tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16430923317291263872024-03-19T07:46:53.348+00:00More than WritersThe blog of the Association of Christian Writers. auntyamohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213728883228063200noreply@blogger.comBlogger3133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-58486300741985924582024-03-19T00:30:00.001+00:002024-03-19T00:30:00.127+00:00Self-Editing<p> As much as I admire professional editors, I
am still not making enough money from my writing to justify using a
professional editor. Yes, I hear you, maybe if I did have a professional
editor, I would make more money from my writing. Chicken and egg!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I am an advocate of write, write, write,
for the first draft. Just get it all down on the paper. I don’t worry about
editing as I go along because I don’t want to go down the rabbit holes. Even
research is left out of my writing in this first stage. I keep each piece of
work in a separate folder with a label of the project on it. If I do have a
genius idea I can put it on another piece of paper and just put it together
with my draft for later reflection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> 1.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><b> </b></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US"><b>The Big Sweep</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span>On the second draft I look at the whole
piece, whether large or small and make sure the consistency and if fiction,
plot development is as I want it. At this stage, I am pulling out the bits that
aren’t relevant. Yes, deleting. I find that very difficult to do. I hate
deleting but know it is necessary. I look at my original purpose. Do I do, what
I said I would in those early chapters? Have I gone off track? If I’m not sure,
I put a note to myself to rethink it when I next edit.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I don’t know whether you edit on screen or
on paper. Personally, I do both. When I have done the big sweep, I print off my
work but with no section breaks, just as line after line and page after page.
It saves paper and bulk and can be sorted in the formatting which comes later.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GInbHBI-ao-7bK9mI7Ctk2i7Yg-OEXBAe2WFsKW7c7qGSmM_73CUMUajABQt5v0rUlH5SWjxEa3RSiCPITvEDVIeDcBHTEZhG_j3huNvpMwNcW5grOGJLQsg5M4lngS9IRuv8QHPYZU6T3WLuA8AeO8H3KZC4M94RtOYj1Q31waogTc36NsM53I7Fawi/s4512/IMG_5368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4512" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GInbHBI-ao-7bK9mI7Ctk2i7Yg-OEXBAe2WFsKW7c7qGSmM_73CUMUajABQt5v0rUlH5SWjxEa3RSiCPITvEDVIeDcBHTEZhG_j3huNvpMwNcW5grOGJLQsg5M4lngS9IRuv8QHPYZU6T3WLuA8AeO8H3KZC4M94RtOYj1Q31waogTc36NsM53I7Fawi/s320/IMG_5368.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Put</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">2.</span></div></span></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">2. <b>Put in the drawer for a month</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Yes, the work goes away for a whole month.
I start on something else or take something out of that full-up drawer. I do
think about it and make a note of new ideas and approaches on a bit of paper
and shove it in the file. This is where it helps that there is a rough
print-out. It guards against technology blips. If your laptop goes down, you
still have your rough copy which is better than everything going into
cyberspace!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> 3. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US"><b>Chapter by Chapter</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">On this third or fourth draft, I am
considering the order of the chapters. I work in <b>Scrivener</b> as it is easy to
change the order of chapters with a drag and drop. Then I look at consistency of
the chapters. As I am working mostly on devotionals, have I got a prayer or a
quote in each chapter if that is what I am aiming at? Are my chapter headings
consistent in their case, alignment? Is the word count consistent or roughly so
for each chapter?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Each chapter now comes under scrutiny. Is
it lively? Engaging? Appropriate for my audience? What about my use of
vocabulary? At this stage I might run it through<b> Pro Writing Aid</b> (or some use
Grammarly), for a spelling, grammar and repetitions check.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Am I up to the fourth or fifth
draft? If you aren’t totally happy with it, go through it again.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">That is a brief version of how I deal with
my writing but looking at it, it is also how I deal with myself. After all,
this piece is called ‘self’ editing. The big sweep usually happens at the
beginning of a new year. Am I on track in my life? What do I need to change? It
usually means dropping less important activities as I tend to take on things
then can’t cope.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Then, I too need to be put in a drawer for a
month. Pause, reflect, be with the Lord. Each of my chapters needs to be held
up to the light of Jesus. Words too need to be examined. Only wholesome words
to build up others need to be kept.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">So what about you? How do you go about your self-editing in your writing and yourself?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmFkDXaa5k5BuWKTd4ge2Vd8VemnbdVSGdasvHrIWnb_2LxDhrETXlUUlqNxcYH0VH0UzEPq5ildg7qYply21F_gEmOsQ8sCT_xmMKXGyoErMd0j44XiEZSjxhK7gjUUteyAygLDy93kDAfWLs4JsuW-cGeWHnZFfrqDRQhkEaUSKRjuujob4tpkVToV7/s5184/IMG_5187%20thumbprint%20Dec%202023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmFkDXaa5k5BuWKTd4ge2Vd8VemnbdVSGdasvHrIWnb_2LxDhrETXlUUlqNxcYH0VH0UzEPq5ildg7qYply21F_gEmOsQ8sCT_xmMKXGyoErMd0j44XiEZSjxhK7gjUUteyAygLDy93kDAfWLs4JsuW-cGeWHnZFfrqDRQhkEaUSKRjuujob4tpkVToV7/s320/IMG_5187%20thumbprint%20Dec%202023.JPG" width="320" /></a>Rosalie Weller</div><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Rosalie tries not to take herself too seriously. Life is
too short! She enjoys writing in different genres - historical fiction, bible
study guides, devotionals and poetry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">She is the Groups' Coordinator for ACW and welcomes any
enquiries about groups at groups@christianwriters.co.uk<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Rosalie Wellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11943880060070967194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-44166960916881724822024-03-18T00:30:00.000+00:002024-03-18T00:30:00.139+00:00Over and Out After Six and a Half Years, by Georgie Tennant<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Beginnings can be easier than ends sometimes, can’t they, imbued as they are with connotations of hope and expectancy? Ends are sometimes harder to face, especially as it can be tricky, can’t it, to recognise when it’s time for an end that must be of your own making? <br /><br />On the <i>More Than Writers</i> blog, people, rightly, come and go. It is an amazing place to hone your writing skills, develop the discipline of regular posting and receive great encouragement for your writing journey – and then step aside to make space for others to do the same. I have been writing for <i>More Than Writers</i> since my <a href="https://morethanwriters.blogspot.com/2017/08/what-do-running-and-writing-have.html" target="_blank">first post on 18th August, 2017</a>, a grand total of six and a half years. I remember feeling so grateful, at the time, that a more seasoned writer had stepped aside and made way for my fledgling thoughts. Now I know it is time for me to do the same for someone else. <br /><br />So this is goodbye from me, and thank you. Thank you to Wendy Jones then Rosemary Johnson, for giving a total novice a chance to find her voice. Thank you to each and every one of you who have liked, commented and shared my posts, enabling me to grow in confidence that my words were worth reading.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjCFF_O3LRByiXVi19P1ml8bG9A-AUoOf8qKCywq6_oIPv_tBjKZbqJCVHELsNnym0iv3vl9lZyJgbnkVoq3do2ED96dmK3BveO5J1byVjA-lrSEMAa2rtR_SnpxRso0BjxflQh5XVkburYMiICushIF7H7Ol8RUAVhuv0weBXW9aFlQo6VlVzbjb1sMxR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="454" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjCFF_O3LRByiXVi19P1ml8bG9A-AUoOf8qKCywq6_oIPv_tBjKZbqJCVHELsNnym0iv3vl9lZyJgbnkVoq3do2ED96dmK3BveO5J1byVjA-lrSEMAa2rtR_SnpxRso0BjxflQh5XVkburYMiICushIF7H7Ol8RUAVhuv0weBXW9aFlQo6VlVzbjb1sMxR=w200-h117" width="200" /></a></div><br />For those of you just starting out where I was, six and a half years ago – be encouraged! Everyone has to start somewhere. As I began to write for the blog, scrabbling for new ideas each month, I found confidence to write for the magazine a bit too. This, in turn, encouraged me to apply to be part of the wonderful collaborative books the ACW published for Lent and for Advent. Between that and the wonderful friendships and connections made in my local ACW group and at national events, my confidence grew, leading to the realisation, this year, of a dream – to have a published book, out in the world, which many of you have kindly bought and read. Other things have begun to happen, fresh opportunities, fresh doors to walk through. Have I “made it,” in my writing “career?” Of course not – so few of us will ever feel we have. But am I taking each opportunity, each step, thanking and trusting God for a future that is in His hands? Absolutely! <br /><br />I am not recalling my journey to boast, or to say, “look what I have achieved,” but to encourage all who tread the path behind me. I had no idea what I wanted to write for a very long time. It was only in the gradual opportunity-taking, connection-making and finding of my voice that things began to crystallise. So, look into the eyes of He who gave you the gift of writing in the first place, and confidently take your next, wobbling steps. Perhaps you might apply to Rosemary for the slot on the 18th March and it might be a date you look back on with gratitude and nostalgia, as I do on August 18th 2017.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitRuzX5yrN2MeV8fueeSh4h65NAdDq3UzqmMXM_XrCFAl3qGTPxobVdb7cGWnV9QKVIyMI960wUOYop-XAc3Yr53OHT1O366tMSwVnaJgJccz6Lek4X-sFEwVXzahMQFUv6LtSqSofIHeBH1IW2UG8ylD5pOAInU0Rj0v7E7tSqMbD_Gf6-j4p4wvTb5-9" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitRuzX5yrN2MeV8fueeSh4h65NAdDq3UzqmMXM_XrCFAl3qGTPxobVdb7cGWnV9QKVIyMI960wUOYop-XAc3Yr53OHT1O366tMSwVnaJgJccz6Lek4X-sFEwVXzahMQFUv6LtSqSofIHeBH1IW2UG8ylD5pOAInU0Rj0v7E7tSqMbD_Gf6-j4p4wvTb5-9=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Georgie Tennant is a secondary school English teacher in a Norfolk Comprehensive. She is married, with two sons, aged 15 and 13 who keep her exceptionally busy. She writes for the ACW ‘Christian Writer’ magazine occasionally, and is a contributor to the ACW-Published ‘New Life: Reflections for Lent,’ and ‘Merry Christmas, Everyone.' She has written 8 books in a phonics series, published by BookLife and was a freelance writer for King's Lynn Magazine for a while. She writes the ‘Thought for the Week’ for the local newspaper from time to time and also muses about life and loss on her blog: www.somepoemsbygeorgie.blogspot.co.uk. She was recently the winner of the BRF devotional writing competition for "The Upper Room." Her first devotional book, "The God Who Sees You," was published by Kevin Mayhew in March. https://www.kevinmayhew.com/products/the-god-who-sees-you</i></span><br /></div>Georgie Tennanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07808665309419357465noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-75369725229835394292024-03-17T02:00:00.139+00:002024-03-17T02:00:00.236+00:00Make each day your masterpiece<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />'Make each day your masterpiece.'</span><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34);"><br /></span></span><div><span style="color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPkiYflWDEF-ZAwaQHF2X-2dhUzVWOWZwFdXgfyNhixUebDZIW2r3I9LIxSMNBW6zwqBZA6YZ9Xf5zI2i9_tPfE38DJiL5hQZF5yqE2EajWkdXq_c2bcDsFy-SNjofrckuIsylT6TynY-ZOXpN3hqmG18kzW5mb61e6yJrkKZUXglpj6LNq1UFwui1lk/s3264/Image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPkiYflWDEF-ZAwaQHF2X-2dhUzVWOWZwFdXgfyNhixUebDZIW2r3I9LIxSMNBW6zwqBZA6YZ9Xf5zI2i9_tPfE38DJiL5hQZF5yqE2EajWkdXq_c2bcDsFy-SNjofrckuIsylT6TynY-ZOXpN3hqmG18kzW5mb61e6yJrkKZUXglpj6LNq1UFwui1lk/s320/Image.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div></div><br /></div></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #202122; font-family: arial;">'Well thank you, John Wooden. You surely don't mean today? I mean, look at the place. The decorators have just finished my study, the contents of which are all over the dining room chairs and floor, and my filing cabinets and bookshelf are in the sitting room. You couldn't dance if you wanted to. And there's certainly no room to ask a friend in at the moment. So, there is no possibility of today being a masterpiece in any way, shape or form!'</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #202122; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202122;">John Wooden, I hasten to say, is not actually here. He was an American basketball player, born on 11th October 1912, and he died on 4th June 2010. </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122;">All his life he adhered to a Seven Point creed, which was passed to him by his father.</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122;"> All Seven Points are very good </span><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34);">advice, like </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444;"><strong>• Be true to yourself,</strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444;">and</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444;"><strong style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">• Make friendship a fine art,</strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444;">and</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444;"><strong style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">• Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.</strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444;">Yes, all Seven Points are very good advice......... mostly. But not today.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444;">Of course John doesn't answer, but I can tell his eyebrows have gone up, his head is slightly turned, and he's giving me a gentle smile.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444;">'Well,' I say, 'we <i>can't </i>make every day a masterpiece, can we?'</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444;">He waits for me to answer my own question.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444;">'I know what you mean,' I mumble. '</span><span style="color: #444444;">Do the best you can. I can’t change anything about yesterday when I wasted a whole hour and nothing seemed to work and inspiration was taking a holiday.' </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444;">He pauses, as he always does when he's about to say something he wouldn't want me to miss. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444;">'The future depends on how you prepare yourself today.'</span></p><div><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444;">He smiles again, knowing he's convinced me that his father was right.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">'Everybody makes mistakes,' he says. 'It's what you do with them that </span></span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">counts.'</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPxSAWExCsWyFHnwheO4vGVhLb85R0WBzDyE7u11YyU6Q7nFfc5Ugt7LLZH4i-PbbIJkXL12GyjXd4HQxU9Fq9ski-WTO2kNYvbp0oqeuJ0lihyphenhyphen_vykcHmhoMVmRLs5RpHg89msZDX5ozymKIZU_pPsDU39kElU_hMEFarDQsB15QpTJU53svpctSVRo/s3264/IMG_2473.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPxSAWExCsWyFHnwheO4vGVhLb85R0WBzDyE7u11YyU6Q7nFfc5Ugt7LLZH4i-PbbIJkXL12GyjXd4HQxU9Fq9ski-WTO2kNYvbp0oqeuJ0lihyphenhyphen_vykcHmhoMVmRLs5RpHg89msZDX5ozymKIZU_pPsDU39kElU_hMEFarDQsB15QpTJU53svpctSVRo/s320/IMG_2473.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.866667px; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b><i><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span face="Aptos, sans-serif">Many</span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"> thanks to wikipedia for introducing me to John Robert Wooden</span></span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space" face="Aptos, sans-serif"><i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background: repeat white;"> </span></i></span><i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background: repeat white;">(October 14, 1910 – June 4, 2010). He was an American<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><i><span face="Arial, sans-serif">basketball<span style="background: repeat white;"> coach and player. Nicknamed the "</span>Wizard of Westwood<span style="background: repeat white;">", he won ten<span class="apple-converted-space"> National Collegiate Athletic Association national championships </span></span></span></i><i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background: repeat white;">in a 12-year period as head coach for th</span></i><i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background: repeat white;">e<span class="apple-converted-space"> UCLA Bruins</span></span></i><i><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="background: repeat white;">, including a record seven in a row. No other team has won more than four in a row in<span class="apple-converted-space"> Division 1 </span></span></span></i><span style="color: black;"><i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background: repeat white;"><span style="font-size: small;">college men's or women's basketball. Within this period, his teams won an NCAA men's basketball record 88 consecutive games. Wooden won the prestigious</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: small;"> Henry </span>Ina<span style="font-size: small;"> Award</span></span></span></i><i><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></i><i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background: repeat white;">as national coach of the year a record seven times and won<span class="apple-converted-space"> the Associated Press Award </span></span></i></span><i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background: repeat white;">five times.</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.866667px; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpcMhyjHTv4WrShRToA81JWkLTMzDFn85FJ_Sg7yvTuFgU-LvsQurViK6ap-cH4wspkOzSNYws89_SnRB1Ojxd_INEhyb-IboyQ5kjO9L7tX6bIg_0Kwml9VUIqyISxYB7UbDLj08Nb6EeAgLyxeL3U9qHi-Ssyeqr9MGWhddSbXYzlw4Tt_CTslhcaQ/s3264/IMG_1703.