Category Archives: Writing

Clearing My Desk

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This Works-for-me Wednesday is a bit cluttered, but also offers useful reminders.  But then, I guess there’s no way for piles not to appear cluttered…

I make notes all the time, and periodically clean out the used pages in my notebooks. If I still want to remember what I wrote, it goes in the pile on my desk.

One I found today:

It’s as if we think Jesus included, “Blessed are the uncomfortable, because I’ll feel sorry for them.”

Discomfort is not a prerequisite to godliness, and, unless properly handled, will do nothing to draw us closer to Him.

Another is the start of a list I wrote as Grandma was in the hospital. When the ordeal began I was driven to distraction by my writer’s-mind. By the end I realized there was more I wanted to remember.

  • Smile at sick people.
  • Busy lives can hold back even people who care.
  • Affirm people for (even just) presence, if it’s encouraging.

I suppose any of these four thoughts could feed a whole post, but this is all I want to say for now. I’m sure you may find additional meaning if you wish.

Discovered a new Character!

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So I’m working my way through Nehemiah, and find myself pulling storytelling and character-building/revealing principles from it as I go along.

Some stuff about Nehemiah combined with an edge character that I knew needed something more to do. A whole subplot developed between naming him a few weeks ago and Bible study a few days ago.

I love how a whole character stepped out of a name (though at this point I think the name– Tyko– will have to go). The bit from Nehemiah didn’t change him, just brought his basic nature–perceptive but humble– into sharper focus.

He’s got quite a dashing role now, and even a sweetheart.

It’s fun to be able to include a new POV, and he’s useful too. He is both sympathetic to the main character (without being romantically involved) and staying behind when she journeys, so we can still see what happens after she leaves.

Fewer Doubts = Less (self) Censoring?

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Jacques Barzun in A Writer’s Discipline:

[We] transfer a part of our intellectual and emotional insides into an independent and self-sustaining outside [when we write]. It follows that if we have any doubts about the strength, truth, or beauty of our insides, the doubt acts as an automatic censor which quietly forbids the act of exhibition.

Write Like a Man

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Kaye introduced me to The Gender Genie a while back and I thought some visitors here might be interested in my results.

I tested my novel (the opening chapters at least) and they came back accurately guessed to be written by a female. So, as there was a “blog post” catigory, I started playing with random posts to check the genie’s continued accuracy.

I found the results interesting, and possibly inflammatory, depending on who wants to interpret them.

The personal story/relational ones I checked came back with the guess they were written by a female:

And my analytical/practical advice stuff came back with the guess it was written by a male:

ETA: I checked a number of my male-centered Tuesday Tales and these also came back as male-written.

I find this somewhat gratifying, maybe for the same reason no woman wants to hear “You throw like a girl,” when playing a sport with men.

Going beyond basic politeness, I like to be able to hold my own and prove myself a reasonably competent participant on the neutral terms (i.e., by the rules) even if they might be a bit skewed to begin with (we all know that the strongest man will always be stronger than the strongest woman).

And I’m speaking literally here, so, please, nobody pick a fight. I’ll ignore it. ;)

We’re All Psych Cases– or at least sinners

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I am doing some light research about some psychological issues for my novels (latest article, “The mystery of loving an abuser”). One of my novels has a side-character enmeshed in an unhealthy relationship, and the protagonist in a different novel avoids something similar.

Both times, though, just trying to figure out how all these minds work and the interplay just fascinates me.

It made me think of an observation I made after reading a blog post about discovering Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

Maybe it’s just me, but whenever I read descriptions like this I get a twinge, seeing shadows of myself. But then I remind myself that things like wanting to feel significant and noticed are normal parts of being human, and are not in themselves unhealthy.

I never cease to be impressed by the appearance that nearly every problem or disorder is the extreme of a normal human feeling and/or a natural part of growing up that didn’t pass in its proper time.

I think the hardest part about learning more about these issues is discovering how statistically irredeemable people with these problems are.

I don’t like irredeemable.

I think I would have been like Frodo with Smeagle (in Lord of the Rings)– it would have scared the snot out of me, and I wouldn’t have have the guts to pull it off without a Sam to share watches with, but I’d have wanted to risk it.

When we remember that all sin is Sin in God’s eyes, and that all sin separates us from God, hoping for the villain’s redemption is maybe a way of hoping for our own.

When there is hope for him, there is hope for me, you see?

