Serials and Scenarios - Camy Confesses

Camy Tang stopped in for a visit.... I'm mixing things up color-wise -- you'll understand as you read her comments. : )

Fiction character you would most like to be or most identify with and why?

Anne Elliot from Persuasion by Jane Austen. I love that book. I read it once every few months. Anne has made mistakes in the past, but she holds firm to her principles and morals, and strives to live correctly despite the new disappointments in her life. She’s never preachy or self-righteous, and she gets her man in the end. And that love letter at the end is so passionate, it always makes me tear up (although, granted, I cry pretty easily).


Some out there in writing land have strange rituals. Share yours.

I am a tactile creator—meaning, when I do right brain creative stuff, I like tactile things as my brain works. Unfortunately, that means I eat when I’m writing.

To prevent the over-the-chair-spillage of my thighs, I picked up knitting. So, I knit a little (get the brain juices flowing), then write a little, then when I hit a roadblock I knit some more until I can put my knitting down and write more. It looks very strange, but it works for me.


What crayon in the box describes you on a good day?

Pink! Bad day? Pink! Which one do you aspire to be? Pink pink pink pink pink!



Pick one…..Pink iguana, purple cow, periwinkle giraffe. Which one and why? Can be negative or positive.

PINK! Because I loooooove pink. It’s a rebellion thing—my mother doesn’t like pink, she associates it with Barbie, so I never wore it when I was living at home. But recently I have come to realize that I love pink, and so now I wear and buy pink with abandon. I am reveling in my pinkness.

The iguana I could do without.


What period of history intrigues you the most?

Regency! I love reading Regency romances. Something about the elegance of the times, the sense of rebellion for a woman who marries for love instead of status or money, the political atmosphere with the Napoleonic War in the background—fodder for great romance!


What would you write if there were no rules or barriers? (epic novels about characters in the Bible, poetry, greeting cards, plays, movies, instruction manuals, etc.)

A six-part fantasy series. I’m totally not kidding—I wrote one book (it really sucks) and have the entire plot for a second (which isn’t as bad).


How does something worm its way into your heart? Through tears, truth, humor or other?

Through romance! My favorite books are romances: novels by Jane Austen, Betty Neels, Grace Livingston Hill, Norma Lee Clark, Mary Ann Gibbs. The happy ending always warms me and inspires me to think positively, to love my husband, to love God most of all.


Book, music, person, food you would take with you on a very long trip.

Book—whatever I happen to have as an ebook on my PDA, since I can’t bring as many books as I’d like in my suitcase. LOL
Music—audiobooks. Jane Austen, naturally, but also whatever strikes my fancy.
Person—preferably my husband, Captain Caffeine, but since I mostly travel to writer events, I’m usually flying solo.
Food—my mom makes these peanut butter rice crispy cranberry energy bars that are FABULOUS. They’re just the right size and I can pack them in my bag for a quick treat when I get hungry while at the airport or on a plane.


Where would you most like to travel ----- moon, north pole, deep seas, deserted island, the holy land or back to a place from your childhood, somewhere else? – and why.

The Holy Land—I want to see the places my Jesus walked. That would be so cool.


What is your favorite word?

NO. LOL I’m a rebel at heart.


Thanks for the colorful visit, Camy! Happy weekend, all.

Scribble and Scrambles - Hitchcock Moment

The family plus a few others went to South Dakota for the weekend. A huge Christian music festival -- LifeLight -- called to us and we answered that call. Leeland, Toby Mac, Tait, Jars of Clay, Chris Tomlin, Casting Pearls, Big Daddy Weave need I go on?

Because we hover around "cheap" on the spendthrift meter, we camped.

The KOA Camp was a nice little place with pool and two shower rooms. Packed full of concert-goers and folks taking advantage of a three day weekend, we had to be creative in slipping in showers.

Sunday morning I woke with the sun, or one of the rumbling semis across the road. Since I was up, I thought I'd try my luck with an empty shower.

