I have always been a writer. My mother, in a nostalgic mood, once went through the schoolwork of her three children and compiled our creative writings into scrapbooks. My oldest sister is an university English professor with a 200-page dissertation to her name but my scrapbook is twice the size of hers.
But I hated English. With a passion.
What I DID like was the fun of dreaming new things, creating new characters and sending them on crazy adventures. Many times the hero of the story was myself (narcissism check…), so I guess I saw creative writing as an outlet into a life I would probably never lead. One of these lives saw me become a star NBA basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks, my hometown team. Sadly I topped out at 5-foot-8 (when standing on three dictionaries). Another adventure had my best friend and me solving crimes ala The Hardy Boys.
Well, long story short, I love to write. In college I decided to minor in journalism, a decision that would land me my first and second post-college jobs. Back in school I never planned to write for a living (I hated English, remember?). I just wanted to strengthen my ability to be a radio and TV broadcaster, especially when it came to delivering the news.
Well, 26 years post-college and I’m still writing, mostly in the form of blogging. I also freelanced for several “copy service” companies that sell your writings to people needing filler for their websites. I received no credit but at least I was paid, which is good for a starving artist. A few years back I taught creative writing during summer arts classes at my church, which was a thrill. I put a lot of thought into the “nuts and bolts” of writing, the creative process, and the diversity of the art of writing.
I have divided my writings into four general categories:
- Journalism
- Column & Editorial
- Spiritual & Art
Journalism
From The Gainesville Daily Register Newspaper, 1999-2001
North Central Wins World Series Title After Dramatic Comeback Published 6-2-2001
Local Racer Poised to Join Indy Car Circuit Published 10-25-2000
From the Grapevine Sun Newspaper, 2001-2003
Back in Time: Grapevine Shops Bring Ancient Art Into the Present Published 2-14-2003
‘A Labor of Love’ Episcopal Priest’s Musical Dream on Display in Southlake Church Published 4-7-2002
Civil War Reenactors Set Up Camp Outside Grapevine Landmark Published 3-21-2003
St. Francis Ministry Dedicates New Building Published in 2003
Column & Editorial
From the Grapevine Sun Newspaper, 2001-2003
Living in the World of Make-Believe — Have kids lost the ability to pretend?
What! Me Worry? — A lesson from Charlie Brown.
Writing Around the Block — What is a writer to do when you’re out of ideas?
My Million-Dollar Home — Do ornate palaces really make people happy?
Far From Home — What is “home” and why is it important?
Spiritual & Art
Mystery, Imagination & the Well of the Dead — There is little like a good mystery to get the creative juices flowing. This is an exploration of the Western mindset to solve riddles and how that sometimes kills the creative process.
J.C. Newton 