Summer used to be my most productive season. I’d make a list of goals, hunker down for the duration, and set about my task. With a few exceptions, I’d accomplish nearly everything on my list. Well—not so this summer. This summer has been a busy season. It’s been a poignant time marked with highs and lows. The highs came with …
I don’t know about you, but occasionally a recharge is in order. Be it a mid-summer slump, transitional doldrums, or weariness with the writing journey, sometimes it’s necessary to just unwind and take a load off—physically and mentally. If today’s that day for you, my friend, hurrah! Don’t be shy. Kick off your shoes, take a deep breath, and indulge. …
During our writing journey, it’s interesting to see people’s reactions when discussing our craft. Occasionally, the conversation may go something like this: “What is it you do anyway?” “Well,” (we may slug back our favorite beverage as we gather steam for what we know is coming) “I’m a writer.” “A writer, huh? That’s nice. I’m going to write a book …
Writers plot. We create. We craft stories in a variety of genres. We show characters at their best, and even love ’em at their worst. Sometimes, our thoughts may take a different tack—a more exciting path—than what we’d originally intended. It’s an intense thing when this happens because, often, it’s during these spine-tingling times we realize what’s happening is beyond our …
You are not mediocre. You’re extraordinary! Sometimes, I may sound redundant. If I do— my apologies. Encouragement is the lifeblood of this blog, and judging from my behind-the-scenes stats, those are the posts that get the most hits. That tells me something. Positive messages and words of affirmation tend to resonate with you. While I do talk a lot about …
Hump day, slump day. Half-way through the work week, but still a few days left to go. What, then, is a writer to do when weariness sets in and motivation stalls? Well… We must press on, of course! (Thus the visual goodies above to kick-start some happy thoughts. Don’t pretend you’re immune to strawberries and chocolate—fibbing isn’t healthy.) I don’t …
Hi friends! Summer greetings to you and yours from our neck of the woods. Hope your week’s off to a great start! This is the time of year when things get pretty hot and sticky in the Ozarks. The temperatures soar and so does the humidity. (Perfect hair days are a figment of the imagination at least until early fall.) …
Recently I introduced you to a wonderful, little gem in the Missouri Ozarks. During a reunion with a dear friend I discovered a coffee-lover’s dream. The perfect place to write, catch-up, or soak in the heavenly-scented atmosphere, Mocha Jo’s Coffee Cafe in Monett, Missouri is a real treat. (I’m not very familiar with this town, but Mocha Jo’s is located …
For the past ten days, our family’s traveled a new road. It’s a road not willingly chosen—a surreal detour laden with sorrow and a curious twinge of thankfulness, too. While we grieve the sudden passing of my father-in-law, we’re thankful Dad’s transition to Heaven was not prolonged or marked by a season of suffering. (If you missed last week’s post, …
Happy Fourth of July, friends… Just a brief mini-post to wish you a safe, fun-filled holiday. I hope your celebration includes family, friends, food, and of course, a few fireworks. Whatever your day brings, I pray it’s also a time of quiet reflection. For our family, this holiday is bittersweet. Last Sunday evening, my father-in-law passed away. It was sudden …