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpcMhyjHTv4WrShRToA81JWkLTMzDFn85FJ_Sg7yvTuFgU-LvsQurViK6ap-cH4wspkOzSNYws89_SnRB1Ojxd_INEhyb-IboyQ5kjO9L7tX6bIg_0Kwml9VUIqyISxYB7UbDLj08Nb6EeAgLyxeL3U9qHi-Ssyeqr9MGWhddSbXYzlw4Tt_CTslhcaQ/s320/IMG_1703.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.866667px; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">If you're interested in the whole of John Wooden’s Seven Point creed, passed to him by his father, here it is, together with the words of fellow American, Bob Harnois.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.866667px; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><br /><strong>• Be true to yourself.</strong> If you are true to yourself, you will be true to all others.<br /><strong>• Make each day your masterpiece.</strong> Do the best you can. You can’t do anything about yesterday. The future depends on how you prepare yourself today.<br /><strong>• Help others.</strong> Do something for another, for which you didn’t expect something in return. There is real joy in helping others.<br /><strong>• Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.</strong><br /><strong>• Make friendship a fine art.</strong> Work at it, don’t take it for granted. Friendship is like marriage, it’s not a one sider. Make a lasting friendship–you have to work at it.<br /><strong>• Build a shelter against a rainy day.</strong> You’re building that shelter by the life you lead–it’s not a material shelter.<br /><strong>• Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.</strong> Be thankful and especially give thanks to the master.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.866667px; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #444444; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 18.4px;"><i>Photos - RHS Wisley and the Exmoor coast path - are the author's own.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.866667px; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><i style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Veronica Bright is a storyteller who has been lucky enough to win prizes for her short fiction and drama. </span></i><i style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">She writes occasional book reviews for Transforming Ministry, which has been a blessing because each book has taught her to think deeply about everything. Veronica has been the ACW short story advisor for several years, and this too has taught her a lot. She<span style="color: black;"> and Sally Todd co-ordinate the ACW Writing for Children group, whose members meet on Zoom. And.... for anyone lives near Plymouth, she organises the Plymouth Christian Writers group, who also meet via Zoom. Details may be found in The Christian Writer.</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444;"><br /><br /><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444;"><br /><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #444444;"><br /><br /></span></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Veronica Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782827452452711420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-56210048844631284392024-03-16T00:30:00.005+00:002024-03-16T00:30:00.138+00:00A 'ready' writer<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLfQaH_xKJkwR8U7p5Wqaant3hVm-KPMb0zc-UsRsh5m2XYBPYaZyklhCNbJPIhpTp_9EtQzczpcsSDSDSFWOHoVxSyUhDzc4CvDW3tC0KJMFsEtuMr1SG0V6K30MAwgNZq7_anCqMInPREiy5ktHk6Taei-u-n4pY55zSVZWoUeUD4Ev7yz9Alh7kwn8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLfQaH_xKJkwR8U7p5Wqaant3hVm-KPMb0zc-UsRsh5m2XYBPYaZyklhCNbJPIhpTp_9EtQzczpcsSDSDSFWOHoVxSyUhDzc4CvDW3tC0KJMFsEtuMr1SG0V6K30MAwgNZq7_anCqMInPREiy5ktHk6Taei-u-n4pY55zSVZWoUeUD4Ev7yz9Alh7kwn8" width="286" /></span></a></p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><div style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">I imagine that several <i>More Than Writers</i> writers have picked this topic before, so forgive me if I am being repetitious.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>However, this verse has cropped up a few times recently demanding my attention.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I must have learnt it in the King James Version back in the dim and distant days of Bible Club on a Sunday morning. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>The NIV(UK) says it’s the pen of a ‘skilful’ writer but I’ve been wondering what a ‘ready’ writer is.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>Is it the keen bean who’s up at 6am, done a two hour quiet time, gone for a run and is showered, breakfasted and ready to create fabulous prose – fiction or otherwise –<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>or indeed, poetry, on their laptop from 9am sharp?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Is it the writer who settles down with a squillion fabulous ideas ready to take the reading and publishing world by storm?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Perhaps it’s the wannabe author who has all their files of ideas alphabetised and is organised to the nth degree.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>Or perhaps it’s the writer, published or otherwise, who comes to their keyboard humble, prayerful and all too aware that sometimes the right words seem just out of reach, yet has an assurance that God is using them – if somewhat clumsily – to bring some truth to light, or to craft words into a format that will capture a reader.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>You might feel that you’ve been bashing away for months, or even years, without any discernible progress, but that’s simply not the case.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>You’re almost certainly improving with every completed paragraph.</span></span></div><p class="p1" style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAHOO4qU1ptHEf5WmASPdkDhOo2N-YBITieeq0-D0TTqnX_pTZzgUiJilt4c0Xcdqz3pVSjwh9X_XK4f5A56tJrccaF2yGeqEqYR7iAI_Z93_uHIxh1Y781Fb_aWP6460xJMSSCtEB5mnpSVkVVGM1LN6X8bqA46Zwt3T94EfMb_lh-mlVkcMUVmrYvaA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAHOO4qU1ptHEf5WmASPdkDhOo2N-YBITieeq0-D0TTqnX_pTZzgUiJilt4c0Xcdqz3pVSjwh9X_XK4f5A56tJrccaF2yGeqEqYR7iAI_Z93_uHIxh1Y781Fb_aWP6460xJMSSCtEB5mnpSVkVVGM1LN6X8bqA46Zwt3T94EfMb_lh-mlVkcMUVmrYvaA=w247-h185" width="247" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>Everything you’ve ever written, deleted, scribbled, edited, scrunched into a ball and filed in the bin, and everything you’ve courageously put together and dared to show another person is part of your writing journey.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>You may feel that you’ll never put anything together more creative than a shopping list.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Perhaps you write for your parish magazine, or church bulletin/news letter; or perhaps you’re embarking on a series of fantasy stories, a multigenerational memoir or a meaty work of non-fiction.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It makes no difference; if you’re doing it as a way of pursuing the gift God has given you, and you’re doing it in faith then you’re ‘ready’.</span></p><p class="p2" style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>The Bible says that ‘anything without faith is sin’ (Romans 14:23), but that faith is a gift of God which can also move mountains.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Alrighty then ; that's clear. Let’s be like the little chap who brought his loaves and fishes to Jesus.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It wasn’t much of a lunch for 5,000 people, but in God’s hands it turned into something quite extraordinary.</span></p><p class="p2" style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>I wonder whether we’re remotely ready for that? Let’s at least begin by bringing our writing efforts to Him, however feeble they may look.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>Being a ready writer is simply a case of being willing, available and obedient.</span></p><p class="p2" style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>Whatever you’re writing today, let's remember that. It will relieve us from a ton of that self-inflicted pressure to be perfect.</span></p><p class="p1" style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihrqF-CV4xojfWTWXN3Ui_Hg_nEy6GrlOdWHVgr0761eZEQ7tIgfSGUts8j-sGYhvXujIWj6StRaDN2zKT6nwmSn7OiS-lJyKrEvL2Wyv16CxQZ_6UG_gQBuDrrwb2HqUE6ucnBOCnPgQN34nJjxtjXuGFy-scWuemD90UlTz0oUMTHLYMLrx47qhF3Eo" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="885" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihrqF-CV4xojfWTWXN3Ui_Hg_nEy6GrlOdWHVgr0761eZEQ7tIgfSGUts8j-sGYhvXujIWj6StRaDN2zKT6nwmSn7OiS-lJyKrEvL2Wyv16CxQZ_6UG_gQBuDrrwb2HqUE6ucnBOCnPgQN34nJjxtjXuGFy-scWuemD90UlTz0oUMTHLYMLrx47qhF3Eo" width="224" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i>Jenny Sanders has spent the last eleven years living between the UK and South Africa. She writes faith-inspired non-fiction: </i>Spiritual Feasting (<i>2020) asks how we can ‘feast’ when life serves unpalatable menus</i>;<i> </i>Polished Arrows <i>will be published in spring 2024, exploring the allegory of how God shapes us to be fired effectively into our culture and contexts. </i></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>Jenny also has two published collections of humorous short stories for Key Stage 2 children. She is available for author visits in primary schools, taking creative writing sessions.</span></i></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>She loves walking in nature, preferably by a river, and has a visceral loathing for offal, pineapple and incorrect use of car indicators on roundabouts.</span></i></p>Jenny Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928232146076872568noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-52339445330369790302024-03-15T00:03:00.004+00:002024-03-15T10:24:33.230+00:00Authenticity <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCYx6U2QX2N20WlthjdmvU7lbfaV8d-0jmjooSMKyCLtuA6Au08dCHU11RPP2k8BNDICdPoLA9aIB1Pux9824aur8P8b7933t3-StwNUlqOm0U-tpg9U2cuZHrwXI0RZLDRad7hTq4L8tCWioqxe2cbptWtRHZT1t7O4iOxmIPWliAfz_-1atZf5LiGM/s2224/9EF3106D-F110-44ED-88FE-35B8884384BA.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FEqAxbh7hJzcuIShDg4VLKZO5plFGjlylZmx9UtTxbutYNZJB2ApXWXvB1WdblZtARvxPwgbFf0ur8qlzW1adX7Xhg0mc2IJ0FCtqZa6m3Mbqa0HR8aTjpGbryJfe9FNiXV2EiVIUZ95jChiN2BEg2IzFfspvAqJ1eTWTyLkH6CjXF7ruaLxnrCIaTg/s1687/1247009D-C705-4DFA-9BF3-518417A75E38.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"></span></a><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-sk2R7Sajrqt14T_WJpkxCikTqQcOHlrmNyXA7GeARzZ7Gr9bQ_HK3aBYSSccOnfnDPKn6fMIaJvglghEiKZsxwPVFwMp5DeLQWnNBYWnnlOKVVszF9xj08Pb42tUZdOO3jMhsV3wcyTqOeHzG84hiGz4sR5KSLIuDgWa5sGHFklLKpobCHZCe_MeW8/s3264/1CF1B35B-74BA-4BD4-BE73-30C782750F8C.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-sk2R7Sajrqt14T_WJpkxCikTqQcOHlrmNyXA7GeARzZ7Gr9bQ_HK3aBYSSccOnfnDPKn6fMIaJvglghEiKZsxwPVFwMp5DeLQWnNBYWnnlOKVVszF9xj08Pb42tUZdOO3jMhsV3wcyTqOeHzG84hiGz4sR5KSLIuDgWa5sGHFklLKpobCHZCe_MeW8/w320-h240/1CF1B35B-74BA-4BD4-BE73-30C782750F8C.jpeg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FEqAxbh7hJzcuIShDg4VLKZO5plFGjlylZmx9UtTxbutYNZJB2ApXWXvB1WdblZtARvxPwgbFf0ur8qlzW1adX7Xhg0mc2IJ0FCtqZa6m3Mbqa0HR8aTjpGbryJfe9FNiXV2EiVIUZ95jChiN2BEg2IzFfspvAqJ1eTWTyLkH6CjXF7ruaLxnrCIaTg/s1687/1247009D-C705-4DFA-9BF3-518417A75E38.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><br />I’m a contemporary fiction writer. In the words of a lady attending my fiction workshop, ‘You just make it all up!’ Her face expressing utter outrage that anyone could write down such lies.</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I remembered this while I was looking at Cambridge colleges for 16+ education. I chose all the books for my character’s English A level and read all the syllabuses for different versions of the BTEC in Performing Arts and in UAL Performance and Production. I hunted for music at A level in the same college for her friend and made a note that I needed to visit one of the further education colleges to be able to describe with some accuracy the foyer where the two characters enter the building and go to their separate courses. I found out that my guessed/imagined version of what clothes and equipment was needed for a dance and drama course is more or less accurate, but have not yet discovered whether there is a college that has courses to suit both girls, one being much more academic than the other.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Does it matter? After publishing one of the Dr Mike Lewis novels I was challenged by a reader over the numbers of the buses the fictional Dr had boarded to travel to his clients’ house. That was fine, I’d worked out the route and reminded her the timetable and bus numbers had changed. There was another query that ‘There are no steps there’ when Dr Lewis walked out of a public building. Maybe I had written it a little unclearly, there were no immediate steps, but there were steps to sit on nearby.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s difficult to know where to imagine and when to ground the story in reality. I became rather lost when looking at curricula. While I tried to work out whether a BTEC and A Level could use the same Shakespeare text and whether AS had to be achieved before the texts for the A level could be studied, I remembered I had a writer friend who had taught English at A level. She was able to reassure me that I was looking at the right website for A levels and had worked out my characters’ book requirements well. If I can’t find out whether the drama in the BTEC can use the same text, I can re-imagine my story. But what I cannot change is the need for my character to meet the requirements to go on to a degree in dance.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So, no, we writers don’t make it all up. We research, we walk in the places where our characters walk and listen to the noises around, and see the place where our character stumbles. We find a street name and identify a building there to house an imaginary Mental Health Team. We walk into hospitals and take the lift to the top of the building where the imaginary ward will be and eat in the canteen, identifying those who have worn their scrubs into the cafeteria. We count the steps from our non-real avenue where our character lives to the bus stop to go to the cinema.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Thus the reader is grounded and the world is recognisable. Our fabrication of the story is woven through with reality. Or maybe reality is woven in throughout our story.</span></p><p><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(117, 117, 117); color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(117, 117, 117); color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tPK0NKkbf320J8FoLRd0O63dMUlsfbNh_jnYDTXtDhSu8dXUaj17Aw5y713jgL9ThRohYMUJ9HL48xhKDhqG2v4hV39OtxF-cGDdkI7iG6gr-OXe8bAoLaPkNy3rjkV43y0AdmnuNPR1-TJqh9feibQVEfjQetSWkAGhpUUX_ZoSqOkQq92zW0uRrvw/s1926/6E4C517F-B684-4DEA-95DE-F0D298AA0FF3.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1882" data-original-width="1926" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tPK0NKkbf320J8FoLRd0O63dMUlsfbNh_jnYDTXtDhSu8dXUaj17Aw5y713jgL9ThRohYMUJ9HL48xhKDhqG2v4hV39OtxF-cGDdkI7iG6gr-OXe8bAoLaPkNy3rjkV43y0AdmnuNPR1-TJqh9feibQVEfjQetSWkAGhpUUX_ZoSqOkQq92zW0uRrvw/w200-h196/6E4C517F-B684-4DEA-95DE-F0D298AA0FF3.jpeg" width="200" /></a></span></i></div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(117, 117, 117); color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Annie Try is the name Angela Hobday uses when writing novels. Her novels reflect her training in psychology, especially the Dr Mike Lewis series published by Instant Apostle. Her most recent novel, published by Kevin Mayhew, is mainly for young adults: The Dangerous Dance of Emma JJ. It features a teen who lives with her foster carer but has overcome unsafe situations in her life and now meets more challenges. Annie is always eager to talk about writing, runs workshops and loves encouraging other writers.</span></i><p></p>Annie Tryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06601211133698896549noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-2255690533812021642024-03-14T00:30:00.010+00:002024-03-14T00:30:00.252+00:00Where Does Our Tongue Write by Christina Bywater<p><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: justify;">It has been on my mind that Psalm 45:1 speaks of our tongue being the pen of a ready writer. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIOvYQ9R1tJr_kuXareuWq5YFjMw4R35Fz1SmBTsSsddW3kFRbusEUQkD2p3KptbJiMXFktAE9Rd2-CYhpBh7cEowXTo6QOXUAiq6p3pVACy67ZZS7MeE1HdP1xXIhe7lGWQvv52oQkMXXD71bkeb4UgHUUoBfiEMUfj4qfcV-9WJpZb7aIiwRQ1uPof9/s1102/Tongue%20is%20a%20pen.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIOvYQ9R1tJr_kuXareuWq5YFjMw4R35Fz1SmBTsSsddW3kFRbusEUQkD2p3KptbJiMXFktAE9Rd2-CYhpBh7cEowXTo6QOXUAiq6p3pVACy67ZZS7MeE1HdP1xXIhe7lGWQvv52oQkMXXD71bkeb4UgHUUoBfiEMUfj4qfcV-9WJpZb7aIiwRQ1uPof9/s320/Tongue%20is%20a%20pen.png" width="213" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: justify;">We write on paper with a pen, but what do we write on with our tongues? How lasting are those words? Are they constructive? Or destructive? Are they good, or evil? Comforting, or unnerving? Faith filled, or fear full?</div></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Proverbs say that Death and Life are in the power of the tongue; and Jesus says that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. That is a scary thought! We can build up, or we can tear down, we can encourage or discourage, enthuse, or deflate, just by the words we allow to leave our mouths. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The challenge that I have with my writing is that, if a reader reads my outpourings out loud, are the words they utter going to have a positive or negative effect? Will they work for good, or evil?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0gXzTvW9KurasXgnuvDncAbg2vqXCSe9Nv4MTZkxGfUIBYjcVHwMAAbj1E_z3AcrOczK62-Tprq0989CDflFxZ9H0BsBnaAX6xw7hPs01YnrTqQqENMfEIkvg5KLvobxaxxBZ3rLMWq6_e0RkN8twWxR556c3fZjjDkhyphenhyphen6cJFPMjwOkQO4rLBUVm3phg/s638/Every%20Idle%20Word.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="638" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0gXzTvW9KurasXgnuvDncAbg2vqXCSe9Nv4MTZkxGfUIBYjcVHwMAAbj1E_z3AcrOczK62-Tprq0989CDflFxZ9H0BsBnaAX6xw7hPs01YnrTqQqENMfEIkvg5KLvobxaxxBZ3rLMWq6_e0RkN8twWxR556c3fZjjDkhyphenhyphen6cJFPMjwOkQO4rLBUVm3phg/s320/Every%20Idle%20Word.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Worse still is the thought that, for every idle word, I will be judged. Jesus was clear about that too. What is an idle word? One that neither builds up the body of Christ nor tears down His enemy’s strongholds? </div><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I often recall the English Nursery Rhyme about the wise old owl, so short a text, yet so full of wisdom, which runs alongside the adage that goes something like “We have two ears and one mouth for a reason! We should listen twice as much as we speak!” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;">"A wise old owl lived in an oak.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;">The more he heard, the less he spoke.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;">The less he spoke, the more he heard.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Wasn’t he a wise old bird?</span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We are called to be a light; to reflect Jesus to the world – that lonely, lost, hopeless mass of people who are looking to us, as Jesus followers, to build them up, give them hope, and show them a better way. Let us hope and pray that all our writings, words engraved forever on a page or heart, when weighed in the balance, are not found wanting.</span></p></div>Nina Bywaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15329436986897999683noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-68208791668536466952024-03-13T00:30:00.001+00:002024-03-13T00:30:00.267+00:00What do you mean, it's Friday? by Jane Walters<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In the middle of February, my son was due to start a new
