Tag Archives: fiction

Story Between the Lines: The Author With the Dark Imagination

Posted on September 19, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Before the chocolate rivers, giant fruit and unforgettable villains, there was a towering young man shaped by boarding schools, war, espionage, tragedy and a remarkably dark imagination. Continue reading →

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The Longest Book I’ve Ever Read: Demon Copperhead

Posted on September 16, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Technically, the Bible is the longest book I’ve read. But for a traditional novel, Demon Copperhead takes the prize — and somehow never felt too long. Continue reading →

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Books I Regretted Reading — and Why I Quit

Posted on September 8, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I believe Christian fiction belongs on the bookshelf, but a few books have tested my patience. From endless “steaming liquid” to bloated sequels and plots that made no sense, some books taught me one valuable lesson: you don’t have to finish everything you start. Continue reading →

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Stories Demand Sacrifice | A Short Story

Posted on September 5, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Steve Michaels is a struggling writer surrounded by failed ideas and discarded characters. But when those characters decide they have had enough of literary limbo, the price of finishing a story becomes frighteningly literal. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Friday, July 17, 2026: What Will You Believe? Anastasia, Anna Anderson and the Truth of Christ

Posted on July 17, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

For decades, Anna Anderson insisted that she was the missing Grand Duchess Anastasia. Many believed her despite serious doubts. Her story raises an eternal question: what will we believe, and whom will we trust? Continue reading →

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Hydration Depends on the Mood (and the Meeting)

Posted on February 21, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

What’s my favorite drink? That depends. If I’m melting in Florida heat, it’s Glacier Cherry (which is somehow white). If I’m teaching, it’s a giganto Wawa concoction. If I’m reflective at my desk… well, that answer comes in amber. Context matters—even in a cup. Continue reading →

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What’s in a Name? Apparently, an Unfortunate Headline

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I was never really in love with my name. Doug is fine—solid, unpretentious, and chosen out of love. My middle name, Blaine, on the other hand, sounds like either a country-club snob or the kid drinking paste in kindergarten. Add in the etymology—dark river plus yellow—and suddenly my full name sounds less like a person and more like a true-crime episode. Continue reading →

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From Maycomb to Mount Olympus to Old Kentucky: What I’m Reading Now

Posted on November 15, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

I’m reading three books right now—two with my students and one just for myself. My 8th graders are deep in To Kill a Mockingbird, my 9th graders are journeying through The Odyssey, and at home I’m finally returning to The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come, a book my mother once read aloud to me as a child. Each of these stories is speaking to me in a different way this season. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Thursday, July 17, 2025: What Will You Believe?

Posted on July 17, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Read John 14:1-14 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.John 14:6 Reflect Have you ever known someone who chose to believe a lie instead of … Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Wednesday, July 17, 2024: What Will You Believe?

Posted on July 17, 2024 by Douglas Blaine

Read John 14:1-14 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 Reflect Have you ever known someone who chose to believe a lie instead … Continue reading →

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