Whatever Happened to “Awesome”?

I miss what that word used to mean.

I paid the guy at the garage sale a dollar for a picture frame.

“Awesome,” he said.

I bit my tongue. Yes, the 8×10 picture frame was still shrink-wrapped. But the most generous adjective I’d give it was nice.

I’m old enough to remember when awesome was rare. Few things truly inspire awe. Goosebumps … Continue reading

Surprise Mrs. Haviland

Don’t try to impress people; just tell your story.

Sixty years ago, Dan’s high school English teacher convinced him he was no writer. Throughout his business career and into his retirement, he’d lived with her assessment.

Then he realized he had a story he needed to tell. So Dan sat at his keyboard and pounded out an account of how, with the help of … Continue reading

Unexpected Opportunities

Out of the blue came a chance to learn from one of the best.

If you’re interested in writing adventure novels, what would you say to taking a class from Clive Cussler, Tom Clancy, or James Rollins?

Or how about the next best thing: a class from someone who’s co-authored with all three of those bestselling writers?

A few days ago, I was … Continue reading