The Writer's Lens

Sin number six of seven is Sloth. Probably the one vice least associated with anything really bad.  But since it's on the list, I unpack how Sloth and laziness - surprise surprise - thwarts our creative journey. There's a little more at stake than mere procrastination. There's calling, giftings, and missed opportunities to inspire others for the creative who has a unique message. 

Jordan Raynor is the national bestselling author of Called to Create , a book that was birthed out of Jordan's desire to speak into the reasons for why we create what we create. Over the course of several years and even more interviews, Called to Create was released in November of 2017 and will now be followed up by Master of One , due out in January 2020. Jordan is a speaker and self-described se...

We don't always agree with the stories we're told. Some we brush off as insignificant while some require further inspection on our behalf. But sometimes we might feel compelled enough to go out and counter what we've heard. In essence, something has stirred us to action. That being said, what are some things we do when we don't like what we are hearing? And how might that response tie into the way...

This is number five of seven on the road to completing the "seven deadly sins" series here on The Writer's Lens. And as such, I'm almost certain this week's topic will entice people's interest for probably the wrong reasons. Because this week's sin is the sin of Lust; a state of being which incites thoughts of physical euphoria - not about the hindrance of writing pursuits.  However, I think I fou...

Ever wonder who is responsible for making the big narratives? Is it a person? Is it people? Is it merely an idea that gives a narrative legs and makes it run? This episode of The Writer's Lens explores these questions in Episode 3 of the #NarrativeWars. 

Two things that naturally seem to go together - anger and written expression. Many artists find their inspiration in the bowels of deep-rooted anger. And for good reason: anger can be a powerful tool in the hands of a writer. It can make us feel like we have direction; like, we have a grander purpose moving us forward. Wrath, as it were, takes that angry feeling one step further - it gives justifi...

Do you feel that is true? Do you feel like it's not true?  Whether we choose to admit it or not, our lives are entangled in bigger stories. In this episode, we'll explore the concept of a Macro-Narrative - the 'big picture'; and the Micro-Narrative - the individual's actual experience.       

This episode is all about Greed - another of the Seven Deadly Sins most commonly associated with a love of money.  So, keeping that in mind, how might we avoid the pitfalls of becoming too "Greedy" with our creative works? Let's discuss and find out.  Facebook: Link Website: Link

Welcome to the #NarrativeWars.  There are stories happening all around us. And they are all competing for our attention. Some are explored in book or film format. Others are occurring in real time. And some walk the line between fiction and fact.  In these shorter episodes, I'll be exploring some big (and small) narrative ideas; starting with the narrative of our own lives. What does that look lik...

Gluttony is yet another member of the seven deadly sins. A sin most commonly associated with eating excessively, but Gluttony can also be associated with chasing after status or symbols of status and power. So, keeping that in mind, how might 'gluttonous' actions cause our creative and / or writing ventures to get derailed?  That's the focus of this episode, as well as being part of my continued e...

Austin Gohn is the author of the (now available) book "A Restless Age: How St. Augustine Helps You Make Sense Of Your Twenties". My interview with Austin focuses on his path to publishing as well as his individual story - what inspired him to write a book for young adults and why the words of St. Augustine find relevance even in the 21st century. For more on Austin, you can visit www.austingohn.co...

You may have heard of the seven deadly sins. There's Greed, Gluttony, Lust, Pride, Wrath, Sloth, and...Envy. Of those seven, I find Envy to be the least talked about. Or rather, it's the least recognized of the seven. In this solo episode, I talk about why I think Envy can be a major hindrance on our writing pursuits.  Website: www.jclfaltot.com Facebook: JCL Faltot  Podcast: The Writer's Lens

"A Mistaken Identity" That's the name of Eric "EG" Graves' upcoming play , which will be featured at the Breen Performing Arts Center in Cleveland, OH on Saturday, March 23, 2019. I was fortunate to chat with Mr. Graves prior to the release and get his thoughts on playwriting and how he came to become one.  My interview with EG expands upon the story of the man behind the play and what inspired hi...

