Ideal Writing Space: Kim's

Kim Lozano writes, "When I started writing, I decided that I needed to be able to shut my door against the children (the sweet little darlings) and have a little place of my own. So I cleared out an old chair and table out of my bedroom and moved in a desk and bookshelves. On that upper left-hand shelf, beside the Bud Light bottle with the birthday candle on top, is a framed copy of my first rejection letter. On coolish days, I like to sit on my porch in one of my new, comfy yellow chairs ($25 each at Target) beside my peacock, Flannery."

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Usually I refrain from offering the information I am a writer, and recommend this practice to all writers. "English Teacher" is so nicely cut and dried. But walking on the wild side this week I said "Writer" to a shoe salesman who said he's been in the same business since 1954. He asked what I wrote. My mom chimes in, "Oh she just wrote a book on St. Louis writers," pegging me as a local in a place rather far from St. Louis. Shoe salesman begins recalling many trips to St. Louis to Brown Shoe and International Shoe headquarters, 15th and Washington streets. I tell him that area has changed, is mostly loft dwellings now. "I'm a poet and an essayist," I added rather desperately. "She just won a poetry prize," my mother chimed in. "Yeah. This poetry stuff," I joked, "is really paying off," and I escaped with my new sandals, however sheepishly and lamely. Next time: English teacher.

Ancient Wisdom

There was no online list of Judeo-Christian Bible quotations specifically selected for writers -- that I could find -- so I made this one. All writers believe in something. I believe in great quotations as sources of strength and inspiration.

By their fruits you shall know them. Matt. 7:16

For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future. Jerem. 29:11 (NIV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book. Jerem. 30:2

With God all things are possible. Matt. 19:26

Study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and work with your own hands. Thess. 4:11

Of making many books there is no end. Eccles. 12:12

Now go, write it on a tablet before them and inscribe it on a scroll, that it may serve in the time to come as a witness forever. Isia. 30:8 (NAS)

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Matt. 11:26