grief
Letters to the Forgotten Ones I Still Love
I suppose normally now would be the moment to place some epilogue of good feeling, of how I see the way God is working, how I’m sure it will all make sense one day, of the good that has come from it. But I do not, and I don’t know why, and in truth, no “why” could ever excuse or justify the pain.
I used to think my story didn’t matter.
Then, someone said my writing helped them cherish their loved ones more.
Someone else said I inspired them to write
My husband is always my first reader.
Sometimes he’s very nice.
Other times, he’s brutal.
“Why is he a banker?”
“Why are they fighting? Need
I stepped way out of my comfort zone last night and went to an open mic event at my local library, even though I’m a true hermit and have horrendous stage fright. I wouldn’t even let my husband come watch.
I figured, local library, probably small audience, start with low stakes.
And you know what?
It was worth it.
I
(husband walking in to me watching a horror movie)
(husband walking in to me watching a horror movie)
Me: I’m having a shit day.
Husband: So you’re
social issues
Why Some Writers Carry Tasers and Pay to be Unfindable
I’ve intended to write on this topic for some time now—the risk of having a public online presence, that is. It’s one many of us are sadly all too familiar with: strangers acting in bad faith, taking your words out of context,
lotr2024
Corruption and Redemption
Guest post by Jenn Zuko
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Back in 2004, I taught a graduate-level literature course called ‘Hobbits and
lotr2024
Éowyn's Redemption from Despair to Hope
I’m also struck by the fact that once again, heroism in Tolkien’s story does not present the way it conventionally would in such stories, or in the way Éowyn understood heroism at the start of her journey.
She learns that it does not have to take her skill with a sword to make her a strong woman.
intentional life
Ways I Am Simplifying My Life in 2025
Dear Inklings,
I cannot believe we are now at the end of 2024. Last year, I shared the ways I
deconstruction
I Followed Jesus But My Life Didn't Get Better
My questions of why injustice and suffering exist have never been answered. Yet I found what I was looking for all along: God Himself.
lotr2024
Samwise Gamgee: The Heart of the Fellowship
Sam’s decisions in these five chapters cement both his character and his strength, both of which draw on his strongest attribute (and why I—and I suspect so many of us—adore him so much). His heart.
lotr2024
Only That Which They Defend
And yet, in The Lord of the Rings, Sam and Faramir end up having tremendous influence over the outcome of the story. Not because they are powerful, but because of those very attributes the world deemed unworthy.
lotr2024
Seeing Stones and Silver Tongues
Whether through magical devices or human speech, the challenge of conveying and receiving truth remains central to these chapters. This illustrates the difficulties of communication, not between different languages, but between what comes out and what is received.
