A seasonal Blue Moon is rare. It happens only once every two or three years.

Equally rare is a writer who comes along, makes me stop whatever I’m doing, settle into my chair, and remember exactly why I fell in love with the written word in the first place.

Not because the subject is particularly sensational or the headline promises some earth-shattering revelation, but because the writing itself is so darn good.

Lawrence Winnerman is one of those writers.

He’s what I call a writer’s writer, someone whose craftsmanship makes other writers sit up and pay attention. His stories aren’t simply assembled and published. They’re researched, examined, shaped, polished, and occasionally sharpened to a very fine point.

And I am absolutely over the moon that he’s joined our BBB family.

A Master Sculptor With a Keyboard

I’ve read a lot of writing over the years. Some of it has been wonderful. Some of it has made me wonder whether the author and their keyboard were even on speaking terms.

And then there’s Lawrence.

He doesn’t skim the surface of a subject, toss together a few observations, and declare victory. He dives into the deep end, investigates the details, questions the obvious, and keeps digging until he’s uncovered something worth sharing.

Then comes the artistry.

I think of Lawrence as a master sculptor who begins with a massive block of marble. He chips away at the unnecessary pieces, shapes the important details, and carefully polishes the finished work until something extraordinary emerges.

His gut-wrenching essays are written in his blood, sweat, and tears. They are brilliantly infused with intelligence, passion, and an unmistakable respect for the craft of writing.

Add his perfectly calibrated sarcasm and wicked sense of humor, and you have a storyteller who can make you think, laugh, and occasionally mutter, “Well, I’ll be darned.”

Sometimes all in the same paragraph.

The Fascinating Man Behind the Words

Lawrence describes himself with the intriguing tagline, “Writing the hinge. Building the future.”

He’s an essayist, novelist, and entrepreneur, as well as the founder and CEO of Peptidings. He’s also the former COO of Blue Amp Media. Clearly, the man has more than a few irons in the fire.

But his vast professional accomplishments are only part of what makes him fascinating.

Lawrence is a proud feminist, an enthusiastic music lover, and a passionate observer of politics and the forces shaping our world. He’s deeply concerned about injustice and isn’t afraid to expose hypocrisy, challenge conventional thinking, or ask uncomfortable questions.

His writing has intelligence, but it also has a conscience.

And behind that formidable intellect is a man with an enormous heart. Lawrence is fiercely loyal to his friends and completely devoted to his magnificent Bengal cats, Ripley and Tycho. If the cats are anything like the Bengals I’ve known, they robably consider him a highly trained member of their personal staff.

He has one of the best belly laughs on the planet. Yet here’s a man who can dissect complicated political and technological issues with surgical precision, deliver a perfectly timed dose of sarcasm, and then turn around and be utterly enchanted by his cats.

What’s not to love?

Three Stories That Show Why Lawrence Is So Special

One of the greatest pleasures of editing BBB is discovering writers who bring something distinctive to our publication. Lawrence doesn’t simply contribute another article to the collection. He brings curiosity, intellectual rigor, and a wonderfully individual voice.

If you haven’t discovered his work yet, allow me to introduce you to three of his BBB essays.

Something About the Irkutsk Plague Story Doesn’t Add Up

Read Lawrence’s story

If there’s one thing Lawrence seems to enjoy, it’s a story with unanswered questions.

In this fascinating essay, he examines a reported plague-related death involving a Russian laboratory worker and starts asking the questions that deserve to be asked.

Rather than accepting a convenient explanation, Lawrence digs into the available information, examines the inconsistencies, and invites readers to consider what might be missing from the narrative.

This is Lawrence at his investigative best. Curious, methodical, and unwilling to settle for an explanation simply because someone has presented it as the final word.

I love a writer who makes me question what I thought I knew.

The Götterdämmerung of Software

Read Lawrence’s story

First of all, anyone who can put Götterdämmerung in a headline and make me want to read every word has already earned my admiration.

But Lawrence delivers far more than an intriguing title.

He explores the rapidly changing world of software, artificial intelligence, and the economic forces threatening to reshape the technology industry.

What makes this essay particularly compelling is his ability to connect seemingly unrelated developments into a larger, thought-provoking picture.

Lawrence doesn’t simply tell us that technology is changing. He wants us to consider what those changes mean, who might benefit, and what could happen next.

It’s the kind of essay that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading.

The Right Just Discovered Tillamook’s Halal Cheese. They’re About 10 Years Late.

Read Lawrence’s story

And now, dear readers, we arrive at the cheese. Yes, cheese.

Leave it to Lawrence to take something as ordinary as a package of Tillamook cheese and turn it into a wonderfully sharp examination of cultural outrage, religious misunderstanding, and the peculiar things people decide to get worked up about.

This is where his wit and sarcasm really get to stretch their legs.

Lawrence brings research and perspective to a controversy that might otherwise seem absurd, then seasons the entire discussion with just enough humor to make the experience thoroughly entertaining.

Who knew cheese could be so intellectually stimulating? Apparently, Lawrence did.

Why I’m So Thrilled He’s Here

I’ve spent much of my life surrounded by writers, editors, books, stories, and people who believe words matter. And after all these years, I still get excited when I encounter someone whose work reminds me what extraordinary writing can accomplish.

That’s how I feel about Lawrence. He isn’t afraid to take risks, challenge assumptions, or follow an idea wherever it leads. His essays have substance, personality, and that elusive quality that makes readers eager to discover what he’ll tackle next.

And I want to say something directly to him.

Lawrence, I am beyond thrilled that you’ve joined the Medium writing community, and even more delighted that you’ve chosen Bouncin’ and Behavin’ Blogs as one of your homes for your thought-provoking essays.

I feel like BBB has received an unexpectedly magnificent early Christmas gift. Your intelligence, passion, humor, and dedication to the craft of writing are gifts from Santa to our publication. I appreciate the care you bring to your work, the courage of your convictions, and the unmistakable humanity that shines through your words.

We’re honored to have you among our writers, and I can’t wait to see what remarkable stories you’ll share with us next.

Please Show Lawrence Your Warmest Welcome

To our BBB readers and other writers, please take some time to explore Lawrence’s work, follow him, and let him know how much you appreciate his contributions.

And Lawrence, one last thing. Please give those beautiful Bengal cats a little extra love from our BBB family.

After all, behind every brilliant writer, there’s probably a beloved pet wondering why their human is still staring at that ridiculous glowing screen.

Welcome to BBB, Lawrence.

We’re so very glad you’re here.

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Welcome to BBB: Lawrence Winnerman, a Writer’s Writer was originally published in Bouncin’ and Behavin’ Blogs on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.