by Vella Karman | Nov 20, 2024 | Belonging, Bonfires & Stars
I started wondering this week why we think it’s so different to be in a relationship with God than anyone else. Of course, he’s the King of the universe. There’s no way for it to be exactly the same. But the mechanics of how a relationship works? Maybe they’re...
by Alli Prince | Nov 13, 2024 | Belonging, Bonfires & Stars, Guest Post
Moving across the country can be a very lonely experience. Two years ago, I moved from Nevada to Ohio for a writing program called The Company. I didn’t know anybody before I moved here, and there was nobody I could call at 2 A.M. if I had an emergency. I’d spent the...
by Vella Karman | Nov 6, 2024 | aWkwaRd, Belonging, Soli Deo Gloria
I used to work as a pizza delivery driver. It wasn’t safe, it wasn’t easy, but it left me with a lot of crazy stories. Like the time I delivered pizza to a cult gathering place. My boss pulled me aside to complain about the phone call. “They were very particular,” she...
by Vella Karman | Oct 30, 2024 | Belonging, Humor
Never admit that you’re wrong. People will stop trying to talk things out with you and cower before (or avoid) your very presence. Or entangle yourself in a codependent relationship. A codependent relationship is only a short-term fix, because eventually it will blow...
by Vella Karman | Oct 23, 2024 | Belonging, Bonfires & Stars
I had a really good conversation with a friend recently. She brought up something I’d said that hurt her. You know, a year ago my first response probably would’ve been to tell her that I had been worrying about that since it had come out of my mouth. How I’d...
by Noah Matthews | Oct 16, 2024 | Belonging, Guest Post, Lone Wolves
When I moved to Ohio just under a year ago, I thought the writing dream would look something like this: I would spend half my time at school, half at work, and the rest alone—worshipping God, writing, watching movies, practicing acting. Once I finished the program I...
by Alli Prince | Oct 9, 2024 | Belonging, Bonfires & Stars, Guest Post
Are you in church or at church? This is a question that struck me a couple of months ago. I was blogging about community (check out that post here) and, in the middle of a writing rant, wrote that question and paused. I ended up cutting it from the original blog,...
by Vella Karman | Oct 2, 2024 | Author News, Short Stories
I showed up for class ready for a challenge. I wasn’t disappointed: “Write a short story 1,500 words or less in two hours, based on the prompt pumpkin spice.” I decided to try the spy genre for the first time, inspired by a true story told to me by a...
by Thirzah Griffioen | Sep 25, 2024 | Belonging, Guest Post, Lone Wolves
Today I have a guest post to share by friend and fellow writer Thirzah. Thirzah and I met when I toured the apprenticeship program where I’m currently starting my second and final year as a student. Since we met I’ve had the honor of participating in two...
by Vella Karman | Sep 18, 2024 | aWkwaRd, Belonging
The molting phase triggers when you transfer from living in your family’s mindset and lifestyle to opening up and sharing with friends about core aspects of life. From the outside it looks like a clash of mindsets and immature behavior. These are the friends who...
