the writer's shepherd » blog

flaw power

An article I wrote about flaw power recently appeared on life by me, a website about exploring and sharing what's meaningful. Here's how the article starts: When I was two, I wouldn’t go anywhere if my socks were wrinkled up inside my shoes, so Mom took my shoes on and off, trying to smooth those wrinkles. ... Also, a free recording of the Monday call, "Birthing a Book with Grace," is now available. ... Read more

foolish dreams

I wish my psyche had a benevolent dictator. Tell me what to do and I’ll do it. Just don’t make me sort through all the options and decide what’s important and what’s not, how to prioritize, what to say or not say, what to write and how to write it. Every choice matters, and all these choices add up to my life. ... Choices might be simpler to make if ... Read more

sarah seidelmann’s teacher tribute

Sarah, what’s a story about someone who encouraged or taught you to write (or create) in your own way? Perhaps not surprisingly, it was a gaggle of free-spirited nuns at a summer day camp I went to called "The Barn" when I was 11. Those kind, low-key, spiritually minded women simply invited us to ... Read more

mini pep talk 3

there's always a way ... Read more

logic takes a hike

One of the big reasons I love art and words and creativity and writing is that they’re enchanted. They’re effective to a degree that goes way beyond the kind of logic that steps from A to B to C. Creations are like secret decoder rings, giving us access to the infinity of the mind, which goes way beyond anything limited by time and physicality. What’s your answer if I ask you ... Read more

join us for a free call

Birthing a Book with Writer’s Shepherd Grace Kerina

Book authors Sarah Seidelmann and Katie McClain will share about the process of taking a book from dream to actual completion and how Grace helped. Grace will share some tips and ideas, and we’ll have an opportunity for Q and A.

Monday, April 29, at 10 a.m. Central Time

Call 1-605-475-4000; participant access code: 892342#

mini pep talk 2

if you're up against a wall ... Read more

reasons to be buoyant

Your ancestors lived long enough to create you.
You come from a long line of people who had sex.
You’re still breathing.
You love someone or something.
Language allows us to communicate.
Someone is ... Read more

mini pep talk 1

write. write. write. ... Read more

beauty and the feast

A big pot of soup is brought to the table, along with salad and bread. The air smells like roast chicken and the pies are visible on the kitchen counter across the room. Here in a village near Freiburg, Germany, our dinner party host stands up to ladle the soup and we pass full bowls around the table until everybody has one. The eight people here tonight are a ... Read more