Category: Pencil Driven Life

A New Beginning at The Pencil-Driven Life

Why the website changed — and what comes next

For most of my life, I lived inside stories I didn’t write—beliefs I inherited, purposes assigned to me, expectations handed down long before I ever had a chance to choose my own path. I didn’t recognize how small that space had become until everything began to unravel.

That unraveling led me toward something quieter: presence, clarity, and the freedom to live moment by moment.

Over time, that shift grew into a philosophy, then a lived practice, and now a body of work called The Pencil-Driven Life.

If you’ve visited this website before, you may notice it looks very different.
Here’s why.

Life at Oak Hollow

Much of this transformation has taken place on our seventy-acre property in North Alabama—land we call Oak Hollow.

What began as a simple place to live has become an ongoing experiment in presence:

  • building off-grid cabins
  • creating quiet spaces to think and breathe
  • walking trails at sunrise
  • tending a greenhouse
  • caring for seven rescued dogs
  • letting each day unfold without a script

Oak Hollow isn’t a cabin rental business.
It’s where The Pencil-Driven Life is lived out in real time.

You’ll see glimpses of these moments, projects, and reflections on @thepencildrivenlife, because they’re inseparable from the philosophy itself.

What’s Changing on the Website

This site used to focus heavily on story coaching and Fictionary editing. I’m grateful for that chapter—my training sharpened the way I understand story and, ultimately, the way I understand life.

But I no longer offer story coaching as a profession.

The work ahead of me now is different:

  • writing The Pencil-Driven Life — Volume 1
  • creating the companion workbook
  • sharing daily reflections
  • continuing the Boaz novels
  • documenting the work happening at Oak Hollow
  • and exploring presence in ordinary life

Story still matters deeply—just not as a service.
It’s become a lens.

Where We Go From Here

You’ll see more writing here about:

  • presence
  • simplicity
  • letting go
  • finding clarity
  • creative life at Oak Hollow
  • writing as awareness
  • questioning inherited stories
  • living lightly and honestly

The Pencil-Driven Life isn’t about reaching a destination.
It’s about noticing what’s already here.

Thank you for walking with me into this next chapter.
Let’s see where the pencil moves from here.

—Richard

The Pencil’s Philosophy—Endings and Beginnings: The Writer’s Journey Through Change

THE PENCIL'S PHILOSOPHY - THURSDAYS
Welcome to The Pencil's Philosophy, my Thursday focus on writing as transformation. Here you'll explore how writing connects to deeper understanding, how questioning leads to growth, and how stories transform both writer and reader. Whether you're seeking truth or finding your voice, these posts guide your journey of discovery.

At year’s end, writers face a paradox: our stories need endings, yet every ending seeds a new beginning. Like our characters, we navigate constant change, each completed draft launching us toward the next story.

The Cycle of Creation

Endings and beginnings interweave:

  • First drafts end in revision’s birth
  • Character arcs close as new ones emerge
  • Stories conclude as ideas spark
  • Years close as fresh pages open

Writing Through Transition

Change demands:

  • Letting go of old stories
  • Embracing uncertainty
  • Finding rhythm in chaos
  • Building from endings

The Writer’s Evolution

Each story transforms:

  • How we see the world
  • What questions we ask
  • Which stories we choose
  • Where we find meaning

Moving Forward

Your writer’s journey mirrors your characters’:

  • Face the unknown
  • Accept change
  • Find truth in transition
  • Begin again

As this year ends, remember: every period ends a sentence, but also marks the space before the next one begins.

Use the Contact form to schedule a phone call or a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.

First Edge—Starting Your Writing Journey in the New Year

FIRST EDGE - WEDNESDAYS
Welcome to First Edge, my Wednesday focus on beginning novelists. Here you'll find practical guidance, encouragement, and permission to start your writing journey. Whether you're thinking about writing or ready to begin, First Edge offers the support you need to take your first steps.

Merry Christmas!

