Brand New i-Macs At Rick’s Institute

This is a press release from Ricks Institute in Liberia. This is the school we worked with in July. The iMacs in the Ricks Library. The Liberian flag is shown in the background. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Brand New i-Mac Computers Installed at Ricks September 23, 2009, Ricks Institute, Virginia, Liberia–Fifteen (15) brand new i-Mac 20-inch computers with wireless access have been...

Running Through The Lobby

Running through the Lobby: 8 short minutes;30 years ago It’s nearly midnight– Mountain Daylight Time on the last night of a great Writers’ Conference. I’m sitting on the floor in the Marriott Denver lobby. (I’m close to an electric plug for the laptop and on the floor because I can spread out “my gear.”) I’m doing what I love best: writing....

3 A.M., 40 Miles, 4 Trucks, 2 Cups Of Coffee

3 am, 40 miles, 4 trucks, 2 cups of coffee I left home this morning at 3:00 am, on my way to the Houston airport, then Denver for a writing conference. On my forty mile drive from Dry Creek to DeQuincy, I only meet four vehicles—all trucks. The road is quiet. The woods are dark. It’s peaceful. Out my car window I visit with old friends: The Hunter, The Big Dog, Pegasus the Horse, and the...

After The Conference: What To Do When The Circus Leaves Town

After the Conference Ends: “What to do when the circus leaves town.” “Turn out the lights, the party’s over. They say all things must come to an end.” -Willie Nelson I’ve read many excellent articles about preparing for, and attending, writing conferences. However, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one on what to do after the conference. What a writer does after the conference may be...

Working Title: The Power Of The Note

Working Title: The Power of the Note Sub title: Living gratefully/Living compassionately  By Curt Iles    Recently when meeting a former student of mine from my earlier years as a high school teacher, he pulled out his billfold and showed me a dog-eared letter I had written him years ago. The fact that he had kept this short hand-written note reminded me of the power of personal...