The silent campground told me I’d probably not be waiting in line. This was confirmed as I crunched through the gravel under the silvery, cloudy sky and entered the empty shower room.

Now -- I must tell you I'm a fan of Hitchcock -- to a point. Most of his stuff doesn't scare me. I actually laughed during Rear Window when poor Jimmy Stewart takes a tumble. I've seen Vertigo, North by Northwest, The Trouble With Harry, Saboteur, Rebecca, and To Catch A Thief. But I've drawn the line at two of his movies. I saw a portion of The Birds as a child and was never the same. And my mother swears that Psycho kept her out of a shower for months, so I've made it a point to never watch it.

You think I digress...I do not. So, while the sun crept into the shimmery gray sky, I entered the shower. The empty room echoed, but I remained undisturbed.

While lathering my hair, I heard a loud clang. Assuming it was one of the trucks loading or unloading, I rinsed.

And then the lights went out.

To be continued...

Serials and Scenarios - Sushi for One

Click on the cover to go to Amazon.

Camy is having a big contest at her website.

Come back Friday for an interview with Camy. And visit Novel Journey to find out even more about her and sushi.

My Review:


I always feel a little nervous when I crack open a book written by someone I know, someone I've bantered and traded wise cracks with, and someone I really like as a person.

What if I don't like the book?

What will I say?

Fortunately, Sushi for One, will not leave me scrambling to be gentle yet truthful. Camy Tang is adorable, funny and sweet, and those qualities come through loud and clear in Sushi for One.

I love the cultural feel with unfamiliar language, customs, scents and tastes. I'm a big fan of Amy Tan and am currently reading Memoirs of a Geisha. Tang takes the culture and adds a sassy Americanized spin with Lex, her thirty-year-old heroine. Lex is obsessed with volleyball, and though I don't even come close to caring about that sport, I didn't get pulled away from the story or annoyed with the many references either. The Chick-Lit third person feel of the story created intimacy with Lex and made it easy to cheer her on.

Spiritually, Tang tossed in some very real-life situations exploring religion vs. authentic Christianity. The drama of dating dilemmas and Lex’s various girlfriends/cousins and the resulting relationships brought loads of "yuck" moments and chuckles. In the end, I felt certain that Lex was on the road to recovery in many different ways.

I recommend Sushi for One to those who love cultural reads, Chick-Lit, and light, fun humor packed with truth.

Serials and Scenarios - Jeffrey Overstreet Colorized Pt 1

Jeffrey Overstreet's Auralia's Colors releases today, Sept 4, 2007.

I will finish his interview and review Auralia in November. But I want to share part one of his interview today. I thought I might review the book, too. But this is not a quick read because I've found myself stopping to savor some delicious writing. So, I look forward to offering a full review in November. In the meantime, lovers of language, of different worlds and compelling stories may want to click on the cover and read more about Auralia's Colors.



Visit Jeffrey's website.

1. Which fiction character would you most like to be?

We need characters who show us how to change the world through quiet, humble, faithful service. I’m inspired by Colonel Christopher Brandon in Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. The saintly Alyosha of The Brothers Karamozov. They’re both principled fellows who aren’t doing what they do to achieve glory or avenge some terrible wrong.

But most of the time, heroes are portrayed as men who employ violence to avenge some terrible wrong. You’ll find that I’ve lost my patience with stories like that if you read my reviews at lookingcloser.org. If I have to sit through one more story that boils down to a gladiator or a braveheart with sword in hand questing to avenge his wife’s death, I’m going to scream.

Okay, here’s an unlikely role model: Growing up, I felt a kinship with Kermit the Frog.

No, I don’t mean to say that I felt like a puppet. But think about it. Think about Kermit’s story in The Muppet Movie. Kermit started in the middle of nowhere (a swamp), developed a lively imagination, and followed his dream. Because he had a beautiful dream, others were inspired to help him achieve it. And then, when that dream came true (against all odds), it happened because of the contributions of many people. He didn’t get there by himself.