So you want to write a novel in 2025. That dream has been waiting, hasn’t it? Waiting while you read craft books, watched writing videos, followed author blogs. Waiting while you thought about characters, imagined scenes, planned someday. Today, let’s turn someday into Day One.

Your Permission Slip

Dear Writer,

You have permission to:

  • Write badly
  • Start in the middle
  • Not know the ending
  • Change your mind
  • Make mistakes
  • Begin again
  • Call yourself a writer

Signed,
A Fellow Beginner

Your First Steps

  1. Choose Your Starting Point
  • A character who won’t leave you alone
  • A scene you can’t stop thinking about
  • A question you need to explore
  • A story that demands telling
  1. Create Your Space
  • A corner desk
  • A favorite chair
  • A morning coffee shop
  • A quiet library nook
  1. Set Your Schedule
  • Early morning words
  • Lunch break paragraphs
  • Evening chapters
  • Weekend writing

Simple Truths for Beginners

  • All first drafts are messy
  • Every published author started exactly where you are
  • Your voice matters because it’s yours
  • There’s no single “right” way to write
  • You learn by doing

Your Writing Foundation

Start with:

  • One dedicated writing hour
  • One notebook or document
  • One story idea
  • One commitment to yourself

Build from there.

Practical First Week Plan

Day 1: Write character notes
Day 2: Sketch a scene
Day 3: Explore setting
Day 4: Draft dialogue
Day 5: Connect ideas
Day 6: Review and plan
Day 7: Begin your story

When Doubt Creeps In

Remember:

  • Every writer starts as a beginner
  • Perfect is the enemy of written
  • Progress beats perfection
  • Small steps create novels
  • Today is always the right day to start

Moving Forward

Your novel begins with one word, then another. It grows sentence by sentence, scene by scene. The only magic is in starting, in putting words on the page, in giving yourself permission to begin.

2025 is your year to write. Not because you’re ready—no one ever feels completely ready. But because your story matters, and it’s time to tell it.

What will you write first?

Use the Contact form to schedule a phone call or a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.

Edge Coach—Three-Point Scene Analysis for Stronger Endings

EDGE COACH - TUESDAYS
Welcome to Edge Coach, my Tuesday focus on professional story development. As a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor, I share techniques to strengthen your writing and engage your readers. Whether you're revising your first draft or polishing your final one, Edge Coach offers practical guidance for your story.

The Three Points Every Scene Needs

  1. Character Change
  • Entry state vs. exit state
  • Emotional transformation
  • Knowledge gained or lost
  1. Story Movement
  • Plot advancement
  • New complications
  • Stakes escalation
  1. Reader Experience
  • Question answered
  • New question raised
  • Emotional impact

Applying the Three Points to Scene Elements

Entry Hook

  • Establishes character’s initial state
  • Sets scene tension
  • Poses story question

POV Goal

  • Drives character movement
  • Creates story momentum
  • Raises stakes

Scene Middle

  • Develops complications
  • Shows character agency
  • Builds tension

Scene Climax

  • Forces character change
  • Answers scene question
  • Creates consequences

Exit Hook

  • Shows transformation
  • Plants next scene’s seeds
  • Maintains momentum

Scene Name

  • Reflects main change
  • Highlights key element
  • Aids revision tracking

Analysis in Practice

When analyzing your scene, ask:

  1. What changes for the character?
  2. How does the story advance?
  3. What does the reader gain?

If any point is missing, your scene needs strengthening.

StoryCoach Tips

  • Track all three points in your scene outline
  • Verify each element serves multiple points
  • Ensure changes ripple forward
  • Connect points to your story’s theme
  • Build each scene’s points toward your ending

Remember: Strong scenes need more than structure—they need meaningful change on multiple levels.

#SceneStructure #WritingCraft #StoryEditing #ThreePointAnalysis #WritingTips #StoryCoaching #SceneWriting #RevisionStrategy

Use the Contact form to schedule a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.

