Did I write something that made you cry? Good. If, while crying, you dreamed of becoming more than you were before you were reading, very good. If it’s a spark in your heart and then tears come, good. If it’s laughter, I am glad too. Tonight I cried after receiving, in a film, the work of a man’s art. It worked itself into my heart. I made commitments then, jotting them down through … [Read more...] about Crying at Stories
Attempted Wisdom
Seeds and Harvest and Minimum Wage Writing
The words from the screen grab and the picture are many years apart. During the time of that post, I was working very hard (battling discouragement constantly) and planting seeds. The picture below is a little evidence of the harvest that God provided later. I’m happy to say that I now make more than minimum wage writing. Seriously, that is a gift. I still can’t spell very well. (Perhpas … [Read more...] about Seeds and Harvest and Minimum Wage Writing
It Is What It Is, But It Is Not What It Shall Be
It is what it is. I read it on a cubicle wall. It’s a country-craft sign with large, cursive script, a script to make one curse. Words to echo the Curse. The sign lies, seems to be from an old farm. But it’s from a factory in China pumping out Affordable Americana. The fake-aged paint is smooth, has no earned decay. It is intentionally distressed and so am I. But, I suppose, it is … [Read more...] about It Is What It Is, But It Is Not What It Shall Be
Imagination isn’t a Diversion, it’s the Way
Make believe makes believers. Imagination. A silly, harmless habit of immature kids? I don’t think so. Imagination is seeing what is not obvious. It is seeing what lies beyond the mere visually present. But what if there’s more? More than, “It is what it is?” More than the middle part of the story we’re seeing right now. What if the secular fundamentalist scolds are wrong? What if the stories … [Read more...] about Imagination isn’t a Diversion, it’s the Way
Why Does The Green Ember Series Resonate So Strongly With Military Families?
I got another email. Another letter. Another Facebook message. I heard it from another beautiful family who waited in line to get their books signed. I hear it all the time. "We are a military family. We love your stories because..." I'm from a military family. My dad (right) is a combat veteran, as was my grandfather (below). My mom (right) waited at home, pregnant with my oldest brother, while … [Read more...] about Why Does The Green Ember Series Resonate So Strongly With Military Families?
You Held My Heart In Your Hands
All an author asks for is a chance. A chance, and the worshipful adulation of millions and the affirmation of our stubborn fathers and skyrocketing sales and awards and parades and magnificent statues looming before grand institutions named in our honor. We are a modest bunch. When I wrote The Green Ember, I genuinely just wanted a chance. I wanted a try-out, to use sports terminology … [Read more...] about You Held My Heart In Your Hands
Advocate or Accuser?
I wrote the below a few years ago, sharing it at Story Warren and The Rabbit Room. It seems like a good time to share it here. I had an email from a friend this morning who saw something in my life and felt called to point it out to me. It was about how Gina and I parent our kids. I am not always good at receiving this kind of feedback. It’s embarrassing. It makes me feel weird to think people … [Read more...] about Advocate or Accuser?
Marginal Faith: You Probably Should Be Doing Less
Have you ever read a book that was inviting and endearing, but the words ran all the way to the edge of the book? Probably not. Stories without margins are nearly impossible to enjoy reading. It’s the same with life stories. Margin is not the wasted space on the page where more words could have gone if only we would knuckle-down and work harder. Margin is the place where the words we carefully … [Read more...] about Marginal Faith: You Probably Should Be Doing Less
Think Small: Pick Only a Few Things. Do Those With All Your Heart.
Scholars agree that the Crane Technique, if done right, cannot be defended. Mr. Miyagi pointed this out in the Eighties and it’s since been tested by roughly every single one of the humans who were boys in that era. I refer, of course, to that cinematic masterpiece, The Karate Kid. After I saw that movie, I ran around kicking air, punching boards, and, most importantly, trying out the Crane … [Read more...] about Think Small: Pick Only a Few Things. Do Those With All Your Heart.
Memorial Day Thanksgiving
Every nation, people, or culture has a story. It seems to me that in every one of those cultures there is a place of honor reserved for those whose work it is or has been to protect all the others. Such is certainly the case in the American story. From the founding our principal heroes have been warriors. This seems to be the case for most cultures which endure at all (for obvious reasons). In a … [Read more...] about Memorial Day Thanksgiving
Planting Trees vs. #Successing
Note: This is the first part of a post that's up over at For the Family, so go ahead and go there if you want to skip this tease... --- I peruse twitter and, despite my half-hearted efforts at censoring them, the ubiquitous quotes on maximizing success just cannot be stopped. These success quote manufacturers must be reading their own material, because it is impossible to escape their … [Read more...] about Planting Trees vs. #Successing
The Green Ember and an Apologetic Posture
People have been saying nice things to me. Also, they’ve been giving me money. Both of those things are--and I know this sounds insane--kind of hard to take. Because I’m proud. And scared. I was really reluctant to do the pre-sale for my debut novel on kickstarter. But we decided to do it and, after some great advice (and many cautions) from experienced and wise friends, we forged ahead. I had no … [Read more...] about The Green Ember and an Apologetic Posture