I have a love/hate relationship with appearances on talk radio. I love the energy and spontaneity of radio, love the chance to interact with listeners, love to talk about the things I am passionate about, like C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien, and creativity, and community.
On the other hand, not everyone who knows how to host a dynamic radio [...]
Back in August, a blog hosted by the librarians of Newport Public Library in Newport, Rhode Island, published this review essay. I love this kind of overview, and I'm just thrilled when libraries notice The Company They Keep. Kudos to Meg, who made this clear, helpful info available to readers! And thank GOD for librarians.
The Lord of [...]
"It surprises and satisfies," declares the cover, and it turns out the cover is right. The New Writer's Handbook: A Practical Anthology of Best Advice for Your Craft and Career, Volume 2 is well worth your time.
I was concerned that the short chapters and multiple authors would mean shallow content and a bumpy ride. Largely due [...]
I recently had the chance to lurk during a heated debate about the use of the apostrophe-- I know, I know, that may not count as "heated" where you come from, but among some English teachers and writing coaches, these things matter more than the Super Bowl and World Series combined.
I'll add another post or two [...]
Catching up....
Back in October, Will Vaus and I were featured speakers at a book signing at the Mystery and Imagination Bookshop in Glendale, California. Local signings can be particularly energetic, and this event was no exception.
Josh Long, a Tolkien scholar and teacher at a near-by high school, had invited his class to attend the event, and he [...]
Plans are taking shape for the C. S. Lewis Foundation's Regional Retreat, October 30-November 1, in Navasota Texas. It will be a celebration of creativity and community, and this year for the first time it will feature a two- day writers track. Watch the website for details:
http://www.cslewis.org/programs/regional/sw/2009/index.html
Where:
Camp Allen Retreat in Navasota, Texas
When:
Main Retreat: October 30 - November [...]
My friend and colleague Joseph Bentz is an incredibly talented writer. He just did an online interview with Patricia Hickman, and in it, he mentions that when I have projects that are "on hold," I file them "under the chicken." I actually have a plastic inbox for these items, and I actually have a large ceramic [...]
Got a mailing about the Antelope Valley
Christian Writers’ Conference, scheduled for
May 15 - 16, 2009, in Lancaster, California. I don't know anything about it, but you might want to check it out at http://www.avwriters.com/. If anybody wants to tell me more about it, I'd love to see your comments.
When I visited C.S. Lewis's house, The Kilns, I was delighted to see that his brother's typewriter was on display. Warnie typed up manuscripts, wrote letters, and drafted his own books on that sturdy machine. Something very satisfying in the patterns and textures and sounds of an old machine. Something very humbling to touch lightly [...]