Creativity & Writing

7 stories in this category.

Six Month Review

Well, here we are. Right smack dab in the middle. Today marks six months of consistently publishing a story every Monday of this year. So, I thought it might be fun to share some of the things we’ve learned, along with things we need to work on and goals for the remainder of the year. I’ve never attempted to do a recap like this in any area of my life, and I have to say, after writing it out, I found it profoundly beneficial. I highly recommend it. Let’s go!

I Don't Feel Like Cowdoggin'

My friend, Kimberly Stuart once told me to never start a chapter or section with dialogue. And so, being the transgressive and investigative friend I am, the first thing I did was scour through her novel, Sugar, which I keep on my desk and grab anytime I need a little inspo for a witty and vibrant description (her specialty) and searched every section, chapter, and transition hoping to find just one that started with those two pesky little quotation marks. It didn’t take long before I gave up. K

The Taylor Swift Method

When Faith Hill told an interviewer that moving to Nashville was the reason for her success, Taylor Swift took note. She asked her mom if they could visit. Mrs. Swift said yes. Taylor recorded a demo, and they drove around Nashville, stopping at publishing companies and record labels. Taylor would run inside, hand her contraband to the front desk, and say, “Hi. I’m Taylor. I want a record deal. Call me.” Then would jump back in the car with her mom and continue making the rounds. Most 11-year-ol

Thanks To Good Ole' Walt

Since 1955, Disney has produced sixty films centered around dogs. Sixty! We’re all familiar with the classics, 101 Dalmatians, Lady And The Tramp, and Old Yeller, but what about Beverly Hills Chihuahua? Spooky Buddies? Or my personal favorite, Frankenweenie? Created by Tim Burton, Frankenweenie was first introduced in 1984 as a science fiction comedy short film and needed a G rating. So when the MPAA rated the film PG, Disney fired Burton and placed Frankenweenie on the shelf. Burton wasted no

Layers.

All I want to do is stop writing. I want to do anything but write. I need to organize the things in my fridge so the labels face outward. That's more important than sitting down and typing nonsense about my dogs… right? “Stop it!” “Stop what?” “Thinking it’s nonsense!” “But it is! You have no idea what you’re doing. And who are you to think you have something worth sharing?” “How many times do I have to tell you!? I don’t care what people think!” “Yes you do, or I wouldn’t be in your head right

Don't Change The Image...

South Carolina summers are hot and humid. Full of bird-sized mosquitoes, Canebrake rattlesnakes, and endless grass to cut. Unless you’re at the beach or on the lake, you’re typically inside sitting in the AC, with a bottle of backup refrigerant in one hand and a massive glass of sweet tea in the other. We were bored. And when the boys and I get bored, we trade the refrigerant for a first-aid kit and an attempt to sweet-talk Hannah, the emergency veterinarian, to go on a date with us. “I’m flatte

Here's The Deal...

A few months ago I had a terrible nightmare. President Biden called a Special Report to tell the world about this guy writing short-stories about the daily life lessons he learns from his dogs. “This is an NBC News Special Report. Here’s Lester Holt...” “Good afternoon. We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to take you to the White House where President Biden has called an immediate press conference concerning a young writer who believes he has something worth sharing. Here’s the Pre