Sure, I had the idea for a story called Auralia’s Colors — but that was inspired by something my wife said. And I wrote it down because my teachers, all through elementary school and high school, encouraged me to become a writer. The story was critiqued and edited by people who cared. Ultimately, it was published through the efforts of two agents and a publisher who believed in me. Auralia’s Colors is the fruit of a loving, caring community.

Finally, I want to spotlight on a character who has been overlooked in literature. Michael Ende, who wrote The Neverending Story, also wrote an inspiring fairy tale called Momo that is, in my opinion, more powerful and meaningful today than it was when it was written. That’s all I’m going to say: You’ll have to look up Momo to discover what I’m talking about. That character had a huge influence on the story of Auralia’s Colors. I wish I had a little bit of Momo’s power — she can change the world around her by merely listening to her neighbors.


2. If you could ask any person, living or dead, a random question -- what question would you ask of whom?

This is a spur-of-the-moment response. And it’s probably a selfish answer.

When I wrote Through a Screen Darkly, I discovered that the best part of the experience was talking it over with readers all over the world. I’ve talked it over with sixteen-year-olds and with professors who use it in their classrooms. I’ve talked it over with Christians and atheists. Americans and people on the other side of the world. So many great conversations.

I really enjoyed writing Auralia’s Colors, and I love sharing the story with people. And I’d love to talk with readers about Auralia’s Colors too. So I’d probably ask Oprah Winfrey if she’d be willing to read the book and have dinner to talk it over. If she liked it and featured the book on her program, that would give me an opportunity to share the story with millions of readers. That’s like winning the lottery, but hey — it doesn’t hurt to dream big. You never know. Somebody might bring that dream to Oprah’s attention. And she might get curious. She values the imagination and artistic inspiration, so she just might go for it.


3. Do you have any rituals that you practice when you write?

I read poetry before I sit down to write fiction. I love Jane Hirschfield, Scott Cairns, Luci Shaw, Ranier Maria Rilke, W.H. Auden. John Milton… and the subtle and provocative poetry that my wife Anne composes.

Poetry slows me down, helps me concentrate on the music and power of words. I write better when I’m not in a hurry. I write my first drafts with a pen and a notebook. That helps in making me pay attention and work at every word on the page.

I also spend a lot of time walking on the beach along the Washington or Oregon coastline. Or hiking in the deserts around Santa Fe, New Mexico. I tend to find inspiration there.


4. What crayon in the box describes you on a good day? Bad day? Which one do you aspire to be?

Hmmm. I can’t quite wrap my head around that question. But I will say that when I was a kid, I wanted the Big Box of 64 Crayons. I wanted all of the colors. If you asked me what my favorite Crayon is, I’d have to say… my favorite is the one that’s missing.

Auralia’s Colors is about a girl who gathers all of the colors from the world around her and weaves them into revelatory, world-changing expressions of her imagination. Because she is so attentive to the world around her, she discovers colors that no one has ever seen before. And I watched that revelation have a strange effect on the characters.


5. What’s your favorite turn of phrase or word picture, in literature or movie?

I love the scene in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet when Hamlet decides to reveal the truth of a matter by exposing people to a work of art. “The play’s the thing to catch the conscience of the king.”

And when Hamlet’s murderous uncle sees the truth of his own evils presented to him in a play, he cannot pretend his innocence any longer. He stands up and shouts, “Give me some light!”

We should strive for that kind of revelation in art — not the kind that preaches a message, because that chases people away, but the kind the shows such a piercing, unsettling truth that people are caught off-guard and transformed by what they see.


6. If you could change something in any particular novel, what would you change about it and why?

When I read The Golden Compass, I thought it was the most enthralling fantasy I’d read since The Lord of the Rings. But then the sequels broke my heart. It took this character I loved, a curious adventurer named Lyra, and led her to the belief that there is no such thing as a benevolent God. The whole story was just a setup to slam the gospel. The trilogy becomes a bitter condemnation of Christ and those who love him. I wanted to break into that world and save Lyra and her blind guides from such ignorance and deception.

