Most recent blog posts:
What if feeling bad sometimes is just part of the human experience rather than something to avoid, fix, or berate oneself about?
As an Enneagram 4, I’m pretty adept at embracing negative emotions (rather than denying, distracting, or quick-fixing). But I am realizing that I’ve nevertheless picked up the habit of feeling guilty or disappointed in myself for having those bad feelings—seeing them as a sign that either I’m doing something wrong with my life or, worse, I’m somehow broken . . .
guest post by Kat Wordsworth
“Perhaps your personhood is a vocation of such beauty and significance that souls will be saved through your simple fidelity to being human.” - K.J. Ramsey
Questions of vocation, calling, and purpose in my life have been on the back burner for over a decade. I didn’t believe myself worthy of the conversation, worthy of thinking that I had anything to contribute. To me, a sense of calling was deeply entwined with being a confident and secure Christian. To be called meant hearing God’s voice and plan for your life. And that was not something I had ever experienced. . .
I learned something recently that feels simultaneously mind-blowing and also like something I’ve known for ages:
A bittersweet ending results from the combination of a negative external change plus a positive internal change.
Let me explain.
Every story operates on two levels: internal and external. . . .
This is a very special guest post by an alumna of my Unearthing Beauty Personal Narrative Class. I absolutely love its understated drama as she explores an internal conflict with lots of sensory detail and stream-of-consciousness internal dialog.
I awake from deep sleep to my husband's phone ringing. I lie in bed trying to figure out the details, only hearing his end of the call. . .
So many things feel outside of our control, especially in the last few years. Wars, pandemics, hurricanes, Zoom schooling, inflation, recession. Writing goals? Let’s just be grateful we were able to write anything lately.
And yet… underneath the narrative of powerlessness and capitulation, I have seen so many writers exhibiting incredible strength, perseverance, and determination this year. Writers who have been quietly devoted to improving their craft, choosing to show up and do the work they need to in order to accomplish their dreams.
I’m just gonna say it: Recently, I’ve wondered if having a third child was a mistake.
It has nothing to do with the actual child: our youngest is as sweet and easy as you could hope for, full of toothless grins, adorable squeals, and delighted giggles.
Rather, my doubt has to do with feeling completely overwhelmed and burnt out by the constant stream of needs and emotions that demand my attention. Constant. Even when I’m at work or they’ve all gone to bed, their hypothetical future needs and past emotions are at the forefront of my psyche, buzzing like static, fraying my attention and swamping my heart. . .
GUEST POSTS:
On Ariel Curry’s blog: The COLORful Thesis: The Key to Clarity (for You AND Your Reader)
On Joyful Life Magazine: How Being Present Connects Us to Ourselves, Our Children, and God
MY BIRTH STORY: Surrendering to Labor - guest post at Conquering Motherhood
Writing a book might sound romantic—until you actually try to do it.
Between the initial idea and the final draft lies a wilderness most writers don’t expect, a maze of decisions, doubts, and unfamiliar territory. Many first-time authors end up confused, overwhelmed, and disappointed—either with the process, the product, or both.
That’s why I created this guide to demystify the book creation process, alert you to common pitfalls, and point you in the right direction if and when you’re ready for professional support.