The Joy and Pain of Small Callings
Unless I want to make myself miserable with unrequited ambition, I have to be okay with my small calling. Read more
Writer As Host
How do we who work in words and ideas, tapped out on keyboards or scribbled on paper, extend hospitality to our readers? Read more
Be My Guest: An Invitation to Greater Joy
Every creative act we offer to the world is an invitation for others to come into a space we’ve created and curated. Read more
When It’s Time to Stop Working on that Project
When is it wise and necessary to persist with a work that isn’t coming easily or quickly, and when is it time to stop working on that project? Read more
My Word of the Week: End
Somehow, this fall has turned into a season of beginnings for me. Read more
My Word of the Week: Full
It’s such a small little office, really. Two rooms plus the powder room. The place felt full most of the afternoon Read more
My Word of the Week: Reveal
On Sunday, my stepson came up to me at church before the service started and asked, “Did you write another book? Grandpa said you wrote another book.”
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The Writing You Already Do Every Day
Tucked inside three layers of folders on my Google Drive in a document I’ve titled “Notes” is the genesis of my “next big writing project.” For the past few weeks, I’ve been tossing in quotes and vignettes. I’ve written some introductory thoughts. Read more
Your Mind Is a Great Thing to Change
This week, I received an email from a blogger and writing coach who regularly encourages writers to excel in their calling. I found her about a year ago, and enjoyed the many articles and resources she provided. This latest message, though, was a goodbye letter. She was taking a break, indefinitely, from her work. Read more
What to Do When You Are Ready to Quit Being a Writer
The writing life can be hard, and like most other things that are worthwhile, occasionally you’ll want to quit. I’ve been there myself a few times. But often what makes the writing life hard boils down to three things: finding time to write, knowing what to write about, and what to make a priority in your writing life. Read more