Ten Words on Simplicity in Writing and Life

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Ten Words on Simplicity in Writing and Life

I like the idea of simplicity even more than I like the practice of it. This is probably the case for most of us. In our super-complex modern world, every step toward simplicity feels like a leap. But it's a leap worth taking, and especially for writers.

In his classic book Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster presents a beautiful description of simplicity. He also describes ten principles to help us understand what simplicity means today. These repeatedly reminded me of Strunk & White's The Elements of Style. The connection is that simplicity in life helps us write with the unique force of simple words. As Strunk & White put it, "style is the writer, and therefore what you are, rather than what you know, will at last determine your style." 

Here I boil down Foster's ten ideas for simplicity and tie them to Strunk & White's timeless lessons on writing.

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Why Children’s Classics Speak To Us Today: A Wrinkle in Time and The Last Battle

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Why Children’s Classics Speak To Us Today: A Wrinkle in Time and The Last Battle

I recently read these classics by Madeleine L’Engle and C.S. Lewis for the first time. I don’t know how I missed them as a kid. But better late than never.  
 
The scope and style blew me away. Of course they’re good, that’s why they’re classics. But why? What has made them stand the test of time? Or, to put it another way, who will be reading the Percy Jackson, Divergent, Twilight, and my own Unbound series in 50 years? 

Let's find out.

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A Successful Book Launch: Fuel To Reach The Stars

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A Successful Book Launch: Fuel To Reach The Stars

Let's assume you built a rocket. A glorious fly-to-the-moon kind of rocket. Assume, too, that you want to chart your rocket's path and would rather let the world see it now than grind through the bureaucracy of NASA.

What's next? You fill up the gas, fire up the engine, and five, four, three, two, one...blast off! If only it were that simple to reach the stars.  

I have three launches under my belt in the past year (books, not rockets). My latest launch, Unbound a month ago, was my best yet. I've seen what works. And what doesn't. This blog shares what I've learned so far.

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Interview with Book Cover Designer Kerry Ellis

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Interview with Book Cover Designer Kerry Ellis

Kerry Ellis designed the cover of UNBOUND. As with all covers, the image speaks for itself. But how often do the designers get to tell us about their craft? Not enough, in my view. It's my pleasure to interview Kerry in this post.

To learn about how I connected with a designer of Kerry's caliber, read my inside story on the 99designs process here.

1. Let's start with a question of great interest to readers, writers, and designers alike: what are the secrets of a great book cover?

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Why We Need More Artisans

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Why We Need More Artisans

Have you heard of Guy Kawasaki? He was the chief evangelist of Apple; then he started preaching about artisanal publishing. His book APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur is great. Why? Because if you have a voice inside you that resonates with the word artisan, it helps that voice be heard.

And we need more people like you.

Modern Artisans

The cobbler in a medieval village. The cheese-maker. The carpenter. These are artisans. They are workers and hand-crafters. Their livelihoods depend on the quality of what they make.

So what about writers? Can we be artisans, too? Absolutely.

Our tools are different, but the meaning is the same. Every time our fingers touch the keyboard, we have an opportunity to create something special. It requires great care and attention to detail. The sweat may be slight. The blood may be figurative. But the effort is no less intense. 

We have to give everything we have to produce quality writing.

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