Creekbank Stories Curt Iles, Storyteller

I’m sharing this week about my six favorite words. So far, I’ve written about compassion/passion/integrity/gratitude, and resolve. Today, the word is relationships Relationships “Everything rises and falls on relationships.” I’ll be adding to this blog as the day goes on. In the end, it’s all about relationships. When it’s all said and done, the people around us are all that …

Pictures from Africa Pictured in Rusty Pugh, a wonderful Southern Baptist missionary in the Congo. When Rusty put his cowboy hat on, I had him pull it down over his eyes and sing, “The devil went down to Georgia, looking for a soul to steal.” He does resemble Charlie Daniels (especially when he puts the hat on.) Rusty, a Lower …

Research Question A rose by any other name is still a . . . I’m starting a new manuscript tentatively titled, A Spent Bullet. It takes place in SW Louisiana during the large La. Army Maneuvers of August 1941, and involves the evolving relationship between a young La. schoolteacher and a soldier from Wisconsin. I’d appreciate reader input about what …

The children of Goma Faces from Africa I’ll be adding photos in the coming days. (Above) Pastor Habimana Athanase and his granddaughter, Lovely. Pastor Habimana is the leader of a strong fellowship of over 80 Baptist churches in the city of Goma, Congo. My favorite picture of the trip. This “singer in sneakers” was part of the children’s choir in …

A Good Place Chapter by Chapter Commentary Chapter 1 A Good Place begins with a hurricane. Author Notes: My experience with riding out Hurricane Rita in September 2005 led to the writing of this chapter. I was in charge of a camp full of 300 evacuees on the night Rita moved in from the Gulf. Even though Dry Creek is …

A Good Place Readers: How you can help. Part of the joy of writing is working with friends and readers to improve our stories. I need your help on the name of one character. Curt Iles’ new novel, A Good Place, follows the story of Joe and Eliza Moore. Moving ahead ten years from their story in The Wayfaring Stranger, …

More sketches Top left If an African’s hands are dirty, wet, or they’ve been ill, they’ll extend their wrist to shake. Middle left: Everything can be carried on an African head. The old sewing machine was my favorite. Middle right: Every move of a “Mzungo” (white man) is followed closely. Even a trip to the outhouse draws a crowd or …

A word for today. I’m working on the six words that drive my life. I encourage you to write down your own list. Why six? Because five is not enough, and seven seems too many. Seriously, your list of words can be short or long. I’ve already covered Compassion/Passion (I’m cheating and using them as one word.) We also talked …

Sketches from AfricaScroll down to an earlier entry to read about the lesson on living passionately I learned from a dancing deacon. I am not a true artist. I’m only a sketcher. I’m learned that one of the best “friend-catchers” in a foreign country is one’s journal and sketches. Even the shyest person cannot help but looking over your shoulder …

My great great aunt, Eliza Iles, as she left for the Belgian Congo in 1920. The caravan arrives at the mission house in Congo. Notice the covered hammocks the natives carried the missionary women in. in. This picture was taken in Nov. 1920, over three months since Aunt Eliza left New York City by boat. Eliza Iles and Leroy Harris …

In recovering and writing about my African trip, I’m sharing my favorite six words. The sketch above shows an old deacon’s feet dancing a jig in joy before the Lord. (see his picture and full story by scrolling below.) This wonderful older man is still living life with my word #1: Passion! My 6 words. Today’s word: Integrity. What a …

A church built on the rock… Volcanic Rock! This is one of the Union of Baptist Churches near Goma, Congo. In the background is Mt. Nyiragongo (0ver ten thousand feet high), one of five active volcanoes in this area. You can see the smoke boiling out of the mountain. At night, you could see a red glow from the crater. …

Curt and Lovely Habimana.Lovely is the granddaughter of Congolese Pastor Habimana Athanase . Back home from Africa. Thoughts from my heart. Two things to bring home from any international trip: jet lag and a full heart. Lord, my prayer is this: Help me get over the former and never lose the latter. Amen. There are six life words that drive …

From Nairobi, Africa. “The life lived in fear is a life half-lived.” -from the movie “Australia.” It’s late Tues. PM here. We landed here and saw zebras and antelopes as we neared the runway. We (Reggie, Bill, and Curt) have an overnight flight at midnight to London. Then we’ll fly home to Houston by Wed. afternoon. A few thoughts from …