My idea for this writing tip was to explain Texas colloquialisms. Yeah, right. People have written tomes on this topic. Translating Texan in five minutes is impossible. However, I feel that most non-Texans understand what we’re trying to say. We just add extra words for emphasis and shortened other words…

The Evolution of a Beer Joint — Seems I write a lot about beer — not intentionally, it just happens. If you’re Czech and grew up Catholic in a small Texas town in the 1950s, beer was always around. Beer in tin-tubs of ice, beer in the refrigerator, beer at church functions, and of course…

The Nuns of St. Mary’s — Growing up Catholic in a small Texas town, I couldn’t even imagine a different life back then. And there’s no regret or resentment now — not a shred. The only problem, as a child, was I took life too seriously. Though I’ve driven by my old school hundreds…

You want to write, but how do you find time? It’s easy. — Anyone can find an extra fifteen minutes in his or her day to write something — just don’t view it as a task. A task implies work and you’re already doing enough of that. Instead, give (as in gift) yourself permission to write fifteen minutes a day. Permission means approval…

Blame It on Aunt Evelyn and Lucy Lui You may have noticed that I’m in late posting this blog. Writing about guilt, Catholic guilt especially, sends me in all different directions: down the serious road (not good since this series is supposed to make people laugh); down the preachy road…

Me and Mr. Karlik’s Secret The Catholic church has instituted a few dietary restrictions over the years, such as not eating meat on Fridays and fasting before receiving Communion. Also, many Catholics choose to fast from certain foods or beverages during Lent. But there was never a do-not-ever-drink-beer…

Is Brad Pitt Flammable or Inflammable? Same or Different Meanings — In the previous Five-Minute Writing Tip, I wrote about words that can be their own opposites. This Tip is about words with apparently opposite meanings, and words that when used in certain ways can have the same meaning as their opposites. Stick with me, here. Here are a few to…

The Difference Between Theme and Premise and Why They are Important in a Novel — Theme and premise are the heart and soul of fiction. Think of them this way — a nonfiction how-to book tells you how to deal with life. The lessons are upfront and straightforward, maybe even displayed in grafts, charts, and bullets. A novel shows you about life through the eyes…

First Communion and Hostess Cupcakes — Preparing for our First Communion at St. Mary’s wasn’t as confusing or traumatic as preparing for our First Confession. We didn’t have to feel shame, embarrassment, or remorse. We didn’t have to go inside a closet and tell a priest what worthless six-year-olds we were. Instead, we got to walk…