Hi, All:
As the ACFW Genesis writing contest draws near to deadline, I'm getting excited about being a first-round judge this year. I was so pleased to receive an invitation to help out in this way a couple months back, and now that it's coming closer to fulfilling the job, my anticipation is building.
I've started praying already for this endeavor ahead. I'm praying that I'll pace the entries out, leaving enough time to take a second look before sending back. I'm praying that I'll be like one of those judges that I appreciated so much for commenting so freely and offering craft references where applicable.
Through the three years that I submitted I had my share of dud judges who just wrote scores down and made no comments within the document and just one-liners in the comment section for the sake of not sending back a blank comment page--not fun! Useless, really! So I know I don't want to be like them, time crunched and feeling like the whole process is a burden, rather than an opportunity to share what I've learned through the years about this awesome craft of fiction writing.
I want to be helpful to those who submitted, not lazy and disinterested. I want to offer praise for wonderful prose, constructive criticism where something falls flat, guidance and suggestions where they may be needed. I want to be one of those crazy wonderful commenter type judges who takes the time of day to pass along what little I've learned.
So, I think I need to prime myself for this task ahead. Starting tonight I'm digging open some of my favorite craft books for another absorption...not only for the entrants, but for me too. May the learning begin all over again!
If I have time, I'll blog on what strikes me this time around in study mode. Fun, fun, fun!
Surrendering to Him,
Eileen
(P.S. Comments are off during my intermittent time of blogging. I'm visiting a few blogs each day, not always commenting, but loving the reads! Thanks for keeping me informed through your cyber pad, and blessings prayed for you all.)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Wanted: An End to this Madness!
Who knew renovations took so long to even get started? I sure didn't.
I suppose OPTIONS is a good thing, but it sure doesn't speed the process up. There are just so many different contractors, cabinet makers, etc. and they all offer different levels of service and lots of different advice. My head is spinning. I am so glad that God put the breaks on my writing for now as I work through this kitchen redo. He sure knows my limitations, and although I always considered myself a good multitasker, this is one job that wouldn't mix with writing for me.
But I am getting antsy to get back to story writing. The itch is here. I watched New Moon this past weekend and so desired to get creating again (not in Meyers' vampire way, but in my own earthy way). I hope to be able to bring writing back on board in another month or so, once the contractors are lined up and the design is finalized. If you're the praying type, I'd love a prayer for this: That I'll be attune to God's guidance and timing and trust in Him fully with all I do.
Blessings and peace prayed for you all!
Surrendering to Him,
Eileen
(P.S. Comments are off during my intermittent time of blogging. I'm visiting a few blogs each day, not always commenting, but loving the reads! Thanks for keeping me informed through your cyber pad, and blessings prayed for you all.)
I suppose OPTIONS is a good thing, but it sure doesn't speed the process up. There are just so many different contractors, cabinet makers, etc. and they all offer different levels of service and lots of different advice. My head is spinning. I am so glad that God put the breaks on my writing for now as I work through this kitchen redo. He sure knows my limitations, and although I always considered myself a good multitasker, this is one job that wouldn't mix with writing for me.
But I am getting antsy to get back to story writing. The itch is here. I watched New Moon this past weekend and so desired to get creating again (not in Meyers' vampire way, but in my own earthy way). I hope to be able to bring writing back on board in another month or so, once the contractors are lined up and the design is finalized. If you're the praying type, I'd love a prayer for this: That I'll be attune to God's guidance and timing and trust in Him fully with all I do.
Blessings and peace prayed for you all!
Surrendering to Him,
Eileen
(P.S. Comments are off during my intermittent time of blogging. I'm visiting a few blogs each day, not always commenting, but loving the reads! Thanks for keeping me informed through your cyber pad, and blessings prayed for you all.)
Friday, March 12, 2010
Should Church "Stuff" Make You Sad
...like when you're embarrassed and disheartened by leaders' actions?
In my case, I'm thinking it's causing a mix of emotions in me.
