In continuing the recent trend of this blog actually living up to its moniker, I offer an insight into the everyday world of a living, breathing, unsuccessful writer. Below is a first draft from my latest novel, and the revision that I worked on this weekend — a revision that will be followed by two … Continue reading
Final part 3. Click here for part 1 or part 2. The man stopped speaking again. The villagers did not whisper now and their faces were blank. David glanced at Billy, at the man, at the villagers. He began to pull the money out of his pocket. They will not hurt me. Hurt us. “The … Continue reading
For Part I, click here. Billy’s feet shuffled in the laterite dust and blush red covered them. The red dust mixed with his sweat and small stains of red covered his ankles and shins. His head and arms glinted and his purple shirt was wet around the armpits and neckline. Even now, the abandoned copper … Continue reading
Since this blog strives to be creative, yet often just focuses on the psalms, I offer an excerpt from my first novel (not yet published). In it, David is an American missionary in central Africa, along with his interpreter Billy, a pastor from Lusaka. In this scene, David and Billy return to a village where … Continue reading
Saturday I woke tense and anxious. I do not know why. Some days I wake like this. I think we are all manic-depressive in a mild form, or at least I am. I prayed and hoped for my mood to change but the firmament was closed that morning. Brooke worked all day. Ellis and I … Continue reading
The man sat beside the river. The morning sun made the river orange and alive. His wife would not live. He had asked the doctor who looked down and said, “We’ll try everything.” His wife sent him away this morning. Ducks swam haphazardly with the current. Small buds clung tightly to tree branches. He would … Continue reading
Thursday night I slept little. When I woke on Friday, I had that sleepy headache that we all get: a dull throb at the base of my skull. Coffee did not cure it, nor the drive to work, nor a morning of teaching. I smiled and spent my patience. Students only had half a day, … Continue reading