"Your Digital Voice Matters" With so many voices out in the Internet space, it makes for a confusing and LOUD environment. The casual podcast surfer or YouTube searcher could be overwhelmed in mere moments. Who is worth listening to? Who is not? And if I feel I have a voice of my own, should I consider sharing that message with the world? Considering how many voices that are already out there? In...

As a writer, I tend to handle criticism and feedback quite well. Nothing ever gets to me. There's no negative press I can't manage; no scathing review I can't brush off as nothing more than white noise....  ...or I could just be lying to myself.  If you've ever written a story - especially something you feel strongly about - and had someone give you a negative reaction, you've probably felt like m...

David Ramos has been writing for years. He's published nearly two dozen books (thus far) and for his efforts, has built a small community of readers around him. He even has a new book on the way,  Magnetic Faith , due out in March of 2019.  But, David didn't just "fall into" publication. He sat down and made it happen. He learned what worked; he learned what didn't work. And let's be honest, he's...

Does music tell a story? This was a question I posed as the primer for my next interview with fellow creative, poet, and voice teacher, Mr. Loren Reash-Henz.  Loren and I connected at a book signing last year and as I've come to find out, Loren has a real penchant for all things music -  teaching, theory, its roots, and its expression. In this conversation, Loren and I sit down to talk about all t...

When it comes to using the term, "creative", I'm still a newbie. I happen to think I'm creative (I'm a writer, after all) so tying those two concepts together isn't a problem. When it comes to other creative types, I - like many others - tend to recognize someone for a single gift: making a craft, making music, writing, etc. These all make up the "creative" part of our persona. But is that all we...

It's hard to believe 2018 has already come and gone. So with 2019 here, it's time to do that age-old favorite: make a confession.  Wait, you mean resolutions, right? Well, not really. Whenever a new year comes around, we are quick to make lists of what we want to change in the year ahead. We make big - and small - life-altering goals that we hope and pray will come to fruition in the year ahead. A...

What is a digital footprint?  In part 3 of this "Pens of Steel" group discussion, we wrap up our conversation about digital voices and what each of us is doing in our pursuits to hone our unique digital footprints.  As this is part three, be sure to check out our earlier discussions (if you haven't already) by clicking the links below. Part 1: What Is A Digital Voice? Part 2: Competing In The Sea...

To bring in the new year, here's something a little different from The Writer's Lens. This episode deals entirely with soundbites from each of my various interviews. And though there are plenty of other good nuggets from the full interviews, these clips were pieced together around a common theme: what's it like to be a creative who is looking to hone his or her voice and garner an audience.  Perha...

The Lord of the Rings is a fantasy tale that has inspired millions. Its story of good versus evil transcends generations. And it uses rather unconventional forms to do it: with fictional beings like hobbits, dwarves, and elves.  But there are men and women in this fantasy too. And orcs. And goblins. And trees that talk and walk. And...racism? Wait...what?  Last month, I came across an article on t...

The Internet is a sea of voices and narratives.  In part 2 of this group discussion special, the Pens continue the dialogue on "what is a digital voice" - while transitioning into another frequently asked question: how do we compete with so many other messages? Should we be focused on beating other voices? Or should we just focus on our own message?  Jump back in with Part 2 and just in case you m...

Welcome to the Rise of Digital Voices!  In case you didn't already know, the Internet is FILLED with competing messages. Thanks to the onset of social media platforms, more people than ever have the ability to share their unique voice with the rest of the world. And in doing so, can create online communities where similar minds (and interests) can congregate. To share ideas. To share insights. To...

What does it do for us when we finish what we start? If you're the type of person that struggles with unfinished projects, then maybe you are in need of a morale boost. Or a gentle reminder of what you feel strongly about. Something to kickstart the juices and make it to the finish line.  Or perhaps on an even deeper level, maybe your unique message just isn't clear yet.  In my case, finishing a b...