This week, I was reminded of what the great Ernest Hemingway once said, All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know. By this, Hemingway would effectively beat writer's block. Once he could write a single true sentence, Hemingway found himself able to write the next sentence. … Continue reading Curing Writer’s Block #1 — Start with one true sentence
Two mornings ago, my wife and I sent C -- our youngest with autism -- to a three-day church camp. He was kicking and screaming in protest as usual. It's what he does every time there's a change in routine. After a while, I too felt like kicking and screaming, as my wife and I … Continue reading Fathering “softer” #1 — “being” not “doing”
Hey! You might remember exactly a month ago today, I posted about attending my first synchronous online memoir writing course, lasting eight weekly sessions. No? Well, please do check out that post. Then, what I'm sharing below will be more meaningful, when you return here to read it. You see, for this course that I'm … Continue reading “Clouds in my heart” — another memoir chapter excerpt
"There is no agony like bearing an untold story inside you" - Zora Neale Hurston (Dust Tracks on a Road) In me, I’ve always felt there was something, a story, that wants to get out. Actually maybe more than one ‘something’. And definitely more than one story! No, this isn’t a scene from the 1979 … Continue reading Writing into the new year with my old themes
Four years ago, I completed an online memoir writing course where my coach urged us to drop writing prompts and exercises like morning pages. Instead, we should focus on intentional (purposeful) writing each time we put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. At about the same time, I learned what morning pages were (random, … Continue reading One writer’s return to writing morning pages
No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. And no, my blog title doesn't contain a typo. I really am 400 today! Or rather, this is now officially my 400th blog post! By sheer dogged perseverance, I've pushed myself hard to relentlessly churn one post after another since April 2019. My pace doubled in 2020 … Continue reading In the blink of an eye, I’m 400!
Last week, I wrote shamefacedly about C S Lewis, a writing hero of mine. Even though I never read any of his works all the way through. As shocking and embarrassing as that post was -- calling a writer my hero when I've never read his works cover to cover -- it can't beat today's … Continue reading My “Writing Heroes” #6/6 – Those I’ve Never Read (Part 2)!
Of late I’m finding it increasingly hard writing in a proper way. By "proper" I mean seated at a desk with my laptop in front of me and banging away at the keyboard merrily. Or doodling endlessly on my notepad while sitting in a comfortable arm chair. All the while, undisturbed. Why? Well for one … Continue reading “Writing on the go” is all about, well, writing on the go!
All of us go about our days wearing different hats as we transit from one role to another. When at work, we’re the power executive in tailor-made Armani suits. After work we change into our Lululemon sports gear for that weekly HIIT workout. Then afterwards, we’re home in our Alex Mill PJs tucking our kids … Continue reading Parenting motivations #11 — Am I still a stay-at-home dad? (Part 1)
Three weeks ago I started this podcast mini-series by introducing two categories of podcasts that inspire me to write. I then followed it up with another entry a week later about categories three and four. Today I'm going to share another category of inspiring podcasts. But before I do, I have to explain what motivates … Continue reading Podcasts that inspire me to write #3/4
