What “Public” is Invited?
In planning your charity event
do you ever consider
if the buses
run
at the time
and on the date
of your event and
thus
those who do not own cars
can attend?
The Morning of Hearts and Crosses
Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on . Posted in General. 6 Comments on The Morning of Hearts and Crosses
I groan and complain because it’s early in the morning and as my husband says, “You’ve never been a morning person.” I’ve decided, in fact, this is not my ministry. Opportunities to give back abound; it’s my choice how to respond. I’ll go one more time and then I’ll ease out. Let someone more...
The Non-Laity
Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on . Posted in General. 2 Comments on The Non-Laity
We were talking last night about our inward journey—what we are doing spiritually for ourselves—and I was describing a blog I had recently started following. “He’s a priest,” I said, “but—.” I stopped and laughed. I was about to say, “But I like what he has to say.” He’s a priest, but. Sometimes if I listen to myself, i can learn a lot about...
Love is not a Competitive Sport
Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on . Posted in General. 2 Comments on Love is not a Competitive Sport
He walks out the door to earn our daily bread,
and somehow I’ve lost the pants he puts on every morning
in the dark
to walk the
anxious dog.
He stops to check our wine supply—
it’s Valentine’s tonight—
and I glance at the dry cleaning basket
overflowing
by the door,
unkempt.
He does so much for me
I struggle to keep up.
I...
The Shark Freed from Her Cage
Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on . Posted in General. 8 Comments on The Shark Freed from Her Cage
I am getting out of sync with time.
Arriving at 9:45 for my 10:45 appointment.
Waking at 5am and returning to sleep by re-entering my dreams.
Sincerely believing it to be Monday when I attended church that morning but it seems SO LONG AGO.
I don’t want to scare you, but I think I’m drifting away from the framework of this...
Blind Justice
Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on . Posted in General. 7 Comments on Blind Justice
I HATE politics. I HATE getting riled up about current events. I HATE taking positions that appear so judgmental. Then I read an article like the one this morning on the defense strategy in the latest “Stand Your Ground” shooting in Florida.
“Loud music”
“SUV”
“Black”
“Teenager”...
I’ve seen the Glimmering
Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on . Posted in General. 2 Comments on I’ve seen the Glimmering
That little glimmer of hope that appears like a flickering flame when you’ve been immersed in darkness for so long you’ve allowed the prospect of success to dim, smoldering. Not a giving up—no way!— but a dampening down, a waiting, a refusal to let hope spring into false hope until real tender presents for a true igniting....
Word to the Wise: Pay Attention to Your Beta Readers
Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on . Posted in General. 3 Comments on Word to the Wise: Pay Attention to Your Beta Readers
Three years ago, or maybe four, a man I did not know arrived at my writing group, and during a long conversation about the first chapter of The Bone Trench, he said, “I’m ready to see Cat Thomas return.” I assured him Cat, who opened the novel in a brief scene, would be back shortly, specifically at the beginning of the...
Redeeming the Synopsis
Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on . Posted in General. 6 Comments on Redeeming the Synopsis
I know you hate it, but consider writing a synopsis of your novel. Not to accompany a submission to an agent—usually the only reason any of us take on this mind-stupefying task. Do it to see the holes in your manuscript.
Like many, I have long hated the idea that in order to gain agency representation, the writer had to reduce her 80,000...
I Remember the Dancing Samoans
Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on . Posted in General. 2 Comments on I Remember the Dancing Samoans
I think too much from the spot I stand in. So when I watched the Coke commercial during the Superbowl and felt tears start in my eyes, it never dawned on me people would complain. Calling the commercial names, some much worse than un-American. At best, divisive.
To put this in perspective, my favorite physical metaphor of community is the...