The Good People Got On With Their Lives. A Short Story.

New story on Amazon. https://a.co/d/ccsHJb6

Some places feel wrong before you can explain why.

On a simple drive, Sarah and Tom pass through a town called Goodville—quiet and unsettling in a way that has nothing to do with what they can see. A single encounter leaves Sarah shaken, and the feeling follows them long after they put miles behind them.

At a roadside diner, a local named Ted begins to talk. What starts as conversation becomes something else: a portrait of a place where “goodness” is a rule, a ritual, and a justification—and where the cost of keeping life comfortable is paid by someone else.

The Good People Got On With Their Lives is a quiet, unnerving short story about moral certainty, social complicity, and the danger of calling something “normal” simply because it has always been that way. It doesn’t offer easy answers—only questions that linger.

“Echoes of the Criminal Mind” – a Thought-Provoking Read for Any Writer Wanting to Fine Tune Character Development – Especially Their Villains!

This book, “Echoes of the Criminal Mind” by Merle Davenport, scared me so much that not only did I decide staying home most of the time sounded like a mighty fine idea, but also, it is so effectively shocking that I am incorporating it into the curriculum for the Novel Writing class I teach at Tulsa Community College. Students and writers of all genres need to write authentic characters—especially villains. And who better to teach about the mind of a criminal, outside of an actual criminal, than Merle Davenport, who holds a Master’s degree in Education, done extensive research into Criminal Behavior, and has taught GED and reentry classes behind prison walls for 25 years. He is also the president of the Tulsa Night Writers – a community of writers in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with over 180 members.

“Echoes of the Criminal Mind” is organized not only around personal experiences (he tells many stories with dialogue that is unbelievably true) from Merle’s many years teaching prisoners, but also around explanations of fundamental (and shocking) characteristics of criminals and how to incorporate them into villains authentically. The last two chapters have charts for writers to use in building and assessing their villains, with examples of what that looks like. This book is brilliant. Merle’s magnum opus. I’m grateful that he wrote it, that I can use it to inspire writers to plumb the depths of character development, and even grateful that the words in it have me paying more attention in public as I go about my everyday life.

Thank you to Merle for his willingness to help us write our characters and villains, drawing on his wealth of experience and knowledge. Now, let’s get to writing our villains, folks … especially the anti-hero … because we do discover that some of them want to be good, but life happens. Ahhhh. You’ve got to read this book!

The Edutainer in Heaven

If money didn’t matter, I would still do precisely what I do now for a living. That is my first response to the ‘daily prompt,’ and it is sincere. I love what I do. Being a professor who facilitates student engagement and learning of communication skills through writing techniques, exploring creativity, and promoting critical thinking is a dream come true. I’m one blessed girl, and for as long as God has me doing this thing, I will do it to the utmost of my ability.

Now, while I do love being a professor, I confess that I have daydreams of living in the mountains – in a cabin tucked away in the woods. There must be a cedar wraparound deck that overlooks a clear mountain lake, lined with pine trees and surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The occasional fish should burst through the water and send ripples through still, quiet waters. The birds will soar overhead and tuck themselves into trees, where they nurture their young and sing their sweet songs, and I’ll guess at their conversations as they sing back and forth to one another across treetops. On my deck, I will sit in a comfy reclined chair, taking deep breaths, and allowing the fresh air, the scenery, the songs to fill every one of my senses. A table will be on my right, and there will sit a hot cup of peppermint mocha latte. My MacBook will be nestled in my lap, and I will write. I will write novels. I will write short stories. I will write poems. I will write how-to books. I will write songs. My dog will recline happily near the base of my chair, and we will pass the day away with no spoken words, only the stories in my soul making their way through my fingers and onto the page. The sound of a drill will break the silence from time to time, and I will smile, knowing my husband is nearby and doing what he loves as well. Building, creating, living every moment. We two, in the mountains, doing what we love. Ahhhh.

The daily prompt wants three possibilities – and I can do that. I also want to be a motivational speaker. What fun would that be?!?! For me? A lot of fun. To get to travel and do what I already do in the classroom, but for companies and organizations? Wow, are you kidding me? Heck yeah. And then, I could write a book or five about those subjects on which I love to motivate people! Like career education and the fact that everyone can be a writer! I could travel and do speaking engagements on the subjects I love, but also about the books that I’ve written … and I could also have that mountain cabin because this girl needs some downtime here and there. On personality tests, I’m 53% extroverted and, well, 47% introverted, so I’m middle of the road, and some days, I need quiet to recharge. Other days, I need a crowd of people to talk to. A microphone and a crowd and a lot of space because I am active in front of a group of people. That sounds like a heck ton of fun. Yes, please. Something happens to me when I’m in front of a crowd. I get funny, and my brain clears. It’s wild. One-on-one, I tend to fumble and cannot get my words out, but put me in front of a roomful of people, and I come alive. Absolutely alive. An ‘edutainer’ is what I like to call myself and what I do.

I love being a professor.

I love writing.

I love talking about what I’m passionate about.

Combining all of those things sounds like heaven.

Writer Interview: Me, Interviewed by a Former Student. Q&A.

What got you interested in writing?

My earliest memory of enjoying writing is Ms. Campbell’s English class in 6^th grade. One particular assignment was that she gave us a list of random words, and we had to write a short story that included each word. It has been 41 years, and I still smile when I remember that assignment. It was a challenge, and it inspired me. She is also the teacher who stirred my interest in reading. During 7^th grade, under her tutelage, I ventured into “Wuthering Heights,” and the rest is history. Ms. Campbell was my English teacher in 6^th, 7^th, and 10^th grades. She encouraged me. She pushed me. She challenged me.

Was there a specific moment when you realized you wanted to become a writer, and when was that?

Although I dabbled in writing a never-seen-the-light-of-day book during high school, it wasn’t until I was deep into my Master’s in Creative Writing that I submitted a memoir piece about something that scared me as a child, which I did. When the teacher, Craig Schneider, handed it back, he said, “You should get this published in a horror magazine.” THAT is a moment I will never forget. Who? Me? Horror? Oh my. It turned out to be my first published piece.

What have you done in your career as a writer?

In addition to teaching creative writing courses (Novel Writing, Introduction to Creative Writing, Poetry) and Composition courses, I enjoy writing on my blog. I have four published short stories (“The Devil’s Promenade,” “Full Moon,” “The Echo of Alone,” and “Mom in the Middle”), three novels, two of which are in current publication (“A Kiss in the Rain” and “The American Queen” – the third is “For Love of Words”), and two children’s books (“Not Real and Never Will Be” and “Giraffes are People, Too” with my daughter, Kennedy). This past year, I headed up the creation of a Writer’s Series that is housed in the TCC Library, in which I am blessed to interview authors, poets, publishers, and editors for TCC’s students. https://guides.library.tulsacc.edu/TCCwritersseries.

What do you do currently in your writing career?

Teach creative writing. Write on my blog when I can. https://lenazyslife.home.blog/. I have been making notes for a memoir on recovery and survival, which I will accomplish with Stonebrook Publishing (hopefully) sometime in the next two to three years. I also challenge students to improve their creative writing, so I talk about writing daily! I stay affiliated with the Tulsa Nightwriters, though I don’t attend as regularly as I should.

What is your favorite thing about writing?

