The Quiet

Deprivation. A gift. It is what sparks the fire of our inborn resources, uncovers the internal wealth of creativity and curiosity that each of us has within. Perhaps, as families, as towns, and even as an entire country, we have cause to know that much more sharply these days than we ever have before. But [...]

The Magic of Music

Music has always been magical for me. Whether it’s Kate Rusby’s fairytale-esque folk music, a brokenhearted Chopin Nocturne, the hard bite of Switchfoot sound and lyrics, or simply when I’m geeking out to the Lord of the Rings soundtrack . . . I choose the music, and then, impossibly, the music seems to choose me. [...]

The Power of Imagination

This is a guest post by author Jenelle Leanne Schmidt. When I was asked to write a post about something that inspires my writing, my mind went instantly blank. I struggled with jotting down one idea, then another, but none of it felt right. You see, I’m not entirely certain I can point to a [...]

Catching the Butterfly of Inspiration

This is a guest post by author Brent King. “This is how I want to spend my life: corroborating with the forces of inspiration that I can neither see, nor prove, nor command, nor understand.” - Elizabeth Gilbert Inspiration can be a flitting, fleeting thing. My Vain Effort I have often attempted to follow the [...]

What Inspires My Writing (Pt 2) – and Giveaway!

This is a guest post by author H.S.J. Williams. When I was a little girl, there was a book on the shelf that fascinated me. It portrayed a young native girl sitting on a grassy hill, a wolf lying by her side. Her pensive expression, the wind in her hair...it all evoked my imagination. I [...]

What Inspires My Writing (Pt 1)

Hardship. Hardship is something I’ve known off and on all my life, although the past few years have been especially trying for various reasons. I believe everyone comes to a point during hard times where they have the choice: Be weakened and destroyed by your trials, or be strengthened and learn from them. All the [...]

My First Year of NaNoWriMo

After brainstorming, planning, and outlining my next novel for the two or three months previous to November, I felt this year would be as good a time as any to finally participate in National Novel Writing Month. Though I didn't reach 50,000 words, I did reach my own personal goal of 25,000. I loved the [...]

I’m Saying “No”

I say no to letting my precious gift of a life slip by while I drown in an electronic, anti-social, busy world. I say no to not making decisions, or letting others make them for me, thus making the worst decision of all. I say no to ignoring the friends who are near and needing [...]

Vital Imagination

"The soul without imagination is what an observatory would be without a telescope." (Henry Ward Beecher) I suppose there are people who believe imagination isn’t essential. People who think the visible realm is the important one, facts are what matter, not theories or dreams. I’m not among those people. I believe imagination is important. I’d [...]

I Am Barrel Rider

I've always loved Bilbo's account of himself when being questioned by the dragon, Smaug. Even when his life is at stake, Bilbo manages to stay witty and even throws in a riddle or two. So here's the challenge: If you were to face a dragon with scales like tenfold shields, teeth like swords and wings [...]