It's sad knowing how much pain certain leaders caused an individual volunteer in our Church, whether they realize it or not. But it's also very revealing. I learned something well worth learning.
Defensiveness is ugly, and while I can see instances where it may be a result of standing up for what you believe is right, it is far more likely to be a result of standing up for what you want.
Two very different things.
So, the next time I feel defensiveness rearing it's ugly head in me, I pray that I'll be able to take a deep "Prayer" breath. Seek council from God above, and stand up for what He has laid on my heart in a self-controlled, non-degrading, non-alienating way to others.
Truth breeds respect and healthy debate. Want too often breeds ugliness.
I have a feeling God is using my Church to teach me that strength in me should only come through Him. And His strength doesn't gang up, but calmly reveals truth.
Surrendering to Him,
Eileen
In my case, I'm thinking it's causing a mix of emotions in me.
It's sad knowing how much pain certain leaders caused an individual volunteer in our Church, whether they realize it or not. But it's also very revealing. I learned something well worth learning.
Defensiveness is ugly, and while I can see instances where it may be a result of standing up for what you believe is right, it is far more likely to be a result of standing up for what you want.
Two very different things.
So, the next time I feel defensiveness rearing it's ugly head in me, I pray that I'll be able to take a deep "Prayer" breath. Seek council from God above, and stand up for what He has laid on my heart in a self-controlled, non-degrading, non-alienating way to others.
Truth breeds respect and healthy debate. Want too often breeds ugliness.
I have a feeling God is using my Church to teach me that strength in me should only come through Him. And His strength doesn't gang up, but calmly reveals truth.
Surrendering to Him,
Eileen
(P.S. Comments are off during my intermittent time of blogging. I'm visiting a few blogs each day, not always commenting, but loving the reads! Thanks for keeping me informed through your cyber pad, and blessings prayed for you all.)
Monday, March 1, 2010
On Again, Off Again...
That's me lately.
My intermittent attendance here in cyber world is due partly to my massive house clean-out in prep for renovations, horsey life, and as a result of those two, my sabbatical from down-and-dirty writing. I have no idea how long this will go on for, so I'll pop myself into cyber world whenever I get a chance (like when I'm actually forcing myself to use the treadmill as I should be doing daily, and am doing now), but since I know it won't be as often as I'd like I've decided to turn off comments on my blog during this on again, off again time.
If you're like me, you often feel obligated to leave a comment when reading a fellow blogger's posts, so by turning that option off, I'm hoping to save you all time to be doing what you desperately would like to be doing--WRITING! My email address is available in my profile if you really want to get hold of me and don't already have it in your contacts list. I'd love to hear from you all from time to time. And I do plan to keep in touch via your blogs as the opportunity arises. I won't always leave a comment, but definitely will sometimes as I keep up on your life and writing (if writing is what you blog about).
So until my down-and-dirty writing sabbatical is over, I hope you'll enjoy the diverse posts I come with when I come up with them, and I hope you all write like crazy so that great books will be published soon for me to devour!
Blessings prayed for you all, and I look forward to visiting your blogs as I walk off the winter pounds I've gained.
Surrendering to Him,
Eileen
My intermittent attendance here in cyber world is due partly to my massive house clean-out in prep for renovations, horsey life, and as a result of those two, my sabbatical from down-and-dirty writing. I have no idea how long this will go on for, so I'll pop myself into cyber world whenever I get a chance (like when I'm actually forcing myself to use the treadmill as I should be doing daily, and am doing now), but since I know it won't be as often as I'd like I've decided to turn off comments on my blog during this on again, off again time.
If you're like me, you often feel obligated to leave a comment when reading a fellow blogger's posts, so by turning that option off, I'm hoping to save you all time to be doing what you desperately would like to be doing--WRITING! My email address is available in my profile if you really want to get hold of me and don't already have it in your contacts list. I'd love to hear from you all from time to time. And I do plan to keep in touch via your blogs as the opportunity arises. I won't always leave a comment, but definitely will sometimes as I keep up on your life and writing (if writing is what you blog about).