Expressing my thoughts and feelings, they flow more smoothly through my fingers than they do my mouth. Unless I’m in front of a group of people, one-on-one talking ties my tongue; I’d rather have a keyboard and my fingers. I can write for others, and I can write for myself. It is an expression of what is deep inside me, either way.

What are the things you don’t like about writing?

That my fingers move faster than my mind sometimes because I get excited, and my fingers fly, and the squiggle lines occur in abundance on the screen! But I’m okay with letting them sit there. I’ve learned to let go and let the fingers fly. However, there’s a part of me that wants to slow down and beat the timed typing test every time.

What has been a challenge as a writer?

Initially, negative self-talk. Not thinking I had anything to say or to offer. Once I began my Master’s courses, peer review tested me and almost knocked me out of the game. I stuck it out, though, and I came to love peer review and workshopping. Understanding the vital necessity of critique to make the writing better. Through workshopping and peer review, I learned how to set my feelings aside and focus on making the writing its best.

What surprised you most about this career?

I don’t write for a career, so I cannot necessarily speak to that, but as for teaching creative writing, it brings me joy! That doesn’t surprise me, though. What surprises me is that 17 years ago, I was a stay-at-home mom and had been for the 12 years before that. I’d forgotten that I had a mind and how to use it. Now, to see myself as an Assistant Professor, Career Faculty Fellow, and President-Elect of the Faculty Association at my school is a dream. Something completely unexpected.

Any advice for someone considering a career in writing?

It’s not a quick way to wealth. That’s for sure. This is something we do for the love of writing and expression. This is something you do because you are passionate about it. You write whether you make money at it or not. In “On Writing,” Stephen King says he would write even if he didn’t make a dime at it because he is compelled to. I get that. I often feel compelled to write – like I have to write, or I will lose my mind. So … write … write so you don’t lose your mind. 

What does a typical day as a writer look like?

This one does not apply to me as much; I write when and where I can.

What does your writing process look like?

Before writing a larger work, I take notes on paper, getting to know my characters, giving them quirks, and dreaming up scenarios that might take them where I want them to go, although they’ll ultimately decide where they go on their own. When writing fiction, it is me and my laptop. I play instrumental music to match the mood of what needs to be written. When writing nonfiction, such as my blog, I write the piece in Word first, freewriting and then editing. Once completed, I copy and paste the piece into my blog. If I were to write a research paper, there is a whole other process that includes outlines and notecards, rough drafts, and peer reviews. So, the writing process is situation-dependent for me. Kind of hypocritical because I teach students one method for the writing process. But shhhhh.

How do you think AI will affect the writing field, and what are your thoughts on AI?

AI “hallucinates,” is what my friend Adam the Librarian told me, and I’ve seen it in essays “written” by students. AI is easy to spot. It fabricates quotes and attributes them to sources that they are not from. AI cannot write creatively. It cannot write conflict. It steals your voice if you allow it to edit your writing; it words things how you, the writer, would never dream of wording your pieces. It’s not you. It cannot be you. What you, the writer, have to offer is far better, more creative, and imaginative. I allow AI to help me with grammar and punctuation from time to time, especially when I’m doing the flying fingers thing, though I keep my own voice and style; I give the AI suggestions the boot. How will it affect the writing field … sadly, it can take the place of artistic writing voices and replace them with lack of imagination and dullsville writing. I hope more writers will avoid AI than will choose to use it. I will continue to do my own writing – good and bad.

Overall, do you think the internet has improved or worsened the writing field?

It has greatly improved opportunities for sharing your voice and publication; however, the field is oversaturated, which means that voices, if they get heard, don’t get much more than their 15 seconds of fame. It’s the same in music and art. We are oversaturated, and because of that, it isn’t easy to stand out. Push, though, don’t stop. Keep going because you love it. Write because you’re compelled to. I am not fully answering the question, so back on track … in the sense that there are more opportunities, this is a vast improvement. However, those same opportunities have saturated the writing field with overwhelming amounts of poor writing.

Does location (the state you live in) matter when looking for jobs in writing?

I’m a college professor, not a full-time writer, so I’m making an educated guess, but I would think that states with large cities would offer more opportunities.

Is writing a fairly flexible job, as far as having an independently made schedule, juggling a family, and other things in life?

It depends on what variation of writing you’re involved with. Are you a freelancer? Are you a blogger? Are you a reporter? The answer to this is also dependent on the person. Go-getter? Get-by-er? Personally, as a college professor, I have time for writing when it isn’t a day of nose-to-the-grindstone essay grading. My schedule is fairly flexible, allowing me to find moments here and there to pour out my thoughts on a keyboard. But speaking to writing as a job, again, that’s not something I can fully speak to.

What is something most people don’t know about careers in writing?

That not everyone can be Stephen King. Each semester that I teach Novel Writing, students come with high expectations of publication and living that writer life, and then I give them writing assignments that have about half of them second-guessing their life choices. In my world, these are not challenging assignments, but for those who underestimate the amount of thought and planning that goes into even beginning the work, it can be daunting. Writing takes thought, planning, and determination. It takes the ability to push through, have thick skin, and care less. It takes understanding that editing is the magic and the work, and you cannot expect to write anything well right out of the gate. There is work involved. Also, people have no idea how much work a writer like Stephen King puts into the novels that decorate our shelves. He has a strict process, thick skin, and determination. He also has an author, who King says, will not let him be Stephen King.

What are good skills to have as a writer?

Beyond skills, having an open mind, a creative and curious spirit, a love of language and communicating ideas, and determination are essential. As far as skills, at minimum a decent command of vocabulary and grammar/punctuation, plus the ability to use tools such as Hemingway Editor without letting it change your voice. Computer skills are imperative. The ability to use Word or Google Docs, or a desire to learn how to do it, and the stubbornness to figure it out for yourself. I had a ‘learn it or else’ attitude with myself, and it paid off when it came to formatting a manuscript, which I had had no prior knowledge of how to do. I am self-taught – that stubborn determination got me there. Also, and this is essential, the skill to participate in peer review—to accept feedback from others and be willing to edit your work, putting the benefit of the work above your feelings. My husband frequently says, “F*&^ your feelings,” and he’s not wrong.

Can you describe writer’s block and how you deal with it?

Writer’s block, schmiter’s block. You have writer’s block? Write about it. Write about how it feels. Write about the frustration. Be raw in your description … let the anguish out. Say it all. Say things no one else will. We all have these pent-up irritations like “writer’s block,” so write it all out. Write about what it feels like to be blocked, to be stunted, to be held back, even by yourself … and then, once the “writer’s block” loosens, which it will, give all of that emotional gunk to one of your characters! Because, hey, characters need to get stuck in their thoughts, too. Use your “writer’s block” to push yourself to better descriptions and characters built out of authenticity that pours out of your own negative experience. Heck yeah. No more excuses. No more “writer’s block.”

Are you working on any books or writing projects right now?

Yes. I have a lot of pre-work completed. Somewhere around 50,000 words of pre-work. That writing is a fictionalized account of my life story because, at the time I wrote it, it was too personal, and I needed to separate myself from it. So … fiction. Now, an intense year and a half of growth, open heart surgery, and healing has passed, and I have new eyes with which to view my own story. It has grown and changed in my heart, and it will now be more than a description of surviving abuse; it will now be a focus on recovery and living life to its fullest despite the past. I have notes. I have ideas. I’m constantly mulling it over, and I have a potential path toward publication. Timing is essential, and the day is just not right yet to get fully started on my memoir. I aim to achieve this feat within the next three years. Additionally, I have considered creating a writing textbook for my Comp II courses, which is also on the burner. Not necessarily the back burner, but it is behind the memoir.

