Tag: Christine Hemp
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Who is setting your intentions?
It is 9:21am and I have yet to check my email. This is new. Please don’t worry, though. I’ll get to my email. I ALWAYS get to my email. But I needed to make a change. Last week I scheduled a call with my writing coach, Christine Hemp (who I realize also serves as my spiritual…
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Three Lessons from a Productive Summer
Lesson #1: Pay attention to baby sparrows. A newborn sparrow surprised me last spring, unballing himself at the end of my driveway as I was heading out for a run. I had mistaken him for a leftover clump of dead grass. His feet, each with three long, hooked toes were bigger than his whole body.…
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Where is the heat in your writing?
I picked up the Rose Metal Press’ Field Guide to Writing Flash Nonfiction at the AWP conference this past March. This morning I began reading it as I contemplated this blog and the writing I hope to do. Bloggers would be well-served to study this “flash” genre of writing, since all of it is pertinent to the…
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The Woodcarver
My friend and writing coach, Christine Hemp, introduced me to the poem, The Woodcarver. It has led me to amazing riches. I keep it taped above my desktop computer in my office as a reminder to “Guard my spirit, [and] not expend it on trifles that [are] not to the point.” This poem has served as…
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Progress Report: A Year of Writing Lessons Learned
Last summer I made my writing a priority. I started this blog, hired a writing coach, and guarded a few hours each morning to practice my craft. It has paid off immensely. Not only did I get an article published in The Christian Century, but I have grown and learned more than I ever thought…
Teri McDowell Ott 