A friend and I recently chatted about productivity systems. Or, I should say, he talked about productivity systems... We both appreciate the way the other looks at a thing they want to do and how they go about doing it. I tend to get more done, … [Continue reading]
The number three is an important number to me. Not for any metaphysical reason, but because I juggle, and most people agree that when you can keep three things going in the basic cascade pattern, you have successfully juggled. I won't go as far as … [Continue reading]
There's a line in Radiohead's song "Creep" that always settled somewhere deep within me: I don't belong here... It's a feeling I've struggled with for decades. There have been times, even among close friends, that I've felt like I don't … [Continue reading]
Last week, I had my first full week off in two years. I had grand plans that involved writing, hiking, canoeing, and other things. Mostly, though, I sat still. I'd not call what I did last week laziness, though; I did do things! But those … [Continue reading]
I'm terrible at asking for help, but if you like this blog, or the stories I write, sharing this would be appreciated... Not About Lumberjacks On November 17, 2015, I loaded the first episode of Not About Lumberjacks. It's a story about a dog who … [Continue reading]
I thought about writing a longer piece about the little red canoe (that, if we're being honest, is anything but little (or light)). I thought about sharing the story how it, and all its gear, was purchased with money from a travel article … [Continue reading]
On July 6, I gave myself 80s days to finish the current draft of the latest novel-in-progress. On July 31, the company where I work went through [another] large layoff. I was spared, but another technical writer in my group wasn't. And guess … [Continue reading]
My life changed in 1985, with the publication of TSR Games' LANKHMAR - CITY OF ADVENTURE release. Six years of playing Dungeons and Dragons led to that moment, an open adventure where friends and I could lay out the city map and do anything we … [Continue reading]
Eight years ago today, I posted the first entry on The Juggling Writer. I still believe in the points mentioned in that entry; in fact, I will go into my day job today and mention a juggling analogy as I discuss how I've taken on a laid-off … [Continue reading]
As the 80-Day challenge to get the current draft of the novel-in-progress readable clicks along, it's that time of the year: The September Silence. Named by a friend who missed seeing me on Facebook each September when I logged out to kick off my … [Continue reading]
One of my favorite people to follow online is Alastair Humphreys. I have several of his books (and recommend Microadventures to anyone). Alastair recently tweeted about accepting an 80-day challenge. The challenge is geared more toward adventure, … [Continue reading]
One of my favorite novels (probably my favorite novel of all novels I've read) is Robert Olmstead's A Trail of Heart's Blood Wherever We Go. It is quirky, yet so normal. It's lean in its writing, even though at times -- admittedly -- it goes on a bit … [Continue reading]
For me, September is my writing new year. There's just something about the arrival of the month that turns summer into fall that I love. Even though it stays hot in Texas into late October or early November, September is when it seems like I get a … [Continue reading]