What’s one road you dread to drive?

Maybe it’s a five-lane monster leading into a city, or one of those nerve-wracking pretzel roundabouts. Mine is Highway 5, a skinny, curvy 2-lane road. I drove it today, a 26-mile country adventure of turns and trucks and tractors.

It’s part of a 3 1/2 hr drive to visit N.C. family. Sometimes I get stuck behind an 18-wheeler crawling way under the speed limit. Other times speeding cars trail so close, they’re practically in my backseat. And at night, or in bad weather, it’s white knuckle territory. Pitch black and deserted. Also, deer.

But challenges often open doors to the good stuff. Highway 5 leads me back to my childhood roots, and that drive, no matter how long and winding, is always worth it to see the people I love.

Cue the Beatles song… you know the one.

They say sitting too much can kill you.

Really bad for health. But I work in an office, so what should I do?

Hello, stand-up desk. Yep, just started using one. Maybe now I won’t end up in an early grave.

The results are still out, but standing is supposed to reduce back and neck strain while improving circulation. Bonus points: I’ve heard it can make me more productive AND help burn calories. Wow.

Imagine if I add a walking pad? Maybe use my free hand to curl dumbbells? I could also strap on a fat jiggling belt.

The set-up might look stupid, but this is the start of a new me. Here I come summer. That’s right, people will see me lounging under a beach umbrella and think, Now there’s a guy who must use a stand-up desk.

Whenever I see a soda can pull tab, I smile.

My dad started collecting them when a Boy Scout knocked on his door and asked for tab donations for a project. Dad took the challenge, and soon, overflowing jars filled his kitchen cabinet.

Thousands of tabs. Only one problem… the Scout never came back.

Over time, Dad’s memory has faded with age, but his dedication has never wavered. He continues saving tabs, convinced the boy will someday return.

We know otherwise — it’s been nearly a decade. But still, this has become a cherished family story. When my kids were small, they loved peering at the jars of shiny tabs whenever they visited Paw-Paw.

This week, though, disaster struck. Those little collectibles were accidentally thrown away when someone cleaned his house. After hearing what happened, we panicked.

That is, until we made a surprising discovery: you can buy a thousand of them on Amazon for $9. What?! Looks like Dad will never know the difference. Crisis averted.

So hey, any Scouts out there who need soda tabs?

This morning, I drove to work with everything blanketed in cotton-white snow.

The scene looked magical. But by the time I headed home, it had melted into a dirty slush. Amazing how quickly things can change. A reminder to embrace every moment. Snow, slush, sun, rain.

When only the perfect days are treasured, life loses so much of its color.

We officially live in the age of the Jetson’s.

For those of a certain age, you get the reference. Fun fact: some die-hard fans, after much research, believe that George Jetson was born in 2022. Which makes him three.

But need more evidence that flying cars are near? Tonight I went to a Mexican restaurant and got served my meal by a robot. No joke. A little bot with wheels, blasting mariachi music, cruised to my table carrying our hot plates. Turning to leave, it chirped, “Bye!” then rolled off again.

Uh… whoa. The Jetson era, indeed.

Sometimes, maybe even often, it’s good to have a change of scenery.

Jess wanted to work in a different space today, so I temporarily moved her home office to the living room — a sunlit area with big windows, a fireplace, and TV.

But there were challenges. Her two monitors needed makeshift tables, and we used a clipboard as an extender for her keyboard. Space for the mouse? No problem. I found a basket, flipped it upside down, then topped it with a glossy magazine for a smooth surface.

Bingo. New scenery, new vibe.

What’s the best way to stay encouraged as a writer?

While books and podcasts are nice, the #1 way is being a part of a writing community. Sounds cliche, but it’s true.

When I first started writing novels, I had zero writing friends. Zilch. I knew that had to change. So almost two years ago, on a cold February afternoon, I launched a monthly writing group sponsored by the Williamsburg library.

Around 120 are on the rolls, and about 35 show up each month. But the best part? I’ve now got lots of writing friends. A whole roomful.

When you need encouragement, you shouldn’t wait for it. Just make it.

God, I hate goodbyes.

Even when I know they’re for the good. Hate em, hate em, hate em. Especially at this stage of our parenting. Today, Jake and Sam left for school, the last kids remaining from Christmas break.

When the kids drive away, a silence always falls. The house goes into winter. And I start to feel the chilly air of getting older, the reality that I’m not needed as much. Makes me long for the next HELLO!

God, I hate goodbyes.

I have a few sacred spaces. One of them is surprising: the Costco food court.

Our family ate there A LOT over the years. Probably hundreds of pizzas and thousands of drink refills. And it still looks pretty much the same. Tonight, Jess and I ate there with Jake while getting him groceries to take back to JMU.

Sitting at one of those familiar tables where the seven of us often dined, I thought of our kids now in different cities, spread out over the miles. And I longed again for those together times. Longed for the years that slipped away like sand.