job on the Friday. He had his week all planned: buy new threads, get a
hair-cut, grab a trip to a waterfall while he was still a free man. It was as
he stood at the bus-stop that he took a call.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jDQRW552_OyGv2Za2NZdQ1VxEyANHL6D6EECti2by4o3QK9IjnAt90_ST4PhZYqhFroAMuzxmjUZBclER4QmlLM963LblJBh1Umd7-rnumO2zvhlE8Cn6l_SY9E4zSqMZSInNQhNZrKieixqm25f78GrT5XpJTIIn-duFn3DeIlhss3wwa2qFBXp_mI/s1280/March%202024%20calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jDQRW552_OyGv2Za2NZdQ1VxEyANHL6D6EECti2by4o3QK9IjnAt90_ST4PhZYqhFroAMuzxmjUZBclER4QmlLM963LblJBh1Umd7-rnumO2zvhlE8Cn6l_SY9E4zSqMZSInNQhNZrKieixqm25f78GrT5XpJTIIn-duFn3DeIlhss3wwa2qFBXp_mI/s320/March%202024%20calendar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing">‘Hey! Er, thought you were starting work here today?’</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">‘Oh hi, no, we said Friday.’</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">‘It is Friday.’<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">‘Ah…’ *aborts trip to waterfall.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I had a similar experience a week or so ago, with the
secretary of a church emailing me for the song choices and sermon PowerPoint
ahead of a preaching engagement. ‘They’re a bit previous,’ I grumbled as I
reached for my diary. No, it turns out they were very much on the boil. Somehow
I’d missed an entire week.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Time can be so deceptive, can’t it? How come some hours
can feel endless, while some whizz by in a moment? I guess it depends on how we
are spending it. I’ve had a couple of conversations recently with starting-out-writers
who are desperate to schedule writing time in an already packed timetable. (We
can all sympathise! How many of us have prayed for extra hours in the day?) In
each case, I was able to encourage them that we can make good use of even ten
minutes, if that’s all we have. If you manage to write 100 words, then another
100 and another 100, it will soon add up. Far better that, than to wait for a
full free day to arrive on the back of a unicorn and consequently achieve zero.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">If you are interested in time-management, there are
multitudes of titles to choose from, to say nothing about podcasts and other
online content. I’ve read them myself, all those exhausting-sounding tips that
have helped the author/presenter achieve the success they have. Perhaps some
people need that kind of micro-managing of their days to get them into a more
productive groove. Perhaps we can apply it in some way to our writing? But, for
me, I always want to come back to the heart.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Yes, let’s try to carve out some time for writing; but
let the reason be because writing gives us such joy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Yes, let’s be disciplined and finish what we have
started; but only because we can’t wait to share our ideas/creations with
others.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p>In short, the time we spend writing should be
life-giving! And who cares if we accidentally lose a week or two in the
process? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRb4ZlirPjHXJibIaazlgr5e5_8w5ETzvgDXpLIzDeNNPa9lGCElcp-SLPiCVnb8N0GpzaAk7Zq6CTTfcePx-J36ESK7Fx3J5qeMzC8xGsl52ZiLTOvYNKoimS_eo0ppblpGlIz2bpi-YTCpX4j32uwdouB88oT7nMGtXwQ3G2fvhTFl8W37CIaVOUOgQ/s360/Jane%20Walters%2062023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="256" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRb4ZlirPjHXJibIaazlgr5e5_8w5ETzvgDXpLIzDeNNPa9lGCElcp-SLPiCVnb8N0GpzaAk7Zq6CTTfcePx-J36ESK7Fx3J5qeMzC8xGsl52ZiLTOvYNKoimS_eo0ppblpGlIz2bpi-YTCpX4j32uwdouB88oT7nMGtXwQ3G2fvhTFl8W37CIaVOUOgQ/w143-h200/Jane%20Walters%2062023.jpg" width="143" /></a></div><br /><p><i>Jane Walters is Chair of ACW and leader of Green Pastures Christian Writers.</i></p><p><i>She writes devotionals for BRF and is currently working on a book of prayers.</i></p><p><i>www.janewyattwalters.com</i></p><p><i>Insta: @readywritersretreats</i></p>Jane Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06944263168032641538noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-73089034136888028302024-03-12T00:30:00.039+00:002024-03-12T00:30:00.241+00:00Go set a watchman Trial <p><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I don't enjoy criticism. </span></span></span></span></b><span style="color: #073763; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(7, 55, 99);"><b> As an only child with t</b></span></span><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">wo adults in the family, guess who generally got the blame? I admit it has become a defensive default position. </span></span></span><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></span></span></span></b></p><div class="separator"><p style="clear: right; float: right; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p style="clear: right; float: right; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">I even balk at </span></b><b style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">revising </span></b></span></p><p style="clear: right; float: right; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">a draft, </span></b></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(7, 55, 99); text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>dithering </b></span></span></p><p style="clear: right; float: right; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(7, 55, 99); text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>disconsolately about </b></span></span></p><p style="clear: right; float: right; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(7, 55, 99); text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>what to change, not liking </b></span></span></p><p style="clear: right; float: right; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(7, 55, 99); text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>having to criticise </b></span></span></p><p style="clear: right; float: right; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(7, 55, 99); text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>my own imperfection</b></span></span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">. </span></b></p><p style="clear: right; float: right; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p style="clear: right; float: right; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><b style="background-color: #d0e0e3; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="clear: right; float: right; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></p></div><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4q6CiikfBFNAQ7RECkhhZ_dZfjy6M1hBv4S7PIDDNr1ddchPc7P9Y7E5VJMZsLSbviu_OCpZPpoBSw3GlZYgWImCSxL-24UxTEPBniwEO9zU6X0Y27w2j-uhgyl9kMZJafCd7biJ5u828qH9xvJoJ22mfwnTb3MqWqTqvnQO-xuZlHxCBAO5UUrGY8rsl/s608/Screenshot%202024-02-21%20at%2017.02.38.png" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="416" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4q6CiikfBFNAQ7RECkhhZ_dZfjy6M1hBv4S7PIDDNr1ddchPc7P9Y7E5VJMZsLSbviu_OCpZPpoBSw3GlZYgWImCSxL-24UxTEPBniwEO9zU6X0Y27w2j-uhgyl9kMZJafCd7biJ5u828qH9xvJoJ22mfwnTb3MqWqTqvnQO-xuZlHxCBAO5UUrGY8rsl/w219-h320/Screenshot%202024-02-21%20at%2017.02.38.png" width="219" /></span></a> <b style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Four months into taking my writing more seriously, I am working on embracing </span></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><b>this challenge; pondering over the flow of the words, reviewing whether they are singing in harmony, or whittling some away to communicate better. To choose the articulate over the verbose is a skill. I struggle over what my voice really is, and whether I can be taken seriously. Yet, when others cross examine my meaning, re- ordering sentences, removing tautology and apply skilful punctuation, I find it inspiring. This art can be learned! </b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJQco4-wgwNj6bFctH9prlmxobELyxqT-4Yx67k5oM2gEwfzdTlj4Q5vWPj-E047uJe058nM_cmnvSP9ktRR2fIpvYzGTtkDQbpQGYSlp7Obpo4uEXNKeyt3qD_5R_Cg_4OqwUlKsx20m2NVyFjsQs82j5sXJuB4GdZQc7FOY4QcGAIOKI4a7trTVpkbU/s596/Screenshot%202024-02-21%20at%2017.17.34.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; text-align: left;">When Harper Lee's second book, Go set a Watchman came out, I was teaching history, and trying to get my students to work on their essays. Evenings marking essays were lightened by the hilarity of unintended gaffs. Scripts had often been dashed off, perhaps on a hockey team bench, without any thought to their possible future as a classic. So, to encourage these budding history scholars, I suggested reading their arguments out loud, even to the cat. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhq0GSAK8PQscRobU8t5PcAl2hy5Hxqqqw6zm3CnEh7_8BWiiGkuLOBhZQbO720lWoYP9bzZNov2YBCx1NCtOz6MEfeQVpO8e7peddDzOLdiQHv44-e3KNJbPfUuJb-RHayxHypOXJ_pM2ppG3NorA_t1Q0HDZhQawGeYgixByvqNvlRH-uhFI1s_90Yb-P" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1204" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhq0GSAK8PQscRobU8t5PcAl2hy5Hxqqqw6zm3CnEh7_8BWiiGkuLOBhZQbO720lWoYP9bzZNov2YBCx1NCtOz6MEfeQVpO8e7peddDzOLdiQHv44-e3KNJbPfUuJb-RHayxHypOXJ_pM2ppG3NorA_t1Q0HDZhQawGeYgixByvqNvlRH-uhFI1s_90Yb-P" width="181" /></a></span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br />It really helped. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Written mistakes can be neatly </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; text-align: left;">obscured by typed text, beautifully displayed on inspirational screens, - and in my case, having been spell-checked</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; text-align: left;">, leaving me with a false sense of security.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large; text-align: left;">There is, however, something instinctively self-corrective about speaking nonsense out loud! </span><p></p></div><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Go set a Watchman seemed to fit into this season of encouraging my students to 'check your work', seeming to prove the point that genius is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. When it was published in 2015, it was an anomaly. A lifetime had elapsed since, To Kill a Mockingbird had launched her as an author, in 1960, the delay largely due to the opposition of her sister, Alice. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">I asked a colleague in the English Literature department for her reflections on Lee's new book. “Too raw”, was the considered response. The brilliance of To Kill a Mockingbird<i> </i>lay in its crafted, polished, artisanship. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">Had Alice Lee wisely discouraged the second publication knowing it was under-prepared, not wanting Harper to be exposed? Had she herself, like the instruction in the title, become a watchman over her sister's life?</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #d0e0e3; clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKidaU6MRzWJzyW6jNE5nldno9jfvaPMGkheW25Xa71XozIde4kt8pB1l4x4ZYGyNUzeJFYOlKukMOtMC_HuPIGNzK_mabKOkJFIZaFFjSDNBQh9qamR-2sbr5sQ5oOvM8xh6-Q7EIn6yTvSW3Sp2fT2YxbEPHwfPbMdDdE7HZwWzJYNFTG-uaHHJA0HQf" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2050" data-original-width="2631" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKidaU6MRzWJzyW6jNE5nldno9jfvaPMGkheW25Xa71XozIde4kt8pB1l4x4ZYGyNUzeJFYOlKukMOtMC_HuPIGNzK_mabKOkJFIZaFFjSDNBQh9qamR-2sbr5sQ5oOvM8xh6-Q7EIn6yTvSW3Sp2fT2YxbEPHwfPbMdDdE7HZwWzJYNFTG-uaHHJA0HQf=w308-h246" width="308" /></a></div></div><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Setting this 'watchman discipline' - developing the skill of re-drafting, erects a shield over writing. So it needs to be embraced wholeheartedly, not avoided, because it's my friend. It doesn't only apply to writing, though, but my whole life. <b> </b></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>I write and, I am read, by those around me. Setting a watchman on the walls of my heart sharpens by ability to represent Jesus to those who see me or read what I write. To walk and write well honours Him. </b></span><span style="font-family: Times;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times;">You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men, being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hears (2 Corinthians 3:2-3, NASB). </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px; min-height: 19px;"> </p><div><br /></div>nickychathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15108460662464114886noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-45557934251279096202024-03-11T00:00:00.001+00:002024-03-11T00:00:00.126+00:00Is ‘Alright’ All Right? by Peculiar Medinus<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXTzLL_7SNk7cIedHGP7BeTW9vLwPr8PQVxNmlJeav5pqDhfOezWeDL7DQcOiws8e4c7lQppu91hMKu-tzcHiCiBu2NtBa3qfzynbP_5wvJmTkpJxFUCWt5rwJx86nnMvRCiM0uo0_zx_eCMKfEoJmK4OLFonNw_-nJF39mVuIx6Bn8S6KIohiIzKThk/s2240/March11%20banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXTzLL_7SNk7cIedHGP7BeTW9vLwPr8PQVxNmlJeav5pqDhfOezWeDL7DQcOiws8e4c7lQppu91hMKu-tzcHiCiBu2NtBa3qfzynbP_5wvJmTkpJxFUCWt5rwJx86nnMvRCiM0uo0_zx_eCMKfEoJmK4OLFonNw_-nJF39mVuIx6Bn8S6KIohiIzKThk/w640-h360/March11%20banner.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><strong><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">A few years ago,
while preparing to host my nephews on Boxing Day, a book title caught my eye in
a grocery store: "Have You Eaten Grandma?"<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><strong><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The only
grandparent I met passed away over two decades ago, so I had no plan to host a
grandparent. I thought the book would have a hungry crowd of young school
pupils. However, there was a unique connection that made me feel, “I’ve found a
soul mate!”<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><strong><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I took curious
steps towards the bookshelf, picked up the book, and sitting at the bottom of
the front cover were these words:<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><strong><i><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Or, the life-saving importance of correct punctuation,
grammar, and good English.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><strong><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Those words made
me feel like I was the right pupil for the book. It was another day of impulsive
buying because that was clearly out of my budget. As I wheeled the trolley to
the pay point, I thought donating this book to charity would take it to the
right audience if I didn’t find it useful.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><strong><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It remains my
grammar compass today, capable of transforming writers into editors.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><strong><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The author is
Gyles Brandreth, a university chancellor who was an actor, a journalist, and a
member of parliament. But what caused the lead conversion was not the name of
the celebrity; it was the title of the book.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><strong><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Why would any
writer select such a title for a book on grammar?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><strong><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This blog
highlights the captivating power of titles and aims to encourage writers to
consider choosing a title creatively. Do not be afraid to be creative with your
titles, as opting for a traditional and straightforward approach may be less
appealing. Choosing a captivating title can immediately grab the attention of
potential readers. An exceptional title has the power to spark curiosity and
attract readers from the start, even before they understand the content of your
piece.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><strong><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Moreover, an
engaging title has the potential to distinguish your work from others in your
genre or niche. In a sea of articles or books with similar topics, having an
attention-grabbing title can make yours stand out and be remembered by readers.
It gives you an opportunity to showcase your creativity and originality from
the beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><strong><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Professionalism
trumps perfectionism when it comes to achieving success in capturing and
engaging with your audience with a title. A professional title not only grabs
attention and conveys credibility but also sets clear expectations for readers.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><strong><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Gyles’
professionally intrigued readers with a witty title before divulging the book's
focus on the front cover.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><strong><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This blog
concludes by questioning a perfectionist: “Is ‘alright’ all right?”<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><strong><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">That’s one of the
intriguing contents of Gyles’ book, and here I have borrowed it as a title.
