I’ve decided to preach to my writing self a little bit. I realized that my strict religious upbringing gave me some good knowledge of life and people, as well as some nightmares. There’s even some Bible verses that are relevant to writers. This morning, I thought of a couple of verses thare are relevant to writers, both of them from Ecclesiastes. One is Ecclesiastes 10:18 that has the phrase, “through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.” A writer cannot afford to be lazy. Our chosen avocation (perhaps vocation if we’re lucky) is a brutal one. I read every biography I can find of writers I admire. They are generally men and women of discipline, who have worked hard for their success, much harder than their admiring readers realize.

Another verse writers can use is Ecclesiastes 11:6. “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold ot thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” This advice is practical for writers, not only in the writing itself, but also in the areas of marketing and promoting their books.

I’m on my way now to the coffee shop, my favorite writing place. I could and do write at home, but I am usually too distracted seeing all the things there is to do around my house, and as a consequence, I do not write diligently. I’ve got an important editing project I must finish soon. I want to get it behind me so I can return to my own work.

I’m tired though. I went to Enoch’s last night with my Scottish friends. Never trust a Scotsman when he says he wants to go get “one” beer. I don’t think they can count. Anyway, I lost count. The evening makes me think of Willie Nelson’s song that says something like, “I’ve got to get drunk tonight and I sure do regret it.” We heard Jeffrey Phillips, a fun and very competent Irish singer. I returned home after 11 p.m. and after the long day fell asleep quickly and slept late. I’ve had my coffee though, so I’m ready to get to work. I don’t want the rafters of my writing house to fall in.