It also holds out a hope for those I love that I know are still separated from God.

Is anything too hard for the Lord?

Inspiration vs. Sleep

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I just finished writing what I think is my climactic scene. (I’ll wait till more work is done to be totally sure that’s what it is.)

1,257 words tonight. Not quite NaNo productivity, but pretty good– especially considering I (1st-draft) finished a key scene.

The whole scene about 2,400 words, so I put together more than half of it tonight.

I kept expecting Jay to sit up and scold me to bed, me being sick and all, but I was flying so fast I was thankful he didn’t

Then, just as I punched the word-count, Elisha woke up. So here I am, thinking God for the clarity I got to finally write this scene.

~

I’ve recently been so intimidated about how much I have to learn, and how enormous this particular project is, that it’s been hard to create— for weeks I’ve only been editing– and I really do have quite a bit of material I haven’t written yet.

(And, in case you read my last post and wonder, my climax is nothing like the movie’s– only the experience somehow fired me to take a crack at this, and I’m glad I did.)

Almost Brilliant

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I had this *fantastic* brain flash last night for a series, complete with main characters and interactions that I adore.  One that really that could become a brand.

Main problem: its a genre I’ve not read much.   Like, I’ve read eight books from a kids’ series in this genre, and watched a couple (only a couple) movies, but I totally love the idea, so I’m going to have to hang on to it.  (One thing at a time…)

But it is *really* high on my next-big-project list.  (Hmmm, are we thinking NaNo 2007?)

Actually, Jay’s not sure we’ll do NaNo this year.   Says we’ll have to wait and see if we’re more together by then.

Letting the Cork Out

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More than once I have seen the advice about keeping your writing projects to yourself.

The idea runs that if you are impelled to write about something, but talk about it before you write it, the writing may never happen.

There are a couple explanations for this:

  • The psyche’s subconscious need to tell the story/information has been satisfied
  • You use up your enthusiasm talking, and have no energy left for writing
  • You begin doubting the idea and self-editing before you even start

This “dire” warning weighs on my mind occasionally, for more than one reason.

First of all, I can see that it’s right. I can use talking about (and organizing) my writing projects to avoid actually working on them. Or I’ll feel an element of one or all of the bulleted points above.

The other reason I think about it is because it doesn’t apply to me.

Yeah. Makes sense to me too.

I’ve said before I process by working through (talking– or writing– about). Writing as a Second Language promotes a corner of the way I think: hash it it the the language you know best (speech) and that will help refine it your second language (print).

The question I face is, How do I reconcile my personality with the prudence to be more closed about my work?

To learn internal processing makes the most sense.

Yeah…I’m working on that…

(Starting a new project. Not going to tell you about it. ;) )

The Carnival of Beauty– Provision

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One generation shall praise Your works to another,
And shall declare Your mighty acts.

Psalm 145:4

 

We recall God’s provision to keep a heart of gratitude and remember our absolute dependency on him.

Carnival of Beauty

He has given us so many good gifts, and I hope any readers will take this carnival as an invitation to record their own experiences of God’s provision.

In my own experience, I’ve found my journals to be one of my best answers to the Enemy’s lie that God is not involved in my tiny existence.

Here are some snapshots from our experience.

I pray they encourage your hearts, and open your eyes to see God working in your own lives. (If you have something you’d like to add, look at my note about submissions.)

Amanda from following an unknown path recounts just a few of the numerous ways the Lord has been her Jehovah-jireh, the One who sees her needs and meets them.

My contribution on Untangling Tales is the story one of the many gifts of provision from the end of my grandmother’s life: One Pearl From a Necklace.

Calling for submissions for the Carnival of Beauty– Provision

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Carnival of Beauty

Happy Monday everyone.

I have the privilege of hostessing this week’s edition of the Carnival of Beauty, dwelling on The Beauty of God’s Provision.

Many months ago my Grandmother died, and in the midst of that challenging time I saw God’s hand and provision again and again. I will be sharing part of that story on Wednesday.

There was no way that time could ever be described as good, but through God’s provision, it was as good as it could have been.

And I think that’s saying a lot.

If anyone has a story about God’s provision to share, or thoughts on the topic you would like me to include in the carnival, please let me know by Tuesday evening at 8p.m. (Alaska time).

ETA:

If you missed my deadline and still want to be included, feel free to send on your link and I’ll add it when I have time.

This is a topic I’d love to hear more people’s thoughts and experiences of.