time to write a (long) story.

Who lives?

Who dies?

Who tells your story?

— Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda

Like many others, I was anxiously awaiting the premiere of Hamilton on Disney Plus earlier this month. I’ve been a long time lover of musical theatre and a performer of it in my youth and I couldn’t wait to see if this actually lived up to the hype. . .

Oh. My. Word.

How much did I love it? Well, it’s our current driving soundtrack, I may be making my better half a little crazy to watch it with me, it’s playing in the background as I write to you now. . . 😉

What’s wonderful about a beautifully crafted piece of art is that it can convey the creator’s message and often inspire those who experience it to be creative themselves as well.

I’ve been thinking a lot about getting stories told as I was fortunate to attend my first Southern Christian Writer’s Conference over the weekend.

It was online this year due to COVID-19 so Henry and I attended workshops and keynotes together on Friday and Saturday and learned so much.

This was the 29th year for the conference that was founded by my friend Cheryl’s parents and now she is the director.

When she opened the conference, she shared Esther 4:14, a verse that is on my bedroom wall and close to my heart.

In sharing this verse, she encouraged us all to think on what ways our writing can be used for these unique times we are living through – and I have.

Of course, I have been writing a book about death and grief – and, unfortunately, as these times are causing much anxiety, they are also forcing many of us to face fears of death and also to deal with grief.

So, I have set a goal to have my book finished and ready to share on Kindle by Christmas. I feel that it can really be of service right now.

I’m ready to tell some stories.