The key to anything in life is to just do whatever you need to do to get it done. With writing, that means, sit down and write. That’s it. When we bog ourselves down with all the dos and don’ts of writing, we forget to just write. You don’t have to make it perfect right now. That’s what editing is for. Right now, sit down to your keyboard, or your paper and pencil, or whatever it is you use to write with, and write. That’s it. For the longest time I didn’t want to write on this site unless I … [Read more...]
Effortless Giving
When we talk about giving something away, do we do it with a kind, open heart or do we do it because it feels like an obligation or that we have to. Personally, I can't remember the last time where I felt pressured to give a gift. I love walking into a store and seeing something that reminds me of a family member or friend. It's not something overly big or pricy, but it's something I know the recipient will like. I call them "Just because" gifts. And because it's a "just because" I don't expect … [Read more...]
The Journey with Jean Davis
Please welcome this weeks guest Jean Davis for The Journey. She answers the question: How have you seen God work in your writing journey? Ben cheats. I was at a meeting of a Christian writers’ group a few years ago. We’d been given a writing prompt with fifteen minutes to write. I didn’t want to read out loud the drivel I’d come up with. But when it was Ben’s turn, he received accolades. “That’s great, Ben! You wrote that just now?” someone asked. “How did you do that? Your piece … [Read more...]
Day 133: Hearing Voices
In writing, hearing a distinct voice is important whether it be fiction or nonfiction. For me, I feel my voice comes out the clearest when I stay true to myself. If I were to try to start being like someone else in my writing I think it would come of as face and insincere. My hope is that when someone reads something I’ve written, my words, that they can tell I’m opening up myself to them, the reader. This site is all about my voice and what my daughter has meant to me. No matter what happens … [Read more...]
Helping Others
When you help someone else how does that make you feel? For me, I get a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. It lets me know I'm doing the right thing. If I were to do something for only self-satisfying reason, there isn't that good feeling that comes with it. You feel kind of icky after it's all said and done and you've had time to think about it. I always think back to Mari and her time in the hospital. On the day the "Doom and Gloom Squad" sat us down one final time to tell us that our beautiful … [Read more...]
Something new…
I'm excited to find something today. There is a blog challenge called NaBloPoMo. The challenge is where you write on a topic for the month every day. This month's topic is serve. What an awesome topic to write about. I plan to get started right away and catch up as it started on September 2. I hope you will stop by every day to see what has been posted and let me know what you think. Looking forward to being apart of this. … [Read more...]
A Broken Heart is an Open Heart
Grief and bereavement is a long and difficult journey. Even if the loss is imminent and you think you are prepared, there is no adequate preparation in the end. The agony of losing a loved one, particularly a beloved child who should have long outlived you, is acute and sudden yet also seemingly never-ending. When I lost my niece a few years ago the intensity of the grief I felt overwhelmed me. Yet somehow, in the process of both recovering from my own sense of loss and helping my sister - who … [Read more...]
Day 132: Double-Edged Sword of the Internet
This is so true. As with so many things, there is the good and the bad side to the Internet. Starting with the obvious is the ability to do research about almost anything. I remember being in my 4th grade class and being told to write a book report on whatever the subject was. So I’d go get the trusty old encyclopedia hardcover book and go to the section with the info I needed. And then of course I’d plagiarize the heck out of that section of the book as I copied down verbatim what it said. Back … [Read more...]
What would I never want to be
I'd never want to be someone who is callous or uncaring. To be self-centered or mean-hearted. I want to be someone that cares about others and can be encouraging when they need it. I think when you know Christ and have Him in your heart, you can't help but be the opposite of those first four I mentioned. I naturally want to help people who need encouragement. When someone is down, help pick them up somehow. If I'm in a story and see something that's perfect for someone, I'll pick it up and … [Read more...]
Trying to help where needed
When I volunteer for something it's because my heart is in the right place and I like to give back. I want to help those in need. I want to give of my time because it's the right thing to do. When I was going through my email yesterday, I saw a request for volunteers for a the contest that is getting ready to happen with ACFW. The primary coordinator is in need of category coordinators. ACFW is so much more than just a place for writers to talk and learn about writing. It is a community of … [Read more...]