Many people have condemned the Harry Potter stories, saying that J.K. Rowling’s stories will lead young readers into practicing witchcraft. I don’t believe that at all. I have yet to meet a child who’s been ruined by fairy tales, but I’ve met many who have learned good lessons from them. Magic in the realm of make-believe is a symbol, a way of describing spiritual mysteries. Tolkien and Lewis understood that. But Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, on the other hand, seems to be designed as a deliberate attack on Christian faith, and it betrays his ignorance of what that faith entails, and the nature of the God who inspires such faith.

When I look at the world, I’m not at all inspired by the idea of placing hope in humankind. In spite of occasional highlights of humility and virtue, we’ve clearly demonstrated that we will abuse whatever powers we obtain. For me, the most inspiring figures in history were moved to incredible acts of service through their humble faith in a higher authority — one that is sovereign, benevolent, and generous. I don’t believe in the fascistic, cruel god that Pullman associates with Christianity, but rather the God of Christ, who is full of grace and liberating truth.

I think of that great poem by William Butler Yeats: The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the center cannot hold… That’s what happens in the world when we stray too far from our Creator. Auralia’s Colors was, for me, a memorable, life-changing journey. I started writing it in 1996, and I spend the better part of a decade living in that world, because it helped me rediscover the mysterious design of the world around me. And that made me even more curious about the Designer, and how his grace overwhelms our foolishness.


7. If you were assured of writing a best-seller, what genre would it be?

If I knew that my next book would be a bestseller, I’d write a book of poetry. If we could make a book of poetry into a best-seller, perhaps people would rediscover the power and beauty of language. Maybe they’d stop reading just to find out “what happens next” and discover what is happening right now, in these words, at this moment.

Unfortunately, most readers don’t have the patience for poetry, so they don’t understand how it works, and they miss out on what it reveals.


8. What period of history intrigues you the most?

The period before this solar system existed. And then, a close second… the period after the end of this world. Think about those mysteries, and all kinds of important questions will spring up.

But when it comes to literature, I enjoy reading about medieval times — or fantasy stories set in worlds that resemble the Middle Ages — because civilization was still closely integrated with nature during that time. Nature lends itself to metaphor and symbol far more readily and eloquently than the things humankind makes. Stories about human invention tend to be discouraging stories about our failures and the corrupting nature of power. But stories that lead characters to discover things in the midst of mountains, rivers, caves, canyons, fire, ice, and storm — these stories often give us a sense of awe and wonder. That’s good for the soul.

I think Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films were popular for a lot of reasons, but one of the most compelling was this: Moviegoers rediscovered the grandeur of the natural world through that fabulous imagery of New Zealand. It was like going on vacation to a place of unspoiled natural beauty. And I believe that nature is one of God’s most powerful languages through which he reveals himself. Maybe that’s why I like to write fantasy. It makes me concentrate on the natural world, and I start discovering the spiritual mysteries incarnate there.

To be continued....

Serials and Scenarios - Angela Hunt Being Natural

I had a great opportunity to interview Angela Hunt for an article. I had so much extra information I'd thought I'd share it with you. Angela was so nice. I mean nice. I stumbled over my words and tripped in my grammar, and embarrassed myself at least three times and she acted as if she hadn't even noticed. I even mis-titled her book. And she just quietly fixed it and stayed silent. Yeah, I'd like to be just like her when I grow up.

Go to NovelReviews to see my review of Doesn't She Look Natural? and/or click on the cover above to go to Amazon.

You have written in several genres. I personally have read Uncharted which I found to be spooky and thought provokingly important, The Novelist which twisted and turned and made me cry, The Tale of Three Trees which my family dramatically read for a Christmas program several years ago and which still has a huge place in my heart. You've also written Biblical/historical fiction, women's fiction and non-fiction. Doesn't She Look Natural? seems to be teetering on the edge of Chick-Lit. Which genre is your favorite? And why?

