Sometimes when poking around a used bookstore, the right book finds its way into your hands. Recently, I found Steven Pressfield’s Turning Pro. Several people had recommended that I read his first non-fiction book, The War of Art, so when I found this I decided to give it a try although the book was essentially a […]
Although Thomas Edison remains a hotly debated character, he is generally considered a creative genius. He is also considered by many the greatest inventor ever to live. He once said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Edison’s Light Bulb Moment This is the creative tenacity that leads to light […]
There are all types of lights and shadows in our lives. As I mentioned in my last newsletter, there is an actual physical light and shadow sequence that affects our lives. The warmth of the sun and protection of darkness can change our moods. Extended times of shadow may even dampen our inner light. But […]
The other day while I was working out at the gym, I saw this muscular guy wearing a t-shirt saying, “Always Give 100%.” This got me thinking, “Do I agree with this premise?” The answer was surprisingly, NO. Upon deeper contemplation, this is something I have been considering for a while. However, this conventional wisdom […]
When I was a nine-year-old boy, devouring scraps of hip-hop from MC Hammer, I was just getting my first taste of music that would be a major force in my life. In hindsight, Hammer was pretty lame, but in my defense, I was too young to know any better, and it was a gateway for […]
Poetry has been a part of my life most of the way. While working on Subterranean Mixtape, I exhumed some of my earliest poems, and it has been a trip looking back at them. Here is one poem that I wrote in seventh grade: See Me As I Am Paint me red, Paint me blue, […]
Often a large part of the DNA of a writer is affected by the inputs and influences. Perhaps the most pronounced is the other writers that one has read. My journey through fiction began at a young age and continues … It can be argued that every book and, therefore every writer one has ever […]
Emily Dickinson and Henry David Thoreau may have flourished in their sequestered lives close to home. Dickinson: often not leaving her room. Thoreau: not far from Walden Pond. There is nothing wrong with staying in your sanctuary, particularly if one is not pulled by a desire for the freedom of the open road. However, I believe […]
What makes a great leader? There are many components of leadership and various desirable attributes when it comes to leading men or women. But what are the most vital to leadership? In this article, I will keep it simple as we will explore three of the most important traits as exhibited by great leaders. Having […]
I have elected to include this blog by Virginia Winters about her book Painting of Sorrow because of my deep appreciation of both art and historical fiction. As an undergraduate, I majored in history but took enough art history classes to nearly have a minor in the subject. This new book is exciting not only because of the […]
