Fits and Starts
embracing the new year
Welcome to my newest readers, fellow bibliophiles, and educators!
January has brought its wintry promise.
The mild winter months of November and December are gone. Chill winds finger their way around our windows and doorways. Yes indeed, the romantic notion of living in an old farmhouse has met the reality of an Arkansas winter.
At work, I’m bundled in my Swedish parka with its furry hood as I greet students on the carpool line. At home, Pippin, our tuxedo cat, and I enjoy watching the array of cardinals, juncos, and chickadees feed below our kitchen window as temperatures here drop to zero.
As I look at the writing year ahead, I am filled with gratitude for the support of my readership. One year ago, I moved my newsletter from my website to Substack. In 2016 when I first began writing in earnest, I had no idea that I would persist past one or two years. Seven years later, the numbers astound me. Over 150 articles, essays, newsletters are circulating on ye ol’ world wide web with my name stamped on them. I moved from free to paid writing (usually) in a dozen outlets and have so many ideas that my writing focus is often scattered as I begin pieces in fits and starts.
Thank You!
I have readers around the world, from Japan to Australia, from California to Maine. The most popular posts this year were A State of Siege, A Birth Announcement, and Learning to Read Aloud.
But I want to learn more about you, my readers. Would you help me with two polls as I begin the year? Substack limits the number of poll choices, so if you met me in a different way, simply drop a note in the comments. I have been curious about whether social media has ever brought a reader my way!
The second poll centers on the type of content I include in my newsletters. What interests you? What links do you find helpful? What would you like more or less of? I’m considering adding more book lists and workshop content on my website. Would you find that helpful?
Around the web
I’m rereading Gary Dorrien’s “Redeeming the Soul of America” today as our nation remembers the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. Dorrien writes,
To me, this story surpasses all other American stories because it is the passion narrative of our time. It crashed through my lower-class white world in my youth and put me on a very unlikely vocational path . . . This God-figure who responded to evil with self-sacrificing love provided a religious ideal, a sign of transcendence that broke through my everyday horizon of lower-class culture . . . Then the stunning witness of the civil rights movement similarly broke through, eventually melding in my thought and feeling with the cross of Christ.
The Consortium Journal of Classical Christian Education releases two volumes a year. The January volume centers on the theme of truth and includes my article, “Considering the Roots of Classical Christian Education.” This was initially a 45 minute keynote I gave in early June. I carefully cut 1000 words to pare it down to an 11 page article about Seneca and Christ.
On my desk
In mid-December I received an electrifying email from a West coast publishing house. The subject line read “Offer to Publish - The Humble Fig”!!!
After I calmed down and read the full email and all the attachments, I realized two strings were attached—I had to pay for my own developmental editor and a line editor. It wasn’t an automatic no. I did pray about it, asking God if this was the way this book would be birthed. It simply did not sit right with me.
That offer, though, pushed me to send three emails to experienced authors, one of whom offered feedback on my proposal. I am making revisions and submitting to a few more companies by February I hope. Please keep praying for my efforts and God’s plan in this. I am hopeful for my own Red Letter Day this spring!
On my nightstand
Chasing Vines by Beth Moore. Moore explores what it means to hold onto a fruitful life using parallels from her study of vineyards. Very conversational style blended with discussions of botany, soil, roots, pruning, etc.
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner. I’m considering it as a required summer read for the upper grades at my school. A Newbery Honor winner, the story is set in ancient times and centers on Eugenides, the queen's thief, a boy who can steal anything.
The Genesis of Gender by Abigail Favale. I bought it for myself for Christmas since I have continued to hear conversations about it since it released in 2022. I am 60 pages in. So far Favale has shared her journey through feminism and is dissecting the first part of Genesis. I remain intrigued and am taking notes.
Hello from Pippin!
Do take a poll or two and add some comments. I would love to hear from you!
Christine
All of your content is intriguing and expands my world!
I've had such a journey since we first met. So much has changed. I always find inspiration in the most unexpected places. Even within your newsletter I always find the inspiration, rest, and consolation in the most unexpected place. Thank you for writing!