How I Write

There's no magic in it or special sauce I digest. It comes with a decision to just do it. Pull out the keyboard, clear the desk, my mind, and start writing. My inspiration comes from above. I focus on emptying myself and asking God to impart His wisdom. Through His Holy Spirit, I look for inspiration.

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  • Clean Desk

    Nothing but a keyboard, a laptop, a topic, and my thoughts.

  • A Timeline

    I begin with the end in mind. How does today's time fit into the writing goals I've set? What do I want to accomplish today? That's it. Be in the present.

  • No Distractions

    Close the door, turn off the phone, get after it. No interruptions unless the dog asks to go out.

My Tools

My Most Important Tools

ThinkPad

For Writing and Editing

I know, all creatives use a MacBook. Not true in my case. I'll let you decide if I'm all that creative. Love my ThinkPad, probably because it's all I know well enough to do what I do.

Books

Writing Needs Some Reading

I must research to write. I must read to write. I must collect books, even if some are never opened. It's inspirational. As Yogi Berra once proclaimed, "You can observe a lot by just watching".

Pen and Paper

Always Useful

From a journal to a sticky note, a pen or pencil, highlighters for each color of the rainbow; all tools of the trade that need to be ready for action at a moment's notice - to capture a passing thought before it exits stage right. I hate when that happens.

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.

Benjamin Franklin

Main Working Principles

The Most Important Steps To Follow

Write A Lot

The only way to get better at whatever you do well is to practice. It's that simple. And then there's this - Hemingway's first editor at the Kansas City Star gave him this style sheet: "Use short sentences. Use short first paragraphs. Use vigorous English. Be positive, not negative." Hemingway later referred to that list as "the best rules I ever learned for the business of writing."

Read A Lot

It sounds romantic, but there's real, hard evidence that supports these things happening to your brain when you read books. In reading, we can actually physically change our brain structure, becoming more empathetic. It can even improve memory and critical thinking skills. You get the idea. Read a lot.

Spread Your Ideas

We’re so busy we don’t notice what's ordinary. If it’s not loud or threatening, it doesn’t exist. If it’s not standing in our path, we pass by without a second thought. Take a stand. Make bold assertions. Say something that scares you a little (or a lot). And always make sure it leaves your reader or listener better than you found them. Thank you for that Frank McKinley.