Sharpening the Edge—Mid-Book Crisis: Wrestling with Chapter 15’s Plot Snarl

SHARPENING THE EDGE - MONDAYS
Welcome to Sharpening the Edge, my Monday focus on real-time novel writing. Here you'll find insights from my current work-in-progress, sharing challenges, breakthroughs, and solutions as they happen. Whether you're in the midst of your novel or planning to start, these posts offer practical experience from the writing desk.

In The Boaz Student, Chapter 15 finds Bret Johnson at a crucial turning point. After challenging the mandatory prayer at a school assembly, he faces escalating isolation. The plot threads have tangled: his former youth group friends’ increasing hostility, a surprising ally in his skeptic philosophy club, and mounting pressure from both faculty and family.

## The Current Snarl

– Bret’s private doubts becoming public stands

– The philosophy club’s growing influence vs. administrative resistance

– Former best friend Marcus’s betrayal of confidence

– Family dinner scene that threatens to expose everything

## Working Through It

1. Mapped core conflict: Authentic self vs. Community acceptance

2. Listed consequences: Social isolation, family tension, academic impact

3. Identified subplot connections: Other questioning students

4. Connected to theme: Cost of intellectual honesty

## Today’s Breakthrough

While outlining possible paths, I realized Bret’s crisis parallels his younger sister’s growing curiosity about his changes. Both must navigate between comfortable acceptance and uncomfortable questions. This parallel strengthens the theme and clarifies the plot direction.

## Next Steps

1. Revise confrontation with Marcus

2. Strengthen sister’s subplot

3. Layer in consequences of assembly protest

4. Build tension toward family Christmas dinner

Sometimes plot snarls reveal deeper story truths. What looked like a structural problem was actually a character development opportunity.

Progress today: 847 words

Cumulative draft: 42,316 words

Use the Contact form to schedule a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.

Creation Edge—Mastering Multiple Endings with Scrivener’s Snapshot Feature

CREATION EDGE - SUNDAYS
Welcome to Creation Edge, my Sunday focus on writing technology. Here you'll learn how to use Scrivener to organize, write, and revise your novel. Whether you're setting up your first project or managing your manuscript, Creation Edge helps you make technology serve your creativity.

Not sure which ending best serves your story? Scrivener’s Snapshot feature lets you explore multiple possibilities while keeping all versions safe and accessible. Here’s how to use this powerful tool effectively.

Taking Your First Snapshot

Before creating alternate endings:

  1. Select your ending scene in the Binder
  2. Click the camera icon in the toolbar, or use Documents → Snapshots → Take Snapshot
  3. Name your snapshot (e.g., “Original Ending – Happy”)
  4. Add a brief description of the ending’s key elements

Setting Up for Multiple Endings

Create a clear organization system:

  1. Make a folder called “Alternate Endings”
  2. Create separate documents for each version
  3. Take snapshots of each attempt
  4. Use clear naming conventions (e.g., “Ending_Bittersweet_v1”)

Using Snapshots Effectively

Comparing Versions

  1. Click the Snapshots button in the Inspector
  2. Select two versions to compare
  3. Use the comparison tools to see changes
  4. Make notes about what works in each version

Rolling Back Changes

  • Select the version you want to restore
  • Click “Roll Back” to revert to that version
  • Or use “Roll Back to Selected” for partial changes

Advanced Snapshot Strategies

Version Tracking

  • Date each snapshot
  • Add detailed notes about why you made changes
  • Track emotional impact of different versions
  • Note connection to various story themes

Mixing and Matching

  • Use snapshots to combine elements from different endings
  • Track which elements work best together
  • Create hybrid versions from successful elements

Organization Tips

Keep your endings manageable:

  1. Create a spreadsheet linking to each version
  2. Track the pros and cons of each ending
  3. Note feedback received on different versions
  4. Document your decision-making process

Best Practices

  1. Always snapshot before major changes
  2. Use clear, descriptive names
  3. Add detailed notes to each version
  4. Keep your comparison notes in the project
  5. Regular backup your entire project

Troubleshooting Common Issues

When to Take New Snapshots

  • Before significant changes
  • When trying new directions
  • After receiving feedback
  • When combining elements

Managing Multiple Snapshots

  • Regular cleanup of unused versions
  • Clear labeling system
  • Folder organization
  • Backup important versions

Moving Forward

With Scrivener’s Snapshot feature, you can:

  • Explore different endings safely
  • Track your revision process
  • Compare versions easily
  • Make informed decisions
  • Keep all options available

Remember: The perfect ending might combine elements from several versions. Snapshots help you find that ideal combination.

