Friends Everyday I get new friend requests on Facebook and through my email It’s great to have so many people who want to be my friend. However, these aren’t real people. They are bots or scammers phishing for information from me. They post comments on my posts or on posts I’ve responded [...]
So you went to a writers’ conference where instructors told you how to write. They gave tips about what to do and what not to do. But what they didn’t tell you is what to write about. For some people, the answer is simple. There’s a story that’s been burning in your heart a [...]
The common perception of writers is that they are isolated from the world, tucked away in a corner or small space with little to no human contact. Perhaps that used to be the way it was. But these days with the internet, social media, and the ability to travel more easily, writers spend less [...]
May your 2022 be a year filled with blessings!
Writing can be stressful. But it can also be fun. Sometimes, you just need to laugh. People have been trying to communicate since life began on this planet. Snoopy understood the life of a writer. When do the ideas come? And then there's editing. And there's wishing it wasn't so hard. The necessary ingredient: coffee [...]
One of the pitfalls of writing is the risk of being rejected. No one wants to be rejected, and no matter how much you try to separate yourself from the writing, you take it personally. Reject my writing, reject me. History abounds with stories of famous authors who were rejected multiple times before their work [...]
Of course, they do! In fact, reading is one of the requirements for the job. So today, I’m taking a reader survey, since I’m also a reader and I’m interested in what reading habits you have. Do you have a favorite place to read? (Inside, Outside, favorite chair, bed?) Do you have a favorite time [...]
“There I was, standing in a field of garbage,” the visiting missionary said. He was sharing a story about his search for a place to have an off-campus residence for some students in Africa whose college did not provide housing. The missionary and his wife wanted to fill a need for female students to have [...]
Success and failure. In today’s world, we are often defined as one or the other in whatever we do. Success can lift our spirits, motivate, and energize us, but failure can demoralize, depress, or stifle further efforts. So what determines whether a writer is successful or not? The answer depends on your point of view, [...]
Call me a rebel. Or a hypocrite. Or even a fake. But the truth is, I don’t always love writing. What, you say? Aren’t writers supposed to love writing? Now I know some do, but I doubt even those who do love it don’t love it all the time. Some authors even say they can’t [...]
Ernest Hemingway1 Ernest Hemingway was not my favorite author, in fact, I haven’t read most of what he’s written, but despite my own knowledge of his work, he was a successful author. And he was a serious writer. Hemingway had several interests – fishing, hunting, boxing, cats and perhaps you could add [...]
Social distancing on Little River Island in Maine, photo by Chuck Turk Appointments and meetings have been cancelled. Sports events have been cancelled. Vacations have been cancelled. Even going to church has been cancelled. The government tells us to stay at home to prevent the spread of the disease. So now, we writers [...]
What’s Good about being a Ghost? (ghostwriter) There are times in my writing career when I’m asked to ghostwrite a story, that is, write someone else’s story, where they get the byline and I don’t. As a writer who likes to take advantage of any opportunity I can, I usually accept the assignment. Some of [...]
People often ask me where I get the ideas for my books. Their question implies I'm creative and that I come up with these ideas all by myself. Not true. You see, I’m a historical writer, so I like to explore history and find interesting facts about different periods in various places. Not that [...]
Hello Lighthouse Enthusiasts and Readers, I owe you big time. Please accept my apologies for not posting on this site as often as I used to. Believe me, I've wanted to, but other commitments have prevented me from doing so, and since it takes a lot of time for me to research each story, the [...]
You might not realize that writers have doubts and insecurities, that no matter whether they're published or not, they question their ability to produce something worthy of a reader's attention. Are you familiar with the story about the man whose home was flooded and He prayed to God to save him? First, someone [...]
Last weekend I watched a professional tennis tournament. As a social tennis player, I was amazed at the difference between how the professionals play and how I play. I’m sure that most of the spectators who were also tennis players shared the same thought I had, “I wish I could play like that.” But [...]
“Get fabulous flat abs in only 16 minutes a day!” Wow, only sixteen minutes? Why, that sounds easy enough. I’m sure I have sixteen minutes to spare. The girl in the photo sure has flat abs. Maybe if I spend sixteen minutes a day, I’ll look like her too. So I look at the miraculous [...]
I sat at my table near the food court in the mall, watching people pass and hoping they would decide to stop and buy one of my books. I’m kind of new to this book-signing gig, and I’m not famous, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Unfortunately, there were no lines [...]
How did I get myself into this mess? Oh, I remember now. I’d said, “Yes,” when the lady who leads our women’s ministry asked me to write a play for their next Christmas brunch. Playwriting had not been on my bucket list, but when I suggested a change of format for the brunch such as [...]
Recently, a friend said to me, “I don’t know how you do so many things!” I smiled and shrugged, afraid to take any credit, because I knew how much I didn’t get done. For example, today I was supposed to write 1000 words on my current novel, edit a previously written book, compile corrections from [...]
What an inspiring place! It was my first trip to Yellowstone National Park, and we’d spent the day sightseeing. I didn’t know what to expect, other than the famous geyser, “Old Faithful.” I was there for the new experience, the adventure, the opportunity to see something I’d never seen before in a [...]
I know they’re waiting for me in there. Even when I forget, as soon as I walk into my office, there they are, the whole cast and crew, hanging around until I return to my desk each day. There’s pretty Cora, pensively sitting at her desk, undoubtedly thinking of the next hat she’ll create, and [...]
The New Year has arrived and I’m not ready yet! Have you ever felt like that? I felt that way about Christmas too, so does that mean time is moving faster or I’m running behind? Since this new week of the New Year began, I’ve been doing some “spring” cleaning – cleaning out my office [...]