So until my down-and-dirty writing sabbatical is over, I hope you'll enjoy the diverse posts I come with when I come up with them, and I hope you all write like crazy so that great books will be published soon for me to devour!
Blessings prayed for you all, and I look forward to visiting your blogs as I walk off the winter pounds I've gained.
Surrendering to Him,
Eileen
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Writing Pyramid
Last month I had the privilege of attending an author event at our Church. Author Sigmund Brouwer spoke on how to encourage our children to write. What stuck with me the most from his talk was his warning to not edit our children's work, but rather encouragement creativity and not let the editing start until they are in middle school, well after creativity is fixed in their soul. I love this advice.
Brouwer went on to state what we hear all the time. Story trumps all. With that thought, doesn't it make sense to just let our children run with their creativity, not stifle it by imposing grammar rules. I think even as adults some of us need to go with this method to truly create stories that stick.
I really liked how Brouwer divided writing into a three-tier pyramid. The base, the largest part, is story. Without the story, a writer has nothing to work with. The second most important element for a writer is word choice. So once we have the best story down, then a writer's job is to manipulate the words to create the best word choices to polish the story. And at the very top of the pyramid is grammar. Only after we've created a winning story and chosen our words carefully to create just the right ebb and flow do we venture into the mundane task of making it grammatically correct. And, thankfully for those of us like me who are horrible with grammar, there are professional editors out there to polish our work with grammar as their main focus.
With this in mind, when next your little one presents you with a story, what will you do? Will you praise his/her creativity, encourage a brainstorming session to enhance the story if it runs a little flat, or will you be marking up the page with comma's, question marks, periods, etc., tap them on their heads, and smile at their accomplishment?
Surrendering to Him,
Eileen
Brouwer went on to state what we hear all the time. Story trumps all. With that thought, doesn't it make sense to just let our children run with their creativity, not stifle it by imposing grammar rules. I think even as adults some of us need to go with this method to truly create stories that stick.
I really liked how Brouwer divided writing into a three-tier pyramid. The base, the largest part, is story. Without the story, a writer has nothing to work with. The second most important element for a writer is word choice. So once we have the best story down, then a writer's job is to manipulate the words to create the best word choices to polish the story. And at the very top of the pyramid is grammar. Only after we've created a winning story and chosen our words carefully to create just the right ebb and flow do we venture into the mundane task of making it grammatically correct. And, thankfully for those of us like me who are horrible with grammar, there are professional editors out there to polish our work with grammar as their main focus.
With this in mind, when next your little one presents you with a story, what will you do? Will you praise his/her creativity, encourage a brainstorming session to enhance the story if it runs a little flat, or will you be marking up the page with comma's, question marks, periods, etc., tap them on their heads, and smile at their accomplishment?
Surrendering to Him,
Eileen
Monday, February 15, 2010
Lucky Winner of A Valentine's Wish by Betsy St. Amant
Okay, I admit it, I was too lazy on Valentine's Day to make ballots for each of the twenty-two entrants (number of comments at the time of drawing), so I had my youngest daughter pick a number from one to twenty-two. She picked sixteen, which makes Jessica Nelson the lucky winner!!
Jessica, I know you've won from this blog in the past, but I don't harvest addresses, so please do send me an email with your snail mail addy so I can send this book out to you. I hope you like it!
So, what all did you guys get for Valentine's Day from your sweetheart? Guess what my special guy got me? Don't be jealous now, but my wonderful hubby got me season one of Castle. Isn't that just the greatest gift for a writer? I love it, and since I'm one who falls asleep waaaay too early, I need these on DVD because I miss far too many episodes to sleep.
Blessings prayed for all and may the spirit of Valentine's Day live on all year long!
Surrendering to Him,
Eileen
Jessica, I know you've won from this blog in the past, but I don't harvest addresses, so please do send me an email with your snail mail addy so I can send this book out to you. I hope you like it!