I really don't have a favorite genre, and I don't think about genre as I write. I focus on the story and tell it as it needs to be told, then leave it to my publisher to try to "shelve" it in the proper place. Yes, sometimes it is a challenge!

What else do you do with your "spare" time (ha, besides take masters/doctorate level theology classes ­ oh my!)?

Spare time? (Laughing.) Actually, my favorite way to unwind after a long day at the desk is to pop a movie into the DVD player. I love story, and movies are a great way to get a complete story in a couple of hours.

If you weren't a writer ­ what would you do with your time?

If I weren't a writer, I'd probably be in law school. I love research and debate.

According to your website, you originally sought a musical degree. Do you still sing? Do you have a favorite musician(s)?

I like all kinds of music, ranging from opera to country. I love Emma Krauss, Rene Fleming, and Sarah Brightman. I don't sing very often these days because I'm too busy with writing-related travel or work. I sing to my dogs, though.

Any authors or books you love to recommend?

I love to recommend ALL Christian novelists because they are my brothers and sisters in Christ and they are doing such fine work. Whatever genre you like to read in, you can find a Christian equivalent today. I think it's important for writers to realize that characters have more than emotional and physical aspects--they have spiritual aspects, too, and those need to be recognized and developed.

What are your spiritual gifts?

Teaching and administration. I have a gift for telling people what to do. I have to work at not being bossy.

How do they present themselves within your writing?

The administration helps me organize my time and my material. The teaching comes out in my books even though I realize that people don't pick up novels to learn something; they read to be entertained. But people usually learn something while they're being entertained in my books. I know I learn a lot in the writing process.

You've won numerous awards and honors including a Christy and have a movie based on one of your works and a few more optioned. You are a sought after speaker. What one honor has meant the most to you?

The Christy was special because it was the award's first year and I was so completely flabbergasted when they called my name. But while awards are a nice affirmation, I don't think much about them from day to day. The awards I'm working for are those that will be presented at the Bema Seat, also known as the Judgment Seat of Christ. The things I've done will be tested as to my motivation--did I do them for Christ's glory, or to further my own reputation? The earthly rewards won't matter a whit there, but the Lord will judge the intent of my heart more than the works of my hands (1 Cor. 3:12-15).

Which compliment related to your writing has meant the most and why?

Whenever someone writes to tell me that one of my books has caused them to draw closer to Jesus, that's the highest affirmation I could receive.

What criticism has cut the deepest and why?

Being misunderstood is always hard to bear . . . I've had people put my books down without ever really grasping my intent or message. Then I remind myself that Jesus was misunderstood, too.

What attribute of God do you find the most appealing? Do you see this as a theme in your works? How?

For the last several years I've been focusing on the sovereignty of God . .. and I've been amazed at how many believers don't really have a grasp of its implications. When we completely rest in the knowledge that God is in control of everything that touches us--good and bad--we are freed from fear and uncertainty. I used to think that I could somehow mess up God's perfect plan for me. Now I understand that even the rough times--even my mistakes--are part of God's plan to mold my character. He knows me intimately, better than I know myself, and he knows when I am going to mess up. So he uses those times to teach me, discipline me, and mold me into what he wants me to be. My characters are always discovering this truth, as I am. It's a multi-faceted gem.

If you could ask any person, living or dead, a random question -- what question would you ask of whom?

Because I live with two 200-pound dogs . . . I think I'd ask Noah about how he handled the manure problem on the ark.

Some out there in writing land have strange rituals. Share yours.

I'm not sure I have any . . . Other than doing everything BUT writing until about one o'clock, then I get serious. For instance, I'm typing the answers to these questions at 1:04 p.m., and I have yet to get started on my daily assignment!

Favorite turn of phrase or word picture in literature or movie.

Most romantic scene EVER: from The Last of the Mohicans. When Cora is looking at Hawkeye and she says, "What are you looking at, sir?" and he says, "I'm looking at you, miss."
Be still, my beating heart!

