I was an English major in college. I wrote for newspapers. And writing was a big part of my long career in the corporate world.

But when I retired, I had a hard time making the transition to creative writing. I’d become a strong business writer, but I needed to learn how to write creatively again. I needed training.

So I went away to a one-week writing workshop. It was a great reimmersion in the fundamentals of creative writing. It was also a humbling experience. I had to start over. I had to adopt a beginner’s mindset.

Ten years and nine books later, I’m still warming up, but I’ve found my voice.

I write an an invitation to think more deeply. That’s what good writing has always done for me.

The ideas for most of my stories come from real life. They come from the world around me and my own life.  As I reflect on these events and experiences, themes emerge. Compassion, forgiveness, self-discovery, etc.  Most of my stories are a new take on these abiding themes.

Over the past 10 years, more than 500 of my stories have been published. But in that time, I’ve also received thousands of rejections.  Most are form letters. They’re devoid of human touch. Sometimes, I get discouraged.

But all these rejections beg the question: why do I write? And do I want to keep writing?

I’m not writing to sell a lot of books or make a lot of money or become famous. I write because writing brings me joy, and it connects me with others.

Ray Bradbury said, “Love what you do and do what you love.”

And so I continue to write. My first novella will be published in 2025, and I’ve just finished my eighth short story collection. Onward.

I wish I’d read Natalie Goldberg’s book, Writing Down the Bones, much sooner. In it, she makes the case for why we all should write and turn writing into a practice. “Keep your hand moving.” So simple. We tend to overthink writing, and that scares us off. Goldberg’s little book is a helpful guide in getting started.