Young longleaf seedlings underneath the dead landmark tree I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. Kilmer said it. It’s hard to be a tree. I’ve always seen God’s fingerprints on trees. The intimate life cycle between the animal world …
Category Archives: Creekbank Blog
Where Sand Africa meets Grass Africa
We’re no longer in Africa but Africa is still in us. I’ve been thinking about the Sahel this week. It’s where Sand Africa meets Grass Africa. “We were showing “The Jesus Film” outdoors in a village. Just at the moment of Jesus’ crucifixion, a snake slithered through the crowd. There was chaos. The …
Booted out of the Mall
Holding the Rope in Prayer: Pray for DeDe’s tutoring. Pray for Curt as he writes As the Crow Flies. God’s guidance for our precious children and grandchildren. Thanks for praying! Booted out of the Mall I have contracted with several places in Alexandria that have become my …
Standing in the Shadow of Freedom
It’s my mantra: Be curious. Be amazed. Tell about it. I arrive at Freedom Baptist Church early. Walking in the auditorium, I stop at a group of photographs on the back wall. I know what it is: black and white photographs of the men and women from this church who served our country. Most are …
Home is truly where the heart is
There’s many bigger houses. Taller. More expensive. Older or newer. But the house at 622 Clayton Iles Rd is where my heart is. Built by my parents in 1960. Where my sisters and I grew up. It’s a good place. A good place to go home to.
Post #1100 Wow!
Last week’s posts put us over 1100 posts for the past dozen years or so. Just one more example of the simple perseverance of writing daily. All of those stories, whether touching or forgetful, have come from my heart. From my heart to yours. Thanks for being on this journey. You can glean from these …
Opening lines of As the Crow Flies.’
I’m working on As the Crow Flies the follow up historical novel after A Good Place. Here are two openings I’m tinkering with. Your honest input is appreciated. No one writes a book alone. I need your prayer, suggestions, even criticism. Everything can be improved. Opening A: Ft. Worth, Texas Christmas Eve 1955 As …
The Beginning of a Novel
November is National Novel Writing Month. It’s an opportunity to write that novel (or family story) that’s been bubbling inside you for years. You can keep your project quiet if you wish. I simply encourage you to begin. As they say, the journey of a thousand miles begins with one single step … …
Holding the Rope: How you can help
I’m grateful for friends and followers who pray for us. Today (November 1) I’m speaking at Freedom Baptist Church in Ten Mile, Louisiana. This is the message from Mark 2: Please pray that my words will lift up Jesus and please the Father. This week I’ll be working on our upcoming novel, As the …
Write that Novel in your Heart!
November is National Novel Writers Month, commonly known as NaNoWriMo. The goal is for folks like you to write a 50,000 word novel in a month. I’m writing a new novel, As the Crow Flies, and need to add 50,000 words in the coming month. This is an invitation to join together and write. We’ll …
Naming that Girl: Your Chance
A Word from Curt Here is the current draft opening line of my current novel, As the Crow Flies: My name is JANE DOE, and I was born into a family of thieves. It’s how I ended up in the middle of what came to be known as the Westport Fight. This is …
Tough or Hard: The Choice is Yours
Tough or Hard In front of me are three objects: a brick, a piece of leather, and a hammer. These make for a wonderful lesson. However, this story is not about the hardness of a brick, toughness of leather, or the pain of the hammer blow. This is a story about somebody. Objects don’t …
Measure Twice/Cut Once
We’re highlighting stories from our short story collection, Deep Roots. Measure Twice, Cut Once Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you. -Exodus 31:6 I’ve always loved watching an artist at work. To watch a skilled craftsman shape something with their hands—and heart—is a …
You can hold the rope
Holding the Rope When I ask you to hold the rope for us, I’m deadly serious. Many of you were faithful to pray for DeDe and I in Africa. We need your prayer just as much back here in America. Thank you in advance for lifting us up. I’ve been thinking of …
