In 1988, on mess duty aboard a Navy destroyer, a sailor named Davis taught me the sentence I still reach for whenever life stops making sense.

I waited years to start the things I cared about most, until two of the most productive people I know taught me to get it done first and make it good later.

Most people who say they want to write blame time. I think it's fear—and three things nobody explains until you've spent years figuring them out yourself.

If there is one activity that has vastly improved my life in multiple ways, it’s journaling. I’ve mentioned this to numerous people who’ve asked me for…

A great actor can transform a bit part into something amazing and memorable. That is why the acting great Stanislavsky said, “There are no small roles, only small actors.” The quote stood out for me in a passage when I recently read…

My friend, David Horne, occasionally writes a “Movie Lessons” segment for his blog. I love these and constantly nag him to write them more often. So, while I wait for…

I have a secret to share: I’ve been leading a double life. For many readers of this blog, I’m Christopher Laney, writer. But there’s another side to me…

Several years ago I drove to a friend’s mountain cabin near West Jefferson for ten days to get my novel jump-started. I’d dabbled…

In May 2009, I left a high-paying job to write a novel, and I’ve never regretted it one bit. Navigating the traditional publishing route—versus self-publishing—takes vast patience, but…

My music collection is eclectic. If there is one thing in life I strive to be, it’s well-rounded—of the mind that is, not the body. My favorite artist in that collection is…

Where Summer School began: writing a novel shook loose old memories, and four of them turned out to be lessons.

Some of you may have noticed a lag between posts recently, which may imply I’m not writing as much. Au contraire. Last week I wrote at least six hours a day, sometimes seven and eight. What am I spending so much time writing if not…