Writing on my blog is a fairly regular occurrence, so that doesn’t fall in this answer/category. Every time I hear of a writing contest, my ears perk up, and I think, I could do that! And then, it’s time to grade papers ….

Any advice or resources when narrowing down and deciding career paths?

Find what you’re passionate about and pursue that.

When you do what you love for a living, you never work a day.

Those are cliché sayings, but they’re true. I live them. Every day.

Brands and Boots I Identify With

Giving an answer to what brands I identify with is easy. Those that flash to mind are Ariat, Dan Post, Shyanne, and J. B. Dillon. These are bootmakers, and I love boots. Western boots, not fancy, swanky dress boots. No, I wear Western, cowboy, and cowgirl boots. Whatever you want to call them. Personally, I just call them boots, and I have 37 pairs. Not bragging; I realize that is a bit extreme. Facts are facts, though, and I do indeed have 37 pairs of boots. Actually, I brought home 2 more pairs yesterday after shopping with two of my dearest friends, who each bought me a pair of boots for my upcoming birthday with their BOGO discounts at a shoe store. Woot! My husband bought me a beautiful pair of Ariat boots for my upcoming birthday as well, but I have not worn them yet. They’re on a shelf smiling at me each time I pass them, and my feet cannot wait to slip inside them on my birthday.

Now that I think of it, and I’m not a mathematician, I may have 39 pairs of boots; I’m going to have to catalog them. First-world problems here. Not sorry, though. I love them. We all, well, maybe not everyone, but I’m going to say it anyway… we all collect something. For me, it’s boots. I have a variety of colors and styles, different toes and heights of shafts and heels. Every evening, I select my clothes for the next day and stand in my room, deciding which pair of boots to wear with my chosen outfit. Sometimes, there’s a pair of boots I really want to wear, and I plan my outfit around them. I love it. My husband spoils me … he has just as many cowboy hats as I have boots. Our house looks like you’ve entered Boot Barn because hats hang all around, and we have shelving for boots as decorations when they’re not being worn. I never thought I could have a closet that decorates my home – but here I am living that boot life. It is good.

There are other brands of boots like Circle G, Lucchese, Tony Lama, Justin, Laredo, Durango, Corral, Free People, Rank 45, Miranda Lambert, Twisted X, etc. – and they’re all fine and dandy for other folks, but not for this girl’s feet. I’ve tried. I worked at Book Barn when it was Drysdales and in the boot department. You better believe that when we were slow, I tried on boots. I found what fit, and I haven’t looked back. I did try to love Corral because they’re so dad gum pretty, but my feet do not love Corral. They’re made for looks, not comfort. Ariat, though … girl. Those are like walking on clouds. Ahhhhhh.

I highly recommend that if you haven’t tried wearing boots, get a pair. Give them a try, but make sure to start with one of my favorite brands first – specifically Ariat. You’re welcome. 🙂

Gynotykolobomassophile

This, and no other, is my favorite word. When we discuss unfamiliar terms in my Composition courses, I inevitably throw this word into the mix, and students must try to figure out the word without looking it up. Hilarious.

I like to look around the room and pick on a student or two by saying, “Maybe you are one?” And then, everyone really wants to know what the word means.

The point of the ‘lesson’ is that you cannot use terms that are unfamiliar to your audience and expect to get your message across. The responsibility is on you to detect words in your writing that might cause a reader to stop, be pulled out of the reading, be confused, be embarrassed, be mortified, or whatever emotion they might feel. Unfamiliar terms are stop signs in an argument for most readers and listeners, though some will pause, look up the word, add it to their own vocabulary, and enjoy feeling just that bit more intelligent. I try to be one of the latter types of readers/listeners.

By the way, for those of you wondering, a Gynotykolobomassophile is …. drumroll … someone who likes to nibble on a woman’s earlobe. Bada-dum.

I found it on a Balderdash game card, and I fell in love with the word; I even used it in my book “For Love of Words,” which I need to get republished. When there’s time …

Continuous Writing – From “I Can’t” to “I Can”

“I can’t write,” “I hate to write,” “I’m not a good writer,” “I don’t know what to write,” “Writing is hard.” These are all phrases I hear from students and people out and about in the world I bumble around inside, especially when those folks discover my occupation. “Oh, you’re an English Professor; I better clean up the way I talk,” or “I’d do terrible in that class; I can’t write,” they say apologetically and with much insecurity. Without fail, I say, “Oh please, anyone can be a writer, and if you took my class, I’d prove it to you.”

Anyone can be a writer. I believe that. In “On Writing,” Stephen King said, “Take any noun, put it with any verb, and you have a sentence. It never fails. Rocks explode. Jane transmits. Mountains float.” Wa-la, you’re writing. At its core, it’s not that complicated. You have thoughts. Write them down. Do you have more thoughts? Write those down too. You have no thoughts? Write that down. Write whatever is in your head. Write about having nothing in your head. I’m getting ahead of myself. Most folks, when told it’s time to write, absolutely freeze. Freeze or internally weep. Our problem is that somewhere along the way, someone said something that caused you to feel inadequate. And that inadequacy turned into the lies we tell ourselves about ourselves in the form of “I can’t,” which becomes “I won’t.”

I address this in my classes by talking about Word Vomit. As I talk about letting whatever is in your mind and your heart flood the page, a baby spews on the presentation screen behind me. The visual “helps” the students get this idea of word vomit into their heads. Spill yourself onto the paper before you or the keyboard in front of you, whichever it is. They’ll never forget that baby! Chuck Wendig, a writer and blogger I enjoy, calls it, in his article “25 of My Personal Rules for Writing and Telling Stories,” “Bleeding on the Page.” When I discuss his angle on continuous writing with the students, there’s a bloody spill on the screen behind me; in his article, he says to cut yourself open and color your words with your heartsblood! Here, he says it best:

“Don’t write purely to escape pain and fear. Mine it. Extract those wretched little nuggets of hard black hate-coal and use them to fuel the writing of a scene, a chapter, maybe the whole goddamn book. Cut yourself open. Color the words with your heartsblood. I am an advocate of finding the things you fear and opening old wounds to let them splash onto the characters and inform the tale at hand. We’ll know. We’ll feel it, too. This is where your experience matters — it’s not necessarily in the nitty-gritty of mechanical experience but rather in the authenticity of your emotional life. And this is true for the opposite, as well — write about the things that thrill you, that stir hope, that deliver unto you paroxysms of tingly exultation. Be true to yourself and we’ll all grok your lingo, Daddy-O.”

Bleed on the page. Word Vomit. Imagery does wonders for belief. Any of us can pour ourselves out in freewriting—absolutely anyone. My friend, Dr. Douglas Price – the Director of Faculty Development and Global Learning at Tulsa Community College- has recently developed a tool for continuous writing that he and another friend of mine, Professor Amy Rains, are fine-tuning and collecting data on. They received a DaVinci Institute award for their work this past year. Since then, I have gleefully welcomed Dr. Price to my classrooms to share his insights and incredible tool, which assists students in continuous writing – and beyond that, continuous thought.

