authors
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Reader’s Slump: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatments

There is no greater affliction in the bookish life than the reader’s slump. This nonfatal but distressing issue is frequently caused by excellent books. For instance, one patient succumbed to reader’s slump after binge-reading Eric Metaxes’ biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Because of the brilliance of this book, the patient was unable to find any other Continue reading
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Historical Humility

I’m currently enjoying Theology in the Democracy of the Dead, by Matt Jensen, a former professor of mine from the Torrey Honors College and a fellow (though much more accomplished) St. Andrew’s alum. First of all, I highly recommend this read, as it offers a comprehensive yet relatively brief look into the lives and work Continue reading
author, authors, Bible, bible study, blog, blogger, Book, book review, books, christ, christian, christian blogger, Christian living, christianity, church, contemporary worship, faith, gospel, learning, literature, Reading, reflection, theology, theology and the arts, torrey honors institute, truth, word, write, writer, writing -
Non-Writing Writer

I was inspired this morning as I walked to practice piano for an upcoming recital… this would have been great, had I been inspired to practice. Rather, I was inspired to set the opening of Wordsworth’s The Prelude to music. My roommate (bless her) stopped me just in time: “Ryanne, if you write a melody and Continue reading
AP Literature, author, authors, beauty, blog, blogger, Book, book review, books, bookworm, brainstorming, character, Children’s Books, Christian poetry, classic literature, college, faith, Fiction, first draft, humor, inspiration, journal, library, literature, Music, music major, NaNoWriMo, novel, novels, piano, poem, poet, poetry, poets, reader, Reading, short story, truth, write, writer, writer problems, writer’s block, writing, writing advice, writing humor, writing process -
Ray Bradbury: a reflection

Yesterday was the birthday of renouned American author, Ray Bradbury. Three more years and we can celebrate his 100th birthday. But even in 2017, Bradbury’s birthday is special to me because his stories provided the kick-in-the-pants I needed to take my writing seriously. Before entering high school, my family and I made a trip to Continue reading
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Unexpected Hero: Winnie-the-Pooh

The world is a mess. Whatever your political views, we can all agree that it’s a rough world out there. However, while the news is increasingly depressing, I found an unlikely hero to cheer me for a few hours: Winnie-the-Pooh. Somehow I grew up reading everything in reach yet missed this classic! So I decided, Continue reading
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Misshelved: Winnie the Poe
Went to the children’s classics section in search of some light reading…now I am just wondering how many poor young Winnie-the-Pooh fans have been traumatized by Poe instead… Perhaps Eeyore likes Poe’s stories. “Nevermore” seems like his type of vocabulary. Still, “Welcome to your nightmares” is a daunting phrase to put on a book beside Continue reading
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Books from Abroad

I’m back from a six week tour and study trip to four different countries and, thanks to jet lag, my brain is wide awake while my body is still confused as to whether it’s time for second breakfast or a mid-morning nap. So I will take advantage of this forced downtime to go on my Continue reading
abroad, anne frank, authors, Biola, blog, blogger, book store, books, bookshop, cambridge, cs lewis, Edinburgh, england, europe, flanders fields, glasgow, highlands, humor, inverness, journal, Narnia, novel, philippa gregory, poems, poetry, robert louis stevenson, Scotland, shakespeare, stephen king, theology, torrey, torrey honors institute, travel, writing -
Sing, Muse

Dear reader, Please read the following poem. Then, please click the link and listen to me read it; I have of late found great value in reading poetry aloud. Once you do those two things (it should take but two minutes of your time), you are welcome to read my explanation of the poem or Continue reading
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Well-read and Caffeinated: 10 Ideal Coffee/Tea and Book Pairings
It is a truth universally acknowledged that all readers in possession of a good book are in want of a delicious beverage to sip. But why settle for just any latte? In my opinion, books and coffee are like fine wine and cheese; you must pair them properly so as to derive the fullest enjoyment Continue reading
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Reflections on Writing a Novel Draft
During my journey home from Italy, I was super bored and, thus, my brain went crazy and came up with a novel idea that I am ridiculously excited about. Thankfully, I hit 50,000 words on my other novel draft, so I was able to set that one aside without too much guilt to begin this Continue reading
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Writing Victories
Just had to brag a little bit: Today marks the two-year birthday of my baby novel. On this day in 2014, I was inspired to write a book about a quirky little town that I stumbled upon and, to my delight, today I reached the word count required for my manuscript to qualify as a Continue reading
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Miss Darcy

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single woman having read or seen Pride and Prejudice, must be in want of a Mr. Darcy.” – Jane Austen and Ryanne McLaren* *Note: The above quote does not actually represent the entirety of this post, but I did think it rather apt in capturing the feelings of Austenites Continue reading
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