What are words worth?
So…much…information. So many words. Whatever you want, it’s out there. After a bit of searching and some perseverance, you’ll find what you’re looking for: instructions, images, insight. As a writer I ask: Do I have the words you want? How will you know until I give them to you? And after you have them, you […]
Writing life
“An author doesn’t write with his mind, he writes with his hands.” ~ Carl Van Vechter This was in response to, ‘why not just dictate?’ Because it’s not the same. Something happens when you put pen to paper. Something physical, that taps into the mental, that engages the emotions and the memories and the universe. […]
The power of the in-articulated pause
Articulated = having two or more sections connected by a flexible joint. (hinged, jointed, segmented) (of an idea or feeling) expressed; put into words. (“the lack of a clearly articulated policy”) Madeleine L’Engle has called this to my attention in A Circle of Quiet. Our our speech has been infiltrated by articulations in our pauses. […]
Debts or Trespasses?
Do we forgive our debtors or those who trespass against us? I have wondered this from a young age, probably stemming from the moment of mortification when I said “trespasses” and EVERYONE else in the sanctuary said “debts.” Who knew that people memorized a 2000 year old prayer differently? I mean, there are quote marks. […]
Hidden Writing
Displaced from my usual writing spot at my desk and even my special springtime spot on the front porch, I settled (grudgingly) onto a picnic table on the back porch. The writing surface is a bit grimy and uneven so I brought out some lovely place mats to smooth over my discomfort. No go. When […]
Have you ever painted a sunset?
Some of my fondest memories of my youngest daughter are the times we used to paint the sunset. She was probably about three years old, and whenever we spotted a sunset, we’d pull out our imaginary paintbrushes and paint, together. We’d make flourishes with our brushes, in oranges and yellows and reds. And then we would dab […]
Disorder Distracts
I have my moments. When I can operate in the middle of the fray, regardless of the chaos happening around me, just keep piling and not even slow down. But these moments are few. Generally, I need a clean desk. I don’t think this is a compulsive tendency. I think it’s more of a visual […]
Benefit of the Backspace
It’s amazing how saying less means so much more.
Go Ahead, Try it On
Call me odd, my family does regularly. Except we do it politely and call each other outliers. When I pick up a book and start to read, I also pick up a pen – or maybe a highlighter. Even, and I know this is forbidden according to some, when I pick up my Bible. Because […]