Use the Contact form to schedule a phone call or a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.

Craft Edge—Emotional Beats in Holiday Scenes: Using the Emotion Thesaurus

CRAFT EDGE - SATURDAYS
Welcome to Craft Edge, my Saturday focus on fiction writing craft. Here you'll find deep dives into writing techniques using One Stop for Writers and Fictionary resources. Whether you're developing characters or structuring scenes, Craft Edge helps you master the tools of storytelling.

Holiday scenes can easily fall into cliché territory. Today, we’ll explore how to use One Stop for Writers’ Emotion Thesaurus to create authentic emotional moments in your seasonal scenes.

Common Holiday Scene Pitfalls

Before diving into solutions, let’s identify what makes holiday scenes feel flat:

  • Overused physical responses (tears of joy, racing hearts)
  • Predictable emotional patterns
  • Surface-level sentimentality
  • Lack of emotional complexity

Using the Emotion Thesaurus Effectively

The Emotion Thesaurus offers multiple categories for each emotion. Let’s explore them:

Physical Signals

Instead of common responses, consider:

  • Micro-expressions
  • Unconscious gestures
  • Physiological changes
  • Action tendencies

Internal Sensations

Layer emotion with:

  • Visceral responses
  • Body temperature changes
  • Muscle reactions
  • Nervous system responses

Mental Responses

Show thought patterns through:

  • Memory triggers
  • Focus shifts
  • Decision-making changes
  • Perception alterations

Complex Holiday Emotions

Let’s examine some holiday-specific emotional combinations:

Joy + Grief

Physical Signals:

  • Hands ghosting over old ornaments
  • Humming carols that break mid-note
  • Setting an extra place before catching yourself

Anticipation + Anxiety

Internal Sensations:

  • Stomach butterflies with acid edges
  • Tingling fingers that can’t quite steady
  • Heart skipping between excitement and dread

Love + Frustration

Mental Responses:

  • Counting breaths while wrapping imperfect gifts
  • Rehearsing responses to familiar criticisms
  • Finding humor in chaos to avoid explosion

Building Emotional Scenes

Structure your holiday scenes with emotional beats:

  1. Opening State
  • Establish baseline emotion
  • Show normal behaviors
  • Set emotional stakes
  1. Triggering Event
  • Create emotional catalyst
  • Show immediate reaction
  • Layer in complications
  1. Emotional Progression
  • Build through multiple responses
  • Mix emotional signals
  • Create emotional turning points
  1. Resolution
  • Show emotional impact
  • Leave room for resonance
  • Connect to character arc

Example Using the Thesaurus

Let’s transform a basic scene:

Before:
Sarah felt sad as she hung the ornaments on her first Christmas tree alone.

After:
Sarah’s fingers traced the rough edge where last year’s card still clung to the ornament. The glitter had worn away, just like everything else. She hung it anyway, adjusting it three times before letting go, her hand lingering as if the empty apartment might shake it loose.

Tips for Maximum Impact

  1. Mix emotional categories
  2. Layer responses over time
  3. Connect emotions to backstory
  4. Use setting to amplify feeling
  5. Allow emotional complexity

Moving Forward

The Emotion Thesaurus isn’t just a reference—it’s a tool for emotional authenticity. Use it to dig deeper into your holiday scenes, finding fresh ways to express timeless feelings.

Remember: The best holiday scenes don’t just show emotion—they make readers feel it.