What period of history intrigues you the most?

All of them! People are always interesting, no matter when they lived.

How does something worm its way into your heart? Through tears, truth, humor or other?

Animals do it for me. Mammals--I'm not so wild about insects--can touch my heart quicker than almost anything.

Where would you most like to travel ----- moon, north pole, deep seas, deserted island, the holy land or back to a place from your childhood, somewhere else? ­ and why.

I've been to the Holy Land, so next on my to-travel list is Italy. I would love to visit Rome and set another book there. Maybe a historical in the time of the gladiators . . .

What would you do today if you knew you had only a week to live?

I'd finish my WIP! And teach my husband how to use the computer so he could pay the bills. (I'm a pragmatic person . . .)

What is your favorite word?

Today? Brouhaha. Just saying it makes me laugh.

What word annoys you more than any other?

Today? Fluffy.

Superhero you most admire and why?

One of my novelist friends--and I'm not going to give her name, because she would be embarrassed--but whenever I wonder what to do in a given situation, I think about what she would do. She's dedicated to her work, to Jesus, and she doesn't worry about promotion, marketing, etc. She simply does her best work and leaves everything else in the Lord's hands. I so admire that.

Super power you'd love to borrow for awhile?

A photographic memory would be SO useful . . .

Societal pet peeve sound off.

I would really LOVE it if people would stand about two feel back from the conveyor belt when luggage comes off an airplane.That way we could step forward and swing suitcases off the belt without taking out a few innocent toddlers and other bystanders.

Do you have a current passion for any ministries or issues you'd like to share with our readers?

I have a strong passion for pro-life issues. The cheapening of human life in this country is a travesty, and I believe we must continue to teach that men and women are created in the image of God. That is a foundational truth that has been ignored in the last few years, to our detriment. When the most innocent among us--the unborn--are no longer protected, it won't be long until none of us are guaranteed legal protection.

Thanks, Angela. You were so sweet to work with.

Serials and Scenarios - T.L.Hines Whispers On

You are in for some fun. You might want to have fingernails at the ready for a chew if you belong to the Big Honken Chicken club*, or tissues if you tear up at coffee or greeting card commercials.

Thanks, Tony. You gave us a great glimpse into the inner working of your mind. Oh my!

Fiction character you would most like to be or most identify with and why?

I don’t know if I’d want to be him, but one of the characters that remains the most alive for me several years later is Holden Caulfield from JD Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye.” Actually, I’m quite sure I wouldn’t want to be him. On the other hand, I would like to be a hardboiled pulp-noir detective of some kind. One who isn’t alcoholic.


What crayon in the box describes you on a good day? Bad day? Which one do you aspire to be?

Um…black, black, and black.


Pick one…..Pink iguana, purple cow, periwinkle giraffe. Which one and why? Can be negative or positive.

All of the above, because then I’ll be sitting down to a bowl of me Lucky Charms.


Favorite turn of phrase or word picture, in literature or movie.

Many have lingered with me over the years. One I always remember, for some reason, is a line Stephen King used to describe a storm: “The lightning walked and the thunder talked.”


If you were assured of writing a best-seller, what genre would it be? Give us a sliver of information, a characteristic or glimpse of a scene.

I don’t have any “If only I could write…” fantasies, to tell you the truth. I’d be writing the same kind of thing I write now. That’s what I love to read, and it’s what I love to write. So, I’d just magically make the book sell a couple bazillion copies.

What makes you feel alive?

This is going to sound flip, but it’s true: getting diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. It’s not anything I wish on anyone, and yet, the old cliché holds: it sets your priorities. It forces you to concentrate on what’s important. I’m less focused on “someday” kinds of things now, and more focused on making those somedays today.


How does something worm its way into your heart? Through tears, truth, humor or other?

