“There are many ways to kill off the true self,” writes former Presbyterian pastor Paul Rademacher. “My weapon of choice was the ministry.” A great book about personal discovery and finding one’s own inner voice, A Spiritual Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe by Rademacher tells the story of one man’sContinue Reading
My step dad just passed an important anniversary—a year ago, he went through a double knee replacement. I remember that day well. One of the things that struck me as particularly challenging was the near endless process of medical-record-taking, from the initial registration to the consistent stream of nurses andContinue Reading
At this time of year, I always find myself slipping into a period of reflection. How has the year gone? Where am I, in terms of my professional and personal growth? How did I do on my goals? Underneath all of this is perhaps the biggest question on my mind,Continue Reading
My father always loved coffee, but when he got into his later sixties, his doctor recommended he avoid it. It’s an acidic drink—hard on aging or sensitive stomachs—and my dad was swallowing too many antacids. If you have a sensitive stomach, too, you may want to avoid coffee, or atContinue Reading
This is the time of year for the winter blues. You’re dragging yourself through your workday. You’re dreading your exercise routines. You’re sleeping in on weekends until noon. And you’ve got a deadly craving for frosted brownies. Worst of all, you’re writing has slowed down. Maybe you’re struggling more thanContinue Reading
I find I get very stiff if I sit in one position for too long. I’ve had neck pain for years, and I have to be pretty careful of my position. Also, I’m very antsy. I have trouble sitting for longer than about twenty minutes at a time. The Problem of SittingContinue Reading
I was slumped against the passenger side door of our old Dodge station wagon. Its claim to fame was that it resembled the Ghostbusters’ prized vehicle, minus the sirens and lights. My younger brother was extremely proud of that. My mom, on the other hand, wasn’t so thrilled. Like it’sContinue Reading
Interviewer: You’ve acknowledged that as writers, we all have moments when we think what we’re working on is crap. Author Harlan Coben (Caught, Long Lost, and Hold Tight): Always. Every writer has that, if they’re worth anything. I don’t think it matters if you’re a writer, musician, new mom, orContinue Reading
Having a profession that requires you to sit all day is coming under increasing scrutiny as a health hazard. And I do find it hard to think deeply when I’m standing up—I just haven’t been able to make that switch. Trying to Avoid Neck and Shoulder Pain While Writing SoContinue Reading
Are you a grateful writer? I believe that our thoughts and words can create our reality. Too much wallowing in the difficulty of our chosen occupation and pretty soon that’s all we see—how difficult it is. It’s only a short step from there to seeing ourselves as unable to overcomeContinue Reading
For me the biggest challenge is getting enough exercise. Sitting at the computer all day is not healthy, but it’s easy to do. Fortunately, my dogs demand attention and distract me, making me get up and move around. Still, I do suffer from frequent back pain, the best remedy forContinue Reading
I’ve received a lot of writing critiques over the years. I’ve come to believe that critiques are both a writer’s blessing and a curse. After so many, I think I’ve figured out how to sort through them in a way that makes them mostly beneficial, most of the time. ButContinue Reading