Edge of Reality–When Blue Lights Lead to Christmas Magic: A Novelist’s Gold Mine

EDGE OF REALITY - 
Welcome to Edge of Reality, my Friday feature examining current events through a writer's lens. Here you'll discover how real-world stories can inform and enhance your fiction. Whether you're mining life for story ideas or deepening your narrative, Edge of Reality helps you transform truth into compelling fiction.

Today’s Inspiration:**

“Making Christmas Bright” – Sand Mountain Reporter

By Mary Bailey, December 17, 2024

[Story of Marshall County’s 6th annual Shop with a Cop event]

## The Real Story

In Marshall County, Alabama, 106 children experienced Christmas magic when law enforcement officers from across the county came together for their annual Shop with a Cop event. The scene: a parade of police vehicles, sirens blazing down Highway 431, each carrying a child toward a morning of holiday shopping and connection.

## Mining the Story Elements

### Character Gold

– Trinidy, who dreams of becoming an officer herself

– Lashay Bentley, the 911 dispatcher participating for the first time after 17 years

– Jeremiah Flack, thrilled by his police car ride

– Sheriff Phil Sims, watching relationships build

– Will Isbell, returning for his third year

– The Bartleys, working behind the scenes to organize it all

### Dramatic Moments

– A line of blue lights streaming down Highway 431

– Children experiencing their first police car ride

– A dispatcher and future officer shopping together

– Officers playing basketball with kids after shopping

– A community breakfast bringing everyone together

– The moment a child picks out a gift for their sibling

## Transforming Reality into Fiction

### Perspective Options

1. A veteran officer seeing hope in a child’s eyes

2. A shy child finding courage through connection

3. A dispatcher stepping into direct service

4. A parent watching their child’s fear of police transform

5. A store employee witnessing these moments year after year

### Plot Possibilities

– A holiday romance between two first responders who volunteer

– A coming-of-age story about a child inspired to serve

– A community drama about healing police-community relations

– An ensemble piece following multiple officer-child pairs

– A story of siblings sharing an unexpected Christmas blessing

### Thematic Elements

– Breaking down barriers

– Service beyond duty

– Dreams taking root

– Community healing

– Holiday magic in unexpected places

– The ripple effect of kindness

## Novel Applications

Consider these story frameworks:

1. The Annual Event: How traditions build trust

2. The Reluctant Participant: How connection changes perspective

3. Behind the Scenes: The unseen work of community building

4. The Transformation: How one day can change a life

5. The Legacy: How today’s moments shape tomorrow’s heroes

This Marshall County story reminds us that the best fiction often grows from real moments of human connection. Sometimes the simplest acts—a siren sounding for joy rather than emergency, a shared morning of shopping, a child’s dream taking shape—contain all the elements we need for powerful storytelling.

The Pencil’s Philosophy—Why Stories Matter Most When Times Are Hard

THE PENCIL'S PHILOSOPHY - THURSDAYS
Welcome to The Pencil's Philosophy, my Thursday focus on writing as transformation. Here you'll explore how writing connects to deeper understanding, how questioning leads to growth, and how stories transform both writer and reader. Whether you're seeking truth or finding your voice, these posts guide your journey of discovery.

In times of hardship, whether personal or global, stories become more than entertainment—they become lifelines. Today, let’s explore why the act of writing and reading stories takes on deeper significance when challenges arise.

Stories as Shelter

When the world feels overwhelming, stories provide:

  • A space to process complex emotions
  • Distance to examine difficult truths
  • Safe harbors for healing
  • Windows into hope and possibility

Writers aren’t just creating entertainment; we’re building refuges.

The Power of Making Meaning

Stories help us make sense of chaos by:

  • Organizing experience into narrative
  • Finding patterns in randomness
  • Creating order from disorder
  • Discovering purpose in pain

Through story, both writer and reader transform confusion into clarity.