The practice is continuous writing, without stopping, just letting words and thoughts flow. If you get “stuck” in the writing, have a keyword to fall back on and write that word continuously until a new idea pops into your mind, which you will then write and keep going! Something I like to do is write about being stuck, if I get stuck. When I have had “writer’s block,” I’ve written about it—the feelings involved, the frustration, the despair … and then I have some golden, authentic emotions I can give to a character at another time. Writing our authentic internal thoughts is excellent for multiple reasons: it teaches us to keep going, it frees us to stop worrying about what others will think, it shakes us clear of concern about mistakes and editing. Just write. No stopping. Go. Go. Go. Get it out. Write without stopping; we practice this in freewriting, rough draft writing, journaling, anywhere you need to get words from your head onto a page.

Dr. Price visited my classrooms this week, and we, the students and I (because I love to participate along with them), practiced Dr. Price’s tool for continuous writing. During this visit, he specifically had us focus on comparisons. Take two words that have nothing to do with one another and see where your mind takes you as you continuously write. No stopping, just writing, and if you get stuck, write about it, or use a keyword to repeat until a new thought appears.

What follows are my freewriting examples from our exercises. I’m pleased with the results, as were the students pleased with their own. All of these students, who weeks ago, before my class, and the words from King, Wendig, and me, along with Dr. Price’s two visits to the classroom, used to say, “I can’t,” which meant, “I won’t.” Now … they can, and they have, and they will.

Nametag & Parachute

They found it on the ground, not far from the parachute. Her nametag. It lay in the mud, surrounded by remnants of this and that, things unmentionable due to the tragedy of the accident. The parachute had not opened … and she plummeted to her death. The newspaper would tell all the details, but for now, standing in the midst of it, the coroner just stared at the nametag. Chelsea. Her name was Chelsea Street. A young woman, it appeared. Probably full of life and laughter, excited to jump from a plane for the first time. Or maybe she was an expert and had done this many times, only this time, the chute did not open. Time would reveal that information to the CSI team, but the coroner’s job at this moment was to observe the body, so she took her attention from the nametag which was an embroidered piece of fabric that still semi-clung to the jacket that lay a few feet from where Chelsea’s body lay indented into the ground.

“Sandy, take a look at this,” said a young man crouched near the body. His name was Dan, and he was her newest assistant. Most didn’t stay with her long; she didn’t understand why, but she had come to accept the revolving door.

Sandy stepped closer to the body, and she looked down at the woman whose life had tragically ended that morning. How did this happen, Chelsea? Did the chute not open as it should? She waited and, before long, Chelsea spoke to her only in a voice no one could hear but her. “I didn’t open it.” The coroner heard the words, let them sink in a moment, and asked, “You did this on purpose?” Chelsea replied, “Yes.” And Sandy knew the CSI would find no flaws in the chute.

Snail & Dumpster

It was a long way to the top, but Herbert kept going. He knew the ‘promised land’ would await him once he reached the top. He had heard about the inside of the giant thing from some flies that he knew, though his parents told him not to associate with the flies. They were bad seeds, his dad said. But Herbie wanted to find out what was on the other side, or even better, on the inside of the giant thing. One of the flies had called it a dumpster; Herbie had seen it plenty of times but never knew its name. It was unmentionable. Something his parents ignored, even though it was larger than life.

Stick to the rocks. Stick to the shoreline. Don’t go on the concrete. Don’t go where the people go. Stay safe. Herbie didn’t want to play it safely. He tried to “LIVE.” You know, like the flies. He wished he had wings instead of this shell. Being a snail restrained him. He didn’t like carrying around the weight of his room all day, every day. He wanted to sprout wings and be a fly, though he heard that snails lived longer than flies, so there was that. But heck, even in their short lives, they got to see things that snails never did … and so, that morning, Herbert had kissed his mother and told her he was going to snail school, only he didn’t go. He made his way to the concrete and slowly took his first slide onto the hard surface, not knowing how it would feel. It wasn’t so bad, so he kept going, and before long, though the sun had fully changed positions, he looked up and saw the giant dumpster before him. It was even bigger up close, and his heart swelled with excitement. At the top, he saw flies flying around, doing what they do, and he tried calling out, “Hey, guys! Hey, flies!” But no one heard him, so he found a spot where he could begin his climb, and Herbie began edging upward. So far. At some point, a fly noticed him and whizzed past him …

Cauliflower & Guitar

He strummed the guitar no more than five feet from me. The music was soft, and I was sleepy. I needed to wake up. Something, anything. And then, my food arrived. So grateful for something to do – you know, feed my face. And … there was cauliflower on my plate next to my steak. I did not order cauliflower. Gross. It’s one of the nastiest substances on this planet; I will not eat it. But I don’t want to cause a scene. This place is quiet except for the lullaby floating around in the space from that man’s infernal guitar. He plays on and on, and I think this concert is for senior citizens.

Looking around, no, there aren’t any of those here, but I seem to be the only person squirming in my seat because the music is so dull! My husband seems content with the food on his plate. His steak and broccoli sit there ready to become one with him, as they usually do when he orders them. It’s a routine, and he is happy. But they gave me cauliflower. Ugh. I can’t eat it anyway – even if I wanted to. Which I don’t. So … what to do with it? Everyone is distracted here. No one is paying attention to me. I wonder … I could break the cauliflower into little pieces and try to toss it inside the guitar. He’s only 5 feet away … I bet I could make it. I’m a basketball player after all. Naturally, I will think of making a basket!

Boat & Cello

My favorite piece of music is “The River Flows in You” – especially when done by Hauser, a member of the group 2 Cellos. His video for “The River Flowers in You” is filmed in a boat on a river, and he beautifully plays the melody on his cello. It is mournful, almost, and the setting sweeps me into emotional flow every time I hear it. It seeps into every fiber of my being, and I am on that river, not with Hauser, but alone … I am there, and I am sad, and I am content. I am hopeful, and I am relaxed, and I am mourning … so many things all wrapped up as the music soars through me and the water gently moves me along. They work in tandem with one another – I lie back in the boat and float on a sea of emotion, but gentle emotion, taking me to a place of serenity where I can be open and free and not have worries or concerns. It is a release, and I long for that at all times. I will play “The River Flows in You” with intent from time to time because I need that music. I need that song … in cello, and I remember the river. I am in that boat, and Hauser plays the melody, and I drift … drifting, drifting … ever down the river of emotion but gentle emotion, soft and sweet, though a tint of mournfulness because Life is serious … Life is to be lived and we are to rest and we are to exult and we are to be in the moment, and in this moment, I am all of those things. I want to be in this boat …

Curtain & Trees

She pulled back the curtains to let in the day. The morning light spilled in and lit the room. Her eyes adjusted, and she flipped the latch to unlock the window. She heaved because the window was heavy and opened it, allowing the fresh morning air to rush into her bedroom. Ahhhhhh. The morning. There is nothing like morning. Nothing smells like morning. Especially here in the mountains. She smiled and looked out of the window at the forest surrounding her cabin. The mountain rose in the distance beyond the trees, and a few hawks circled above it all. She wanted to be nowhere but right here. A day lay ahead of her where she would play in the sunshine, wander through the trees, explore the base of the mountain, and perhaps skip rocks on the river. No pressure. No worries. No concerns. No sounds just birds, water trickling, and a car’s tires on gravel … Wait, that’s not the sound she should hear. The sound grew louder, and a car came into view – coming down the gravel drive set between dark rows of trees that overhung the simple road. It was her grandfather’s truck, and she wasn’t ready for his bellowing. Maybe she could pretend to be asleep. He’d get what he needed and leave. She pulled the curtains closed a bit and hid behind one of them, hoping he hadn’t seen her in the window. She was not in the mood to listen to any of his stories or help him hunt for this or for that that he left in the kitchen or the garage. It was always something. At those thoughts, she chided herself. He meant well. He always meant well. It wasn’t his fault that he had no volume level other than loud. Bless his heart. He’s hard of hearing … she pulled herself together, slipped on her flip-flops …

