Tag: WritingCommunity

New Year, New Stories: Finding Fiction in Fresh Starts

Welcome to Story Insights, our Friday exploration of writing life and creative discovery. Here you’ll find real-time insights from my writing desk, reflections on the writing journey, and ways current events can enrich our fiction. Whether you’re mining life for story ideas or seeking deeper meaning in your work, Story Insights helps you connect craft with creativity, reality with imagination.

As 2025 opens, Bret Johnson, the protagonist of The Boaz Student, faces his own new beginning. Like many questioning their inherited beliefs, he returns to school after Christmas break, knowing everything has changed. His former youth group friends have chosen sides. His sister’s questions grow bolder. His parents’ concern deepens.

From the Writing Desk

This week’s challenge: capturing the weight of return. How does a seventeen-year-old navigate a familiar space when he’s no longer the same person who left it? In Chapter 16, Bret walks those school halls with new awareness, seeing the prayers posted on lockers, the Bible verse announcements, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes posters through changed eyes.

Progress: 873 words, mostly focused on the subtle shifts in hallway dynamics. Sometimes the smallest details carry the most truth.

Real World Resonance

A local news story caught my attention: “Students Lead Interfaith Dialogue at Mountain Brook High.” While different from Bret’s experience, this story of students creating space for diverse beliefs offers interesting parallels. The article describes how a student group organized lunch meetings where peers share their various faith traditions and philosophical perspectives.

What fascinates me as a novelist:

  • The courage required to start difficult conversations
  • How physical spaces (like a lunch table) become symbolic
  • The ripple effects of small actions
  • The power of student-led initiatives

Transforming Truth into Fiction

This real-world story enriches my understanding of Bret’s journey. While he starts his philosophy club from a place of questioning rather than inclusion, both narratives share core elements:

  • Young people seeking authentic dialogue
  • The school as both setting and symbol
  • Community resistance to change
  • The price of speaking up

Writing Forward

As we begin 2025, I’m reminded that every story is about transformation. Whether in fiction or life, new years and new chapters share this truth: change demands both courage and cost.

Next week: examining how winter’s starkness serves story themes.

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.

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.

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.

Sharpening the Edge—Writing Through Holiday Distractions: Real Solutions from My Writing Desk

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.

It’s 6 AM, and I’m stealing time before the holiday chaos begins. My protagonist, Sarah, is about to discover a crucial piece of evidence, but the mental list of gifts to wrap and cookies to bake keeps intruding. Welcome to December writing, fellow novelists. Here’s how I’m keeping my WIP alive during the holiday season.

What’s Working (And What Isn’t)

This morning, I managed 750 words despite three false starts. The trick? I’m writing in shorter bursts with more intense focus. Here’s my current chapter challenge and how I’m handling it:

The Scene: Sarah breaks into her father’s study to find proof of corporate fraud
The Holiday Distraction: Mental shopping lists kept replacing my description of the study
The Solution: I wrote the scene backwards. Started with what she finds, then filled in how she got there.

My Current Writing Schedule

I’ve adjusted my usual writing routine to work with, not against, holiday demands:

  • Early morning: First draft writing (like this morning’s study scene)
  • Lunch break: Quick scene outlining for tomorrow
  • Evening: Light editing while watching holiday movies
  • Weekend: One two-hour block instead of my usual full morning

Real Talk About Progress

Last week’s word count:

  • Monday: 750 words
  • Tuesday: 0 (holiday party)
  • Wednesday: 1,200 words (made up for Tuesday)
  • Thursday: 600 words
  • Friday: 900 words
  • Weekend: 1,500 words total

Not my usual output, but steady progress wins the race.

What’s Actually Working

  1. Scene Cards: I’ve started keeping index cards by my bed. When holiday planning invades my writing time, I jot down the intrusive thoughts and keep writing.
  2. Time Blocking: Instead of my usual three-hour morning session, I’m doing three one-hour blocks throughout the day. More manageable, less guilty when interrupted.
  3. Location Switching: The coffee shop is too festive right now. I’ve moved to the library’s back corner. No holiday music, no peppermint mochas, just focus.

