A soft blue haze enveloped the first mountains I ever saw. They didn’t impress me much. In the distance, they looked like rolling hills. Then came the drive up the mountains, through the mountains, and along the ridge. Each curve, dip, and climb yielded breath-taking vistas of forested mountains, bald knobs, and valleys swathed in… Continue reading Unimpressed to Loving the Blue Ridge Mountains
Category: My Soul to Keep
A Frustrated High School Teacher and Disinterested Students Created a Legacy
A frustrated teacher and disinterested students created a magazine, an anthology, a teaching method, and a legacy. Foxfire also inspired a character.
Inspiration from Fire and Brimstone and Redemption.
I come from a family with deep roots in conservative religion and found inspiration from fire and brimstone and redemption. Where did I find that inspiration? American Christianity has a history of periodic revivals of conservative religious fervor called the Great Awakening. During each of these periods of Awakening, there were widespread revivals led by… Continue reading Inspiration from Fire and Brimstone and Redemption.
If She Loves a Rag Doll, Is She Still Evil?
How do you create an evil story villain who has some redeeming qualities? Here’s a hint: If she loves a rag doll, is she still evil?
I Was Alone But Not Alone
My book, My Soul to Keep, launched yesterday. It was a special moment. But as I reflected on the hours, days, weeks, and years I worked on this book, I realized something important. I was alone but not alone. So many things go into writing a book. All the books read, the friends roped into… Continue reading I Was Alone But Not Alone