Mirror & Trains

She glanced in the mirror and adjusted her hair. A few strands were loosened from the wind outside near the train stop. She wanted to be presentable. No, she needed to be presentable. It has been two years since she last saw him. How has time flown like that? It is cruel, time. She saw the lines in her face were deeper, and she hoped he wouldn’t notice. She hoped that when he saw her, his eyes would light up and time would disappear. She kept looking at herself in the mirror and wondered how life had brought them to this space – to be so distant but love so hard. It was also cruel. Life. The mirror. All of it. He had to take a train. Trains make so many stops, and the time stretches far beyond what a plane ride would take. Even what a car would produce. And so, it was the train, and time is cruel. She wiped a piece of loose mascara from near her eye and took a deep breath. Two years. Okay. You can do this. Her heart raced. Her hands were a bundle of nerves. She hoped he was just as anxious to see her, but she also didn’t wish feeling this anxiety on him, hoping he was happy and on an adventure. Who knows what they would do with their time? She hadn’t made a plan. She wanted whatever time they had together to be spontaneous. She left the restroom and made her way to the train platform outside, again in the wind, and the strands of hair she had corrected chose their own freedom and flew with wild abandonment in the air. The train whistle sounded, and she stared down the track … hoping this was his train! But another train whizzed past. Not stopping. Ah, the anxiety. And then, another train came into view … and she prayed this was the one. It was time. It was time, ten minutes ago, but that time is cruel … and so, she waited. She watched, and the train came to a stop. Passengers filed off, and she strained to see him. Desperate to see him, but he wasn’t there. Where was he? Person after person filed past her, and her heart sank. Maybe he had decided not to come. He didn’t want to see her after all. Her hopes dashed, but she understood. She understood that he hadn’t desired to prioritize her in his life after she had left all those years ago.

Why would he? She understood. She crossed her arms, rubbed her hands against her skin, and sighed. Deeply. No one else remained to come off the train, and she turned to walk back into the sanctuary of the bustling train station, where she could disappear into the people and not be noticed in her sorrow and shame. Out in the air, on the platform, she felt a neon sign flashing above her saying, “Look at that mother who left her son years ago! She doesn’t deserve his love!” But you don’t know my story, she wanted to shout back at the sign and the people and the air.

Career Advice from 72 Students in Mrs. C’s Comp II Courses – Spring 2025.

The assignment was “Consider life up to this point and what Career Advice you have encountered. Write an essay in which you determine the most helpful advice you’ve received – whether it was spoken to you, or you read it somewhere/heard it in a TED Talk, etc. Come up with three pieces of advice that have been helpful. You will share about these in 1,250 words – keeping the most helpful as the third main point of the essay.”

It was essay #1, which assesses where Comp II students stand with writing skills and proficiency before the course is fully underway. It establishes for me, the Professor, where we are beginning and gives me the information necessary to know how best to proceed as I keep course outcomes and my goals for student achievement at the forefront.

The outcome of this writing assignment, which spread over five Comp II courses, astounded me. Seventy-two students wrote passionately about the career and life advice they’d been given by parents, employers, coworkers, books, articles, mentors, singers, TEDx presentations, video games, friends, etc., how the advice affected them, and how it could benefit others. After several essays, I decided to track the collected advice in one document – one I could share with the students after I completed grading all five classes. I expected it to be a couple of pages, maybe three, with most advice being repetitive that I would combine to save space. This is NOT what occurred. The result of this collection of career advice is incredible! For the most part, student after student wrote out unique and equally valuable career and life advice, and according to Word, it is eight pages long in its single-spaced and bulleted format. .5” margins. Garamond font. 12 pt. Over 4,400 words of career advice. These are in no particular order. Nuggets of golden advice exist throughout – and for each of us, what a golden nugget is could be different. That’s the beauty of it and why I’m sharing it.

“The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself” (Oscar Wilde).

For anonymity’s sake, the student’s names are not shared, but if any of the advice contained in this document is helpful and something you’d like to quote elsewhere, here is a Works Cited page citation suggestion.

Cunningham, D. L. (2025, January 31). Career Advice – Collection of Student Insight from 72 Essays in Mrs. Cunningham’s Comp II Courses – Spring 2025.

Career Advice from 72 Students in Professor C’s Comp II Courses – Spring 2025.

