Running out of ideas, or never coming up with the perfect ones can be daunting. Truth is, writing isn’t as easy as some may erroneously think. But if you’ll consider your purpose for writing, it should help you get on the right track. For instance, if you want to entertain your audience, think of irony as the master of irony, O. Henry, taught us in The Ransom of Red Chief. Maybe take time to read it; after all, it’s a really short story. If you want to teach or inform, consider what would be the most important thing for you to share. If you want to persuade, then what is so important to you that others should understand? Maybe even decide you’re right? Go to the webbing chart I posted earlier and start kicking around some ideas. I heard that Marjorie Rawlings was rejected by publishers until one of them challenged her to write »
Dominick’s is Back!!
In case you live in Oviedo, FL, and haven’t checked out the reopening of the Dominick’s Restaurant in Tuskawilla, you’d better get the gears in motion because you’re missing out! From the beautiful new facility, the excellent entrees and the china & silverware, all is beautiful and tasteful! I really have no complaints; Dominick’s rivals the best restaurants on Park Ave. in Winter Park! Really first class!
Movie: I Can Only Imagine!
This movie doesn’t hold back the truth, regardless of the pain it must have caused Bart Millard, the real man behind the story. And the story is worth your time. Don’t miss this movie about a struggle to survive and to rise above abuse and find one’s place in this world… the place God has chosen for you. That’s the only place worth being.
Readers Have Rights, Too!
When working on my master’s degree, I had the opportunity to hear a speech by a famous YA literature author, specializing in initiation stories for middle schoolers. The majority of his stories are outdoor adventures, but one of his well-known stories begins with a scene he said he refused to allow his children to read. That was in 1996, and I’m still wondering… how could anyone write something he/she wouldn’t allow his own children to read but then have it published for other people’s children to read? I personally disagree with that philosophy. I won’t write anything I’d be ashamed of any of my past students reading, let alone my own children. I think that as your reading audience, everyone’s children should be as important to you as your own. What gives a writer the right to use people’s minds as dumpsters?
Self-Improvements Don’t Come Easy
An amazing thing is happening. I asked the Father to help me change according to His will. I’m discovering Him as a counselor, the best! It’s encouraging to know He cares this much and He is answering my prayers… and it all begins with me. This is what I’ve learned so far: * Though I thought I’d forgiven my husband and in-laws many times over the years, I wouldn’t still be struggling with these memories and emotions if I had really forgiven them. * Forgiveness is not a matter of choice and it’s not based on whatever offense you’ve suffered. It’s a command and for those who want to deepen their relationship with Christ, it’s not just a command, it becomes the deepest desire of your soul to obey Him. * It is obedience I’m being taught. Obedience in forgiving, despite any wounds or offenses suffered, and »
Where the Red Fern Grows
Even after 29 years of teaching English in secondary-level public schools, I have to admit that all the reading I’ve had to do leads me back to one book, Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls. I mean, in just one of the courses I had to take while studying for my master’s degree I had to read 80 books in three months. Now, that’s a lot of reading and I truly burned out on reading – but I still enjoy reading this book by Rawls. So much so, that I am bringing the idea of a “memory book” project, based on reading this book and recording childhood memories that it might evoke, to residents in an independent living facility. I hope and pray it will bring them the beauty of fond memories that it has brought me. But, by the way, my favorite book remains the Bible – the only »
SAMSON!
Finally! A movie that claims to be Biblical and is actually based on scriptures! Aside from one short scene that is “Hollywood liberty,” it’s all good and all fantastic! That one scene is believable, though, and based on the Biblical character, so it doesn’t stray into disrespectful territory. I’ve seen it three times, so I obviously recommend it. If you haven’t seen it, don’t miss it!
Billy Graham – A Man to Remember
Try to imagine the scene in heaven – rejoicing and shouts of exclamations as a faithful servant runs to the arms of his loving God! What to say after picturing this scene? We pray that in his death, even more souls will be won to Jesus Christ than in his lifetime. Hallelujah! Well done, Billy Graham, with a race well run!! Mercy Me’s inimitable song, “I Can Only Imagine” so aptly applies here!
Two-Sided Coins
I was trying to watch Salt for the first time, but she voiced a GD before the first ad break. Wow… there goes another movie I’ll live without! Christ said, “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ This actually unnerves me because it is easy to neglect doing what you should for others. Very easy to go our way and mind our own business when someone else really needs help. We’ve probably all done this. Bottomline comment: Refraining from blaspheming God’s name is something we should all do for the least of these, as well as for the honor and glory of God….. Each of us, including myself, needs to »
Movies I’d like to see, but…
you see, I made this promise to not go to movies that dishonor the one who suffered and died for us. And it doesn’t matter if it’s blasphemy or cursing, using the name of God or Jesus (one and the same). I just can’t picture Him going through all that and sit comfortably through any movie that abuses Him. Our words matter and someday, everyone is going to know that – without a doubt. So it’s not only what I hear but what I say that matters and for me, it’s easier to just not go to such movies because I’m very auditory and tend to eventually repeat what I hear, unless I’m extremely careful. Controlling your tongue is TOUGH and I don’t know anyone who’s accomplished this – including me. It’s a struggle, but at least I’m in the fight…and I’m in it to win it, God helping me »