Moments in the Mist

Esteemed writer Brett Lott describes Flannery O’Connor as humble, and lifts her up as an example for Christian artists, I don’t know that I agree with his definition of humility. “Humble Flannery” lets her ideas speak for themselves, trying to separate her authorship from her stories. This might be considered humble. However, in her interactions with her fans, she is short and dismissive. It makes sense that Lott admires this, because he is the same way. In his anecdotes, particularly those about his students or mentees, he treats others (and writes about them) as if they are inferior to him. I find this frustrating. Although Lott is clearly experienced in his field, he need not treat others as if they are lesser. This is not a good example to other Christian authors. It is good to write humbly and not to cling to one’s ideas too tightly, but when one doesn’t act this way interpersonally, that work is undone. As much as I dislike Lott’s hypocritical essay on humility, I greatly appre...

This isn't a traditional blog post. This is the introduction to a paper that I am writing for my Honors class. I'm choosing to share it here because I rarely write an introduction that I am proud of. Normally, I write my introductions at the end of the writing process, when I have finally figured out what I am trying to say. But this time, I was so excited to share my ideas that this intro just happened. I chose to write on Locke and Rousseau for this paper. I hope you enjoy this example of a paper introduction: The way we view the things around us - ours, his, mine, hers, their - drastically impacts the way we live our lives. In the cultural west, we tend to stay in our own little corners. If we need or want something, we have to take action to get it, or at least make a case for why we should have it. If we have something that we don’t want, we give it to someone who offers us the most in return rather than the one who needs it the most. If we can get more than we need, we ...

To say that the publishing world has changed would be an understatement. We are arguably reading more, but we aren't reading in the same way. Audiobooks are more popular now than ever, and many writers who would like to write for print publication settle for internet publication. For those who want to sell their own writing as a career, it is difficult to make a living. But for those who simply want the world to see their writing, things are easier. If you are willing and privileged enough to make little or nothing for your work, it is easy to spread it around online, reaching an audience much more quickly than pre-internet authors. Although I enjoy writing, I don't see publishing for income as a priority. If I do write things that I want others to see, I don't feel the need to publish it in the traditional sense. Regardless of this fact, I would much rather be an editor than a writer. Due to the decline in traditional publishing, independent publishing has increased drama...

I have lived in many places during my 19 year existence. 1. A cottage in Aurora, OR (0-1). My parents lived here when I was born. 2. An apartment in Manila, Philippines (1-2). My parents were missionaries with an organization. 3. A house in Manila, Philippines (2-4). 4. An apartment in Wilsonville, OR (4-5). My parents decided that living and raising a child overseas was too stressful. 5. A house in Charlotte, NC (5-6). My dad worked at the mission base here. 6. Another house in Charlotte, NC (6-11). 7. A house in Wheaton, IL (11-13). My mom decided to get her PhD at Wheaton College. 8. A house in Oregon City, OR (13-16). My parents wanted to move back to where my dad grew up and where they met (this was the plan all along). 9. Another house in Oregon City, OR (16). My mom got a teaching job in Canada, so my family moved to Alberta. I stayed behind to finish my senior year. I moved in with friends. 10. Another house in Oregon City, OR (16-17). After living in my friend's...