Stories as Bridges

When isolation threatens, stories:

  • Connect us across distances
  • Remind us we’re not alone
  • Share universal experiences
  • Build empathy and understanding

Your story might be the bridge someone needs to cross from despair to hope.

The Courage to Continue

Writing during difficult times requires:

  • Facing our fears on the page
  • Transforming pain into purpose
  • Finding light in darkness
  • Creating when destruction looms

Every word written is an act of faith in tomorrow.

Why Your Story Matters Now

Your writing matters most when:

  • Truth seems uncertain
  • Hope feels distant
  • Connection is needed
  • Understanding is crucial

Your voice might be the one that helps another hold on.

Stories as Resistance

When hardship threatens to overwhelm, stories:

  • Preserve what matters
  • Protect what’s precious
  • Protest what’s wrong
  • Promote what’s possible

Writing becomes an act of courage, hope, and defiance.

The Responsibility of the Writer

In difficult times, we must:

  • Write with honesty
  • Share with courage
  • Create with purpose
  • Speak with compassion

Your words might become someone’s compass through the storm.

Moving Forward

Write not despite the hardship, but because of it. Your stories matter now more than ever. They’re not just entertainment—they’re essential survival tools for times like these.

Remember: Stories helped humanity survive every dark age. They’ll help us survive this one too.

Keep writing. Keep sharing. Keep believing in the power of story to light the way forward.

Use the Contact form to schedule a phone call or a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.

First Edge—Permission to Write Imperfectly During the Holidays

FIRST EDGE - WEDNESDAYS
Welcome to First Edge, my Wednesday focus on beginning novelists. Here you'll find practical guidance, encouragement, and permission to start your writing journey. Whether you're thinking about writing or ready to begin, First Edge offers the support you need to take your first steps.

Dear Beginning Novelist,

The tree needs trimming, cookies need baking, and your novel… well, it’s sitting there, waiting. That blank page seems to mock you with visions of perfect prose while holiday chaos swirls around you. Today, I’m giving you a gift: permission to write imperfectly during the holidays.

The Reality of Holiday Writing

Let’s be honest about what writing looks like right now:

  • Ten minutes between wrapping presents
  • Notes on your phone while waiting in shopping lines
  • Early morning words before the family wakes
  • Late night paragraphs after the celebrations quiet down

This isn’t your normal writing routine. And that’s okay.

What “Imperfect Writing” Looks Like

  • Unfinished scenes
  • Plot holes you’ll fix later
  • Character names in [brackets]
  • Notes to yourself in the margins
  • Dialogue without tags
  • Description you’ll flesh out later

All of these are perfectly imperfect ways to keep your story moving forward.

Why Imperfect Writing Matters

Your story doesn’t need perfection—it needs existence. Every word you write, no matter how rough, is:

  • One more brick in your novel’s foundation
  • Proof that you’re committed to your dream
  • Progress toward your goal
  • Practice in your craft

Simple Strategies for Holiday Writing

  1. Lower Your Word Count Goals
  • Normal day: 1,000 words
  • Holiday version: 250 words
  • Even 50 words keep your story alive
  1. Embrace the Fragments
  • Write scenes out of order
  • Capture dialogue snippets
  • Jot down setting details
  • Note character insights
  1. Use Holiday Moments
  • Channel family dynamics into character relationships
  • Turn holiday stress into story conflict
  • Transform festive settings into scene backgrounds
  • Convert real conversations into dialogue

Your Permission Slip

Dear Writer,
You have permission to:

  • Write badly
  • Write briefly
  • Write randomly
  • Write imperfectly
  • Write differently than usual
  • Keep your story alive however you can

Signed,
Your Writing Coach

Moving Forward

Your novel doesn’t need your perfection—it needs your presence. Even small, imperfect efforts keep your story breathing during this busy season. Come January, you’ll be grateful for every word you wrote, no matter how messy.

Remember: Imperfect writing can be revised. Unwritten stories remain untold.

Keep writing, dear novelist. Your story matters, even during the holidays.

Use the Contact form to schedule a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.