I have long been a proponent of the power of story. For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved stories and used them in my capacity as a teacher, a public speaker, and now as a writer. I believe stories create the bond that draws us together as families, as communities—as the whole human […]
Do you love a surprise? There’s a new addition to my Story Power series of videos, and it’s all about surprise Some of a story’s most memorable moments strike us out of the blue. These surprises pack a punch, keeping us involved in what’s happening on the page and wanting to know more. When we’re […]
As a reader, when you open a book, you have certain expectations. You’re in a sort of agreement with the writer. Your part is to give the book a fair try, suspend disbelief where reasonable, and enter in with the intention of enjoying the book. The writer’s part is to fulfill the promise they made […]
Whenever I’m up to my ears in knotty problems and difficulties, my children like to remind me that’s the way I’d write it. We all want smooth sailing in our day to day living, but when it comes to story, we demand conflict. Without it, there simply is no story. At its core, story is […]
As readers, we’re each a little different, searching for a unique set of dynamics that creates our perfect read. That said, there are common factors that tend to hook us and pull us deep into a story, and it’s a subject I find fascinating. Today, I’m taking a look at some of those elements that […]
A couple of incidents in my life coincided to make me ponder this question—do animals tell each other stories? If you’ve read many of my blog posts, you know that I’m fascinated by the power of Story and I explore it in a variety of aspects and invite you to consider the impact it has […]
What if I told you there is such a thing as a time machine and that story is what fuels it? Stick with me for a few moments and I’ll explain what I mean. Remember story problems in math class? Some students love them, and some hate them, but either way they are an important […]
I’m guessing I don’t need to convince you that reading is a very good thing. You know that already, but perhaps it won’t go amiss for me to examine some of the top reasons why diving into a good book is a fabulous use of your time. If you haven’t watched my short video about […]
Probably the question authors hear most from inquisitive readers is, “Where do you get your ideas?” And of course the quantity and variety of answers rivals the stars in the sky—the possibilities are endless. I write suspense fiction—mysteries, thrillers, capers, heists, and so on—which almost always involve a crime of some kind. May I suggest […]
If you’ve been following this blog at all, you know I’m a big believer in the power of story. It’s a major focus of my work and my website and a fascinating topic in its own right—one I’m always interesting in exploring further. So when I came across this Ted Talk entitled, “The Magical Science […]
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