Because, really, what makes a place sacred other than time spent there with those you love? To me, Costco is way more than a pizza slice or a $1.50 hot dog combo. It’s long-ago memories, silly conversations, laughter in the wind. And yes, pizza.

Ah, life’s sacred spaces.

I pulled something out of the corner of our bedroom closet. An item I had forgotten about.

The thought hit me… this could go perfect in my work office. Took it with me, unpacked the bag, and set it up before anyone else showed up. Sent a picture to Jess to make sure it didn’t look stupid or too over-the-top.

What was it? The roll-out 8-ft high banner for my first book, The Jungle Within. Better out than in, I’ve heard it said.

Welcome to the jungle.

Every morning for the last five months, with rarely missing, I’ve done a simple exercise routine: 60 pushups and a five-set series of ab crunches.

Sometimes I repeat it at night. It’s not much, but after staying consistent with it, I can see the results. Faithfulness in the small things is often more important than a little-used gym membership.

As Gretchen Rubin says, “The twenty-minute walk you take is so much better for you than the three-mile run you never do.”

Lots of dishes in the sink this evening.

Always happens when the dishwasher has clean dishes but no one has unloaded them. Got it all cleaned up, and somehow the entire house felt cleaner.

Hence, my tried-and-true principle: as goes the kitchen, so goes the house.

When committed, you find a way.

Tonight was ice cold but Cali (our golden retriever) needed a walk. I hate cold weather, but I’m committed to giving her exercise.

So I put on 4 layers — shirt, hoodie, rain jacket, winter jacket — then added a scarf, a toboggan, and gloves, while wearing a hood. I looked like the marshmallow man.

When committed, you find a way.

Finding points of connection.

Today I had a phone call with the Times-News newspaper, to resubscribe Dad. I talked with a pleasant lady who handles subscriptions and classifieds.

Instead of being transactional, she asked if I was enjoying the snow. She talked about the inch or two they received over the weekend. Then she talked about how her computer was slow and how tempted she was to throw it out the window.

It all made for a short and funny conversation. Not salesy at all, but real and genuine.

Two people chatting and exchanging goods. How it should be done.

Bonus points: we both talk with NC accents.

How can a 54yr old and 19yr old find something in common?

Music.

When driving Kate back to VCU, we listened to Sabrina Carpenter’s album and talked about the lyrics. Funny, when we got to her dorm, her roommate had a picture of Sabrina on the wall.

Music bridges generations.

But there’s a song that’s even more popular than the pop princess. It’s globally recognizable and translated into countless languages.

What’s the tune? The Happy Birthday song.

And that’s appropriate today because… Happy Birthday, Kate!

January 12th looks good on you.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

It’s easy to laugh at email marketing. "That's so last century!” people say, as they chase the latest social media trends.

But look closer. Your “rented” social media audience can vanish overnight with one algorithm change from the robot overlords. Meanwhile, your email list? Still there, still converting. 

An email database is your most valuable digital asset. Consider it your prized piece of internet real estate. On social media, you're renting space in someone else's house. With email, you own the land. 

The proof is in the numbers. Email consistently outperforms other digital channels in conversion rates. The only thing better? Speaking to a live audience. 

Whether you’re trying to sell a book or a shiny widget, build that email list. Future You will thank you for it.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“Signing up (for emails) is a powerful signal of intent to buy. Send them emails until they do.”

— Jordie van Rijn

“Email has an ability many channels don’t: creating valuable, personal touches – at scale.”

— David Newman

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3 Writing Questions

1. How does the concept of "rented" versus "owned" audiences apply to different marketing channels?

2. What strategic advantages does email marketing offer for long-term business growth?

3. How does email marketing create the ability to to create “personal touches” at scale? How is this different from other platforms?

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HAVE YOU GOT MY NEW BOOK?

A teen flees her secluded town, only to stumble into shocking events unfolding across the mountains.

Think Narnia with gears and goggles… YA fantasy meets steampunk.

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. And by the way, my newest book is called Color The Sky With Song.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Want to know the most important (and often overlooked) aspect of a website?

Cue the suspenseful music…

Collecting email addresses from your visitors.

That’s right, it’s not the glossy photos or the latest design trends.

In the wild world of marketing, email addresses are the shiny bars of gold.

That’s why EVERY homepage should have a strategy for collecting info from interested readers/customers/clients.

With an email database, you can stay connected with your audience without worrying about the ever-changing algorithms of social media.

cough Zuckerberg cough

But wait, how do you convince someone to hand over their precious email?

Simple. Offer them something irresistible in return.

Maybe it’s:

• A PDF

• A short story

• A coupon

• Free shipping

• Or even better, an 8x10 glossy of you in a velvet smoking jacket holding a glass of wine

Whatever it is, think about your target audience. And try to make them say, “Whoa, that’s cool.”

