“when we create, we are creating the world. remember this, and commit.” — Nayyirah Waheed On Friday morning, I crossed the 10,000-word threshold on my novel tentatively called Jeep Thompson and the Lost Prince of Venus. Those are as many words as the average Myke Phoenix novelette, and it’s already the longest stretch of fictionContinue reading “A report from the playground”
Category Archives: Creativity
When the drought broke
“You only fail if you stop writing.” My mentor’s gentle eyes bore into my soul. He knew that I’d written every day for six days, just as I’d planned, and on the second 15 days I’d rested. “You only fail if you stop writing,” he said. “I know, I know. You’re right. I failed,” IContinue reading “When the drought broke”
That exhilarating moment when you quit stalling
I did not make a new year’s resolution to publish two books the first weekend in 2021. But I recommend the experience to anyone who has been sitting on the cusp of doing something. And that’s where I was: I had dozens of blog posts collected for a book of optimistic celebrations, a deliberate counterContinue reading “That exhilarating moment when you quit stalling”
Welcome to my library
Here in the place where the wind chimes peal like church bells in the Lord’s steeple, Here in the place where mythical creatures and legends come to play, Here in the place where traveling the stars is child’s play, Here in the place where quests and heroes come to dance, Here in the place whereContinue reading “Welcome to my library”
Another New Year’s Top Ten list
I have adapted a New Year’s habit from my friend Wally Conger, who would list a “Top 10” for the year just finished from his brushes with pop culture and life in general. Here’s my list for an infamous year. A couple of days ago I wrote about how the Arts have taken a hitContinue reading “Another New Year’s Top Ten list”
… so that death can never win
This year isn’t the first during which famous and beloved people have died. A most basic fact of life is that famous and beloved people die every year. In fact, Wikipedia has a running page called “Deaths in 2020,” listing all of the notable individuals who have died this year, and it is constantly updated.Continue reading “… so that death can never win”
You say you want a resolution
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is an exercise that comes around every November, where participants pledge to themselves and each other that they will aim to write a novel of 50,000 words or more in 30 days. It works out to 1,666 words per day, which does not sound daunting until it looms like aContinue reading “You say you want a resolution”
Glad … for what ifs
I’m so glad … for speculative fiction. Of course, ALL fiction is speculative. There are science fiction and fantasy what-ifs … What if a farm boy in a distant galaxy grew up to be a new hope? (Star Wars) What if a farm girl accidentally traveled to a magical kingdom and saved her friends? (TheContinue reading “Glad … for what ifs”
Just write anything until you write something
There are a number of things you can do with a blank piece of paper, or a blank screen. You can stare at it. You can write on it. You can draw on it. (You can also make paper airplanes and origami, but for purposes of this post, we’ll stick with things that involve writingContinue reading “Just write anything until you write something”
Keep a pad and a pen by your bed
Yes, this was the truth. I finally knew what to do. I was so sure. It was a brilliant insight. I brimmed with confidence. First thing in the morning, I would get started. This time, nothing could stop me. And when I woke, all I could remember was the certainty. I had no clue whatContinue reading “Keep a pad and a pen by your bed”
