Understanding Susie’s Spiritual Journey

The story continues with Susie’s Higher Self first interrupting and then participating in a talk given by her Grampa Izak, at which her parents were present… Susie Susan is shifting in me again. This time I feel different—I am closer to her. I knew it would happen someday. Energy flows into me—from her. Knowing itContinue reading “Understanding Susie’s Spiritual Journey”

Exploring Higher Self in Fiction: Susie’s Journey

My novel continues… At the age of 10, Susie had just taken the next step toward becoming aware of her “Higher Self.” Izak After my talk at the center, Jake invited me to go to that café down the street from Matt and Lisa’s Place with him, Rose, and Susie. Susie and I were walkingContinue reading “Exploring Higher Self in Fiction: Susie’s Journey”

A Magic Encounter: Finding Love in Unexpected Places

When I met Judy, I knew my life would be changed forever. She was “The One.” I knew it after talking to her for only five minutes. And I thought I could tell that she knew the same thing. I wouldn’t have to prove her search was also over; she already knew. Three years earlier,Continue reading “A Magic Encounter: Finding Love in Unexpected Places”

Exploring Character Depth through Discovery Writing

Work on my current “Work in Progress” continues. I am beginning to see where it is going, anyway. Izak was wrapping up his remarks—at least, the part he’d shared with me. Susie hadn’t looked away from him once. “Emily said she knew I’d understand,” he said, his voice straining. “That leaving us the way sheContinue reading “Exploring Character Depth through Discovery Writing”

Reinventing My Life Through Photography and Music

I am writing my tenth “work in progress.” In it, my main character is realizing why he exists. Hmm. I guess I am in the same boat as him. After a fulfilling life with my wife Judy for 36 years, she passed away in 2019. I was faced with the choice to move ahead withContinue reading “Reinventing My Life Through Photography and Music”

Susie’s Unexpected Question and the Evolution of Character Development

The evolution of Chapter 7 of my tenth Work in Progress continues. Here is how it started. 7Jake and Susie I pushed the slightly ajar door to Susie’s bedroom open, just in time to see her hurriedly lay her head on the pillow; her eyes clamped tightly in pretend sleep, her eyebrows furrowed in concentration.Continue reading “Susie’s Unexpected Question and the Evolution of Character Development”

Susie Pretends to Be Asleep: A Charming Bedtime Game

Sometimes I have trouble writing, particularly if the scene involves something I haven’t experienced in real life. In this scene, my character Jake says goodnight to his young daughter, Susie. Even though it’s short, it took me a solid two hours of work. It isn’t easy to write what you know if it is somethingContinue reading “Susie Pretends to Be Asleep: A Charming Bedtime Game”

Mastering Conciseness: Tips for Better Writing

Sometimes you have to “unwrite” to improve a sentence. I read an interview of a famous writer whose name escapes me. It was long ago. He was asked how he knew the correct words to include in a piece of writing. He responded that it was more important to know the correct words to remove.Continue reading “Mastering Conciseness: Tips for Better Writing”

Editing Insights: Keeping Readers Guessing

I am editing “The Scene,” my ninth Work In Progress. It didn’t come out quite the way I envisioned. Still, that is what makes Discovery Writing such a challenge —and so much fun. This part is also fun. I make sure I didn’t reveal too much. This way, no reader should be able to guessContinue reading “Editing Insights: Keeping Readers Guessing”

The Scene

I found this short paper in a box of things Judy had saved that I had no idea still existed. She had told me she had taken a creative writing course in college. Here is an example of that writing. I used this short paper as a prompt for my ninth novel. The Sceneby JudyContinue reading “The Scene”