Now offer that for free.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“The best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing.”

— Tom Fishburne

“When you give something away for nothing, you look nice. When that something is valuable, you look authoritative and trustworthy. Win-win. Freebies help your audience trust you as an expert in your field.”

— Elise Darma

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3 Writing Questions

1. What's the most enticing freebie you've ever been offered in exchange for your email address?

2. What's the ideal way for a website to promote a freebie offer without being too pushy or intrusive?

3. Can you think of any websites that offer unique freebies?

---

HAVE YOU GOT MY NEW BOOK?

A teen flees her secluded town, only to stumble into shocking events unfolding across the mountains.

Think Narnia with gears and goggles… YA fantasy meets steampunk.

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. And by the way, my newest book is called Color The Sky With Song.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Ever thought about a character’s first line? 

It’s their initial handshake… firm and confident. Or soft and fishy.

A few reasons to give red-carpet treatment to debut lines:

• Impressions Matter
  Just like a first date or job interview, opening words set the tone. 

• Hook ‘Em Fast
  A great line can be the difference between a reader thinking, “Meh” or “More, please!” 

• Show, Don’t Tell (The Golden Rule)
  Instead of saying “Jane was sarcastic,” have her early dialogue drip with delicious sarcasm.

• Reflect Their World
  Sneak in a hint at the character’s background, social status, or setting.

Fun Exercise: Try writing five different first lines for your main characters. Which one makes you go, “Yep, that’s them!”? 

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“Well-crafted dialogue will indicate if a character is smart or dumb, honest or dishonest, amusing or an old sobersides. ”

— Stephen King

“Diction in dialogue is about so much more than the ideas your characters communicate. It’s a tool for revealing who they are, what they want, and how they feel.”

— Abi Wurdeman

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3 Writing Questions

1. Can you think of examples from books or movies where the first line left a strong impression on you?

2. How can the first line of a character contribute to their overall development throughout the story?

3. What makes a first line memorable?

A teen flees her secluded town, only to stumble into shocking events unfolding across the mountains.

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. And by the way, my newest book is called Color The Sky With Song.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Ever watched the old Batman TV show? 

Whenever the Dynamic Duo got stuck in a life-or-death bind, somehow they found a way out with their Batweapons. 

A Batarang, anyone? How ‘bout the Batknife? Or even better yet, maybe the shark repellent Batspray (true, look it up).

As a writer, sometimes you’ll write yourself into a corner. Yes, one of those dreaded dead ends where all creativity goes to die.

Take a breath and think good thoughts. You’re gonna live through it because you have access to some amazing writer “Batweapons.” 

Here are a few:

Change the POV
Switch the perspective to another character. 

Write a dialogue-only scene
Focus solely on conversations. 

Work backward
Start from the end of the scene and work your way backward. 

Set a timer
Give yourself 10 or 15 minutes and write non-stop. 

Skip ahead
Move on to the next chapter that you’re excited about writing. 

Change the setting
If the scene feels stale, switch up the location or time of day. 

Start some conflict
Conflict is what makes people turn pages. 

Revisit character goals and obstacles
Clarifying these elements can provide a clear road ahead.

Freewrite backstory
Understanding more about character motivations and histories often provides a spark.

Ask “What if?”
Pose different “What if?” questions about the scene — sometimes the crazier, the better.

Put these tools into your Batbelt and, just like the caped crusaders, you can live to see another day.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“If you get stuck, get away from your desk. Take a walk, take a bath, go to sleep, make a pie, draw, listen to music, meditate, exercise; whatever you do, don’t just stick there scowling at the problem.”

— Hilary Mantel

“Show up, show up, show up, and after a while, the muse shows up, too.”

— Isabel Allende

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3 Writing Questions

1. How does writing a dialogue-only scene help to move a story forward?

2. How does working backward from the end of a chapter provide clarity or new ideas when you’re stuck?

3. Why is conflict so powerful in stories?

A teen flees her secluded town, only to stumble into shocking events unfolding across the mountains.

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. And by the way, my newest book is called Color The Sky With Song.

Photo courtesy of Zdeněk Macháček @zmachacek

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Great authors have a knack for crafting dialogue, but let’s be real—it’s trickier than it looks.

Want a secret to make your dialogue sizzle?

Have your characters argue. 

When you fill conversations with tension, misunderstandings, and hidden agendas, your readers will devour every word.

Why? We all like to eavesdrop on juicy drama.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“Tension on a tightly suspended cable is what holds up the bridge… and it’s what makes a good novel or a good life.”

— Unknown

“Dialogue is not just words on a page, it’s the emotional tension between characters.”

— Unknown

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3 Writing Questions

1. What are some common pitfalls writers face when creating dialogue?

2. How can writers ensure that tension in dialogue remains engaging without becoming repetitive or predictable?

3. How does the setting of a conversation influence the way arguments unfold between characters?

What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER:

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.