In Others’ Words: No Shortcuts

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Reality, Writing 48 Comments

I’ve wanted to be a writer all my life. Really. I was one of those kids in school who didn’t moan about writing papers for English class and who thought spelling bees were fun. When it came time to choose my major for college, I asked myself, “What do I love enough that I wouldn’t mind doing it every day …

In Others’ Words: Ideas

Beth VogtQuotes, Writing 35 Comments

  Writing wreaks havoc with my sleep. There are some nights that, just as I snuggle underneath the blankets … just as I hear the first whisper of sleep welcoming me … an idea pounces. And I’m awake. Oh, sure. I try to ignore the idea. I tell the you-can’t-ignore-me idea to wait until morning. I might even sit up …

In Others’ Words: Tug of War (Guest post)

Beth VogtFaith, Life, Quotes, Writing 19 Comments

  “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.” ~ Mark Twain (1835-1910), American writer & humorist There are times I struggle with discouragement. Desiring to write a story that will speak to peoples’ hearts, I pressure myself to excel in this endeavor. Instead of achieving, however, I battle dismay. Analyzing why I am where I am, …

In Others’ Words: Ain’t That the Truth

Beth VogtQuotes, Reality, Writing 23 Comments

“A writer is somebody for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” ~Thomas Mann (1875-1955), German novelist The more determined I was to achieve something concrete as a writer — publication — the harder it got to write. The bar was raised — by me and all the writers I learned from or who mentored me. …