Author Archives: dustin m. smith

Hey there, friends. It’s been a while, and for that I must apologize. I’m not much of a multi-tasker, or plate-spinner, if you will. I can keep one or, at best, maybe two of them spinning. Anything more, and chaos ensues. The New Plate Back in December I added a new plate to my collection. You can check it out here if you’d like. In short, it’s a creative design studio, where, among other things, I’ll be building new websites. As the name (PFC Studios) suggests, I consider it at least in some way affiliated with this blog. What does that … Read more »

Hey there everybody. We’ve reached the start of Act III, albeit a little later than originally planned. I was in Kenya for a couple of weeks and have been slowly working my way through the inbox (among other things) since being back. Anyways, before we get into this week’s topic (Memory), I wanted to briefly mention a few new changes in store for Act III: -First, we’ll be welcoming a new regular contributor. His name is Christopher and he runs a cool blog which can be found here. Check back over the next couple of days for his first post. … Read more »

Has there ever been a more difficult question than the question of our own identity? Most days, at least, I’d say the answer is no. Who am I? I am me. And who exactly is that? When I find out, I promise you’ll be the first to know, though I suspect we’ll both be a long time waiting. If figuring out your own identity wasn’t enough, try adding to that the identity of some ambiguous other. Such has been my continual struggle since the inception of PFC. Some people act like it’s easy, this figuring out who you are. At … Read more »

(This is Part II. Read Part I here.) 4. I must be willing, when necessary, to murder my darlings. This I first heard said roughly a year ago, by Stephen King. Later, I found the notion echoed by Annie Dillard, among others. I’ve never experienced anything that can equal the joy of discovering an idea and then giving it arms, legs, and skin. Ashley and I haven’t yet had children; but if giving birth is anything like turning an idea into something material, I can’t wait to be a father. I wouldn’t dare compare the abandoning of a creative work to … Read more »

Has it been half a year already? I could have sworn we started yesterday. I’m becoming increasingly convinced that time is mostly arbitrary. Nonetheless, there is value in marking off the milestones. Here are six things I’ve learned so far… * * * 1. It is better to do one really great thing than to do five pretty good things. If I want to write an essay, paint a picture, or compose a song just so that I can say I’ve done so, that is fine. If, however, I wish to write an essay, paint a picture, or compose a … Read more »