Books, Motivation, Novel, Writing
The Path of a New Book
What I can say is that this new novel is inspired by one of the great American classics. Not a retelling. Not a remake. Things are moving fast right now, in that good, slightly chaotic way that always seems to happen right before a book steps out into the world. The newest release is officially… Read More
Nature, Novel, Writing
Old Stories, New Clothes: How the Classics Refuse to Die
When books became widely available, something incredible happened. Every so often, someone will say something like, “Kids don’t read the classics anymore,” or “Stories just aren’t what they used to be.” And every time I hear that, I have the same thought: They absolutely do. They just might not realize it. Because the truth is,… Read More
Nature, Novel, Writing
Cold Enough to Stop a Sled… Warm Enough to Start a Story
This stretch of winter, the quiet, frozen middle, is when I tend to get the most work done. January in Minnesota has officially arrived, and it didn’t come quietly. We’re deep into the kind of cold where the temperature drops below zero, the wind has opinions, and even the hardiest among us start negotiating with… Read More
Nature, Novel, Reading, Writing
5 Uses of Nature in Novels
When it comes to writing their stories, some writers do a great job of making the setting almost as important as the characters. When it comes to writing their stories, some writers do a great job of making the setting almost as important as the characters. Nature can provide an entire atmosphere for a story,… Read More
Novel, Reading
Why We Keep Going Back
(And why nobody ever really leaves the classics) Every few years, someone confidently declares that this generation is done with the classics. Attention spans are too short. TikTok has broken our brains. Everything needs to be faster, louder, and algorithm-approved. Old books are dusty. Old movies are slow. Old TV shows look like they were… Read More
Christmas, Seasons
Grateful, Looking Ahead, and Telling the Next Story
Christmas music, in particular, is a kind of storytelling magic. Three minutes. A handful of lyrics. And somehow it captures memory, longing, joy, loss, hope. The response to High Stakes has been incredible. The messages, reviews, word-of-mouth recommendations, and excitement around the book have honestly been humbling. Seeing readers connect with the characters, the tension,… Read More
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