Peter Vogt, Author at For Pete's Sake

About Peter Vogt

I’m a writer. An essayist, to be more exact. I tell stories here—true stories, from my own life, in hopes they will make a positive difference in yours.

I share laughs and tears, insights and observations, frustrations and realizations, relying all the while on the storytelling wisdom of Julia Cameron, author of The Right to Write.

It is a great paradox that the more personal, focused, and specific your writing becomes, the more universally it communicates.

Entries by Peter Vogt

What Matters

November 16, 2013/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Peter Vogt

I’ve learned in my life so far — especially in the 18 months since losing my wife to cancer and falling in love with a woman who lost her husband to suicide — that the vast majority of what we worry about and busy ourselves with each day simply doesn’t matter. It’s a total waste of […]

Peter Vogt

I’m a writer. An essayist, to be more exact. I tell stories here—true stories, from my own life, in hopes they will make a positive difference in yours.

I share laughs and tears, insights and observations, frustrations and realizations, relying all the while on the storytelling wisdom of Julia Cameron, author of The Right to Write.

It is a great paradox that the more personal, focused, and specific your writing becomes, the more universally it communicates.

My Little Swimmers Are Just a Glimmer

September 18, 2013/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Peter Vogt

I had the most pleasant conversation the other day about the Minnesota State Fair — with the nurse who was shaving my testicles. I was about to undergo a vasectomy, but I might as well have been at the park with this woman watching our kids play, or standing behind her in line at the […]

Peter Vogt

I’m a writer. An essayist, to be more exact. I tell stories here—true stories, from my own life, in hopes they will make a positive difference in yours.

I share laughs and tears, insights and observations, frustrations and realizations, relying all the while on the storytelling wisdom of Julia Cameron, author of The Right to Write.

It is a great paradox that the more personal, focused, and specific your writing becomes, the more universally it communicates.

My Story, Your Story — They’re All Powerful

August 16, 2013/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Peter Vogt

The other day, I got up in front of about 60 total strangers and told them how my wife, Lois, died of cancer a little over a year ago. The audience members were employees of a large health care organization, and I was there talking about how one of its services had helped me and […]

Peter Vogt

I’m a writer. An essayist, to be more exact. I tell stories here—true stories, from my own life, in hopes they will make a positive difference in yours.

I share laughs and tears, insights and observations, frustrations and realizations, relying all the while on the storytelling wisdom of Julia Cameron, author of The Right to Write.

It is a great paradox that the more personal, focused, and specific your writing becomes, the more universally it communicates.

Share and Share Alike – It’s a Matter of Trust

July 29, 2013/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Peter Vogt

The other day I was texting back and forth with my girlfriend, Adrianne, as we do virtually every morning to begin our respective days. I didn’t notice anything particularly different about my behavior, but Adrianne did — and she pointed it out to me in a phone call later that morning. She could tell — […]

Peter Vogt

I’m a writer. An essayist, to be more exact. I tell stories here—true stories, from my own life, in hopes they will make a positive difference in yours.

I share laughs and tears, insights and observations, frustrations and realizations, relying all the while on the storytelling wisdom of Julia Cameron, author of The Right to Write.

It is a great paradox that the more personal, focused, and specific your writing becomes, the more universally it communicates.

Lowish Self-Esteem: You’re Fired, Effective Immediately

July 21, 2013/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Peter Vogt

I’ve been poisoned. I’ve been poisoned from within and from without — the exact mix is both unclear and irrelevant — but I’ve been poisoned nonetheless. For 46 years and counting, I have wrestled with lowish self-esteem — with self-esteem that isn’t as low as it could be, thank God, but is on the low […]

Peter Vogt

I’m a writer. An essayist, to be more exact. I tell stories here—true stories, from my own life, in hopes they will make a positive difference in yours.

I share laughs and tears, insights and observations, frustrations and realizations, relying all the while on the storytelling wisdom of Julia Cameron, author of The Right to Write.

It is a great paradox that the more personal, focused, and specific your writing becomes, the more universally it communicates.

The Help

July 15, 2013/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Peter Vogt

I watched my wife die. Literally. I just sat there and watched it happen. I didn’t do a thing. I … just … sat … there. I didn’t try to help her as she was lying in her — our — own bed, laboring to take her last breath following three months of hospice care […]

Peter Vogt

I’m a writer. An essayist, to be more exact. I tell stories here—true stories, from my own life, in hopes they will make a positive difference in yours.

I share laughs and tears, insights and observations, frustrations and realizations, relying all the while on the storytelling wisdom of Julia Cameron, author of The Right to Write.

It is a great paradox that the more personal, focused, and specific your writing becomes, the more universally it communicates.

Was Blind, but Now I See: I’m a Writer

July 5, 2013/1 Comment/in Uncategorized /by Peter Vogt

When you ask “Who am I?” — as we all inevitably do throughout our lives — make sure you’re putting your question to the right person. Persons. You yourself probably aren’t the best guy/gal to ask. You certainly shouldn’t be the only one, that’s for sure. I developed a working theory during my days as […]

Peter Vogt

I’m a writer. An essayist, to be more exact. I tell stories here—true stories, from my own life, in hopes they will make a positive difference in yours.

I share laughs and tears, insights and observations, frustrations and realizations, relying all the while on the storytelling wisdom of Julia Cameron, author of The Right to Write.

It is a great paradox that the more personal, focused, and specific your writing becomes, the more universally it communicates.