What do you think?</span></strong><b><span style="font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><strong></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqp0bGW6yWTcgAfXNlNjz_TVJcSEBv8a_G0o0OQiEc-0r5novu86B5qJWwZq3pQ-fo_t2Z7lMXoSepW_kX0C6C3aD1lKrno0dBGavBfluQH9qvkCTERy3MgYWmDkCO0Vp7eD2RJKNpN39Pd_zpHU66UgzTQvs0E0vNSNIIQr7h5ALXXVWUbunorPhV-Y/s1920/me%20photo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqp0bGW6yWTcgAfXNlNjz_TVJcSEBv8a_G0o0OQiEc-0r5novu86B5qJWwZq3pQ-fo_t2Z7lMXoSepW_kX0C6C3aD1lKrno0dBGavBfluQH9qvkCTERy3MgYWmDkCO0Vp7eD2RJKNpN39Pd_zpHU66UgzTQvs0E0vNSNIIQr7h5ALXXVWUbunorPhV-Y/w640-h360/me%20photo.png" width="640" /></a></strong></div><strong><br /><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></strong><p></p>Peculiar Medinushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711262839503039493noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-29513622717933915482024-03-10T00:30:00.001+00:002024-03-10T00:30:00.124+00:00Times and Seasons, by Ben Jeapes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62w0eD7f_zeAvmCgtP2PJhbAeVfs694rGF6BELGBCRdRRw7kcWxGDRVwD-zSXXcejUJRTgQsvYaXBf7jqqSLBjD80EbcoguSUvzmm-ICFrHH-j05DHgAu3iO5qYCkLNgaNei9JdNb1gPL12dfDEeVEgXO4mTZVLBu5JQYKxmPW5uNBY365YxkYxmGV2I/s500/pexels-designecologist-1389460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62w0eD7f_zeAvmCgtP2PJhbAeVfs694rGF6BELGBCRdRRw7kcWxGDRVwD-zSXXcejUJRTgQsvYaXBf7jqqSLBjD80EbcoguSUvzmm-ICFrHH-j05DHgAu3iO5qYCkLNgaNei9JdNb1gPL12dfDEeVEgXO4mTZVLBu5JQYKxmPW5uNBY365YxkYxmGV2I/s320/pexels-designecologist-1389460.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><i><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/leaves-hang-on-rope-1389460/" target="_blank">Photo by Designecologist</a></i> <div><br /></div><div>The story goes that a king (or possibly a sultan) asked a wise person for words of advice which would work under any circumstances. They came up with: “This too shall pass”.
<br />
<br />
Of course, the king (or sultan) could just have <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ecclesiastes+3.1-8&version=NIV" target="_blank">read Ecclesiastes</a>, which conveys a similar message. Nothing (at least, nothing this side of death) is forever. If there’s a time for everything to begin, that means there must be a time for it to end too.
<br />
<br />
I’ve been thinking of this for a couple of reasons recently. One is that this week it is twenty years since my life took a whole new turn, all for the better. <a href="https://www.benjeapes.com/index.php/2024/03/the-year-my-life-rebooted/" target="_blank">I blog about it here</a>. After seeing a career crash and burn and staring down the barrel of personal bankruptcy, I got a job that let me start over, that I enjoyed hugely and that, frankly, I could have just kept doing forever.
<br />
<br />
Only, it wouldn’t have been forever, would it? Co-workers came and went. The company itself changed, as a healthy company must, flexing and adapting to the changing commercial environment in which it existed. ‘Forever’ turned out to be seven years, until redundancy came along.
<br />
<br />
The other reason is … well, let’s not get political. Let’s just say that current indications suggest we may be getting another four years of a particular President in the White House. But that, too, shall pass … as I reminded myself frequently between 2016 and 2020.
<br />
<br />
It makes me wary of being too glib when I write stories. Say I was writing a story set in World War Two. As far as the characters were concerned, they would be fighting to rid the world of fascism. Eighty years later, sad to say, I know that all they did was knock it out for a generation. And my modern readers would know this – but at the same time they wouldn’t want me to disparage the heroism of the characters in the 1940s.
<br />
<br />
So, even if I write a story set in the present, or the future, I know that the happy ending won’t last forever. Not until the final, happiest ending of all – but that’s usually beyond my remit.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipcU-VbfYPr5j4NOfk2pNsOnpCL6A71S9VDUa7pUhw7mqDLT9mpZNGo7TbjVZWOdSbcsY_IZsLTn9ypNrlXk8Fqj5p3T9Y8YPNa22GJB0PTzzG9hgSIvyxD7FkvzJJ48X5V8O9TfSt_Y/s1600/bjeapes01.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipcU-VbfYPr5j4NOfk2pNsOnpCL6A71S9VDUa7pUhw7mqDLT9mpZNGo7TbjVZWOdSbcsY_IZsLTn9ypNrlXk8Fqj5p3T9Y8YPNa22GJB0PTzzG9hgSIvyxD7FkvzJJ48X5V8O9TfSt_Y/s1600/bjeapes01.jpg" /></a></div>
<i>Ben Jeapes took up writing in the mistaken belief that it would be easier than a real job (it isn’t). Hence, as well as being the author of eight novels and co-author of many more, he has also been a journal editor, book publisher, and technical writer. His most recent title is <a href="”https://www.benjeapes.com/index.php/writing/ada/”" target="”_blank”">a children’s biography of Ada Lovelace</a>. <a href="https://www.benjeapes.com/" target="_blank">www.benjeapes.com</a></i>
</div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02152545728675983286noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-68516795128154286112024-03-09T00:00:00.001+00:002024-03-09T00:00:00.162+00:00Building castles out of sand<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Qs0Gl5JwyEsTn5X5ZEOi0rRYVQFBVJjJUrCo-UhL8Bfzrq-u5JZi_0-p9d7IawYhlKgunAMaPC7HPxFnryrjEKgVJLGnLG91Tv77WRrr6Y7Kj53yBVgsbIvkX9xBNwxyQIArPviAbOjmFsxqZcsBi7xk-qX83MRb4NX9r3aenGCJAwtICDqP1Km9QZk_/s6720/Building%20my%20sandcastle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6720" data-original-width="4480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Qs0Gl5JwyEsTn5X5ZEOi0rRYVQFBVJjJUrCo-UhL8Bfzrq-u5JZi_0-p9d7IawYhlKgunAMaPC7HPxFnryrjEKgVJLGnLG91Tv77WRrr6Y7Kj53yBVgsbIvkX9xBNwxyQIArPviAbOjmFsxqZcsBi7xk-qX83MRb4NX9r3aenGCJAwtICDqP1Km9QZk_/s320/Building%20my%20sandcastle.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start; text-wrap: nowrap;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@acuamanny?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" style="background-color: #f1f1f1; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start; text-decoration-skip-ink: auto; text-wrap: nowrap; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;">Emmanuel Acua</a><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start; text-wrap: nowrap;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-concrete-castle-during-daytime-HWzv8HgYXPQ?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" style="background-color: #f1f1f1; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none; text-align: start; text-decoration-skip-ink: auto; text-wrap: nowrap; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;">Unsplash</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>14,585! </p><p>417 words written today. They crawled out, no, they danced out. All excited to explore this outside world that they'd heard about whilst they were waiting for their entrance in my imagination. </p><p>That's the amount of words I wrote on Wednesday 28th, the day before, I'd written 327 words. But somehow, the word count kept growing!<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDTT1OcvwJ0qdh_jT9P5kIAUkJs-eJ9yPv0dI52VEhP6Ogry7V9pzqSstm_lxP3dgvXqhHv6q91gkz_vm2wtzBNJWHLfZJ8Wr72K_IFvitleVmNZ8m3-9agXOA0u99xTbIaiHiuYmNffdXB-OreAREVPr9_TKAupo9OANO_O5v-kbUfRQiW41JihnQTryo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="426" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDTT1OcvwJ0qdh_jT9P5kIAUkJs-eJ9yPv0dI52VEhP6Ogry7V9pzqSstm_lxP3dgvXqhHv6q91gkz_vm2wtzBNJWHLfZJ8Wr72K_IFvitleVmNZ8m3-9agXOA0u99xTbIaiHiuYmNffdXB-OreAREVPr9_TKAupo9OANO_O5v-kbUfRQiW41JihnQTryo" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is from my morning writing time, and for a while the average was around 270 - 300 mark, but I'm delighted to see that something has changed! So what caused that you may be thinking, well. It's a combination of three things. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Recently, I came across an article about giving yourself permission to <a href="https://writersedit.com/writing/7-things-not-worry-first-draft/">write a bad first draft</a>. This was incredibly helpful. For too long, I was losing belief in what I was writing, which was not helpful. Then on the 17th Feb, I attended The Sheffield Writers day, which was wonderful. Not only did I have great fun at a poetry writing workshop, and hearing an author been interviewed, I also attended a 'Writing your novel' masterclass. This was with two local authors - <a href="https://russthomasauthor.com/index.html">Russ Thomas</a> and <a href="https://susanelliotwright.co.uk/">Susan Elliot-Wright</a> Not only did this give me some great pointers, it also gave me motivation and belief, which is always helpful. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But the biggest thing that has most helped me was reading this quote:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f5f7fa; color: #5d5d66; font-family: inter, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: start;">I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shovelling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.” —Shannon Hale</span></div></blockquote><p>When the words don't come or even worse, when I doubt the quality of what I'm writing, this quote is just what I need. Right now, I'm focussed on filling up that box. I can't wait till I get to 20,000 words because then, that box is a quarter full. Yes, there are times when the fears come saying '<i>I know nothing about police procedures</i>' or <i>Will people find it boring </i>or even <i>how do you go about printing off 300 pages anyway? </i></p><p>That will come later. Right now, I need to focus on filling up that box. Then, just like the picture shows, I can create a castle with turrets, and ramparts and a drawbridge and staircases, and a moat and a dragon and all kinds of intricate details, but without any sand, I can't build anything. </p><p>I don't know who Shannon Hale is, but I'm hoping that at some point, I'll be able to thank her for giving me the motivation that I needed to finish my novel. </p><p>One other thing that I've found essential is this - <a href="https://blank.page/">blank page</a>. As I may have mentioned before, I use writer.zoho.com, which is helpful, but not only do I find all the frame around too noisy, I also can't resist correcting spelling or grammar mistakes as I go, which not only slows me down, but also pulls me out of the story that I'm telling myself, and that's not good. Not at all. </p><p>I want to end by sharing two final quotes which I discovered from Matthew Fox's blogpost on <a href="https://www.writingroutines.com/famous-writers-on-first-drafts/">famous writers sharing about their first drafts</a> </p><blockquote><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #344456; font-family: "Nunito Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.06px;">“The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.” ―Terry Pratchett</span></p></blockquote><blockquote><span style="background-color: white; color: #344456; font-family: "Nunito Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.06px;">“We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down.” — Kurt Vonnegut</span></blockquote><p> I know many of you have already written not only one novel, but many novels, so if you have any tips on getting though that first draft, then please do share them in the comments or on the Facebook pages. </p><p>Hoping that I'll be able to hit that 20,000 word milestone soon!</p><p>All the best, </p><p>Martin</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuI7S8E-MPfMxThfK8fu8B1nabNkW8mwZIqPypfVNEVK7z814oanPkCsr5K5-edE5cRux1Nyl4RHrw6HJAQSdjU7fSZ3HEZnYAgbrA2K36RUWrggtka09fKpRpIHOvzHRzVGe6Jr11aSxngpLwcge7j0d3e1KMgfLW2KnYpTaCQL2O6rSj5IFysmfPTgz0/s2048/Me%20and%20Charlie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="2048" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuI7S8E-MPfMxThfK8fu8B1nabNkW8mwZIqPypfVNEVK7z814oanPkCsr5K5-edE5cRux1Nyl4RHrw6HJAQSdjU7fSZ3HEZnYAgbrA2K36RUWrggtka09fKpRpIHOvzHRzVGe6Jr11aSxngpLwcge7j0d3e1KMgfLW2KnYpTaCQL2O6rSj5IFysmfPTgz0/s320/Me%20and%20Charlie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f3fdfe; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: roboto, sans-serif;">Martin is a writer, baker, photographer and storyteller. He's been published in the ACW Christmas anthology and Lent devotional, and in four flash fiction anthologies He's currently honing his craft at flash fiction and you can find him on </span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/Hortonious101" style="background: rgb(243, 253, 254); color: #37afc0; font-family: roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;">Twitter</a><span style="background-color: #f3fdfe; color: #757575; font-family: roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: left;"> here.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><br /><p></p>Martin Hortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09568362924843865043noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-34956283673616219912024-03-08T00:00:00.001+00:002024-03-08T00:00:00.156+00:00Son<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKetddMXG3K_XG7ED274x8aDa_oDy1sIQVUsYY6pvsMf3_S4OIU_9kgDrP_2O-v_QDCInL0txu92L_mgFRzuPwheVPYVG2g2_evlzunPF_HGiGNSck1N4MPa2nc1PqNVjrZdCUk4PyrzlV5Plo3Nf_JgPRTuk2j97R8FYUJbJ0iM4q6qkjlvl_CnbwRb4e/s2272/2010_0521Etienne2Birthday0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1704" data-original-width="2272" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKetddMXG3K_XG7ED274x8aDa_oDy1sIQVUsYY6pvsMf3_S4OIU_9kgDrP_2O-v_QDCInL0txu92L_mgFRzuPwheVPYVG2g2_evlzunPF_HGiGNSck1N4MPa2nc1PqNVjrZdCUk4PyrzlV5Plo3Nf_JgPRTuk2j97R8FYUJbJ0iM4q6qkjlvl_CnbwRb4e/s320/2010_0521Etienne2Birthday0003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Following a wearisome few days of school life as a teacher, not to mention, parents' evenings and World Book Day (I dressed as Thing Two - Don't ask.), you can imagine my delight when I received a short text from my fifteen-year-old son which said, I could have my mothers' day present early. He had written a poem for me, and I could tell he was very proud of himself. </p><p>Conscious that I needed to get my ACW blog post finished this evening for publication tomorrow (all I needed to do was take a few photographs), I arrived home at a fairly reasonable hour, changed into my pyjamas, and settled down, with a cup of tea, to read the poem. </p><p>My planned post is now postponed. I have decided to share this beautiful poem because you will appreciate it. It is appropriately titled: Mum.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Mum</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">When I was young, l</span>ying in bed.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I would lay down my weary head.</p><p style="text-align: center;">And listen,</p><p style="text-align: center;">To your many stories</p><p style="text-align: center;">Of tragedy, comedy, loss, and glory</p><p style="text-align: center;">Of animals, little boys, or big, scary trolls.</p><p style="text-align: center;">It came to life on your face,</p><p style="text-align: center;">Your voice, with so much soul.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Until I'd say, "One more! Just one more!"</p><p style="text-align: center;">And you'd give it your final send,</p><p style="text-align: center;">Are you ready?</p><p style="text-align: center;">"Yes!"</p><p style="text-align: center;">Once upon a time, the end!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">So thank you, Mum, for sitting in the dark,</p><p style="text-align: center;">And reading for hours,"Nosark! Nosark!"*</p><p style="text-align: center;">For now, when I go to write, you're my creative spark.</p><p style="text-align: center;">So when you worry about leaving a legacy,</p><p style="text-align: center;">Think again.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Because I think you'll find it,</p><p style="text-align: center;">Sitting right here in my pen! </p><p style="text-align: center;">ES</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">*Noah's Ark was ES favourite story as a young child.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Happy Mothers' Day.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Nikki E Salthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13852391341768123502noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-16157116039790072212024-03-07T06:00:00.018+00:002024-03-07T06:49:45.681+00:00Ambition’s a funny thing<p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Had I been one of Jesus’ disciples (!) I’m sure overhearing some of the things he said would have left me befuddled. For example </span><i style="font-size: 11pt;">‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus asked him. The blind man said ‘Rabbi, I want to see’.</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm; text-size-adjust: auto;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm; text-size-adjust: auto;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm; text-size-adjust: auto;">It may have been a strangely obvious question to ask and yet if Jesus felt it necessary to ask it perhaps the problem was less located in the Son of God than the blind man. Who knows how long the gap was between Jesus’ question and the blind man’s answer? Seconds, minutes? Mark’s gospel is written at pace, he uses the word ‘immediately’ quite often, so we tend to think Jesus’ encounter with the blind man was done and dusted in a flash, no hesitation <i>‘Rabbi, I want to see’, </i>then the miracle.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoXcUwXKU90i4uUwspUDTTe052Mf3ymZf6NBAeb48jUCcwNgn_5aEll-8kXcpoI3ulm74qO1NaRjeikffpAQn6JNyJQ0odwQByYmjWjZc-1YtXB4g0o4ym-E1G0XYn8KSD8BnxZVeJsxF9X72_zaEJC1KodCqBipYH9IWHvGVE7zmd2lc0snjw6Dfhz4/s500/shutterstock_1436548940.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="500" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoXcUwXKU90i4uUwspUDTTe052Mf3ymZf6NBAeb48jUCcwNgn_5aEll-8kXcpoI3ulm74qO1NaRjeikffpAQn6JNyJQ0odwQByYmjWjZc-1YtXB4g0o4ym-E1G0XYn8KSD8BnxZVeJsxF9X72_zaEJC1KodCqBipYH9IWHvGVE7zmd2lc0snjw6Dfhz4/s320/shutterstock_1436548940.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />We all have ambitions – large and small that we treasure in our hearts.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm; text-size-adjust: auto;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm; text-size-adjust: auto;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm; text-size-adjust: auto;">I want to compete in a triathlon...one day. Either as one leg of a team or, harder, to do all three legs. I’ve held this ambition lightly for n years. In the past two years, I have graunched both shoulders and it has taken me almost two years to get back in the pool. Also, I tore a calf muscle twice and had a recurring sore Achilles, so my running speed has gone in the wrong direction. And, due to writing these days rather than cycling into work, wintry mornings somehow seem to keep the bike locked in the shed. Setbacks. But has that dimmed my ambition? No. Not when I think about it. It's still alive.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm; text-size-adjust: auto;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm; text-size-adjust: auto;">I wonder if our experience is similar to the blind man's. Do we have clearly defined ambitions as writers? Can we answer Jesus' question instantly? Then for Jesus to do a miracle and <i>Boom!</i> The blind man can see, or, <i>‘Rabbi, I want to write a book’. </i>And off we go inspired and a book is published in no time?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm; text-size-adjust: auto;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm; text-size-adjust: auto;">In one sense maybe it <i>is </i>that easy to answer Jesus’ question. But I remember someone saying those like blind Bartimaeus were pitchforked into trouble due to the healing miracle. They knew how to be blind. How to survive by begging but now they would have to relearn everything, acquire new skills, face difficulties and setbacks, new discouragements. The speedy miracle was followed by a slower readjustment…even the ambition<i> ‘Rabbi, I want to see’</i> may have been questioned, after all the difficulties encountered as a result of the miracle. It’s easy to slip back.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm; text-size-adjust: auto;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm; text-size-adjust: auto;">I know I’m preaching to the converted here! If you’re reading this your heart and mind are probably full of writing ambitions. But I wonder if you’re facing setbacks or disappointments, and the hill seems too hard to climb? Do I want to be published or is it I just want to write well, improve, enjoy it as a hobby, and not worry about public acclaim or obscurity? Maybe you’re driving forward with your next novel, or sitting at your desk staring into space…again?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm; text-size-adjust: auto;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm; text-size-adjust: auto;">Did the blind man have to take a moment? Maybe he did. Whether he did or not, he was faced with Jesus’ question – as am I - which I have reworked slightly: <i>‘What do you want me to do for you, writer?’</i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm; text-size-adjust: auto;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm; text-size-adjust: auto;"><o:p> </o:p></p>John Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013370660616059455noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-53231416469490265282024-03-06T16:29:00.000+00:002024-03-06T16:29:16.009+00:00Keep looking for the rainbow<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oSQkjSXqxQyAtGGFoG_hdjGxWsHoKjzYx4mCj8FM3t0RtMHaWwLTKIUEaGuzfFfPVspcSBm8KDz-iQUO5JGVu8S-7BL1MbCf9msqzdVq4OTTUylP0RUTam6NhkqpmwZJOphmJN6HkcvJWr2Uoz5637d3sxB9o6Jjw__36BrsX7iWG3HNIio0J5Qsdjs/s1280/rainbow-2424647_1280.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oSQkjSXqxQyAtGGFoG_hdjGxWsHoKjzYx4mCj8FM3t0RtMHaWwLTKIUEaGuzfFfPVspcSBm8KDz-iQUO5JGVu8S-7BL1MbCf9msqzdVq4OTTUylP0RUTam6NhkqpmwZJOphmJN6HkcvJWr2Uoz5637d3sxB9o6Jjw__36BrsX7iWG3HNIio0J5Qsdjs/s400/rainbow-2424647_1280.jpg"/></a></div><br><br><i>Image from Pixabay</i><br><br>I saw a rainbow last night, walking from my workplace to Charing Cross Station. The trees were backlit in the gold of the setting sun, framed in bronze against a black sky. The rainbow arched, in misty pink clouds, over the London streets. <br><br>
