A bundle of daffodils.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Solemn Season
A bundle of daffodils.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
A Slow Burn by Mary E. DeMuth
Monday, September 28, 2009
Whether You Weather
Friday, September 25, 2009
One Question Friday
Thursday, September 24, 2009
What I’m Writing
I’ve been busy. As have you, I’m guessing. I thought I’d share with you what I’ve been busy writing.
- My goal is to blog here at All in a Day’s Thought four to five times per week. Heads up, if you are new to my blog, I’m usually MIA on the weekends.
- Every Monday I write for Live Beautiful.
- Every other Tuesday, I blog for Exemplify Online.
- Every other Friday, I write devotionals for 5 Minutes for Faith.
- Mid-month I write a how-to article for Exemplify Online Magazine as a contributor.
- I’m constructing a polished outline for an upcoming talk with M&W Ministries.
- I also occasionally submit short stories or articles to online sites, magazines, contests, etc. Several works are awaiting publication.
- I’ve been asked by the Music Director from our church if I could help write the Night of Joy Christmas skit montage.
- I’m reading three books carefully to write three thoughtful book reviews.
- Today was my first day of Bible study where we are working through, Living the Gospel in Relationships and I’m hacking through homework.
- Currently, I’m also tackling Donald Maass’ workbook, Writing the Breakout Novel.
- And the one that probably demands most of my attention, I’m writing my third women’s fiction, Noble Efforts to Engulf the Moon (28,000 words in.)
- I haven’t even mentioned the journal I keep, marking down sweet and funny moments with my children.
Now, I just need to reevaluate some things so that I’m able to write and write well.
Tell me what you’re working on…*photo by flickr
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Barking Up The Wrong Tree
- Forcing descriptions, long and lengthy ones that begin to bunch around each other like stockings around an old lady’s ankles.
- Inserting flowery language. Playing dress up with words. This especially falls flat when we’re not even sure of the meaning of the word, but we use it anyway because it “sounds so nice.”
“Remember the basic rule of vocabulary is use the first word that comes to your mind, if it is appropriate and colorful.” ~ Stephen King
- Writing about something we know nothing about without conducting research.
- Trying too hard to emulate a well-known author. I’ll stay and UBU sit on this one for a bit. The dog in the picture is studying the art of talking, clearly unable to read or talk. Can he give it his best bark? Sure. Will it ever sound like anything other than a dog’s bark? Not likely. So what does the dog need to do? The pup needs to bark like he’s never barked before. He needs to take ownership of his own vocal cords and give it his strongest bark.
We need to play with our own voice, bat it around a little, and risk things that don’t work in order to find pure sentences that shine. Our voice is one of the deciding factors whether someone will purchase our second, third and fourth book. As you can tell, I’m big on voice, but I’m particularly big on authors discovering and developing their own voice.
Hope you enjoyed the list. Can you think of other things writers do that essentially equates to barking up the wrong tree?
*photo by flickr
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Phone Me Vs: Blog Me
Here’s my example of the day: Take an old phone (you know, one with a cord still attached.) I’m the receiver, able to talk and listen. The Holy Spirit is everything else on the phone, the digits, the wires inside that I couldn’t even begin to assemble, and most importantly for this example, He’s the cord and the connecting wire to the outlet (God). I can’t do anything worth anything without being connected. My voice has little impact. No one will hear it and what I hear will count for nothing. That connection is imperative.
**I’m over at Exemplify today sharing about God’s Voice.
Monday, September 21, 2009
The Concert
Body immune or stubbornly ignoring the chill in the air.
Voice weak from yelling my applause.
Lightshow flashing in the confines of my mind.
Registering music.
Absorbing sound.
Came home, checked on kids, and crawled in bed with words floating, mysterious melodious lyrics tunneling through memory and time.
“God saw all that he had made and it was very good.”Genesis 1:31a
Friday, September 18, 2009
One Question Friday
It is my hope to understand you better through this and also to gain a greater understanding of humanity and how people make decisions.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Art Fantasy
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
My Mama Sayings
“Did you remember to put on underwear?” If I’m feeling extra overwhelmed and I forgot to bathe my kids the night before the saying might go more like this, “Did you change your underwear from yesterday?”
“Why is my spatula in the dog food bag?”
While changing a diaper, “You don’t really need to see your poop.”
“Yes, my bottom is supposed to move like that.”
“What’s that ring around your mouth?
“This wrapper {fill in the blank with about 100 other items} does not belong here.”
“I don’t think using Resolve carpet cleaner this many times a day is healthy for me.”
“Because normal people wear clothes.”
While potty training, “Everybody poops. Daddy poops. Mommy poops. Your sisters poop. Even the dog poops. Outside, the dog poops outside.”
“Don’t bang on the computer like that or it will crash.”
“Sit down while we eat. What are you, a monkey?”
“We don’t talk about toots at the table.”
“Make room for your sister in the tub. Stop kicking her in the face.”
“It’s time for bed. Big Kiki is not coming to get you.”
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Bridge--Lest We Forget
I’m curious what you thought after you watched it?
*Thanks to tangle for the video
Monday, September 14, 2009
Broken Places
Me: “That’s part of the healing, isn’t it?”
“Then your light will break forth from the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say; Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will becomes like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” Isaiah 58: 8-12
Friday, September 11, 2009
One Question Friday
It is my hope to understand you better through this and also to gain a greater understanding of humanity and how people make decisions.
Kentuckians have been known to shout out, “I bleed blue!” in support of their sports teams. We lived in Kentucky for a total of four years and witnessed this devotion first hand.
Americans, especially on days like today, Patriot Day, have been known to espouse, “I bleed red, white and blue.”
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Doing Flips for Keli Gwyn
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Color Contest #3
*Just a note: I've had major difficulties with Blogger today. My posts aren't showing up on blog lists and getting these pictures posted (albeit in three posts!) was painful. I found an alternative way to post them and had to go with different pictures than I originally intended (though I'm pleased with these.)
If for some reason you don't learn about this contest and I get wind of that, I'm willing to hold it open longer.
Color Contest, Picture #1
What an unbelievable chance for you to showcase your writing skills! Today I’m holding a color contest. Here’s how to be in the running for a FREE Southern Living Christmas book:
- Follow my blog. If you don’t follow already (and why the heck not?) go ahead and click to follow under Inspirational and Curious People Who Read this Blog.
- I’ve provided three unique pictures. In TWO sentences or less, describe ONE picture to the best of your ability (make sure to indicate which one you’re describing.)
- I hate rules, so I’m keeping them to just three. The one key and why I’m calling it a color contest, your imaginative description MUST include one or more colors.
My close friend, an avid reader and writer (initials E.B., though she didn’t write Charlotte’s Web) will judge your answers based on creativity and clever usage of color. Remember, don’t force it. If something inspires you, go with it. It’s worth risking it here on this blog. I’ll announce the results tomorrow and send the winner a new book (still in plastic wrapping) within weeks. Give it your all and color me happy!
*photos by flickr
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