This post was written by my incredible friend, Kayla MacNeille, and may or may not be about her writer friend named Laney. One of the benefits of residency is that I get to uproot my life every few years, ditching the nagging responsibility of upholding friendships with even my closest friends. As an added bonus, […]
My soul is crooked and dark, depraved and destined for hell. At least, that’s what Pastor Jeff told me… Smile, Sawyer. I couldn’t. Stop crying. I tried to stop. You’re defiant. I had to be. Don’t you love me? No. Don’t you love Jesus? I didn’t know anymore. Why can’t you obey like Simone? Because […]
TRIGGER WARNING: If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or behavior, this may not be the post for you. For immediate help, please visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. I hate being told what not to say. Don’t you? But after overdosing earlier this month, I realized people like you who have to deal with […]
I slide the envelope across the table, careful to avoid the condensation ring left by Sean’s whiskey on ice. He stares down at the black (12) on the upper right corner and rolls his eyes. Good. He has heard of us. “I’m not interested in whatever you think you have in here.” Sean shoves it […]
The first and only writing class I ever took was a one semester required course my senior year in high school. One of our assignments was to interview a first grader and write a children’s book inspired by that student. But, before we could do that, we had to bring in our favorite book from […]
My publisher asks all of the new authors to write a list of our ten favorite movies. Since I spent way more of my life in front of a screen than a page, this was easier than picking ten favorite books. Some of my favorite quotes are included. 1. Sherlock “A Scandal in Belgravia” Adler: […]
(This is Part 5 of the series, Twelve Pieces of Flesh where I discuss the crisis of conscience of the Christian writer–say that three times fast. I recommend reading Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 before continuing.) The question was simple, one any author should know. But I had no answer. I choked–at the perfect time […]
In honor of International Women’s Day, here are six must-read women. 1. Jane Eyre from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte I’ll let Jane speak for herself: “No sight so sad as that of a naughty child,” he began, “especially a naughty little girl. Do you know where the wicked go after death?” “They go to hell,” was […]
(This is Part 4 of the series, Twelve Pieces of Flesh where I discuss the crisis of conscience of the Christian writer–say that three times fast. I recommend reading Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 before continuing.) “What is that?” I looked in the rearview mirror to see my three-year-old son awaiting an answer to what my […]
“Don’t put so much pressure on yourself,” my husband comforted as I spiraled with a fit of writer’s block. “You can’t expect your first book to be the epitome of literature.” I narrowed my eyes at him. Challenge accepted. Over the next few weeks, I’d drop famous books on the table in front of him and shout, “Debut!” […]