We all have a creative spark somewhere that inflames us and causes us to do wonderful things. Sometimes, it’s getting that perfect photograph of a raccoon clutching a tree branch in the forest. Sometimes, it’s painting that perfect image of a bowl of fruit sitting on a kitchen table. It could be sewing the most…
Tag: writing
The spirit is willing, but the cash is weak when it comes to fun
When you love someone, you want to go and do things together on a regular basis. It’s completely understandable. After a while, just being at home loses its excitement, and you want to be somewhere else doing something else. One of the big things my sweetheart, Todd, and I like to do is go out…
Pizza could save America’s reading scores
You can’t be a writer without readers. You also can’t be a writer without being a reader. I was fortunate to have a family that put a lot of stock into reading, showing it’s an important way to learn and a vital method for expanding your imagination. You could say that reading is its own…
Tribal identity can’t be defined by blanket terms
There are about 600 different tribes in the United States, each with their own different culture, language and traditions. In Wisconsin, where I currently reside, there are 12 such tribes, and in Arizona, where I grew up, there are 23. In my lifetime, I’ve had the privilege of meeting some different tribal members in both…
Don’t adjust your sets; just give us more in our programs
When you come home for the day and settle in for the night, you have to find some way to entertain yourself. Many times, that means plopping down in front of the television to watch your favorite programs and be swept away by the story. That might seem like an odd thing for an author…
Thespians make sure the show goes on
Everybody loves to be entertained. What’s the alternative? Boredom. In ancient times, you had gladiators face off in arenas. As settlers traveled across the new frontiers in the 19th century, they told stories and sang songs during the quieter times of their journeys. Nowadays, entertainment can be found in multiple forms. However, there’s one classic…
Let the show begin and bring stories to life
I’ve been known as a book author for nearly 20 years, but before that, I crafted stories in a more theatrical style through plays. The writing bug hit me in my teen years, and after acting in some school plays, I decided to write my own stories through theatrical performance, and in 1993, my junior…
As we welcome tomorrow, hold tight to the things from yesterday
Many folks like the idea of looking to the future and embracing new ways of doing things. New concepts, new technologies—call it what you will, but moving forward is the sign of a good civilization. However, there’s also something to be said about not forgetting the old way of doing things. I’m not talking about…
Taking time on Christmas Eve to savor the season
There’s something about Christmas Eve—the anticipation of something wonderful coming. After almost two months of a sense of goodwill intermingled with chaos and the hunt for the perfect present, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Whether it’s everybody unwrapping presents next to the tree or a train coming at you…
Not wanting to join the club every time I go shopping
During my high school years, I got involved with a number of clubs. After a rather awkward childhood, being part of the drama club and other organizations made me feel like I was a part of something. It’s how I made some dear friends and been part of people’s lives long after I walked across…
Favoritism not a factor when writing novels
Which of your books is your favorite? This question was asked of me at a recent vendor event for Fox Valley Pride. It wasn’t the first time I was asked the question, but like the other times, I didn’t have a satisfactory answer. It’s akin to asking a parent who their favorite child is. However,…
Magazine escapism old-school method in the new world
It’s a rough world out there, and people are turning away from traditional media, and in some ways, the internet. War, famine, corruption and more. You’ll occasionally find some good news along the way, but you have to ask yourself if it’s real or something crafted up by artificial intelligence. The bleakness of the world…
Rural Roots and American Rainbows 