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So you think you’re a writer?

Devotions, Junkyard Wisdom Advent, So you think you're a writer?,

Junkyard Wisdom Advent is Here!

My new book is now available for preorder! You can buy it here on Amazon.

This book, Junkyard Wisdom Advent: Authentic, Daily Devotions About the Human, Humorous, and Sometimes Messy Side of the Advent Story, is largely in print because of your support. I’ll explain why.

A few years ago I was playing around with an idea for a devotion series. What if, I thought, devotions weren’t so wimpy? What if they weren’t so filled with clichés and had more grit? What if they were stories that wrestled with unanswerable questions as they explored the untold portions of the …

So you think you're a writer?,

How I Write

People have asked what my writing methodology is. It’s often tempting to be snarky and say, “I just make stuff up. Why, what have you heard?”

But it’s an important question, so I should give it a fair answer. Here goes.

First, I come up with the idea. That’s the easy part for me because I thrive on storytelling, and love to see the story behind the story.

Second, I write a crappy draft. It’s all the details and jokes and insights and stories I can gush onto the page. I don’t worry about grammar or formatting or even contradicting …

Book Reviews, Devotions, So you think you're a writer?,

Book Launch!

Want to be part of a book launch? I’m making a list of people who will help get the word out about my upcoming book of Advent devotions. Let me know if you’d like to help!

Hopefully the book will be available for preorder soon, and it should be ready for shipping on October 1. It’s coming fast!

Somewhere I read, “According to my chocolate Advent calendar, there are two days left before Christmas.” That’s a bit how I feel these days as the weeks fly by.

If you are curious, the book is based on the Advent devotions written …

Devotions, So you think you're a writer?,

Surprise to Share

Shhhhh … I have two secrets to share. It’s only for those of you on this blog email list. I’ll share it publicly later.

First, a new devotion series is coming. It’s going to be a fun one! Years ago I had an insight and thought it might make a good book, but it wasn’t expansive enough for a book. Then a few months ago it struck me what a tremendous devotion series it can be. It’s in the final drafting stages now. More to share as the summer arrives.

Second, even bigger news, an actual new book is coming! …

Belize, PathLight, So you think you're a writer?,

Warning! Warning! Warning!

Okay, full warning … you are about to be offered the opportunity to read even more of my miscellaneous ramblings!

If you read this blog regularly then you have heard about PathLight. Well, the team there has been brainstorming how to stay in touch with their supporters without boring them. Nobody needs useless updates, and we don’t want to act like PathLight’s work is the most important thing in the world. (Even though it kinda is).

Nonprofit updates often follow a familiar script. My snarky mind imagines something like, “Hello, we have fantastic news! The kids are fantastic! Our …

Junkyard Management, Junkyard Wisdom Book, Junkyard Wisdom Rebuilt, So you think you're a writer?,

ChatGPT

Have you used ChatGPT yet? It’s an amazing tool. Here is a quick example.

I asked “What is junkyard wisdom™?”

Now keep in mind the phrase didn’t exist until about 2009. And it’s been exclusively used by me (I hold the trademark) or reviewers of my work. It took me a few years just to figure it out myself.

ChatGPT’s answer came in ten seconds and was shockingly accurate:

Junkyard wisdom refers to insights and practical knowledge gained from experiences in difficult or challenging situations, often those found in everyday life. The term “junkyard” suggests a place of discarded or …

Leadership, So you think you're a writer?,

Deleting Leadership

A few weeks ago I accidentally deleted over a thousand files from my computer. Thankfully I recovered them all, but they came back unsorted. All the business files were mixed with the PathLight files or the Westmont files or the family files, for instance.

I’ve been slowly putting them in the appropriate folders. It’s easier than it sounds because the titles usually offer clarity. I’m pretty sure “Goble Properties Depreciation Schedule March 2017” doesn’t go in the travel plans folder.

But a few need to be opened and read first. This has, oddly, been fun. It’s like treasures of the …

Generosity, Philanthropy, So you think you're a writer?,

Changing Gears

Are you ready for another Junkyard Wisdom™ devotion series? Say yes. I’m the sensitive type and couldn’t handle your rejection.

The next series is called Changing Gears: A Generosity Road Trip. It starts on May 31 and will run about two weeks.

On this road trip we visit some famous cities, islands, and regions around the Mediterranean. In each stop we will reflect on the insights of a resident or visitor, like Bathsheba in Jerusalem and Peter in Rome. Each person we meet will have something interesting to share about generosity.

And as with all my road trips, there will …