Own your story. Whether it's fictional, a memoir, or even your own life, just own it. My story, or my life, makes me who I am today. I was abused as a child in all the ways I think there are, to include abandonment (talk about leaving yourself exposed), from my dad, my mom, and even my grandparents through the emotional side. Please don't get me wrong. I loved both my grandparents, both of which are now in heaven, and my mom and dad. My mom raised us on her own and she did the best she could. … [Read more...]
Day 20: Naked in the Hallway
In a nutshell: Privacy. It seems like all we ever want in this life sometimes is privacy. There are things in our past that if others find out will leave us vulnerable. Raw. Open. My childhood was anything but easy. As for school, it was harder for me than a typical child due to my learning disability, Dyslexia. Today, most people still don't know I have it. In fact, if someone finds out about it they're surprised. When I was young I was held back in 2nd grade. Even after that I struggled. … [Read more...]
Day 19: The Five Characteristics of Good Writing
When I saw today's topic, I was kind of excited to read what another writer thought of as her five best characteristics to writing. I was surprised to find out she didn't even list one. Instead, she went on to talk about always being prepared and the fact there are no cut and dried answers when it comes to writing. Just in the short time I've been writing, I've been told many different things that should or shouldn't be done when you write. For example, using the words 'was', 'were', and … [Read more...]
Day 18: Your Validation Posse
I love this. A validation posse. Before I got into writing seriously I might never have truly understood what this would mean and how important it is as a writer. As for what I do on this site, my validation posse has been those individuals that my writing has somehow touched their life and for those who have left comments to let me know how those words did touch their lives. But writing Mari's book and also my fiction writing, to have just the right posse is more important than I ever … [Read more...]
The Journey with Max Anderson
Please welcome this weeks guest Max Anderson for The Journey. He answers the question: How have you seen God work in your writing journey? Confessions of a Reluctant Reader… Only God Could Do This By Max Elliot Anderson My father published over 70 books during his lifetime. Some of his books included a couple of popular kid’s series, yet I never read any of them. I grew up in a family with six other siblings, so it was easy for some things to be missed. In my case, no one noticed that I … [Read more...]
Day 17: Love Thy Reader
This put a smile on my face. For anyone who has taken the time to read something I've written, it's almost like they are a friend who I'm opening my heart and thoughts to. Both the lighthearted and funny kind to the heart-wrenching and agonizing kind. This website has become a part of me, just like Mari was while on this earth and continues to be while in heaven. For some people things they may read may just be words to them. But they're so much more to me. They're a part of my soul. No, not … [Read more...]
Day 16: Exploding Typewriters, Smoking Computers
I think all of us at some point while plugging away on our computers wish the darn thing would self combust. We either can't figure the darn thing out or it just isn't working like it's supposed to. We'd love to take a sledgehammer to it as it'd feel so good to put the darn thing in its place. Anyone who knows me knows how much of a technology person I am. And learning new electronic things comes so naturally or software programs. The chances are that if I don't know that much about a program … [Read more...]
Day 15: People in a Jam
It seems like there's always someone we know who's in a jam. Sometimes it might be minor, like their cell phone died and they need to make a call. Other times it might be something worse. However, no matter where we look you can find someone in a jam. How many times in our own lives does this happen? Are you the type of person that no matter what kind of jam you find yourself in you keep it to yourself? Or are you the type that no matter how small the problem (jam) you always ask for help. Or … [Read more...]
Day 14: Waiting for Pizza
What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think about piazza? For me it's one with Canadian bacon (not ham :) ) and pineapple with extra cheese, and easy on the sauce. Of course, double the pineapple while were at it. I can almost taste the pizza in my mouth already. The key here, no matter whether you have a frozen pizza, you pick up a fresh one at the store or have one delivered to your home, you still have to wait. Man, that waiting can be agonizing sometimes, but boy are the … [Read more...]
Day 13: The Matanuska Valley and Other Diversions
When I first saw the heading "The Matanuska Valley and Other Diversions," I was like "what the heck could this be about?" Then I read the short exert and I had to laugh. One word can sum it up best: Procrastination. I don't think there's a person on this earth who hasn't procrastinated at some point in their life. Now grant it, there are some who've made it an art form with how great they do this. And others rarely ever do. God has made each and every one of us so different. We each make … [Read more...]