I love seeing rainbows. They remind us of God’s faithfulness, of the covenant he made with Noah, to never again destroy the earth through flood. (Alas, the human race seems to be working hard to rival God on the destruction front.) <br><br>
Rainbows are multi-coloured symbols of hope and promise. They are the beauty that shines after the rain. They also symbolise a mystical, elusive pot of gold that only exists in fairytales, the very stuff of dreams. <br><br>So how are your dreams of writing going? In the ACW, we are all at different stages and on different writing journeys, including successful forays into self-publishing. Yet even a successful author can suffer from imposter’s syndrome, worry about their sales, feel they still don’t quite hit the mark somehow … I wonder if any writer breaks completely free of those all too human doubts and worries. <br><br>
My own writing trundles along … writing regular pieces for my parish magazine, composing the odd poem, writing sermons (a very different discipline from creative writing, though) … doing this monthly blog. <br><br>
The calling to write remains, and I know I should be doing more. (Yes, ACW Spring Competition, I AM looking at you.) My long-term desire is to pray more, give more of myself to God and other people, and in the process, write more … because God gave me that gift, and he would like me to use it. <br><br>
Keep on keeping on, fellow writers, and trace your rainbows through the rain.*<br><br>
*With acknowledgement to Scottish minister George Matheson, who wrote the lovely hymn ‘O love that wilt not let me go’ in 1882.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqSX7bSffxYm04hoYFs0RXaiTMLOVuE1pcW76WdbWvq2SEjb4cs9fuaXrB5UQLgYgbUtkDRh5prZQZm9jkZ5jkO45hYLepUjrYTx_Kat6xNJqYNSgu8VeWJLhBYUbk3C0rzkS_m5WoE1o6WPIh25uGnBTesyW8mkgbDntLxklGPt1HQw1w_lavk-U0Jc/s1920/Picture.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqSX7bSffxYm04hoYFs0RXaiTMLOVuE1pcW76WdbWvq2SEjb4cs9fuaXrB5UQLgYgbUtkDRh5prZQZm9jkZ5jkO45hYLepUjrYTx_Kat6xNJqYNSgu8VeWJLhBYUbk3C0rzkS_m5WoE1o6WPIh25uGnBTesyW8mkgbDntLxklGPt1HQw1w_lavk-U0Jc/s200/Picture.jpg"/></a></div>
<br><br><i>I’m an Anglican lay minister and work full-time for the United Reformed Church as Administrator for their education and learning department. I wrote a devotional for the anthology</i> Light for the Writer’s Soul, <i>published by Media Associates International, and my short story ‘Magnificat’ appears in the ACW anthology </i>Merry Christmas Everyone.Philippa Lintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18168681041793334803noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-31324365341688701962024-03-05T06:00:00.011+00:002024-03-05T06:00:00.284+00:00If I could Turn Back Time<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjie_syqPRv8ZhMZjr4YaWFMCPVSjMoCdU2C9YKx90Uwl0mLNee3q8BsAaPWsaoA_T4OvOFqA_YwIBdyc4Ws8Oy_BBr2ozW2IK63j2xc421TsXCOQVcJsptVlYUUW9aVSg_Uw59yFSa1BM5POknkXkhIgAmF0HVdLfbWB_sqgFAcGWSJMwsam08ZxC4Zy8M" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="406" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjie_syqPRv8ZhMZjr4YaWFMCPVSjMoCdU2C9YKx90Uwl0mLNee3q8BsAaPWsaoA_T4OvOFqA_YwIBdyc4Ws8Oy_BBr2ozW2IK63j2xc421TsXCOQVcJsptVlYUUW9aVSg_Uw59yFSa1BM5POknkXkhIgAmF0HVdLfbWB_sqgFAcGWSJMwsam08ZxC4Zy8M" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span> <span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span> </span></span>Picture credit: Pixabay (free)<o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">There’s a time to stop and a time to start, a time to change and a time to decide…</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
sound of <i>Cher</i> belting out her powerful song of regret and loss has been spinning
round in my head. Can you hear it too? I don’t know what inspired the lyrics,
but the desire to turn back time is a repeated human experience. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
month’s blog came around quickly. Fortunately, I had an extra day in February to
play with, so whilst women were busy finding men to propose to, I used it to
write this blog. Extra time is a rare gift, so if makes an appearance, we
should gladly accept it. I plan to do the same with the next extra day in 2028.
I’m already looking forward to it, but it’s a long time to wait for a few extra
hours. If any of the parties bidding for seats at the general election can pledge
an extra day every month, they’ve got my vote. I promise to use it well. </span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I split my working time between two distinct areas,
but I’ve had a growing and persistent urge to simplify things. When
our feelings are persistent, we ought to take notice of them. Maybe, just
maybe, they're trying to tell us something. I’m cringing at the irony of saying
this to you. As a matter of routine, I try hard to ignore my feelings until
they pass! Of course, sometimes that’s the right thing to do. Feelings aren’t
always the most reliable of friends. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Doing different jobs was interesting, but also
distracting and time consuming, and neither of them got my best. The problem
was my head and heart weren't in alignment with the prospect of making any
changes. After a lifetime in public service, walking away from a secure and
interesting government appointment was a tough decision to make. To me, the
role in question wasn’t about paying the bills, it was more about the sense of identity
that work gives me. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">After a lot of unseemly tussling and time
wasting, the heart eventually emerged victorious, and I offered my resignation.
Hurrah for the heart! For twenty-four hours, my head sulked about the loss, whinging
and whining about the utter stupidity of giving up something good. <i>Turn back
time,</i> it said, <i>tell them you’ve changed your mind</i>. I have often
reflected on why God created us with both heads and hearts. Surely one or the
other would have been adequate? I’ll add that to my list of questions I must
ask one day. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">As far as I know, the reversal of time isn’t in
our gift (<i>Dr Who </i>excepted), so we must use what we have to best effect. For
me, giving something up was a way of doing that, but change is hard. So often,
we cling to the security of what we know or to how we’ve always lived. Many of
the conflicts I see as a workplace mediator have the unwanted impact of change at
the centre. People tell me that things used to be better before everything
changed. Work was fine until their annoying colleague joined the company. Life
was peachy, but now their job description is changing and so on and so on. Curiously,
though, we don’t just resist changes that are done <i>to us</i>. We also fight
hard against making the changes we want for ourselves. Weird, aren’t we?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">If this resonates, maybe it’s time to ask
yourself what’s next for you and what stops you from making it happen. Maybe it
concerns your writing, how you use your time, your work or something else. Whatever
the issue, there's a time for everything. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“There is a time for everything, and a season
for every activity under the heavens. A time to be born and a time to die, a
time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a
time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to
gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to
search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time
to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a
time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ecclesiastes 3 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>David Smarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05376437682576034175noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-86356987315502972062024-03-04T06:00:00.004+00:002024-03-04T06:00:00.141+00:00Where are all my notes?<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 2pt;">By Derrice James</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AL5RwAcVNya97Tiv7qGRi1GTZZqLJgRgXAApjIJ7-0OMtcTdTBxaOX68ZYe7RFSf4TecOrbYdESh4LQN6fDe2LJaLUAEroCgcKJyZWDDAoUF6uqOoy1SVVOCaEjmfYu6iyW5zlGnB1SvxcRRbzF4rT2HrJHLhVlwRwFzr2f4DHyRjUuT_k6aFPeeQ5g/s264/BLOG%20DESKTOP.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="225" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AL5RwAcVNya97Tiv7qGRi1GTZZqLJgRgXAApjIJ7-0OMtcTdTBxaOX68ZYe7RFSf4TecOrbYdESh4LQN6fDe2LJaLUAEroCgcKJyZWDDAoUF6uqOoy1SVVOCaEjmfYu6iyW5zlGnB1SvxcRRbzF4rT2HrJHLhVlwRwFzr2f4DHyRjUuT_k6aFPeeQ5g/s1600/BLOG%20DESKTOP.png" width="225" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">Ever since I can remember, I have exhausted myself scribbling down notes for my writing. I look back and wonder why I just didn’t do what every good writer did in those days, and get a notebook! I had a collection of yellow post-its, scrap pads, bits of torn paper, backs of envelopes, paper bags, tissues, anything I could get my hands on at the time to quickly jot down my light-bulb moment, when something amazing came to mind, because I knew I would never remember it again, and those thoughts, ideas, quotes, sentences, whatever, to add to my amazing book that I would eventually write, would be forgotten in minutes if I didn’t write them down there and then.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">I would tell myself regularly that, when I get some time, I will put all my notes together and have enough material to write my book. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">All these years of collecting, I eventually managed to find a lot of them, and have put them into a box. I was quite pleased with myself, but there are still hundreds of others, sitting on old broken laptops and phones that I have no access to it anymore, but my notes, stories and experiences are locked in them! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">I should have printed out all my work at the time. But that was the old me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">The new, more organised me has now written and published my book, but have found that I haven’t actually had to use any of the notes I spent 50 years collecting. The book is on something completely different and was totally inspired by God, who gave me all the words to write. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">So I am now thinking, what shall I do with all my notes? When I find them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">I believe God has a plan for all my notes.<o:p></o:p></p>Derrice Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17421991660245108405noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-7059878901742983512024-03-03T02:00:00.004+00:002024-03-03T02:00:00.243+00:00LEARNING HEBREW IN MELTING-POT-LAND by Bobbie Ann Cole<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Did you know that the discovery of the Dead
Sea Scrolls coincided exactly with the United Nations vote to create a
sovereign State of Israel— November 30, 1947? More than 90% of the scrolls that
have been discovered, comprising of secular documents and everyday invoices as
well as holy writings, are in Hebrew.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OgkLdU56KkDeMQJI4eeJqn6pHIuoW9w5oVkufrn7Ba8NT4m6cbX394ytHNiWerXI2Qu3mgFkDd_y9wURj5ZAkYuUM9xKy0oG-F9QqNh8A8YfJYu34HLp5SqKkiGIZIVycxFN2oIqDznhgzTCrh-1sX94Pmg7pRPD8PApycV-z5_o6tRBczjeWkyaWmw/s1100/Dead%20Sea%20Scroll.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dead Sea Scroll" border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="1100" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OgkLdU56KkDeMQJI4eeJqn6pHIuoW9w5oVkufrn7Ba8NT4m6cbX394ytHNiWerXI2Qu3mgFkDd_y9wURj5ZAkYuUM9xKy0oG-F9QqNh8A8YfJYu34HLp5SqKkiGIZIVycxFN2oIqDznhgzTCrh-1sX94Pmg7pRPD8PApycV-z5_o6tRBczjeWkyaWmw/w640-h432/Dead%20Sea%20Scroll.png" title="Dead Sea Scroll Fragment" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><h2 style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">THEY ALWAYS SPOKE HEBREW</span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This confirms that Hebrew was the language of
the Holy Land in Jesus’ time. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It became the official first language of
Israel on Independence Day, May 14, 1948. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Immigrants from Morocco, Russia, France,
Spanish-speaking countries, Ethiopia and all over the world need to learn it: they
receive free training. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBVoKSwjO7uqfJxcxEmOp7_Y3f2EcbnSDbUE2AtyMkouKJaMBa4lfOZidq_K8raMigSg_bLJnfGYTxta0cNWojH0pDissjlwFjcEQJ1h53uxXVvOIHl74SglpWHtWGy1Aaw7v0D7ezqhG2WWPCp2ZtRn2cu2oNZgAj6E6WkOwZ582Ow1jLnAE1K9-N7U/s2068/Israelis.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1502" data-original-width="2068" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBVoKSwjO7uqfJxcxEmOp7_Y3f2EcbnSDbUE2AtyMkouKJaMBa4lfOZidq_K8raMigSg_bLJnfGYTxta0cNWojH0pDissjlwFjcEQJ1h53uxXVvOIHl74SglpWHtWGy1Aaw7v0D7ezqhG2WWPCp2ZtRn2cu2oNZgAj6E6WkOwZ582Ow1jLnAE1K9-N7U/w400-h290/Israelis.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am a linguist, yet I have not found
Hebrew to be a walk in the park by any means. Apart from the obvious different </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">alephbet</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">,
written back-to-front (i.e. right-to-left) and without vowels, it is a semitic
language more closely related to Arabic than to any European language.</span></p>
<h2 style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">BEAUTIFUL AND ECONOMICAL</span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I find it beautiful and economical but
almost every word has to be committed to memory. It is unlikely to be related
to any I know. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcwrcGhrVjmwLINW7LtEY5IVhGYSrQeGQ1JpTXAHZuNthn119ihsyN_I3QSOKS5rlcVa76FYh6-VZFr16-CEED_EzR9EDE-i31jOo30Ti2ahojBVk2ENgD1DidD4nD6hgI0PjfsHpaxcoZs3UeUWW91bfdcwyCUEtqdSarBqrpJfT3SmPN6baKEMiWQY/s602/Trilingual%20restaurant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="602" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcwrcGhrVjmwLINW7LtEY5IVhGYSrQeGQ1JpTXAHZuNthn119ihsyN_I3QSOKS5rlcVa76FYh6-VZFr16-CEED_EzR9EDE-i31jOo30Ti2ahojBVk2ENgD1DidD4nD6hgI0PjfsHpaxcoZs3UeUWW91bfdcwyCUEtqdSarBqrpJfT3SmPN6baKEMiWQY/s320/Trilingual%20restaurant.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Example: </span><span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">מדבר</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="HE" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">– (MDBR) this could be <i>medaber</i> – I speak (masculine
singular) or <i>midbar </i>– desert.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Likewise, the grammar, though elegant, is
far from obvious. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Example: </span><span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">אני בבית מלון</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="HE" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">– (ani b’bait mahlon) I am at a hotel. They don’t
bother with the verb ‘to be’ so the ‘am’ is understood. They attach
the ‘at’ - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">ב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="HE" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">– to the noun. That don't bother with the 'a'. And the hotel – ‘bait mahlon’
or ‘house of hotel’ is not connected to any expression I might be familiar with
in English, French or German. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h2 style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">IT COULD HAVE BEEN YIDDISH</span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It didn’t always appear that Hebrew would
become Israel’s national language. This is largely due to the effort and
commitment of Eliezer Ben Yehuda who created the first modern Hebrew dictionary
in the late 19<sup>th</sup> century.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There was opposition from religious sects
who considered Hebrew, the language of Torah, too holy to be casually spoken. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">One time, Ben Yehuda’s son was heard at
play talking to the family dog in Hebrew. Some religious were so outraged that
they killed the dog!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Some early immigrants from Eastern Europe
considered that the national language of Israel should be Yiddish, a predominantly German
dialect. This did not suit the many Sephardi Jews, (of ‘Spanish’ origin). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h2 style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">HAD TO BE HEBREW</span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Only Hebrew could unite the Jews who had
lived in exile in the four corners of the world for almost 2,000 years, since
the time of the destruction of Herod’s Temple and the Sack of Jerusalem, (AD
70). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Many Israelis today speak more than one language.