Keep track of everything you try and what you accomplish.
Figure out what values are most significant to you.
Give yourself the space to change.
Let yourself try different jobs, experiment with different hobbies, and make each situation you face a learning experience.
Surround yourself with a community.
Make sure to serve others.
Make a difference in the lives of other people.
Find meaning in your job every day.
Don’t get too comfortable; be patient because nothing is permanent.
There is always an opportunity for things to get either extremely good or extremely bad. Nevertheless, trying to make things good instead of bad is important.
Work hard.
Be patient when life gets hard.
Do what you love.
Keep smiling even through the tough times.
Be confident, and who cares what people think or say?
You are the only one who can accomplish your goals.
People can hear a smile. I may have the worst migraine and little to no sleep, but I will be smiling. It makes your day so much better. Life is hard; the last thing we need is to make it worse with a bad attitude and a frown on our face. Just keep smiling!
Don’t be afraid to say yes.
Progress is the killer of success.
Hard work beats talent.
Retire early.
Make a ton of money.
Love what you do.
Take it all in and prioritize my well-being.
Accept feedback and criticism.
Avoid being paralyzed by fear.
Set goals.
Focus on your own position.
Never let your mistakes define you.
Prioritize a work-life balance.
Be open to change.
Find passion in even the mundane tasks of work.
Pay attention to your outward appearance, personal performance, and overall presentability.
Be on time. This is paramount to respect and success. Being on time and present at practice, school, work, and any other activity proves that you respect your superiors and yourself.
Prepare for retirement early.
Strive for excellence in everything you do professionally.
Embrace the “work hard, play hard” mentality.
“Your fear of looking stupid is holding you back” (SZA).
“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
Embrace your uniqueness.
How you dress is how people see you. Therefore, at your job, you should use every day to dress your best.
Treat every customer like they are the boss undercover.
Show a willingness to help and take on tasks, even when I don’t feel like it, and approach my work urgently.
Control your face and your emotions.
I am replaceable, and many people want my job, so I must always be at my best, no matter the circumstances.
When you communicate effectively, it demonstrates to your boss that you are mature, reliable, and capable of working independently.
Finding a balance between work and personal life is essential for career success.
Be able to accept feedback and take it. This shows open-mindedness and maturity.
Be positive, do your job, and do your best.
Always strive to be a great employee.
Create a meticulous schedule (meaning done perfectly and with great scrutiny towards every element).
Do tasks for my boss that they did not ask me to do.
Ask myself, “Why not me?”
Use every bit of spare time during your workday to your advantage.
“Take a gamble that love exists and do a loving act” (Red Dead Redemption 2).
“Sometimes life is like this tunnel; you can’t always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you just keep moving, you will come to a better place” (Avatar).
“After all, tomorrow is another day” (Gone with the Wind).
Make sure you make a good first impression.
Have good communication skills.
Find a job you will enjoy.
Do not compare yourself to others.
If you say you will do something, do it.
Contribute your best efforts to every project.
Maintain a positive and healthy work environment.
Find a true passion for what you do.
Plan things before you do them, stay organized, and remain focused on the task.
Never doubt themselves in anything that they do, no matter what.
Show and do my best no matter what the situation is.
Make sure I have everything ready for the next day.
Even a bad day can be turned around and flipped upside down.
Never let someone else get me down because of their bad attitude.
Understand that your strengths in the workforce is key for both personal growth and professional accomplishment.
When searching for a career, being flexible opens opportunities, unlocks new skill sets, and can sometimes provide an outlook on professional approaches to situations.
Why not learn different skills, such as electrical work, plumbing, people skills, technology, etc., even though this might not be your career choice? Growing your knowledge of many skills helps expand opportunities.
Make meaningful connections; this is especially important because, like professional flexibility, relationships often open doors to opportunities that are not advertised or widely known.
There is no shame in asking for help; it’s how we learn and grow.
Developing a solid work ethic benefits my education and leaves a lasting impression on professors, employers, and peers.
Always tell the truth.
Take initiative, even when it’s not explicitly required.
Have a good work ethic.
Find a job that pays well.
Do what you love; this is crucial.
Arrive on time; this is vital for a job as it shows a good work ethic and desire to work. Showing up late not only indicates a poor work ethic but also shows a lack of responsibility. Get to your job ten to twenty minutes early. This has helped me never be late for work.
Don’t have your nose glued to your phone. It looks bad on you and is destructive to the company. I started using this perspective at my job and avoided using my phone in front of customers to save the company’s reputation. This advice can help students understand that what you do at your job also reflects your company.
Steve Jobs once said, “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do” (Jobs).
Make sure I am always the first one there and the last one to leave.
Work smarter, not harder.
Always put pride in everything I do.
Do not jump into anything right away; you have time to consider, so take your time.
Try to find something with a happy pay medium and personal fulfillment.
Do NOT let a paycheck decide your future.
In taking time to learn more about yourself and explore the different aspects of different careers, you can set yourself up to succeed in an environment that you have selected based on your knowledge of yourself.
Talk through demanding situations.
Work efficiently and effectively.
Prioritize work first.
“Pain creates memory.”
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
“If those other dummies can do it, so can you.” If you won’t believe in yourself, no one can believe in you. So quit being a normal ‘dummy’ and go be the better you. The you that achieves your dreams and goals without fear.
“The only thing you can control is your attitude and your effort, and the only people you need are your family and God; those are the constant things in your life.”
If my attitude is preset on being negative and I am already doubting my intelligence, I have just set the stage for myself to fail.
Work every day like people are lined up for your position.
Be the employee you would love to have on your team if you were a business owner.
Pursue the career that I truly desire. A career worth having will serve the spirit.
Prepare for interviews ahead of time by preparing questions, showing up early, and being put together.
Continue to work hard and push for more.
Every one of us only has ourselves; nobody else will wake up looking through your eyes, feeling with your heart, or cuddling with your teddy bear…hopefully. Live your life for you.
Work to live. Do not live to work. Your entire life cannot revolve around your job. Work to earn money so you can live. Do not live a lifestyle that solely centers around your job.
Find a job I love.
Show up to work prepared punctually.
Resist the criticism of those who do not have your best interests at heart. Value and accept the criticism of those who do have your best interests at heart.
Cultivate professional relationships. It’s important to know who you surround yourself with. The people around you can change your life completely, so choose wisely.
Maintain perseverance and passion in my chosen field.
It is crucial to surround oneself with individual friends or mentors who encourage growth and display no envy.
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.” – Calvin Coolidge.
Discipline and respect are key to success. Be considerate of how your actions impact other people.
Discipline is still showing respect when you are disrespected. Other people show their character by how they act, and having discipline is keeping your character the same when you are disrespected.
Life is hard; get a helmet.
Let go or be dragged down. People will always do things that hurt you or something that you would never do to them, but you must realize that they chose to do that, not you. You must rise above and let it go.
“People think of education as something they can finish.”
“No one is coming to save you.”
“The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart.”
Show up early.
Explore opportunities.
Find a work/life balance from personal experience or the lives of people I hope to mirror.
At an interview, be mindful of your mannerisms, words, and how you dress. The employer does not know you yet so that they will judge based on the first impression.
Understanding a company’s values can help answer questions like “How would you best fit in this role?” or “Why would you be good for this job?”
Always value your time over money.
Get out of your comfort zone to learn new things.
Do something you love if you must do it 40 hours a week.
Kindness and compromise will take you a long way.
Work hard and compete, and you will be successful in life.
Never be afraid to chase your dreams.
Always be confident.
Set goals on how to measure your success.
Learn to forgive your mistakes. Learning from your mistakes gives you the opportunity for self-reflection.
Always give one hundred and ten percent and work hard at the task you receive.
Always treat your employer with respect, and they will respect you.
Pick something I love doing and make good money while doing it.
Start work at a young age.
Participate in continuous learning.
Good integrity is the best way to build trust in any profession.
Practice interviews.
Be persistent in getting your prospective employer’s attention. After applying, send follow-up calls to ensure the hiring manager knows your name and confirms that they will check your application. Two weeks of applications and calls and eventually a walk-in got me an interview and the job all on the same day.
Review and adhere to policy. Ignore anyone who tells you, “Oh, we don’t have to do that,” because they will never be promoted to anything more than a base-level employee. Read and ask questions to best understand the company you work for and its specific ways of working.
Show up and express yourself to others.
Show up early.
Have all your equipment.
Be friendly to others.
Be aware of how you hold yourself on the field and in the dugout.
Work Ethics involves what you do behind the scenes, such as working extra hours and doing the right thing when no one is there to hold you accountable.
Work Ethics are something you should never be satisfied with.
Dress to impress.
Find purpose in what I do.
Always do my best.
Never expect perfection from any job.
