A new career, a new adventure, and a new beginning!

Dear Reader,

You may have noticed that we have been quietly going through some big changes here on the blog. We have a new name and a new layout. In honor of my new career shift from ministry to teaching, I have changed the title of the blog from Night Owl Theology to Night Owl Thoughts. I have also moved the focus from faith, books, and disability awareness to center more on my writing and creative projects, while still emphasizing disability awareness.

Life is all about growth and change. I have found a new home and a new calling. I have always been passionate about working with people with disabilities and empowering and advocating for the needs of the disability community. At last, I can fully live out that call as a special education teacher working in a high school. I really love it, and every day I feel happy and fulfilled watching my students grow. In the past, I struggled with the fact that the church was not required to comply with the ADA. Now I take great joy in the fact that the Pennsylvania public school system guarantees a free appropriate education to all students — including students with disabilities — and it is my job to help make sure that happens. I truly feel like I’m making a difference, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity. I don’t know where life will take me, but I’m very happy to be where I am right now.

I’m also pleased to say that I continue to be influenced by one of my favorite authors, Stephen King. Stephen King was at one point a Methodist, and he was also a teacher. He started out writing short stories that were eventually published, and as we all know, he later turned to novels and became a smashing success. I don’t know if I’ll ever have even a fraction of Stephen King’s success, but I greatly enjoy writing, and I’d like to think I have at least a small fraction of persistence. So I present to you the first fiction project I’ve had in years. It’s still very much in the beginning stages, but I’m very excited about it.

I’m currently working on a book of short stories. It’s the first time I’ve written fiction in years. In the past, I’ve written mostly nonfiction and poetry. So I’m doing some general market research — would anyone be interested in reading something like this?

Title: Twelve Impossible Tales for Cozy Nights

A collection of twelve whimsical and gently uncanny tales.

A dog who predicts the winning lottery numbers. A pair of glasses that reveal what was never meant to be seen. A cat who always knows when your time is up.

For readers who love their evenings quiet, their tea warm, and their stories just a little impossible.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!

About the Author

Beckie Writes is the author of a chapbook and a memoir, with a background in disability studies. She holds a B.S. in English Education from Millersville University of Pennsylvania. Her writing explores the unique, the fantastical, the whimsical, the odd, and the quietly inspiring. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys snuggling her dogs and running.