So, what all did you guys get for Valentine's Day from your sweetheart? Guess what my special guy got me? Don't be jealous now, but my wonderful hubby got me season one of Castle. Isn't that just the greatest gift for a writer? I love it, and since I'm one who falls asleep waaaay too early, I need these on DVD because I miss far too many episodes to sleep.
Blessings prayed for all and may the spirit of Valentine's Day live on all year long!
Surrendering to Him,
Eileen
Friday, February 12, 2010
A Valentine Book Giveaway!
Hello, All:
Sorry I've been absent for a while here in cyberspace. Planning for possible renovations is taking far more energy and concentration than I ever expected. Good for the winter blues for sure, but costly on the writing and blogging. Now that a professional designer is on it, I hope to get life back into some semblance of normalcy around here.
But, hey, Valentine's Day is upon us. I've bought the munchkins and hubby a little something to celebrate, and I also bought an extra copy of Betsy St. Amant's A Valentine's Wish for a giveaway to one lucky blogging buddy. So leave a comment with your snail mail addy if you'd like to be entered in the drawing. I'll have one of the munchkins draw the lucky winner sometime on the big day and let you all know the winner on Monday, February 15th's post, which happens to be Family Day here in Ontario so I'll have the whole family home for three days straight this Valentine's weekend. Yippy!!! Love it when that happens.
Here's a peak at the first page:
Unemployed. Single. And out of brownie mix.
Lori Perkins tapped her nails against the open pantry door. Canned vegetables and peanut butter crackers were nowhere near sufficient for this kind of low. She rested her forehead against the frame and blew a strand of dark hair out of her eyes. It really wasn't her fault—well, maybe two of the three problems were. She probably shouldn't have quit her job at the aquarium gift shop before the administrative position across town was a done deal, and she definitely should have gone to the grocery store before her chocolate stash ran out. But her single status was most certainly not of her own choosing. Add the fact that Valentine's Day was mere weeks away, and it became official. She was broke, hungry and destined to be alone.
The cordless phone on the counter jangled a shrill ring, and Lori snatched it up while peering one more time at the contents of her bottom shelf. "Hello?"
"Lori? I can barely hear you. Are you in a tunnel?" It was her friend Andy Stewart, the youth pastor at her church, L'Eglise de Grace.
She stretched one arm toward the back of the shelf. "No. The pantry."
"Searching for chocolate, I assume."
"Funny." So what if she'd become a little predictable over the years? Lori fumbled around a jar of peanut butter and felt a crinkly wrapper. Maybe a forgotten candy bar? No, just another package of crackers. She let out a huff. Was a little chocolate too much to ask for a girl having one of the worst days of her life?
"Are you all right? I can call back."
Lori shut the pantry door with a loud click and rested her back against the wooden panels. "I need chocolate."
"You're out? How is that possible?"
"Gracie helped me finish the last of my emergency stash."
"And she didn't refill?"
"There wasn't time before the wedding." She supposed Gracie had more important things on her mind at the time, like planning a honeymoon. Excited as she was for her friend's new life, Lori couldn't help the flicker of jealousy in her stomach. Happily-ever-after endings apparently weren't meant for everyone—her ex, Jason, had proven that point well enough.
She slammed the brakes on her runaway train of negative thoughts. "Look, is there a point to this conversation, or can I finish my desperate search for relief now?"
"Ouch. Bad day?"
"Did you not hear me say I'm out of chocolate?" Men. The cute ones cheated, and the funny ones were dense. Take Andy, for example. They'd been practically best friends for how long now—two years? Three? And he'd never once considered Lori as anything more.
Though it was probably for the best. If bitter thoughts of Jason still crept in her subconscious, she wasn't ready for more. The need for chocolate intensified, and Lori squeezed her eyes shut. Maybe if she pretended hard enough she could—
Andy cleared his throat. "How about I bring over some chocolate doughnuts? I have something I need to talk to you about."
