Gather 'round…
And the starvation was effective. Somehow, by some miracle of January, I was able to break hard, frozen ground at my retreat, and push forward into a new project. There was a seed before, but the thing just would not develop. Compost is faithful, however, in heating things up. The manure of starvation and the fertile... Continue Reading →
I've been wondering why it is that flashes of brilliance - or at least flashes of our best selves - manifest themselves while we're in no position to act on them. Creative juices, spiritual prods, humanitarian urges. They all arrive when we are somehow incapacitated. I'm sure I'm not alone. You are resolved (and possibly... Continue Reading →
Darlings I was looking for something in my journal and came across this flash of an entry. It was inspiring, even though I only wrote it two months ago. July 2016 I wrote today. It was draining. I have been plugging along, giving the thing a once over with an ear for all my notes,... Continue Reading →
Writers' Block So writers' block is a thing. It can be a lot like wanting to gnaw your own arm off. I spent some words on the topic back in January, but a few more might be in order. Like how to get over it. I'm sure everyone has their tricks, but in my estimation, we... Continue Reading →
The children are unhappy that they have to mow around one more thing in our vast and rambling yard. It is only two inches in diameter, but apparently it is still enough to warrant grumbling. The intruder has been on Scott's to-do list for months, years even. All winter long, for at least two winters,... Continue Reading →
Natalie Goldberg - the same Natalie Goldberg that challenged me to attack the why of my writing life - is nothing, if not full of challenges. If you haven't picked up Writing Down the Bones yet, you should. For a bit I used each 1-2 page essay as a writing prompt, but sometimes I just needed to keep... Continue Reading →
It has been said that tough things, painful things, are grist for the writing mill. Recently, friend of mine threw that one out there second-hand—the roll of her eyes and snort of derision reaching through the email screen. She offered it up to a mutual writing buddy, in case they might draw any more comfort... Continue Reading →
Tonight, Lin-Manuel Miranda gives his final performance on Broadway as Alexander Hamilton. He is bowing out, after a year of intense success, and handing the mantle over to Javier Muñoz. Of course, it was our dream to see the original cast perform this revolutionary musical, and our dream it will remain. Five digits of dough... Continue Reading →
On the set of the smash Broadway musical Hamilton, before each and every performance, Chris Jackson leads the cast in pep talk and prayer. "Let's agree that for the next two and a half hours, this is the most important thing we'll do in our lives." Chris Jackson, for those 2 and a half hours, transforms... Continue Reading →
As I sit here there are 9 Rubik's Cubes within my field of vision. Things have gotten out of hand. For the record, my personal best time for the 3x3x3 is 1:25. (there are also 3 timers nearby) I'm getting faster, but my kids are getting faster... faster. I am soon to be left in... Continue Reading →
I'm nearing the end of my novel. This is exciting stuff, even if a wee bit terrifying. As I approach the final stages of my story, I'm finding myself writing very, very slowly. Interesting, since I am convinced that the my mission for the end is to drive the pace faster and faster. To throw... Continue Reading →
Hero's Journey: Complete. Writer's Journey: Complete. Whatever you want to call it, we made it through. Wasn't too painful, was it? Yet another disclaimer, as the series comes to a close: contained herein are my notes on Christopher Vogler's work. Some it is verbatim from his book. Some of it I have taken great liberties... Continue Reading →
Tales From the Nexus 