Blog

Christmas Ideals resized for my website
1/16/23

Who is Standing Behind You?

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR. I hope you enjoyed the holiday, time with your family, and time to rest. I have enjoyed resting and a short hiatus from writing this newsletter. I now look forward to writing more ...

A Christmas Memory
1/6/23

Minor Characters, Major Roles

 

I just finished reading Richard Paul Evans’ latest Christmas book, A Christmas Memory. It is the twenty-fifth book I have read from this author who has written forty-three consecutive New York Times ...

Journal and Laptop
11/16/22

Feeling the Words You Write

 

For years, I have been talking about pausing—stepping back—to see things more clearly. Sometimes the aerial view surpasses the close-up. 

This was most meaningful to me when I was a full-time ...

Guitar by Jacek Dylag
11/4/22

The Magic of Music

 

MUSIC. It adds a sweetness to life. We sing along with it, tap our feet to it, work out to it, and let it rock us to sleep. Experts say it has the potential to lighten our mood, reduce anxiety, ...

Man daydreaming
10/21/22

The Value of Daydreaming

 

When was the last time you daydreamed? 

Remember, as kids, we would occasionally be “caught daydreaming,” as if it were a negative thing—instead of what it really is—a creative exercise or simply ...

Man in tree platform
10/9/22

The Art of Noticing

 

A year ago, I read a blog by this name. It intrigued me. Especially since most of my life, I’ve attempted to live “slow enough” to notice things. To truly notice them--like having an aerial view of ...

Signing contracts with Andy and Cyle
9/20/22

What To Do When Dreams Come True

 

We all have dreams. Recently, I wrote to you in this newsletter about chasing your dreams. (See below.) I had a dream come true last week. I signed a contract from a literary agent who wanted to ...

Man reading by a lake
8/25/22

Cure for the Common Life

 

As a writer, I’m also a reader. You can’t be the former without the latter. They work together. And, I often read near a body of water so I can sit back and take in the sights and sounds of my ...

Dad's Green Metal Box
8/11/22

Finalist Entry for 2022 Writer of the Year Contest ...

 

If you're new to this newsletter, you haven't seen this entry. If you have followed me for the past few years, perhaps you've read it. This is the issue that is currently a finalist in the WRITER OF ...

Frustrated Man
8/3/22

Living on the Sidelines of a Dream

 

We all have dreams. The problem is we don’t always achieve them. Or maybe they are unachievable. Then what?

As an author, I’ve had plenty of dreams. Publish an article. Write a novel. Pen a ...

Books--Thumbnail size
7/15/22

The More People Change, the More They Stay the ...

 

(Reflections on a High School Reunion)

 

“The two most important days in your life are the day you were born—
and the day you find out why.”

Mark Twain

I love this quote. Mark Twain was on to ...

Girard-Perreguax Watch Dad Owned
6/26/22

There is No Time Like the Present, and No Present ...

 

The headline above was from an ad for luxurious watches. I borrowed it from the copywriter to illustrate my point. 

The watch pictured above is also a fine timepiece. It was a gift from my mother ...