Keep your work life and personal life separate.
Find your why in the job. Remember why you wanted this, and when you feel like giving up, go back to that reason.
Work harder than everyone else because having a good work ethic is key to gaining
respect from others.
Choose a career path that aligns with your passions and interests.
Do not let the fear of failing stop you from pursuing your hopes and dreams.
Treat others how you want to be treated.
Pursue your calling, even if it pushes you out of your comfort zone.
Be a thermostat, not a thermometer. Like a thermostat, you can change the temperature of a room, but don’t be a thermometer and let the room’s temperature change you. My attitude can change a room; I am a thermostat.
No matter what others say or do, how I respond is the only thing that matters.
Choose a career that means something to you; it should be based on your passions.
Keep learning something new and try making yourself look better than other candidates.
Your resume should highlight your strengths and weaknesses and have good references.
Be open to change.
Develop soft skills.
Track achievements that have proven relevant to life and beneficial for a career.
Clear and effective communication promotes collaboration and correctly transfers ideas and goals between people.
Seek regular feedback and reflect on past experiences.
Maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Seek continuous learning.
Learn from past failures.
Proper preparation prevents poor performance.
Grit is a common component in the lives of some of the most successful people in athletics and beyond. Grit can be defined as “never giving up, grinding through adversity, finding a way to make it happen, and not leaning into excuses.”
Nothing can replace good ol’ sweat equity and earning opportunity the old-fashioned way, which is outworking everybody else. I may not be the most gifted or the most talented, and that’s ok, but there’s never an excuse to be outworked.
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
“If you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life.”
“Learn to love to practice” and “fall in love with the process” of being exceptional.
Be as efficient as possible.
Volunteer in the industry in which you’d like to work.
Be able to get the best grades possible.
Say it is not impossible and set about making it happen.
Be punctual.
Work hard and give your best effort.
Maintain integrity and a strong character.
Always be knowledgeable about the company or organization that you wish to work for.
Understand that honesty is key.
The connections I make will get me ahead of the game.
Learn to think on your feet.
Prepare for anything that can be thrown your way.
Pay attention to detail.
Do the work with silent integrity.
Willingness over capability, because everyone is capable, but not everyone is willing.
If you don’t believe you are something or at least have the potential to be, no one will.
You have to be a champion before you get to become a champion.
“One cannot teach unless he himself is still learning.”- Confucius.
“If money didn’t exist, what would you do with your day?” Some folks would say something similar to “sit around and play video games all day.” Don’t be that person. How would you contribute to society? To Nature? To your family/community? Take whatever it is and pursue a career with it. I’d garden and raise animals and live self-sufficiently.
Be willing to go the extra mile to validate yourself and set yourself apart from your competition.
Finish school.
Go to trade school or take the college route.
Live the life of your dreams.
Never depend on anybody else.
Pick a career that genuinely makes me happy and causes me to want to get out of bed in the morning.
Don’t be a know-it-all. Be humble. You can always learn; never stop learning.
Have a good work ethic, don’t procrastinate.
You will get out of it what you put into it.
Use proper language.
Dress appropriately.
Have a positive attitude.
Setting goals is an excellent approach to creating clear, realistic expectations that assist in staying focused on what is essential.
When creating your goals, consider these questions: are my goals specific, realistic, measurable, and relevant? Asking yourself these questions when creating goals is essential for providing direction. Specific goals clearly outline what you want to achieve. Realistic goals are achievable within your time frame. Measurable goals give a way to track your progress. Relevant goals ensure alignment with your overall objective.
Leaving your comfort zone fosters personal growth by pushing you to adapt to new situations, build resilience, and learn new things.
Give your all when you are able.
Get out of your comfort zone and take a risk even if you are unsure of the outcome.
Take breaks.
When you do uncomfortable things, you show yourself and others that you can do anything, and that determination is the key to ultimate success.
Actively embody, with intent, the qualities and outcomes I desire.
If I seek workplace recognition, I need to produce notable work. If I want respect, I must extend respect to others.
My grandmother would encourage me to read and reflect on a particular Bible verse. She would say, “You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you” (Philippians 4:13, King James).
Be a champion for those who cannot be champions for themselves.
“Having over-the-top positive nice feedback can harm your performance, it can make it very difficult for you to climb up, difficult to kind of know where you stand, what you should do better, what you should stop doing, but can also damage people in ways that we often don’t think about. It can affect their reputations outside of the interaction context” (Tessa West – TEDx).
Building a successful path requires discovering your passion, which proves difficult yet necessary for creating effective path-building strategies.
Let go of uncertainty and fear.
A strong foundation of knowledge and critical thinking skills is essential to stand out among other candidates. These qualities provide an edge in securing opportunities in competitive fields.
When you prioritize learning and personal growth, your professional success becomes achievable and enables potential opportunities that have been impossible before.
Just do it. Continue moving ahead by taking purposeful steps.
Learn to play the long game in life. Playing the long game in life is one of the most important pieces of advice because it inspires a mindset rooted in patience and resilience.
Prioritize actions that align with my overall goals in life rather than falling into distractions and temporary pleasures.
“Listen more than you talk. Nobody learned anything by hearing themselves speak” (Richard Branson).
Surround myself with the right people who inspire and challenge me. You are who you surround yourself with, the people in your life influence your actions and mindset.
Is what I’m doing today getting me closer to where I want to be tomorrow?
Find a career that will help you change the world, not just your financial situation.
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough” (Oprah Winfrey).
Be prepared. Have everything ready to go versus running back and forth to grab things. This reassures my clients that I am professional at my job, increasing the likelihood of them becoming repeat clients.
Being prepared gives me those extra couple minutes I may not have had otherwise, ensuring I do my best work.
Understand the importance of teamwork. Cooperating improved our work relationships and helped the company continue to grow.
Speak up. Advocating for myself or someone else, whether expressing my ideas, setting boundaries, or asking for help, is often a key to success.
Always keep learning.
Be open to feedback and criticism. Receiving feedback is a part of every aspect of life, whether it is good or bad. What you do with that information can shape you and help you grow into a respected employee and, maybe one day, a respected employer.
Speak up.
Consistency shows dedication and effort.
Asking for help does not show that you are incapable; it does the opposite. It shows that you have the courage and determination to learn.
If you truly want it, you can achieve it.
Stay accountable for your actions.
Prioritize tasks and continuously try to learn.
Set clear goals.
Celebrate the big and the small wins.
A hand-up is not a handout. “There is no such thing as a self-made man. You will reach your goals only with the help of others” (George Shinn).
Take things one step at a time.
Love what I do and know when to move on from a position that is not fulfilling anymore.
No job is insignificant; respect every title.
Find the job that best suits you.
Do what makes you happy. Other people’s opinions should never stop you from doing what you love.
Never give up when things get too harsh, hard, or challenging.
We would not value where we are and how we have developed ourselves if we had all lived without adversity. I would not see myself as a kind, compassionate person who wants to help people around me if I had not experienced some life-altering events and setbacks.
Do not be afraid to ask, whether it is asking questions or asking for help.
Keep an open mind and be willing to learn because you won’t always know everything.
You are never too old to start or start over.
Life is always changing. Count on that, no matter what. Be willing to learn and change to keep up.
Focus on progress rather than perfection.
Embrace lifelong learning to stay adaptable and innovative. This means continuously seeking new knowledge and skills throughout your professional life. This approach is crucial in today’s fast-paced society, where businesses constantly evolve.
Take care of your well-being to maintain energy and motivation. This can sustain energy and enthusiasm for careers, leading to long-term success and fulfillment while maintaining a balanced home life.
Build a strong professional network. This is crucial. It can help you by opening doors to new opportunities and providing support during challenging times at work, ensuring you are never alone in your journey.
When not preoccupied with achieving perfection, you are more inclined to take risks and explore new methods.
The journey is just as important as the destination, and with the right mindset and support, you can navigate your career path with confidence and resilience.
Develop skills that can be used in different careers.
Explore your passion.
Recognize that a job is something you tolerate, and a career is something you love.
Do not settle. Life is too short to do a job you hate and do not have a passion for just for the sake of a job.
Show up early and leave late.
Dress for the job you want in the future. You only get one shot at a first impression.
Network.
Know myself and be confident.
Have an excellent work ethic and skills.
You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Be like a rubber band and flex. If you can go with the flow, you will be a desired employee.
Be a lifelong learner.
Show your potential every day.
Leave your problems at home.
Always be willing to learn and grow continually.
Find a mentor.
Focus on the 3 D’s: dedication, devotion, and discipline.
Be dedicated to goals, professionally and personally. Reach them by keeping them at the forefront. Write them down on sticky notes and place them where they are visible daily.