Today’s Breakthrough

This morning’s realization: holiday distractions can actually serve the story. My scattered focus helped me write about Sarah’s anxiety better. Her scattered thoughts mirror my own, making the scene more authentic.

Moving Forward

My plan for this week:

  • Finish the study scene (target: Wednesday)
  • Layer in emotional beats during gift-wrapping
  • Use holiday party small talk to inspire dialogue
  • Draft next week’s scenes during long shopping lines

Remember, fellow writers: imperfect progress is still progress. Your story will be there, growing slowly but surely, through the season.

So excuse me while I get back to Sarah in that study. I’ve got thirty minutes before the real world needs me, and she’s about to find something that will change everything.

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

Edge of Reality–Finding Story in Local News: A Writer’s Guide

EDGE OF REALITY - FIRST FRIDAY
Welcome to Edge of Reality, my monthly 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, let’s discover how local stories can spark our novels while maintaining respect for real events and people.

TRANSFORMING NEWS INTO NARRATIVE

Consider this recent local headline: “Community Rallies Around Family After Storm Destroys Historic Farm”

A news story tells us what happened. But as novelists, we ask:

  • What led to this moment?
  • How do people react under sudden pressure?
  • What happens after the cameras leave?
  • Which conflicts emerge from crisis?

FROM FACT TO FICTION:

News Element: “Historic farm, four generations” Story Potential:

  • Family legacy tensions
  • Modern versus traditional values
  • Preservation versus progress
  • Hidden family secrets

News Element: “Community rallies” Story Potential:

  • Unexpected alliances
  • Past conflicts resolved
  • New conflicts emerge
  • Individual versus community needs

WRITING EXERCISE: Choose a local news story and:

  1. List the factual elements
  2. Identify emotional touchpoints
  3. Explore “what if” scenarios
  4. Create fictional characters inspired by (not copied from) real situations

Remember: We’re not reporting news—we’re exploring human nature through story.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

  • Maintain a respectful distance from real events
  • Change significant details
  • Focus on universal themes
  • Consider timing and sensitivity

Join me next month when we’ll explore another local story through a novelist’s lens. Meanwhile, try the exercise with your local news. What stories are waiting to be discovered?

“No story lives unless someone wants to listen.”

  • J.K. Rowling

Remember: Every great story begins with someone paying attention.

Book a 30-minute appointment
Pay for your appointment

Note: If this is your first appointment, you do not have to pay. I offer a FREE—initial consultation.

The Pencil’s Philosophy—From Questions to Stories: A Writer’s Journey

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.

My journey from certain answers to courageous questions began with a pencil and a blank page. After sixty years of accepting inherited truths, I discovered that writing fiction opened doors to deeper understanding.

Writing demands honesty. When crafting characters, we can’t hide behind comfortable assumptions. Our characters must face hard truths, make difficult choices, and question everything—just as we must do in our own journey of growth.

Today, working on my twelfth novel, I’ve learned that authentic stories emerge from authentic questioning. Each time my characters face a crisis of belief, confront uncomfortable truths, or challenge accepted wisdom, they’re exploring the same territory I navigated in my transformation from CPA and attorney to novelist and story coach.

Three Truths About Writing and Growth:

1. Questions Lead to Stories

Every powerful story starts with “What if?” When we dare to question our assumptions, we find characters doing the same. Their journeys mirror our own search for truth.

2. Stories Lead to Understanding

Through fiction, we explore different perspectives, challenge our beliefs, and discover new ways of seeing the world. Our characters teach us as much as we teach them.

3. Understanding Leads to Growth

As our characters evolve through their stories, we evolve through our writing. Each draft becomes a step in our own transformation.

