Hurricane Season is winding down. Hooray. Hallelujah. I know it’s not officially over until November 30, but it’s safe to say this will be a below normal season, especially for our battered Gulf Coast. Shown are two of my favorite hurricane items. One is my can of Baptist Beer. I write the name of every hurricane that affects our area …

More on planning and planting for the future. Beth Koop is one of my Dry Creek Camp friends. Her parents are a classic example of a lifelong good marriage. Beth shared this concerning the future and tree planting. “My daddy was talking about planting a tree a few weeks ago. My mama asked why he wanted to plant a tree …

We get things done over time by working hard and showing persistence. A wise quote: “People overestimate what they can do in five years and underestimate what they can do in twenty years.” -Ligon Duncan i.e. The twin powers of time and patience can crack mountains. See the Creekbank blog for more. One of the best pieces of advice I …

How to pray in October One of the best things about the Internet and social networks is how it is a great vehicle to share news and events. I want to use it this month (October 2009) to share a great prayer need in my life. I’m scheduled to lead a revival in North Carolina from October 25-28. I’ll be …

On Being “A Friendly Hermit.” Coming home from very lonely places, all of us go a little mad: whether from great personal success, or just an all-night drive, we are the sole survivors of a world no one else has ever seen. – John le Carre My writing/speaking nickname is “The Friendly Hermit.” It’s because I wear two hats and …

Opening of A Spent Bullet Below is the prologue and two epigraphs from my current novel in progress, A Spent Bullet. I’m about half through (50,000 words) the first draft.   Read over it and give me feedback. I have several questions below the prologue. Thanks, Curt Iles curtiles@aol.com Prologue Folks say the herds of wild horses still running free …

My former student, Kay Campbell Fox, commented on my recent blog about a newlywed couple running through the lobby at the Denver Marriott. It’s a wonderful story. From Kay: Two weddings – one day – Just shy of 21 years – all to the same man. You see, Nick and I were married at 2 pm and 4:30 pm….on the …

The Ripple Effect continues I received three journeyman prayer cards yesterday.   They were from Micah, Erica, and Lydia. I’ve never met Micah, but I love him and am proud of him. His mother, Debbie Walley, was one of my closest friends through the Baptist Student Union at La. College. Micah is going to Kenya as an International Mission Board …

Dolly is the horse’s name Below is a draft passage from my current work in progress, A Spent Bullet. The scene: a barn in Bundick, La. September 1941. 18 year old Butch struggles with his decision to join the military as war clouds loom. His father, a “Great War veteran” (what WWI was called then) is opposed and attempts to …

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 …

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 …

                              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 …

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 …

It’s all about influence. I’m very privileged to write and speak full time. This is a fine royalty check I got last week for $1.04. It’s never been about the money. Of course, it allows me to make a living and hopefully a difference. To me, it’s about influence. Recently, my friend Gary Hahler wrote of success, “Success is the …