You can get by almost everywhere with English. Public transport and road signs
are in three languages: Hebrew, Arabic and English.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeRQegzA8Fbc5ApBtmtBS9T1KDCNU6sln7VqH5KMLSGeb3VCqsIwEEuE7fAgDBinKay3gea4pL4g9ROirvxudqeRd8mUnebRuS4zb2fwosgBWhBtIhsFp4JVT2E3tDyCKDTSaDCH1ZstTaKfXDei2FQ12zWhkdjKYHUGvzUsTo85HaZLUVriYbQCX0AQ/s1100/Road%20sign%20israel.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="1100" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeRQegzA8Fbc5ApBtmtBS9T1KDCNU6sln7VqH5KMLSGeb3VCqsIwEEuE7fAgDBinKay3gea4pL4g9ROirvxudqeRd8mUnebRuS4zb2fwosgBWhBtIhsFp4JVT2E3tDyCKDTSaDCH1ZstTaKfXDei2FQ12zWhkdjKYHUGvzUsTo85HaZLUVriYbQCX0AQ/s320/Road%20sign%20israel.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">People also speak the language of the
countries they have left behind— Russian and French currently predominate. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p></p>
<h2 style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">JEWISH STUDIES MA</span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Modern Hebrew is a requirement of my Jewish
Studies MA at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. I had to duck out of classes,
however, as the requirements of long hours of online learning, along with
homework, prevented me from giving any time to my core modules. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I am pleased to say we are back to live
learning after three months of online classes at the start of the war. I hope
to be taking Hebrew back up soon. I currently speak like a five-year old. (with
the vocab of a 2–3-year-old, actually.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YeStP7ukYAztIwjygypK2Me_yuNF1JvVXB2VI9Aje7BTiYXXMFQc6fFd3SCP6GOj4XPapA9j94EicRKEBd_3dCvKjw1paHHINwZxRTnyFXy7fBp3cO4JOujus7VkUIz5uPk4RruCSRkYe1BW1JgsSz5_MYiWm9gOkuarjWKzlnxljo2WhEB3mzEVfag/s444/A%20Bobbie%20Still%20crop.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="417" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YeStP7ukYAztIwjygypK2Me_yuNF1JvVXB2VI9Aje7BTiYXXMFQc6fFd3SCP6GOj4XPapA9j94EicRKEBd_3dCvKjw1paHHINwZxRTnyFXy7fBp3cO4JOujus7VkUIz5uPk4RruCSRkYe1BW1JgsSz5_MYiWm9gOkuarjWKzlnxljo2WhEB3mzEVfag/s320/A%20Bobbie%20Still%20crop.png" width="301" /></a></div><br />Bobbie Ann Cole is a Christian author,
speaker and teacher, currently living and studying in Israel. Keep up with her
blog posts and newsletters about her life in the Holy Land by signing up at <a href="http://scrollchest.com/">http://scrollchest.com</a>. You will receive her
5-Minute Testimony, HOW I MET JESUS: “It happened seventeen years ago, in a
Jerusalem church where, as a Jew, I thought I wasn’t supposed to be.”<o:p></o:p><p></p>Bobbie Ann Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14763672118043389223noreply@blogger.com11United Kingdom55.378051 -3.43597327.067817163821154 -38.592223 83.688284836178838 31.720277tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-62388103438773281922024-03-01T00:30:00.001+00:002024-03-01T00:30:00.130+00:00The Value of Writing Retreats by Wendy H. Jones<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlFjJuFn5vPMx_AHRYJX0nXzvDIVBbF3olkusywXDC3aHPbQyCcpKZY1la_CmuLRcUQ4SzgpqQCR3EXGbjReoy9O2kOURUybXmXOOqLwIzKo9R8yc-94FRMnE8LsYNHj57Zlp3x-lYtFEEvcfSPPIM1yZnDwcZwhu8UCPeBNKRALzaV5vtfi1hnQFnTgd/s4032/IMG_8772.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlFjJuFn5vPMx_AHRYJX0nXzvDIVBbF3olkusywXDC3aHPbQyCcpKZY1la_CmuLRcUQ4SzgpqQCR3EXGbjReoy9O2kOURUybXmXOOqLwIzKo9R8yc-94FRMnE8LsYNHj57Zlp3x-lYtFEEvcfSPPIM1yZnDwcZwhu8UCPeBNKRALzaV5vtfi1hnQFnTgd/s320/IMG_8772.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auscot Partners - Susa, Wendy and Shoma</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love writing retreats. Last year I spent two weeks in Israel writing in Eilat at the hostel run by ACW member Judy Pex and had the most productive time of writing. There's something about getting away from it all and changing one's environment which helps the creative juices flow. This year, at roughly the same time, I was running my own writing retreat in Scotland under the auspices of Auscot Publishing and Retreats, my new company, set up with my partners, Susan McVey in Scotland and Shoma Mitra in Australia. Hence the name Auscot. Anyway, I digress. I learned so much whilst running my first retreat and found there was so much value in spending time away, writing with others. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Retreats come in many shapes and sizes but we made a conscious decision to keep this one intimate as we wanted to foster an atmosphere of friendship and support. This worked as attendees go to know each other well and discussions both in the sessions and afterwards in the bar ranged far and wide. The discussion of writing moved way beyond the sessions themselves. The relaxed and friendly atmosphere also meant that we could add sessions that helped participants further on their writing journey.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">During the week we had agents, publishers and industry experts join us, either in person or via zoom. These were extremely popular. Those who had paid for different packages also had one to ones with publishers and agents. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Of course, one cannot talk about writing retreats without addressing the actual writing. Even as an organiser and a presenter I was energised to write each afternoon. I found my brain was fired up and I was thinking about how I could move my writing forward. There is something about being with other writers which allows the brain to think in different ways. The creative juices were not os much flowing as gushing out like a fountain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfdJVzI4gQg-jSnxJr4IDNrIzKvNckiPu7m-_hCi1qIuudEoBkEcMC6u0r9Z4FPJ6zrANkPy3L_ds9au7XEXXIywzV_JoYoVmRhO19sdeJPtOiWvJQN12ALa87GKsh-4a5TWBD_Kb9Cnp0llqoj6JMQ7gxFYrlKwqkHFvM4BnLYx7NhKcSiijRkY49QJN/s4032/IMG_8755.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfdJVzI4gQg-jSnxJr4IDNrIzKvNckiPu7m-_hCi1qIuudEoBkEcMC6u0r9Z4FPJ6zrANkPy3L_ds9au7XEXXIywzV_JoYoVmRhO19sdeJPtOiWvJQN12ALa87GKsh-4a5TWBD_Kb9Cnp0llqoj6JMQ7gxFYrlKwqkHFvM4BnLYx7NhKcSiijRkY49QJN/s320/IMG_8755.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A visit to Stirling Castle not only showed our Australian and American attendees what a beautiful country Scotland is but gave them an opportunity to think of stories, articles and social media posts they could use. A couple of us even did some writing on the throne of the King and Queen of Scotland. Now, that's something to write about.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Of course, it wasn't all work and nothing else. With a gala dinner, games nights, gathering in the bar and a gala dinner, great fun was had by all. Lasting friendships were formed and I know the support which started on the retreat will continue throughout the years. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can safely say writing retreats have immense value and I am very much looking forward to our next one in Perth, Australia. Yes, writing retreats are also addictive. Whether you have been on a writing retreat or not, what would you consider the value of a retreat might be for you? let me know in the comments. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><u>About the Author</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Wendy H Jones is the multi award-winning, Amazon #1 international best-selling author of the <i>DI Shona McKenzie Mysteries.</i> Her Young Adult Mystery, <i>The Dagger’s Curse</i> was a finalist in the Woman Alive Readers' Choice Award. <i>Non-Fiction Matters</i> the fourth book in her Writing Matters Series won the prestigious Dorothy Dunbar Cup from the Scottish Association of Writers. She is also the retired President of the Scottish Association of Writers, an international public speaker, and runs conferences and workshops on writing, motivation and marketing. She is the Editor in Chief of <i>Writers' Narrative</i> a new magazine for writers. She is also a partner in Auscot Publishing and Retreats an international publishing and writing retreat organisation. Wendy is represented by Amy Collins of Talcott Notch Literary Services. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://www.wendyhjones.com/">Website</a><br /><br /><a href="http://author.to/WendyHJones">Amazon Author Page</a><br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/WendyHJones">Twitter </a><br /></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/wendyhjonesauthor/">Facebook</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/wendyhjones/">Instagram</a></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Wendy H. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022089775887274043noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-65965494075206017892024-02-29T00:30:00.002+00:002024-02-29T00:30:00.260+00:00Leaping Into Writing by Allison Symes<p>It’s that time again. Every fourth year I get to write a <i>More than Writers </i>post for February!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5fP0y6zKEm3NNwBkOJgRH9wTmxEw4D-DuoGUEIVVBNKbRCecOSIZNxF3r-2osdicHuA3t2Pj4L0rav5NsfjVi9Kwdm7TSMglsayjMSZ32FFQPd9V0DjnClM_4Jo_1CRf4jx7oP0rYQolR8w9-6e8xbxgY-52uT3YGaFcPD7qAcXwzGXgn8ITCQAkQY8/s640/LEAPING%20-%20It's%20that%20time%20again,%20time%20for%20a%2029th%20Feb%20MTW%20post%20from%20me.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5fP0y6zKEm3NNwBkOJgRH9wTmxEw4D-DuoGUEIVVBNKbRCecOSIZNxF3r-2osdicHuA3t2Pj4L0rav5NsfjVi9Kwdm7TSMglsayjMSZ32FFQPd9V0DjnClM_4Jo_1CRf4jx7oP0rYQolR8w9-6e8xbxgY-52uT3YGaFcPD7qAcXwzGXgn8ITCQAkQY8/w400-h400/LEAPING%20-%20It's%20that%20time%20again,%20time%20for%20a%2029th%20Feb%20MTW%20post%20from%20me.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Given it is a leap year, I thought I’d look at leaping into writing. What do I mean? Well, is it a case you are keen to return to your desk to write? Or do you almost have to be dragged to your chair…? Is procrastination your friend? It isn’t but it is something most writers face.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfakV5orx6n5rci0gr3VxVXKiEFLl8h2gK_4ZNSEkrz1FXuNZNaAnqVfU6HY5Xstms_qdAr9bB-nt0iSaNuA9qMrlpdpKAMj6Kk9xRxsC880zbDE3bsMYRVpgNBw8UD0IXwRWVVN8xsIp7v_Qa4LYcFynikO5zNdY09j8KVfiKC9Y7GTTjuX9iJcq084c/s640/LEAPING%20-%20Keen%20to%20get%20to%20your%20desk%20or%20are%20you%20dragged%20there.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfakV5orx6n5rci0gr3VxVXKiEFLl8h2gK_4ZNSEkrz1FXuNZNaAnqVfU6HY5Xstms_qdAr9bB-nt0iSaNuA9qMrlpdpKAMj6Kk9xRxsC880zbDE3bsMYRVpgNBw8UD0IXwRWVVN8xsIp7v_Qa4LYcFynikO5zNdY09j8KVfiKC9Y7GTTjuX9iJcq084c/w400-h400/LEAPING%20-%20Keen%20to%20get%20to%20your%20desk%20or%20are%20you%20dragged%20there.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>When I’m not keen to get to my desk, I check why. If I’m tired, I take a break. Then I find I am keen to return to my desk and leap right into my writing again. If it’s a question of feeling swamped, I focus on one thing and use deadlines to help me with that focus, as I mentioned last month.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmycJWr6bQiEqYkdpnp90_POMMm4XLHhsvKLvaObvdavzwg1UOOMLtURQpDCdi4nNlCoBVHnMNzc4yv-bw8rC7fW28NGSw1nilfP9m1xp8999aS58s1WiDQE5BcyXd_FHnp6EK3Ydo9KYRnEsGx_zRHA4yAy7s_im6Sz71vO-gIGIK3BFg3MP7PnsEX4/s640/LEAPING%20-%20Be%20kind%20to%20yourself,%20if%20you%20need%20a%20break%20have%20one.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="640" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmycJWr6bQiEqYkdpnp90_POMMm4XLHhsvKLvaObvdavzwg1UOOMLtURQpDCdi4nNlCoBVHnMNzc4yv-bw8rC7fW28NGSw1nilfP9m1xp8999aS58s1WiDQE5BcyXd_FHnp6EK3Ydo9KYRnEsGx_zRHA4yAy7s_im6Sz71vO-gIGIK3BFg3MP7PnsEX4/w400-h210/LEAPING%20-%20Be%20kind%20to%20yourself,%20if%20you%20need%20a%20break%20have%20one.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></p><p>Leaping into writing is a joyous thing. When all is going well it probably isn’t a problem. When you are in the middle of major edits or any writing task which is not as “glamorous” as that initial writing, it is hard to leap into your work with enthusiasm. It helps to have your end goal in sight. <br /><br />We press on to the end to get the “prize” of getting our story or book edited and out there. What we do now helps us get there. There are no shortcuts but the end result is what we work towards. There are similarities with our Christian journey here.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpKZtPylDkqZQwj57_eHCqg0rh1kYfhby8lrakWpJ7u2mPxyn61evJ51B5lWytEljMLo38C37LiYTa34r41nfA_vqiOWNVWBW5O2X6kBA4jrwJzuZQ27wvCYitKrgGG-fxb3Af1UhLbGifopk9ywdlNtNjyRskOI783UrThyphenhyphenpkFDwot4cJFCy3xS6aDc/s640/LEAPING%20-%20Having%20your%20end%20goal%20in%20sight%20is%20useful%20for%20when%20you're%20carrying%20out%20less%20glamorous%20tasks.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpKZtPylDkqZQwj57_eHCqg0rh1kYfhby8lrakWpJ7u2mPxyn61evJ51B5lWytEljMLo38C37LiYTa34r41nfA_vqiOWNVWBW5O2X6kBA4jrwJzuZQ27wvCYitKrgGG-fxb3Af1UhLbGifopk9ywdlNtNjyRskOI783UrThyphenhyphenpkFDwot4cJFCy3xS6aDc/w400-h400/LEAPING%20-%20Having%20your%20end%20goal%20in%20sight%20is%20useful%20for%20when%20you're%20carrying%20out%20less%20glamorous%20tasks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The support of other writers helps. Non-writers, I think, don’t see writers have to develop a thick skin and a decent amount of resilience to keep going. We know though. What I pray is when you need the support of other writers, you get it. I pray we can all be an encouragement to other writers. It should be a two way process, being blessed and being a blessing. <p>I’ve also found it helpful to have writing sessions where I am just writing for fun. Later, once I’ve edited those pieces, I can see if I can find homes for them. Often I can. Some I can’t. Fair enough but I was being creative for the sake of it and that does wonders for your enthusiasm levels. It reminds you of why you wrote in the first place and rekindles your joy in doing it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEeVp4glLw_swJjEfshlmCXcMPKVr6rg5k-WHaDV8mF0YltDxibmBAmi9M1VexBVAolXmou2iDYzMvNsTGzHbjhVolubRDCJ10ou4DWXAYsgLslbzHUuUZiOVrci2BTS6KbDH3mSHYXdGlrMypxDa_A7I7eDH2YHXb7uMzC939GrESzYQqigNO0ZAj_o/s640/LEAPING%20-%20The%20support%20of%20other%20writers%20is%20crucial.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="640" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEeVp4glLw_swJjEfshlmCXcMPKVr6rg5k-WHaDV8mF0YltDxibmBAmi9M1VexBVAolXmou2iDYzMvNsTGzHbjhVolubRDCJ10ou4DWXAYsgLslbzHUuUZiOVrci2BTS6KbDH3mSHYXdGlrMypxDa_A7I7eDH2YHXb7uMzC939GrESzYQqigNO0ZAj_o/w400-h210/LEAPING%20-%20The%20support%20of%20other%20writers%20is%20crucial.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I hope you leap forward with your writing. One of the things I love about creative writing is we are always learning and developing. That is so good for us (and it’s not bad for our brains either). <br /><br />Remember to celebrate the small wins. These things add up and I find fuel my enthusiasm further. Small wins include things like having a letter printed, being shortlisted in a competition, sending a competition entry in at all (as it is easy to miss deadlines and, therefore, opportunities). </p><p>Look at where you started, writing wise, and compare it with where you are now. You will have moved forward. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4uaibyE6ktWIRpWKHmpjaHpXPA1WhuF5yaOkHby4hcA8qFPQU-BohMYvd8f1-c_SsqIFen-lOMB5vh8z5_tQuD-6sYMAnbV0kYiTrUPCgsIq9ETFV19FyQsMt6-F2fVVdNIySuF0vczcOlzbvUdOKW8SbtiilGS3ttql7xZXr0W-kmTGPLglNTFXHY8/s640/LEAPING%20-%20Celebrate%20the%20small%20wins.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4uaibyE6ktWIRpWKHmpjaHpXPA1WhuF5yaOkHby4hcA8qFPQU-BohMYvd8f1-c_SsqIFen-lOMB5vh8z5_tQuD-6sYMAnbV0kYiTrUPCgsIq9ETFV19FyQsMt6-F2fVVdNIySuF0vczcOlzbvUdOKW8SbtiilGS3ttql7xZXr0W-kmTGPLglNTFXHY8/w400-h266/LEAPING%20-%20Celebrate%20the%20small%20wins.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Well done and keep going!</p><br />Allison Symeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480799246770738134noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-47463225112492415152024-02-28T05:00:00.001+00:002024-02-28T05:00:00.134+00:00<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>THE WRITER’S CALENDAR OF MONTHS</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was overjoyed as
the biblical shepherd who found his lost sheep when I found my notes on Paul
Karensa’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Calendar pattern’. It’s designed
to plan a story plot by fitting in characters, locations, conflict, climax and
resolution around the 12 months. It gave me the idea to imagine what each month
offered Christian writers like us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
kind of best fit. So here we go!!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">January: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The month of
New Year/ new beginning. You see yourself in a new light;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You mentally make new resolutions with God; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life