Ooooh. All of them. I worked in marketing and advertising for several years, and one great wag once said: “All great advertising hinges on one of four emotions: sadness, fear, humor or logic.” I think all great stories hinge on one or more of those. I’m not sure “logic” really counts as an emotion, but give the guy a break. He was in advertising.

Book, music, person, food you would take with you on a very long trip.

Well, I’d have to take my iPod, which is filled with music. Of course, if I had to answer the classic “If you were stuck on a desert island, and you could only listen to one album the whole time, what would it be?” question, I’ve always said it would be Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon.” Or maybe the Pixies’ “Death to the Pixies.” But I’d probably also cheat and bootleg some Better Than Ezra, Foo Fighters, and David Crowder Band.

Which compliment related to your writing has meant the most and why?

Having “Waking Lazarus,” my first book, named to the Library Journal “25 Best Genre Books of 2006” list was quite a lot of fun. Of course, that put incredible pressure on me, as well—it’s hard to raise the bar sometimes—but that’s also the thing a slightly neurotic personality needs. And to tell you the truth, I most enjoy the comments out of the blue: the random emails from people who have read a book and enjoyed it enough to find me and send me a note.

What criticism has cut the deepest and why?

The neurotic part of me remembers every criticism. It doesn’t matter how many nice comments and reviews you’ve received—and I’ve received a ton of very kind ones—it’s the “But…” statements that stick with you. The Publisher’s Weekly review of my first novel had a “But the book has a few flaws…” There was a lot of gnashing of teeth about that one. I also received a long diatribe from a woman who thought my first book was horrible—HORRIBLE!—begging me to please never write another. I thanked her for reading, and told her I was sorry she didn’t like it. She apologized and admitted she was insanely jealous a hack like me was getting published, while she was getting unnoticed. I don’t admire her lack of couth or approach at all, but I do admire that she was self-aware enough to realize she was being driven by feelings of jealousy.

What would you do today if you knew you had only a week to live?

This is, I suppose, a particularly poignant question in light of my recent cancer diagnosis. I mean, I’ve been able to think in these terms the last several months. I’d spend time with my wife and daughter—maybe on a cruise. Write at night while they slept. Do all I could to not sleep myself; in a week, after all, I’d be able to catch up on my sleep.


What is your favorite word?

Oddly enough, I’ve always been fascinated by the sound of the word “spatula.” Occasionally, I’ll find myself turning it over and over in my mind.


What word annoys you more than any other?

“Can’t”


Superhero you most admire and why?

I was a Marvel guy growing up, and particularly loved the Silver Surfer, Thor and Ghost Rider. Thor and Ghost Rider, I think, because I was fascinated by mythologies. Also, Ghost Rider because he was touched by Heaven and Hell—both sides in conflict, deep inside him. I’ve been a committed Christ-follower for several years, but I can still identify with that struggle. I haven’t seen the Nicholas Cage movie of Ghost Rider; I’m not sure I can bring myself to watch it. At first, I was excited, but then I realized: nothing they put on screen can begin to compare to the world of Ghost Rider I’d created in my 12-year-old mind.


Super power you'd love to borrow for awhile?

I love the NPR show “This American Life.” One of the segments on TAL some time ago was about this guy who went around asking people: “Which superpower would you rather have: flight, or invisibility?” And invariably, he was shocked at how seriously people pondered the question, asking all sorts of “what ifs” to clarify.
That said, I’d probably choose neither. I always wanted to have Ghost Rider’s flaming skull. Let’s not consider what that says about me in Freudian terms.


Favorite chore

It’s not a favorite, but I’m borderline obsessive/compulsive about the kitchen. I can’t stand junk or clutter, and I have to wash dirty dishes IMMEDIATELY. My wife enjoys and encourages this obsession.


Grammatical pet peeve…sound off.

Oh, just one huh? Well, I can narrow it down to three. First, I hate purposely misspelled brand names and such. My hometown is home to the headquarters of KOA, which stands for Kampgrounds of America. As a result, KOAs offer Kamping Kabins. And so on. What did the letter “c” ever do to the KOA folks that they’ve banished it for life?