Lori stopped the no from automatically rolling off her tongue. She preferred to indulge in her chocolate bad moods by herself, but without the chocolate, the bad-mood part sounded pretty lonely. "Fine. See you in twenty."
Leave a comment for your chance to read the rest of the story!
Surrendering to Him,
Eileen
Sorry I've been absent for a while here in cyberspace. Planning for possible renovations is taking far more energy and concentration than I ever expected. Good for the winter blues for sure, but costly on the writing and blogging. Now that a professional designer is on it, I hope to get life back into some semblance of normalcy around here.
But, hey, Valentine's Day is upon us. I've bought the munchkins and hubby a little something to celebrate, and I also bought an extra copy of Betsy St. Amant's A Valentine's Wish for a giveaway to one lucky blogging buddy. So leave a comment with your snail mail addy if you'd like to be entered in the drawing. I'll have one of the munchkins draw the lucky winner sometime on the big day and let you all know the winner on Monday, February 15th's post, which happens to be Family Day here in Ontario so I'll have the whole family home for three days straight this Valentine's weekend. Yippy!!! Love it when that happens.
Here's a peak at the first page:Unemployed. Single. And out of brownie mix.
Lori Perkins tapped her nails against the open pantry door. Canned vegetables and peanut butter crackers were nowhere near sufficient for this kind of low. She rested her forehead against the frame and blew a strand of dark hair out of her eyes. It really wasn't her fault—well, maybe two of the three problems were. She probably shouldn't have quit her job at the aquarium gift shop before the administrative position across town was a done deal, and she definitely should have gone to the grocery store before her chocolate stash ran out. But her single status was most certainly not of her own choosing. Add the fact that Valentine's Day was mere weeks away, and it became official. She was broke, hungry and destined to be alone.
The cordless phone on the counter jangled a shrill ring, and Lori snatched it up while peering one more time at the contents of her bottom shelf. "Hello?"
"Lori? I can barely hear you. Are you in a tunnel?" It was her friend Andy Stewart, the youth pastor at her church, L'Eglise de Grace.
She stretched one arm toward the back of the shelf. "No. The pantry."
"Searching for chocolate, I assume."
"Funny." So what if she'd become a little predictable over the years? Lori fumbled around a jar of peanut butter and felt a crinkly wrapper. Maybe a forgotten candy bar? No, just another package of crackers. She let out a huff. Was a little chocolate too much to ask for a girl having one of the worst days of her life?
"Are you all right? I can call back."
Lori shut the pantry door with a loud click and rested her back against the wooden panels. "I need chocolate."
"You're out? How is that possible?"
"Gracie helped me finish the last of my emergency stash."
"And she didn't refill?"
"There wasn't time before the wedding." She supposed Gracie had more important things on her mind at the time, like planning a honeymoon. Excited as she was for her friend's new life, Lori couldn't help the flicker of jealousy in her stomach. Happily-ever-after endings apparently weren't meant for everyone—her ex, Jason, had proven that point well enough.
She slammed the brakes on her runaway train of negative thoughts. "Look, is there a point to this conversation, or can I finish my desperate search for relief now?"
"Ouch. Bad day?"
"Did you not hear me say I'm out of chocolate?" Men. The cute ones cheated, and the funny ones were dense. Take Andy, for example. They'd been practically best friends for how long now—two years? Three? And he'd never once considered Lori as anything more.
Though it was probably for the best. If bitter thoughts of Jason still crept in her subconscious, she wasn't ready for more. The need for chocolate intensified, and Lori squeezed her eyes shut. Maybe if she pretended hard enough she could—
Andy cleared his throat. "How about I bring over some chocolate doughnuts? I have something I need to talk to you about."
Lori stopped the no from automatically rolling off her tongue. She preferred to indulge in her chocolate bad moods by herself, but without the chocolate, the bad-mood part sounded pretty lonely. "Fine. See you in twenty."
Leave a comment for your chance to read the rest of the story!
Surrendering to Him,
Eileen
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