Your Story Journey:

Whether you’re writing your first novel or your twelfth, embrace the questions that arise. Let your characters challenge comfortable beliefs. Trust that your story will lead you to deeper understanding.

“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.”

– Anaïs Nin

Remember: The truest stories come from the courage to question everything.

Book a 30-minute appointment
Pay for your appointment

Note: If this is your first appointment, you do not have to pay. I offer a FREE—initial consultation.

First Edge—Starting Your Novel: Three Simple Scenes

Think you can’t write a novel? Let’s start with three manageable scenes. No pressure, no rules – just writing.

Scene One: The Mirror Moment

Write a character looking in a mirror, but they’ve just made a decision that will change their life. It could be small (cutting their hair) or significant (leaving their job).

Example:

“Emma traced the new wrinkles around her eyes, wondering if anyone at work had noticed. The resignation letter in her purse felt heavier than two pages should.”

Scene Two: The Coffee Scene

Two people share coffee. Something needs to be said, but neither wants to say it.

Example:

“David stirred his coffee for the third time, watching the cream swirl. Across the table, Sarah shredded her napkin into neat squares, not looking up.”

Scene Three: The Small Decision

Your character makes a seemingly minor choice that feels enormous to them.

Example:

“The red shoes gleamed in the display window. Lisa checked her watch – already late for the meeting. The sensible black pumps sat in her shopping bag, receipt neatly folded. She hadn’t worn red shoes since…”

Writing Tips:

– Set a timer: 15 minutes per scene

– Don’t edit while writing

– Focus on character feelings

– Trust your instincts

Share your scenes in the comments, or schedule a Story Discovery Session to discuss your writing journey.

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.”

– Stephen King

Remember: Every novelist started with a single scene. Today, it’s your turn.

Book a 30-minute appointment
Pay for your appointment

Note: If this is your first appointment, you do not have to pay. I offer a FREE—initial consultation.

December 1st: The Pencil’s Edge Begins Its New Chapter

Welcome to the transformed Pencil’s Edge! As someone who wrote his first novel at age 60 and is now working on number twelve, I understand both the courage it takes to begin and the guidance needed to finish. Today marks an exciting evolution in my ability to help others on their writing journey – I’m now a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor, focusing exclusively on helping beginning novelists find their voice and strengthen their stories.

Whether you have just a spark of an idea or a complete first draft, The Pencil’s Edge is here to support your journey through five focused categories:

Sharpening the Edge

Join me in real time as I share insights from writing my current novel. You’ll see the challenges, breakthroughs, and solutions as they happen. Currently working through Chapter 17, I’ll show you exactly how I handle scene structure, character development, and plot momentum.

Edge Coach

As a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor, I’ll share professional insights into story structure, character development, and scene crafting. From your first scene to your final chapter, learn techniques that will strengthen your writing and engage your readers.

First Edge

Specifically designed for beginning writers, this category offers encouragement, practical guidance, and permission to write imperfectly. Remember, every novelist – even those with dozens of books – had to write their first scene. Let’s start yours.

The Pencil’s Philosophy

Writing is more than a craft – it’s a journey of discovery. Here, we’ll explore how writing connects to deeper understanding, how questioning leads to growth, and how stories can transform both writer and reader.

Edge of Reality

Our monthly feature examines current events through a writer’s lens. We’ll explore how real-world stories can inform our fiction and deepen our understanding of both craft and human nature.

New Content Schedule:

– Monday: Craft and insight posts

– Wednesday: Story coaching and technique

– Friday: Beginning writer focus and encouragement

What This Means for You:

1. Regular, focused content to support your writing journey

2. Professional guidance for your first novel

3. Community support and encouragement

4. Clear path from idea to completion

Ready to Begin?

Schedule a free consultation to discuss your story ideas. Whether you’re just thinking about writing or ready to start your first chapter, let’s talk about how I can help you begin your journey.

Join me in embracing The Pencil Driven Life – where writing becomes a path to discovery, growth, and authentic expression.

Your fellow writer,

Richard