Second, I hate transposed “it’s” and “its” and, unfortunately, I have to say I see it all the time. Maybe that’s why I hate it so much: familiarity breeds contempt.

But perhaps number one on my list is unattributed quotes, in ads and signage: “We do it all for less!” or “Best in the West” or…whatever. All those little bits of puffery, put inside quotation marks. Is someone else saying this stuff, and that’s why it’s in quotation marks? Well then, tell me who it is. If it’s the company or business saying it, I don’t need the quotation marks; I can figure out that you’re declaring yourself “Best in the West” without the quotes.


CREATIVE CORNER:

Pick any of the following and have fun with it.

Pick a Genre - Describe a kiss….

I always love those overwrought, faux-literary works that try to be outrageous and social commentaries at the same time…and end up prattling on for several sentences with nothing happening.

Perhaps they would choose to kiss. Perhaps they would not. Perhaps their worlds would merge in that delicate touch of flesh on flesh, she the transgendered boy/girl from a small town in Wisconsin, he the self-loathing aristocrat who abhorred the blue blood coursing through his veins. And what, then, would follow such an exchange? Would she contact her estranged sister who had succumbed to the allure of methamphetamine and was now ensconced in a Georgia penitentiary? Would he admit to her that he had rejected the capitalistic values of his forebears, and now attended clandestine meetings of socialist thinkers?

Cliché, yes, but one couldn’t help being a cliché sometimes, and how so very cliché of them to be standing here, Capulet and Montague, pondering a future together against the backdrop of a world spinning unknowingly into its own oblivion.

Perhaps they would choose to kiss. Perhaps they would forego the kiss and instead choose the dagger and poison without so many obligatory steps that surely would come before.

Pick one of the "story starters" below and give us a sample of your voice.

If Alex had known the body of the senator was in the bathtub, she would've taken Jim's offer for coffee. After all, she had carefully orchestrated the senator’s murder—just as she’d orchestrated the seventeen murders before him—and she had been quite careful to leave the corpse in the garage.

But then Jim--dear, sweet Jim--dropped by unannounced. He wanted to take her for coffee, he said. Just a quick cup. But she had work waiting for her in the garage, didn’t she? Of course she did.

Or so she thought.

Some time during the night, while she slept, Dear Sweet Jim had moved the corpse to the tub to taunt her.

She would have seen it in his eyes, she knew, if she’d agreed to go with him to the Java Joint on the corner. She would have seen that manic fire dancing inside the pupils, and she would have known then what she knew now, standing over the senator’s lifeless body in her pink-tiled bathroom.

Dear Sweet Jim was going to be Victim Number 19.

Have an excellent weekend, everyone. Hope you BHC* Club members can sleep tonight. : ).

Scribble and Scrambles - Blog Post on a Stick Part 3

A few last thoughts on my day at the Iowa State Fair…

The fair sports an art theme/gimmick. One year, large, decorated pigs lounged around every corner and in front of nearly every building. This year…soybeans. Artified and unique oval shaped blobs.

A true test of creativity.

Another standard Iowa State Fair treat appearing for over forty years -- the infamous butter sculptures. They were so popular that while we wandered the building that housed them we could only look from a distance. According to the Des Moines Register state fair quiz, Dolly Parton has not been immortalized in butter.

I think she’d be a great display for next year.

The extension office had a booth of bugs (or insects) and the five inch millipede appealed to me for some reason…probably heat stroke. Though I enjoyed holding it (yes, definitely heatstroke) with it crunchy outer shell and hundreds of tiny legs that undulated across my palm, I didn’t enjoy the slime trail it left. Millipede urine. A once in a lifetime experience for many of us – eh what?

Okay, I'm done with my fair thoughts. I'm attending LifeLight a huge Christian music festival in Sioux Falls this weekend. I'll see what I can stir up there and report back to you all.

Come back tomorrow for Tony Hines interview. He gave some excellent answers.