The most important weapon in a writer’s arsenal is language; wield it with skill and precision. The writing should always speak for itself; never explain; never apologize, but always be willing to edit for clarity. Don’t worry about telling the literal truth; be true to the characters, the story, and the artistic vision. Never consider … Continue reading Writer’s Manifesto (Revised)
Category: Literature
Atlanta Stories: Fables of the New South, Second Edition
Atlanta Stories: Fables of the New South (ISBN: 978-0-9848913-6-8) is now available in its second edition. Eight stories featuring people who have come to Atlanta, Georgia to reinvent themselves. Portions of these stories appeared on this blog between 2014-2017. Stories include: Mockingbird Journey From Night A Debt to Pay Dead Man’s Hat Remains Bare-Assed Messiah … Continue reading Atlanta Stories: Fables of the New South, Second Edition
Atlanta Stories Available August 1
Coming soon! Atlanta Stories: Fables of the New South. Eight stories about people coming to Atlanta to reinvent themselves. Stories include: Mockingbird Journey From Night A Debt to Pay Dead Man's Hat Remains Bare-Assed Messiah Atomic Punk Phoenix Release date: August 1. Available at online bookstores and direct from the author.
The Bible Tells Me So
Some years ago, the Reader's Digest caused quite a stir by issuing a condensed version of the Bible. Televangelists were up in arms, some going so far as to burn the book and calling for an all out boycott of the Reader's Digest organization. Despite all the outrage, no one seems to care that there … Continue reading The Bible Tells Me So
Real Bible Studies: Genesis, Isaac
Isaac is almost a footnote in the history of Israel. He's born; he's almost sacrificed by his father; he marries Rebekah; he buries Abraham; he fathers Esau and Jacob; he almost gives Rebekah to Abimelek; he's tricked into giving away Esau's blessing to Jacob; then he reconciles with Jacob and dies, all in the span … Continue reading Real Bible Studies: Genesis, Isaac
Big Bang
Trying to discern the origins of the universe from within the universe is like trying to figure out how a cake was made using only the evidence of the finished cake. It's there; we see it, but deciphering all that went into it is difficult, because the finished product is more than just the sum … Continue reading Big Bang
Real Bible Studies: Genesis, The Birth of Isaac
Throughout the book of Genesis, YHWH has been telling Abraham that his descendants will one day possess the land of Canaan, which usually meets with skepticism from Abraham. His sometimes sister, sometimes wife, Sarah, is barren and said to be well beyond the age when women could produce children. YHWH has gone so far as … Continue reading Real Bible Studies: Genesis, The Birth of Isaac
Real Bible Studies: The Sons of Israel
The Bible is as much a political document as it is a religious one. Stories printed there were crafted to support a specific narrative, perhaps to bolster the reign of a particular king or party in its quest for control. Over time, these stories were edited, re-edited, and re-arranged to support different narratives. One such … Continue reading Real Bible Studies: The Sons of Israel
Killing Babies
As one develops as a writer, one becomes aware of the painful reality that not everything one writes, no matter how well-crafted or heartfelt, will see the light of day. In many cases, favorite phrases or passages must be sacrificed for the overall good of the piece. Improving the quality of the writing doesn't make … Continue reading Killing Babies
Guidelines for Writing, First Draft
I have recently been considering a set of guidelines for writers and have come up with an initial set of principles, listed below. These are by no means comprehensive and will continue to expand and evolve as time goes on, but provide a basis for further discussion. I welcome comments, inquiries, and constructive criticism. … Continue reading Guidelines for Writing, First Draft
