scrivenings

Non-fiction Writing Clinic

A couple of years ago on my previous blog “Lines from Linda,” which is archived on a TypePad blog. I wrote a series on writing non-fiction called “The Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of Writing Non-fiction.” I still get e-mails from time to time requesting that information, so I decided to post links [...]

Taking “Write What You Know” to the Next Level

The second-most offered advice to novelists behind “show, don’t tell,” is “write what you know.” Even the masters demonstrated this axiom in their works. Twain, as we all know, grew up in a river town (Hannibal, Mo.), and likely many adventures of the mischievous character Tom Sawyer were derived from his childhood antics.
Another great who [...]

We Remember

McCain-Palin 2008

It’s almost as if Sarah Palin read my mind. I’d made a mental wish list of characteristics I’d love to see in our country’s leadership — and Palin personifies that list, and then some.

Youthful Spirit– She’s in her early 40s and just gave birth to a baby this year
Patriotic — Mother of a soldier, who [...]

American Pride

I know life is supposed to be lived in the present, but as I watched the Gold Medal women’s basketball match between the USA and Australia this morning, I wondered about the 2012 team and the possibility of one of my daughter’s high school teammates qualifying for that team. Shekinna Stricklen (right front, holding [...]

Opportunities

My daughter began her third year of college and her second year as a dorm RA this month. Her school, Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., was presented with a great opportunity — 24 students from Madagascar arrived on campus as in-coming freshmen yesterday, and six of those students will be on my daughter’s hall. The [...]

The Traveling Photographer

A co-worker who was browsing through the pictures posted on my photoblog commented about the variety of pictures, “Yeah, well I suppose it helps to have traveled.” While traveling is a plus to the photographer, many of my favorite shots, including the one in this post, were taken within a 30-minute drive of my home.
For [...]

Guide to Pirate Parenting

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting author Tim Bete in person. His new book is out, and I’d like to help promote it today by participating in the grand blog tour. Following a brief interview Cap’n Billy conducted with Tim, continue to scroll down to learn more about Tim, the book, and to read further [...]

All I Ever Need to Know, I Learned from ACFW

Most of us have read Robert Fulgham’s essay about lessons learned in kindergarten. I recently re-read it and realized that kindergarten and ACFW conferences have a lot in common — both arenas teach us a lot about how to live, what to do, and how to be.

Share Everything – While many five-year-olds may have to [...]

Day Eight

The Historic Fishtown area of Leland, Michigan, was developed when a section of near-crumbling fishing shanties were restored and converted into shops and restaurants. We plan to head out early and enjoy the short drive there from Traverse City, eat breakfast at The Early Bird Restaurant and have the folks at The Village Cheese Shanty [...]

Day Seven

When scheduling our itinerary, I put this off as long as possible, but in order to return to Arkansas in time to go back to work yet still take in all the sights we hope to see, we must cross the Mackinac Bridge. This 50-year-old engineering marvel spans the 5-mile straits between lakes Michigan and [...]

Day Six

Another early start will allow us to cross into Canada and board the Agawa Canyon Tour Train. The train departs at 8 a.m. from the Ontario side of Sault Ste. Marie and returns at 5 p.m. According to the web site, this one-day excursion will take visitors “over towering trestles, alongside [...]