Accept Critique or Decorate Your Refrigerator

Just completed filming a new author interview – with novelist and OU Professor Rilla Askew and TCC Professor Kyle Hays. This one is TCC official, and I am excited about it. One thing Rilla shared that I feel compelled to share with you now is this … She shared something she heard regarding not accepting critique well. This is especially to those among us who believe their work does not stink or is perfect. The words stuck with Rilla, as I am sure they will with me, and now with you …

If you do not want to accept critique as a writer or artist, “go be talented in your room.”

Ouch, right?

It should not be ‘ouch.’ Artistry in its various forms is communal. Sure, as writers, you write the first draft alone, but every stage beyond that should be with peer eyes on your work. They will invariably see mistakes you cannot, do not, and will not. As writers and artists, we must develop thick skin. We must be willing to be laid bare, vulnerable, and open to growth. We must lay our work out as a sacrifice to the opinions of others in our field. Listen to them. Be willing to consider their ideas. Admit you cannot see your own errors much of the time …

Or … don’t, and “go put it on the fridge with the other macaroni art” (Kyle Hays).

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sidenote: Professor Hays and I will film 6 author interviews for TCC (Tulsa Community College) this school year, which will be housed in the TCC Archives and made available to TCC students and the public later this year. The 2024-2025 school year interviews are:

Josh Wann – Poet, Short Story/Play/Comedy Writer, TCC Adjunct Professor

John Andrews – OSU Honors and Creative Writing Professor, Author, Poet

Dinah Cox – OSU Creative Writing Professor, Poet

Joshua Danker-Dake – Editor, Science-Fiction Author

Nancy Erickson – Owner of Stonebrook Publishing – St. Louis, Owner of “The Book Professor,” – Focus on Non-Fiction writing

Rilla Askew – OU Creative Writing Professor, Author – Historical Fiction, Short Story Writer

How to Increase Your Word Count

BE DESCRIPTIVE.

Utilize the Rule of 3’s – for any item that needs describing – if your reader MUST know how that chair looks or how this thing smells or what that bird sounds like, then DESCRIBE it. Use the 5 senses to create a description, but give the items being described no more than 3 bits of description each.
Imagine your reader as ignorant of what you know; most often, the reader is, in fact, ignorant of what you know. Never assume they know what you’re seeing in your own mind. Be descriptive. It adds to the word count too. Win!

INCLUDE EXAMPLES: STORIES AND STATISTICS.

To strengthen an idea, include stories (Pathos) and statistics (Logos). Be thorough.

USE A SIGNAL PHRASE FOR ALL QUOTES / PARAPHRASES

To strengthen your argument. Random quotes carry little to no weight. If you explain who said what’s coming and why their word is important, all of a sudden, the quote carries weight to your argument. Example: Stephen King, author of many short stories, including “The Man Who Loved Flowers,” gave an example of repetition in that particular short story that is bone-chilling; he wrote, “And he swung the hammer. Swung the Hammer. Swung the hammer. As he had done five other times” (King).
GREAT EXAMPLE drawn from a Comp II paper:
The writing center at the St. Louis Community College, a reputable academic establishment serving over 30,000 students a year, defines Logos as “[an] appeal to the audiences’ sense of reason or logic. To use Logos, the author makes clear, logical connections between ideas, and includes the use of facts and statistics” (St. Louis Community College).
To mark boundaries: Signal phrases mark boundaries between your words and the source’s words. By marking the boundaries, you also provide a smooth transition for the reader between your words and the source.
To emphasize the source, Call attention to the author or source being used. In some cases, such as a literature review or the use of a well-known author, specific information about the source is important for the reader to know. Giving adequate and specific details regarding the source adds to its credibility.
To avoid plagiarism: All source material must be cited, and signal phrases are one way to cite a source—however, additional citation formatting may be necessary depending on your citation style. Signal phrases are used WITH in-text citations. Both are necessary for proper source citation.

INCLUDE OPPOSING PERSPECTIVES IN YOUR ARGUMENT.

Including opposing perspectives can double the word count of an effective argument essay. This is a simple concept.
It strengthens your argument as well. It builds credibility (Ethos) when you, the writer, are willing to admit there are other perspectives than just your own.
State what the opposing perspective(s) is/are and argue it in the paper, combating it with your own research and opinion. Show that you understand the opposing perspective by the seriousness with which you treat the addition of that information into your essay. Let your own argument meet the opposing perspective at every point. This is exciting and makes you credible.

DEFINE UNFAMILIAR TERMS

In our writing, we often have information that our audience does not have. We understand concepts or tools, rules, and words our audience is ignorant of. Ignorance is not a negative word – it simply means without information. When this is the case, and it will require you to look at your topic and work from the audience’s perspective, add definitions to your writing. Just like I did here in this paragraph with the word ‘ignorance.’
In this case, it is okay to assume the need for definitions. It is better to err on the side of clarity than to lose an audience because of a lack of clarity.
Defining words and concepts adds to your word count! Woot!

BE WARY OF PRONOUN USAGE

There are instances where pronoun usage confuses a reader. For instance, if I said, “Paul and John went to the grocery store. He bought a soda.” The obvious question here is, WHO bought the soda? It is not clear. You may think this does not occur in your writing, but chances are, and I say this with kindness, it does occur in your writing. To correct the situation, some rewording of the sentences is necessary. For instance, “Paul and John went to the grocery store. He bought a soda” is better written as “When Paul and John went to the grocery store, Paul bought a soda.” Now, this didn’t add a difference-making number of words to the basic tenets of this small story, but the concept of clarity with pronouns is here.
Here is another fantastic example of an unclear pronoun: “To keep birds from eating seeds, soak them in blue food coloring.” Soak who? The birds or the seeds? To better state this, say, “To keep birds from eating seeds, soak the seeds in blue food coloring.” Be clear. This is not bad repetition – it is clarity. Again, this does not add a life-altering number of words. However, …
Demonstrative pronouns are exceptionally capable of confusing readers. What are demonstrative pronouns? These are pronouns that specify a particular person or thing. They include such, that, these, this, and those. At times, using these pronouns leaves the reader with questions and confusion. For example, “We can either choose to be clear or unclear with our pronoun usage. This is important to discuss.” While this statement might not be completely vague in its meaning, a reader might wonder which part of “choose to be clear or unclear” that ‘This’ refers to. To go for clarity, the statement could read, “We can either choose to be clear or unclear with our pronoun usage. Using clear pronouns is important to discuss.” Often, I find replacing the demonstrative pronoun with the actual words it represents provides strong clarity – and increases your word count!
In the realm of pronoun usage, too, we must consider that in today’s world, people sometimes choose their own pronouns. When writing these into stories/essays, we must be clear. If a character is going to choose they/them pronouns, but soon a second character is introduced, and the pair are then referred to as they/them together – this can lose a reader. It is best to be clear upfront by stating that the character chooses they/them pronouns, and then work to only use those pronouns in reference to that particular character and use fully flushed-out words/names/descriptions (more words!!) to clarify when speaking of more than one character. Hope this explanation makes sense.

YouTube Mini-Lecture: https://youtu.be/iy7EgQrKtWk