THE WORK… To write well is to carefully, precisely, and artfully place your particular thoughts of mind on the page with such fidelity that the reader slips effortlessly into your mind and experiences your experience with photographic and emotional clarity. This level of writing nourishes a reader more quickly than drinking a glass of milk – instantly, as medicine received under the tongue. Sometimes a reader sense it is happening, and sometimes they are unaware. Either way is fine with me. ### THE STANDARD… I hold back pieces from submission until every bothersome annoyance melts away, and the piece is a gem with no visible flaws I can take out of my pocket and enjoy. A work is ready when I am convinced an editor will have no choice but to accept it. When I edit, I am whittling away any excuses that editor might have. ### THE COMPLETION… I have slept on very short pieces for years until I see that happen, and the piece reaches the potential I saw when it was only an idea. Sometimes this happens unexpectedly, and at that moment, in joy and tears, I press the Send button, lie back in worship, and rest in God and His providence.