiction writing e-magazine that is invaluable, as are his many books on writing. Today, I want to share some of Ingermanson’s words that should inspire us all about what we are doing: Writing Stories. Characters and Crucibles Technically, stories need a character, and a crucible.…
Takeaways Always try new things. Be open to creative stimulation Know what drives your novel and keep going back to it. Describe your book in a letter and gain clarity Exploring Masterclass The pandemic guided many of us in different ways, to try different things. I signed up for Masterclass—the…
The outdoors captured my attention and imagination from an early age. Images of oceans, mountains, vegetation, wildlife, and rivers flash through my memory. It was my original passion. It remains so. This passion revolved around exploration, climbing, rafting, hiking, camping and other recreations. I marveled at the natural world.…
Quotes to inspire successful writing, and a thriving writer’s life. Meditate on the ones that catch your attention. Then get to work writing with passion AND focus!
Grateful, after all these years serving in Ethiopia and Vietnam! Do you keep a grateful journal? It’s a critical tool for good thinking and spiritual health. But it’s been tough this past year. I’ve tried, but skipped many days. Pondering this Thanksgiving Newsletter, I reviewed my journal. I use the…
Each day begins at your first moments of conciousness. That’s when we first make choices—choices that will empower, or limit, your day.