happens but,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘The One who calls you is
faithful’ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>gives you resilience; Time to
declutter stuff ; You begin to think of your new/existing writing projects; Put
in sight your writing paraphernalia…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">February: The month of Valentine. You share love and prayers
to loved ones; You do your writer duties<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>around social media, ACW, work, family, etc; You give off time to be you
but <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life happens; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘The Lord’s unfailing love and mercy still
continue’ and strengthens you;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You plan to
start goals not achieved in January; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
write ideas …<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">March: The month of the year’s first quarter; You reassess
yourself ; You feel<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>imposter syndrome;
The season of Spring offers a fresh start and inspiration; You work on edits,
blogs, reviews, newsletters, book launches etc; Word counts begin to swell;
Life happens but ‘your soul rises and praises the Lord’…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">April: The month ushers Easter; You self-rebirth ; You are <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>inspired from the bloom of new life in nature;
You introduce humour in your writing ; You write to commemorate the Easter
season; Life happens in the midst of your family, work and personal stuff
committments; You are reminded ‘to be of good cheer’…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The month brings
warmer days; Your chapters may have started or increased; Your word count may
look healthy or still discouraging; You encourage yourself in the Lord for
feelings of discouragement, writers block or not being on the writing board; It
is proper spring; You may spring to a big or little action; ‘Peace be within
you’…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">June: The month that is half year; You are jolted by the
Holy Spirit; ‘You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you’; You
are inspired to make huge strides of progress in your writing career; You update
your blogs, Get active on marketing, ACW posts, decrease your ‘to be read pile’;
You enjoy success/ good news on publishing/review<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">July:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The month of
vacations, sunshine and school holidays; You are inspired to write a romance, historical,
adventure or a thriller; Your word count is healthy. You go on holidays; You
are refreshed to engage in career exploits, podcasts, audio books, author
interviews; You share your author skills on social media; You taste the Lord
and He is sweet…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">August: The month of the long hot summer; Your energy is
breathing hot sparks which you pour into your writing; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You call on Him and He tells you hidden things;
You may consider professional service / publishing routes; You may revisit social
media /writing classes; You may go on a retreat or make a start on your writing
and finally crucify procrastinations… <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">September: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The month
of the last quarter; You have been busy with life and writing; You write
despite when life happens; ‘In this world you have tribulations’; You fall
seven times but rise to write;’ Those who will rebuild you are coming soon’;
You have reached an impressive word count; You are encouraged…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">October: The month of perfection is true for you; You ‘encourage
yourself in the Lord’; You acknowledge God called you to write; You overcome <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>writer’s block and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>imposter syndrome; You finish your draft; You
begin to slow down and think of Christmas, family and life outside being a
writer…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">November: The month of winter; You are inspired to write for
advent; You make publishing decisions; Your writing <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>goes on a low key; You do a cover reveal; Life
happens and you say, ‘Father take this cup from me’; He says He has ‘armed you
with strength for every battle’. You experience some writing miracles…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">December: The month of Christmas and the year’s end; You
wonder where time went; You join in the yuletide celebrations; You deserve a break;
Your birthing a book[s] intoxicates you; You spoil yourself; Or was the birth
wishful thinking all along? You ‘encourage yourself in the Lord’ for the new
year…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwU_fjSyThOhmWqQvcjZVQ4121sbZzXTabwCHrQajuB90IRZ1j1gAiKhFIipRC1WtgofbPoI59AHHSkrCmeoCw-Dsoi6fYNcZ-DAqFxFWbGMzFle6svRJ5L-ltrvMp0ZObQr8kFxJbBd7nrMiyMeqhF7PKVMr1Zcs50-XFybPsyaIFp9GTYlX-XMYO9p8/s4032/20240108_080842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwU_fjSyThOhmWqQvcjZVQ4121sbZzXTabwCHrQajuB90IRZ1j1gAiKhFIipRC1WtgofbPoI59AHHSkrCmeoCw-Dsoi6fYNcZ-DAqFxFWbGMzFle6svRJ5L-ltrvMp0ZObQr8kFxJbBd7nrMiyMeqhF7PKVMr1Zcs50-XFybPsyaIFp9GTYlX-XMYO9p8/s320/20240108_080842.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><o:p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sophia Anyanwu lives in SE London with her loving
husband. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s an educationist,
encourager, reviewer, author and poet. She’s an active grandmother to 7
grandchildren when not writing! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is
a member of the Association of Christian Writers, UK. She has published 16
books , which are available on her website: </span><a href="http://www.olusolasophiaanyanwuauthor.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.olusolasophiaanyanwuauthor.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
and Amazon. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can subscribe to her
YouTube channel here:</span> <a href="https://bit.ly/3j0oPuy"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">https://bit.ly/3j0oPuy</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
and follow her on all social media here: </span><a href="https://bit.ly/3UG36Kx"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">https://bit.ly/3UG36Kx</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /></o:p><p></p>Olusola Sophia Anyanwuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293078773098388724noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-76397114955811389122024-02-26T00:30:00.001+00:002024-02-26T00:30:00.141+00:00What is Poetry? by Brendan Conboy<p><span style="background: white; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">W. Somerset Maugham</span> said, “The crown of
literature is poetry.” As writers, what then do we think when we hear the word
poetry? What is poetry? Do you agree with Maugham?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPX4uzwyrPIAAW_yeTNfIos-y3hvESwA-PHktKE_MH2nao4qU2gQhiJbAfnqpW5xSuhJ7w6fMRSLHmetyNLzpLTsAkxSqoFB2sLJ3E9xFTnzQIPUkXAVI6cWouV87ZNJTIXXIXP-qtxKISMOLfpl_dzTomfVNczSnx1WcqGqyb0quKAAtxcgbN1f3skls/s522/81LfvCwdmWL._SY522_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="341" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPX4uzwyrPIAAW_yeTNfIos-y3hvESwA-PHktKE_MH2nao4qU2gQhiJbAfnqpW5xSuhJ7w6fMRSLHmetyNLzpLTsAkxSqoFB2sLJ3E9xFTnzQIPUkXAVI6cWouV87ZNJTIXXIXP-qtxKISMOLfpl_dzTomfVNczSnx1WcqGqyb0quKAAtxcgbN1f3skls/w286-h438/81LfvCwdmWL._SY522_.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ask 100 different people what they think poetry
is and you will hear 100 different answers. Some will say that it is rubbish
because they don’t understand it or relate to it. That is the same as saying, “All
music is rubbish.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="background: white; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I say, “</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Poetry is communication art. The
power in words transforms a heart.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Michael
Rosen, in his book,</span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> ‘What is Poetry?’ </b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">says that poetry is something that
someone writes and calls it a poem. In other words, if the author of a recipe
for a fruit cake decided to call their recipe a poem, Michael would say that it
is. Do you agree with Michael?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Consider
these other quotes…</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="background: white; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">“Poetry is
nearer to vital truth than history.</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">” – Plato</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="background: white; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">“Poetry is the
spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion
recollected in tranquillity.” – William Wordsworth</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="background: white; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">“Poetry is when
an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.” – Robert
Frost</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="background: white; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Genuine poetry
can communicate before it is understood.” - T. S. Eliot</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="background: white; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">“I decided that
it was not wisdom that enabled poets to write their poetry, but a kind of
instinct or inspiration, such as you find in seers and prophets who deliver all
their sublime messages without knowing in the least what they mean.” – Socrates</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">If you like these quotes find more </span><b style="color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/poetry-quotes#:~:text=Poetry%20is%20thoughts%20that%20breathe%2C%20and%20words%20that%20burn.&text=Poetry%20is%20nearer%20to%20vital%20truth%20than%20history.&text=It%20may%20be%20said%20that,the%20surface%20of%20the%20page.&text=Poetry%20is%20language%20at%20its%20most%20distilled%20and%20most%20powerful.">HERE.</a></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">To be fair to Michael Rosen, his book doesn’t actually answer
the question of what poetry ‘IS.’ Instead, he talks about what it does, how it
makes you feel and what you can do with it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: #212529; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rosen says poetry can…</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Suggest things</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Give an impression</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Express a belief or culture</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Play with words</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Be symbolic</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Be personal</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Borrow voices</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Capture a moment</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Be ironic</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Make new sense</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">And more</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As Christian writers, isn’t this what we all want to achieve
from our work?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #212529; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Let’s go back to what I said above – ‘Words can
transform a heart.’ I have presented many rhyming poetry workshops with various
groups. Occasionally, someone present will tell me that they don’t ‘GET’
poetry. Then, after just a few hours their hearts are transformed and they too demonstrate
their creative talents. I am always moved by this.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ultimately, for me, poetry helps me to draw closer to God. This
is what I want for others. I am, therefore, always seeking new opportunities
and groups to work with. If you would like to know more about me coming to your
group, for a time of poetic transformation, please contact me.</span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IlwsdKgKRuc" width="320" youtube-src-id="IlwsdKgKRuc"></iframe></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="background: #F3FDFE; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Brendan Conboy aka Half Man Half Poet</span></b><span style="background: #F3FDFE; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> is the author of 16 published books including two fascinating
autobiographies, <i>The Golden Thread and I'm Still VALUED</i>. In
1986, Brendan invited Jesus into his life and God blessed him with the gift of
rhyming words. He used that gift as a Christian Rap artist for 25 years
and has written 6 poetry books including the entire <i>Book of Psalms in
Rhyme</i>. He has 3 published novels - <i>Issues, Invasion of the
Mimics and Legacy of the Mimics. </i>He is the creator of Book Blest
Christian book festival.<i> </i>Brendan is available for speaking
events, poetry performances and workshops<i>. </i>Visit Brendan's
website <b><a href="https://www.brendanconboy.co.uk/author.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #37afc0; text-decoration-line: none;">HERE.</span></a></b></span><span style="color: #212529; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Brendan Conboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505303824011671930noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-24893110090017923512024-02-25T00:30:00.007+00:002024-02-25T00:30:00.261+00:00Scheduled to Write by Joy Margetts<p> Things have changed since my last More Than Writers blog. Last
month I wrote about how sometimes we need change, and rest, and to reset
ourselves. I think as creatives that is especially important, to make time for ourselves. This is what I wrote,</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt;"><i>I actually haven’t been able
to write ‘proper’ for weeks now. That is, work on my fiction writing. I have
written stuff, but because of the demands on my time and energy I just haven’t
felt like I have had the headspace for creativity. I don’t think I’m the only
one feeling like that at present. I have realised that I miss my fiction
writing and I need it. I need to exercise my creative side. I need to be able
to lose myself in my imaginary medieval world. It is an escape and it is life
giving! A change that gives me a rest from the things I have to face in real
life.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So what has changed since last month? Well I am actually
writing again! In fact in the last three weeks I have added over 20,000 words
to my new novel - another imaginary tale, set in my beloved medieval Wales. And
as expected it has been so good for me! It has given me energy and improved my
mood, it has given me a place of release, and a place of escape.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AT1JRgOu-xgqcw2fBm0C_QHlgG18MRWYE9IKEuJPISu-3wd5w6tNX2oARhuTCzp0jrQM4ga4DRMYJRhRlPcIVU-qHwWy6M2G_I57GTnyiy59uQy6EVA5nNVv_ZV59q6ZYZ-42Bloxe7e0-vnE4E5QoCT5U6LOmG9b0T7R6pIU6aSxvC7EFlOD3OByGMJ/s1080/schedule.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AT1JRgOu-xgqcw2fBm0C_QHlgG18MRWYE9IKEuJPISu-3wd5w6tNX2oARhuTCzp0jrQM4ga4DRMYJRhRlPcIVU-qHwWy6M2G_I57GTnyiy59uQy6EVA5nNVv_ZV59q6ZYZ-42Bloxe7e0-vnE4E5QoCT5U6LOmG9b0T7R6pIU6aSxvC7EFlOD3OByGMJ/s320/schedule.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Image courtesy of Canva</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">TOO BUSY TO WRITE?</p><p class="MsoNormal">Have the other demands on my time and energy gone away? No. In
fact I have been very busy. I am blessed that I don’t have to go out to work,
but I volunteer several hours a week for the church, have at least one day a
week, sometimes two, where I care for the grandchildren and I still have to
look out for elderly parents who live nearby. Add to that some exciting new
projects, like the development of our new Kingdom Story Writers group (<a href="http://www.kingdomstorywriters.co.uk/">www.kingdomstorywriters.co.uk</a> –
sneaky plug there). And learning how to record and produce a new Kingdom Story Writers
Podcast (yep, second sneaky plug – it’s available on all major platforms <span face=""Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span>).
