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.
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Christopher Hitchens: Christianity is Not Imposed?
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Drafting–Colton and Sandy inspect Mildred’s van inside the detached garage
Colton and Sandy waited until 9:00 PM to walk to the detached garage and inspect Mildred’s van. Sandy new from his younger days that she was an early-to-bed,…
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The Problem With Miracles, by Sam Harris
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Writing Journal—Sunday writing prompt
After a big argument with his spouse, your character goes for a walk and witnesses a crime. Describe your character’s dilemma choosing between doing something to stop what’s…
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Dinosaurs of the Sky: Consummate 19th-Century Scottish Natural History Illustrations of Birds
Here’s the link to this article. From pigeons to parakeets, an uncommonly beautiful celebration of biodiversity. BY MARIA POPOVA Birds populate our metaphors, our poems, and our children’s…
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02/18/23 Biking & Listening
Biking is something else I both love and hate. It takes a lot of effort but does provide good exercise and most days over an hour to listen…
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Writing Journal—Saturday writing prompt
While taking a young nephew to the park, your character notices something half-covered in the sand box. What it is, and what the character does next, is up…
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Nick Cave on the Art of Growing Older
Here’s the link to this article. “We’re often led to believe that getting older is in itself somehow a betrayal of our idealistic younger self, but sometimes I…
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Writing Journal—Friday writing prompt
Your character is on a dive trip while on vacation. When he surfaces, he discovers that the boat is gone. He’s alone. Describe what happens next. One Stop…
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Trees at Night: Rebecca Solnit Reads and Reflects on a Stunning Century-Old Poem by the Young Harlem Renaissance Poet Helene Johnson
Here’s the link to this article. An eighteen-year-old prodigy’s song of praise for the eternal consolation of trees. BY MARIA POPOVA It’s a hard thing, achieving perspective — hard for…
Richard L. Fricks 