For many years I wrote about fiction, story, belief, ordinary life, and the questions that shaped my work. More than two thousand essays remain here—not because every one represents my current thinking, but because together they tell the story of a writer learning over time.
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The archive begins with the most recent writing. Use the numbered pages below to move backward through time.
Joy Williams on Why Writers Write
Here’s the link to this article. “A writer loves the dark, loves it, but is always fumbling around in the light.” BY MARIA POPOVA Why do writers write?…
Your character suffers a heart attack and has a near-death experience. Write what happens. One Stop for Writers Here’s five story elements to consider: Never forget, writing…
Here’s the link to this article by Merle Hertzler. As we have seen, parts of our Bibles are probably mistaken. But what about the original source? I was taught…
Is God Sovereign and Does Everything Happen for a Reason?
Here’s the link to this article by Bruce Gerencser. The first verse in the first book of the Christian Bible says, In the beginning God created the heavens and…
Michael Lewis on Writing, Money, and the Necessary Self-Delusion of Creativity
Here’s the link to this article. “When you’re trying to create a career as a writer, a little delusional thinking goes a long way.” BY MARIA POPOVA The…
Here’s the link to this article by Merle Hertzler. Before reading Hertzler’s article, look carefully at what the Southern Baptist Convention says about the Holy Bible: I. The…
Richard L. Fricks 