Oh and planning for, and administrating the bookings for, our 2024 Writing
Kingdom Stories Retreat ( <a href="http://www.kingdomstorywriters.co.uk/retreat-2024">www.kingdomstorywriters.co.uk/retreat-2024</a>
- third and final sneaky plug! It’s only because I’m excited and want you to get
excited too!)</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmO2W-eP8jYZvTZZ2DF8w3R07RDaWqWMH9WIdNkP0liagC8CmWRk-706RbVh4hv3HlhaV5XN4dWbEyJaVn2bke1snGny8VG-kDfrF7Ks7Bg6HAnBW7uc6usE4eI4uoEqXoertThSbFtUs7JCprCI25CKCa6EEDbVXq9yZ2N-dK8v5qKZNtkDEPrYEHTAD/s1080/KSW%20PODCAST%20LOGO%20REVISED.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmO2W-eP8jYZvTZZ2DF8w3R07RDaWqWMH9WIdNkP0liagC8CmWRk-706RbVh4hv3HlhaV5XN4dWbEyJaVn2bke1snGny8VG-kDfrF7Ks7Bg6HAnBW7uc6usE4eI4uoEqXoertThSbFtUs7JCprCI25CKCa6EEDbVXq9yZ2N-dK8v5qKZNtkDEPrYEHTAD/w266-h266/KSW%20PODCAST%20LOGO%20REVISED.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>SCHEDULING TIME TO WRITE<p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The most significant change I have made, one that has
freed me to write again, is that I made the decision that I needed to schedule writing
time into my week. It had felt like an indulgence – that the other things in my
life were more important, more worthy of my time and attention. But, when I
thought about it, surely one afternoon a
week wasn’t asking for too much? The other 6.5 days I can give myself to
other things. But surely one half day a week to write stories is OK?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why do we feel guilty about making time to write? Or is that
just me? I don’t think so. Many of us can’t write all the time. We have work,
family and other demands to navigate. We may love writing, but it often has to
take second place to other things. And we can come up with so many reasons not
to write - it doesn’t earn me much, it doesn’t help anyone else, other things
are more important, it is only a hobby after all. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">THE SACRED SPACE</p><p class="MsoNormal">I was in a prayer meeting with some other writers earlier
this month, and what God so beautifully reminded us of during that time was
that our ability to write is a gift from Him. And that if we allow Him to, He
can enable us to write words that bring hope and life and joy to others. If we
see our writing that way – as something He has given us to do, and that He has
a purpose for, then it automatically transforms our thinking. Making time to
write is no longer an indulgence, rather it is a necessity. A response of
obedience to the call of the Father to partner with Him.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I look forward so much to my Wednesdays now! It’s my day to
be creative with Jesus! I spend time with Him in the morning (and get those
necessary niggling chores done) and then the whole afternoon is given over to writing.
The time speeds by, and the words fly from my fingertips, because He is with me.
In scheduling time to write it has made space for me to not only enjoy
exploring my creativity, but also to put myself right in the centre of what God
wants for me. And that time has become sacrosanct – nothing else impinges on it.
And it has become sacred, in every sense of the word.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And you know what else? I am so gripped by the story I am
writing that I have found other time to write as well. Time I didn’t realise that I
had. It seems that scheduling has turned out to be the release valve that I
needed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="background-color: #f3fdfe; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Joy Margetts writes Christian Historical Fiction. Her debut novel '<i>The Healing</i>' was published in March 2021, and her second ‘<i>The Pilgrim</i>’ in July 2022. Her third novel '<i>The Bride</i>' was published 20th October 2023. She has also recently published her first non-fiction book, an Advent Devotional entitled '<i>Christ Illuminated</i>'.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b style="background-color: #f3fdfe; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Joy makes her home in beautiful North Wales and takes her inspiration from its rich spiritual history and stunning landscapes. She is also wife, mother and grandmother and a lover of the Word of God. Her personal blog and more information about her books can be found here <span style="background: transparent; color: blue;"><span style="color: #37afc0;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a href="http://www.joymargetts.com/" style="background: transparent; color: #37afc0; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">www.joymargetts.com </a></span></span></span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Joy Margettshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864995110516740860noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-52553993103316840432024-02-24T02:04:00.001+00:002024-02-24T02:04:00.136+00:00Finding my Voice<p>
</p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8PJijaLykKB1zAxljlAfGBBjS56ku0p5PWyTZ6M-FpuojJsuKXDgRQ6BKiHsrYldweN3jZqcybLir7KgFJ4JZbykcr9VaK7KAQT7Uq07KOHqMHApJKseRAFv7GvzSHf4y41ZHYUURV-pMfA_EAh1mNAVzqFUZyjdkzjy-hBFirlPj23mOV5pjg6jK8D2/s348/alien.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="247" data-original-width="348" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8PJijaLykKB1zAxljlAfGBBjS56ku0p5PWyTZ6M-FpuojJsuKXDgRQ6BKiHsrYldweN3jZqcybLir7KgFJ4JZbykcr9VaK7KAQT7Uq07KOHqMHApJKseRAFv7GvzSHf4y41ZHYUURV-pMfA_EAh1mNAVzqFUZyjdkzjy-hBFirlPj23mOV5pjg6jK8D2/s320/alien.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif; font-size: medium;">I remember, about 10 years ago,
reading a book called </span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>Baby
Aliens Got my Teacher</i></span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif; font-size: medium;"> by
Pamela Butchart. My 6 year old son had chosen it. The title didn’t
appeal to me, but at least it offered some respite from books
preoccupied with flatulence! We started to read it and were gripped.
W</span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif; font-size: medium;">h</span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif; font-size: medium;">e</span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif; font-size: medium;">n
we</span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif; font-size: medium;"> finished it, and my son
immediately read it to himself (his first chapter book) and suggested
we bought it for his friends. </span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif; font-size: medium;">Later,
w</span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif; font-size: medium;">hen my daughter left year 2, I
gave that book and a couple of the sequels to the class library.</span></p>
<p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.56cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">What </span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">i</span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">s
so good about </span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">the book</span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">?
Not the story, which is </span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">a
little mad, but engaging;</span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;"> not
the illustrations, </span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">although
they complement the story well</span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">.
</span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">What makes it so good is</span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">
the voice. As with most modern children’s books, it’s a first
person narrative and Butchart has made her 9-year-old narrator sound
so realistic you expect to meet her in school the next day. The
cadences, the choice of words, the mad non-sequiturs, they are all
completely convincing. And that makes the book come to life. It made
my children want to read it, because it spoke to them in their voice.</span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0.56cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">Butchart is not a 9-year-old girl, but
she manage</span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">s</span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">
to inhabit the character of one. </span>
</p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0.56cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">I’m currently writing as a
16-year-old (which I am not, by a long way!). It helps that I have
teenage children, but I also do my research. I watch teen programmes,
I try to listen to conversations on buses or in cafes, to decipher
the slang that teenagers use with one another, and note how they
moderate it when they speak to adults.</span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0.56cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uq8UdfGHrBq1rS1JrIy5YKaJhZc7EAJlkyl_NIyOnNYwBl-EXdEhf3HnuGZc55WHZdCOk1eo77h9vRaf1Eafp3NuIERbdj-415uxtT13yq697vzuAHoTXVW-sgaxb-x7dRdVMgdd2G2hMi7RxJWxaqzTaoTnFIumOhg2zSnNa-Z25YdhcwRwNLtbmvib/s348/horrified%20emoji.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="247" data-original-width="348" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uq8UdfGHrBq1rS1JrIy5YKaJhZc7EAJlkyl_NIyOnNYwBl-EXdEhf3HnuGZc55WHZdCOk1eo77h9vRaf1Eafp3NuIERbdj-415uxtT13yq697vzuAHoTXVW-sgaxb-x7dRdVMgdd2G2hMi7RxJWxaqzTaoTnFIumOhg2zSnNa-Z25YdhcwRwNLtbmvib/s320/horrified%20emoji.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif; font-size: medium;">When Jesus preached, he used the
language of the people he was speaking to: the pastoral images of
shepherds and grain stores; the domestic situations of preparing for
a banquet or running out of oil. In a similar way, as a writer I need
to try and inhabit the world of both my characters and my readers,
finding a metaphor that means something to them, and using the
language of their everyday. </span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif; font-size: medium;">This
may mean talking less about lost sheep and more about a lack of data!</span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0.56cm;"> <span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">However implicit or explicit the faith
content of </span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">our</span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">
work, </span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">we are called</span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">
to communicate meaning and truth to today’s world, </span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">in
a way that attracts and challenges.</span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0.56cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">So if you find me moving from the
parable of the two sons (Matthew 21:28-32) to an episode of Some
Girls,</span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;"> In my Skin or Sex
Education*</span><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif;">, then you’ll know
I’m fine-tuning my voice, so that I can sound like and speak to
today’s teenage girls.</span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif; font-size: x-small;">*Some Girls and In my Skin are both
available on BBCiplayer; Sex Education is on Netflix; all these programmes may contain
scenes you find disturbing</span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calisto MT, serif; font-size: x-small;"><img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,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" /> <br /></span></p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { color: #000000; line-height: 115%; text-align: left; orphans: 2; widows: 2; margin-bottom: 0.25cm; direction: ltr; background: transparent }p.western { font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; so-language: en-GB }p.cjk { font-family: "Noto Serif CJK SC"; font-size: 12pt; so-language: zh-CN }p.ctl { font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 12pt; so-language: hi-IN }</style></p>Kathryn Schererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00863166075949994787noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-70262654154148598172024-02-23T00:30:00.001+00:002024-02-23T00:30:00.128+00:00All the Small Things by Rebecca Seaton<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 14.0cm; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All the Small Things by Rebecca Seaton<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 14.0cm; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 14.0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Bible says,</span></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is
God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A reminder to value the small things. This
has spoken to me recently, having hit a dry spell. Maybe my ‘small things’ will
encourage you in your own writing and in looking for the opportunities to
encourage others.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 14.0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 14.0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You’re
reading it?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 14.0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’ve
sold some books but sales have definitely slowed. I felt like I’ve probably
sold as many as I’m going to in my local area. Then I walked through the school
hall at dinner time and one of the play leaders cheerily announced, ‘I’ve just
started reading your book!’ Stupidly, I asked her who’d she’d borrowed it from
– staff have been very supportive and a number of people have bought one – but
she’d bought it herself on Kindle. I forget it’s also on Kindle so that was a
nice surprise. A couple of weeks later, a friend in my department asked for a
paperback copy. She already has one but this was for her teenage niece – the
target audience I’m finding it difficult to reach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 14.0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 14.0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnVEmAXxplrDGLUFdFjceRqwqPRAHJYtGJQ6V9hmx0F3Fd68xB-c5smc8NKmamQKJHVvBQpHc4Jal9wrPklcnjH6bDvTAESpjGxvQdkWHXqjQBPU4yuVNHDzMvEPVJVozhhHg3M2zWrcu_7YKuR3y8fcOlAv_BpMYeMhraX5fuqTv-WhHE4LNsiKmu5Ac/s1024/20190122_231314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="818" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnVEmAXxplrDGLUFdFjceRqwqPRAHJYtGJQ6V9hmx0F3Fd68xB-c5smc8NKmamQKJHVvBQpHc4Jal9wrPklcnjH6bDvTAESpjGxvQdkWHXqjQBPU4yuVNHDzMvEPVJVozhhHg3M2zWrcu_7YKuR3y8fcOlAv_BpMYeMhraX5fuqTv-WhHE4LNsiKmu5Ac/w129-h161/20190122_231314.jpg" width="129" /></a></b></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I had a book launch!</span></span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 14.0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 14.0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What,
me?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 14.0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
often suffer from imposter syndrome regarding my writing. Writing isn’t my main
job, I’ve got one book out and the next one is taking a long time. My day job
is also fairly taxing so I struggle to find the energy to keep articles and
fiction coming. However, in the last year I’ve had interest in my books, become
a familiar face at a local craft fayre and even been invited to run a creative
writing class. So the small wins remind to think ‘Yes I could’, rather than
‘What, me?’<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 14.0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 14.0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
like that too!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 14.0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes
we can wonder if our work has an audience. Is it too niche? Is anyone reading
this genre at the moment? Social media makes it easy to find like-minded
individuals. We can promote our work and also support others. It’s also a great
way to find out about events related to our specific writing needs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 14.0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 14.0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXTbPXbOLCwzZgqRo6-b-DtHvHi1maMRXwGY5umNk7zECkFwWiseO07LYqZysJVmiksl-SpA9H9FxzObCr8qUQYEw0RR3oRC-PBJZ6qlpXfLNbxFT1tdxE8DJyZxUnIMzgn52AxqwGsWVUoQ6YmFdmAAOzOUQOdJDcmtGoD4CmVznLdLJYOQB5Yo66ZIE/s1916/20190214_191233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1577" data-original-width="1916" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXTbPXbOLCwzZgqRo6-b-DtHvHi1maMRXwGY5umNk7zECkFwWiseO07LYqZysJVmiksl-SpA9H9FxzObCr8qUQYEw0RR3oRC-PBJZ6qlpXfLNbxFT1tdxE8DJyZxUnIMzgn52AxqwGsWVUoQ6YmFdmAAOzOUQOdJDcmtGoD4CmVznLdLJYOQB5Yo66ZIE/w216-h177/20190214_191233.jpg" width="216" /></a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I've sold at events!</span></b></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 14.0cm 404.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So
even if you haven’t won the Booker prize or hit 5 million followers, what can
you celebrate? And after all, what is <i>‘God’s will’</i> in it? Maybe the small wins
aren’t as small as you think, for you, or for others. And this is why we can be
thankful for them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 14.0cm 404.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 14.0cm 404.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 14.0cm 404.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Rebecca writes fantasy novels, magazine articles
and the occasional play. She had her first novel, A Silent Song, published
through Pen to Print’s Book Challenge competition and is currently working (slowly) on
the second book of a new trilogy</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 14.0cm 404.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjkPRRUQ_cQsMWbMd7s2dTSz2M0zN63zyFmjr0nojsD0G3aaaKoud_pvCeKwxMj4AUuTGd9IPzP4-bOzz7AD9OTILY4DUj8310Mew9dGDr6YanLkcJDlKBrTfoXrqRMqTtCXSzpQoEEdwFwfdMG2PsUAt6IPGEeU_dFgN5ki0yHe_NM5kkNVs88JmHznD/s209/Author%20Photo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="209" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjkPRRUQ_cQsMWbMd7s2dTSz2M0zN63zyFmjr0nojsD0G3aaaKoud_pvCeKwxMj4AUuTGd9IPzP4-bOzz7AD9OTILY4DUj8310Mew9dGDr6YanLkcJDlKBrTfoXrqRMqTtCXSzpQoEEdwFwfdMG2PsUAt6IPGEeU_dFgN5ki0yHe_NM5kkNVs88JmHznD/s1600/Author%20Photo.png" width="209" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p>Rebecca Seatonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370825476563028866noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1643092331729126387.post-51974597932137317962024-02-22T00:30:00.015+00:002024-02-22T00:30:00.125+00:00Team Work by Emily Owen<p>“Please, God, be her Marketer.”</p><p>I was in a meeting, which closed by sharing prayer points and praying for each other.</p><p>My prayer point was marketing. </p><p>I’m rubbish at it.</p><p>Earlier this week, I was in a school, talking to a group of Year Six children about being an author. </p><p>I mentioned marketing, and asked if any of them knew what marketing is?</p><p>The first suggestion was ‘putting the author's name on the front of a book – their first name <b>and</b> their second name’.</p><p>Good start, but oh that marketing was summed up by that.</p><p>Another task that befell me at the school, was to shatter the illusion that all authors are millionaires.</p><p>The children were pretty shocked by this revelation, but I reassured them that, every so often, I get enough in royalties to buy myself a cup of tea (if I provide my own tea bag).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-yfySfpZYhZAMSaACPASr1b6PRYkroJ_93SSvnKjweXhR4P-8SgcOOue2UMsXIXmQz8w6T9TqkBYJPCJMQcwWj6dkFQpe8mfmYaer8VseXBGwQajcEDrkj_YseQpXvrEjqAqVFh9KP-niDrJNGrNSkgwnazPUWy2tJ0OdJppAGRXsvb2nXiywzhxgqEG/s3888/tea-bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3888" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-yfySfpZYhZAMSaACPASr1b6PRYkroJ_93SSvnKjweXhR4P-8SgcOOue2UMsXIXmQz8w6T9TqkBYJPCJMQcwWj6dkFQpe8mfmYaer8VseXBGwQajcEDrkj_YseQpXvrEjqAqVFh9KP-niDrJNGrNSkgwnazPUWy2tJ0OdJppAGRXsvb2nXiywzhxgqEG/s320/tea-bag.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Next month includes World Book Day.</p><p>The day coincides with one of the children's birthday.</p><p>It also coincides with a book I have coming out.</p><p>I showed the children a copy.</p><p>One girl asked how I had learned to draw such an amazing cover.</p><p>She was perhaps a little disappointed when I had to say that I can’t draw, but it was a good opportunity to talk about team-work within publishing.</p><p>As was the question about whether I write a certain genre.</p><p>I was glad to be able to say that, although I don’t, other writers will. </p><p>Team-work.</p><p>Team-work that includes pray-ers.</p><p><i>Please, God, be her Marketer.</i></p><p>It was Tracy Williamson who prayed that prayer for me.</p><p>I invite us to share it.</p><p><i>Please, God, be my Marketer.</i></p><p>Be on my team.</p><p>Be my Inspirer.</p><p>Be my Encourager.</p><p>Be my….</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div><br /></div>Emily Owenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07677150433232420065noreply@blogger.com9