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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Drafting–Colton begins plotting his search
Colton is awakened to the alternating sounds of a skillsaw and a chainsaw. A month ago the old house next door sold and the new owners, a young…
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My God, It’s Full of Stars …
Here’s the link to this article. Please take time to read this masterpiece. It’s awe-inspiring, and deeply humbling. My God, It’s Full of Stars: Henrietta Leavitt, Edwin Hubble,…
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01/18/23 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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Drafting–Breakfast in Pittsburgh
When the bus driver shut down the engine Millie tapped Molly on the hand. “Wake up. Breakfast time.” The kid could sleep through a tornado.Molly, startled, inclined her…
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Maya Angelou on Writing and Our Responsibility to Our Creative Gifts
“I believe talent is like electricity. We don’t understand electricity. We use it.” Here’s the link to this article. BY MARIA POPOVA “Be a good steward of your…
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01/17/23 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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Drafting–Youngstown to Pittsburgh—Millie
Millie squeezed Molly’s hand and wondered if by daylight she would extend another act of kindness and love. The feelings of guilt and worthlessness were always the first…
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Bloom: The Evolution of Life on Earth and the Birth of Ecology (Joan As Police Woman Sings Emily Dickinson)
How flowers gave rise to life on Earth and made possible the human consciousness that came to see a world “thronged only with Music.” Here’s a link to…
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01/16/23 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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Drafting—Colton finds Millie’s note
Something was up. No lights downstairs, upstairs, anywhere. The front porch light was always on when he returned from work on Friday nights, even if Millie and Molly…
Richard L. Fricks 