Dolly Parton has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Most singers come and go, especially in a world where we’re oversaturated with music, but when it comes to a woman who came from a poor family and turned her life into one of giving, that’s something that endures….
Tag: writing
Romance can be found in the grips of mortal terror
We love our love stories. We love reading about someone lonely who finds someone in a tale that usually includes the words “unbridled passion” and “setting fire to my loins.” I’ve written plenty of those tales. However, that’s old hat. Some authors are writing love stories in the midst of dire situations where very few…
Sometimes stepping from the shadows is the only way to be a hero
We all love heartwarming tales. Whether it’s a hero saving the day or someone doing something that’s kind, we want somebody to root for, to give us motivation to keep listening, watching or reading. Of course, we also know that behind every great person, there’s usually someone else working in the shadows, providing support and…
Would you want to be traded for another job?
Trading athletes tends to be big news, especially in states that have professional sports teams. Here in Wisconsin, the world of basketball was rocked when Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokoumpo, who had spent most of his career here, was traded to the Miami Heat recently. It had seemed like Antetokoumpo would be here forever—or at…
Success only happens when the message is inclusive
The key to anything successful is the message. If you have a message that includes everyone—or at least as many people as possible—then there’s a good chance that your endeavor will be a success. If the message excludes, whether intentionally or through carelessness, anyone or makes them feel like they’re not a part of the…
America gets its kicks, but how far will soccer fandom go?
It’s mid-summer, and the ball parks are full of screaming fans eager to enjoy a baseball game. It’s just like any other summer. Is it though? I ask because America seems to be in the grip of another ball frenzy, trading in bats for nets—really big nets, the kind that make basketball players envious. The…
Creative spark can become a flame with the right circumstances
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…
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…
Rural Roots and American Rainbows 