Monthly Archives: September 2025

Today is Samuel Johnson’s birthday. He was born September 18, 1709. Wow! More than 300 years ago, but Sam’s birthday is well worth celebrating—he was a poet, collector of Shakespeare’s works, and creator of A Dictionary of the English Language. Published … Continue reading →

“Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside them was superior to circumstance.”      Bruce Barton  “I went looking for my dreams outside of myself and discovered, it’s not what the world holds … Continue reading →

We’ve all been there: Hit those moments in our writing when we feel confused and upended, agitated and frustrated. When moments like this happen, we can plunge into them with both feet and find ourselves in hot water creatively — … Continue reading →

“The best time for planning a book is while you’re doing the dishes.”Agatha Christie Whatever works, works! When it comes to putting pen to paper or fingers to keys, finding the right place to work can be challenging. Some people … Continue reading →

In appreciation of the balmy and beautiful autumn we’re having: “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”Albert Camus “Every leaf speaks bliss to me fluttering from the autumn tree.”Emily Bronte “If I were a bird I … Continue reading →

“When you get into a tight space and everything goes against you…never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”Harriet Beecher Stowe “Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.”Napoleon … Continue reading →

Sometime ago, a story I wrote about George Washington and September 1776 was published in American Heritage as a contribution to a special 9/11 Edition. I’m sharing the link to the story here in the hopes that some of you, my cherished … Continue reading →

« That old September feeling, left over from school days, of summer passing, vacation nearly done, obligations gathering, books and football in the air. »Walter Stegner, Angle of Repose “School Supplies” — these two words once adorned a sign in a local … Continue reading →

Accidental inspiration — it’s something we writers all cherish and long for. An overheard phrase, a few lines in a footnote, a piece of music, a fleeting image, an old childhood tale, a chance conversation — anything and everything can … Continue reading →

« Well begun Is half done. »Aristotle “First, once we get started…we perceive the task as much less aversive than we do when we’re avoiding it. Second, even if we don’t finish the task, we have done something, and the next day … Continue reading →