Blog Dress Up

For today ONLY, check out Brianna's Pocketful of Playdough Blog. She re-designed it for Halloween to dress up as Edgar Allan Poe! It's amazing...the whole blog is like it would belong to Poe! Tomorrow it will be back to normal, so go see it today!

ShoutOutSaturday (S.O.S)

Every Saturday I SHOUT OUT a favorite blog or post!

                   

       
Today's love goes to: Granola Bar Devotionals

For a quick spiritual snack, check these out!

Writing Devotions - Part 1

Right now I'm working on a devotion. In case any of you are interested in learning to write a devotion, here are the basic parts.

• Title
• Scripture that relates well to your reflection
• Body of Devotion: Personal reflection on God/scripture/prayer. Share an experience or moment that drew you closer to God.
• Prayer that relates well to your reflection.
• Thought for the Day

 Each publisher will have their own specific guidelines (word count, format, etc.), but this gives you a quick look at the basics.

One publisher of devotions is Upper Room. These devotions are just 250 words each. Check out Upper Room Sample (devotions start on page 8-9) and Upper Room Writer Guidelines.

See * Photo * Write

I'm participating in today's See Photo Write on 1st Writes!
If you'd like to write too, post it on your blog and then head over to 1st Writes and linky to it.  
Happy writing!  

source

My response is below.

Why are we curious for things we can't have?
For fish in fishbowls that we want to grab.
We should be content with our current toys
And focus on what brings eternal joys.

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15

Strong Dialog Series #16

I made a new one!

ShoutOutSaturday (S.O.S)

Every Saturday I SHOUT OUT a favorite blog or post!

                   

       
Today's love goes to: Clare B. Dunkle, Author for sharing her insights about agents, about publishers, and about editors.


I just finished reading Clare's MG sci-fi book The Sky Inside. I really enjoyed it, so I looked Clare up on the web and found these three great posts for writers. 

What I learned from MG Books - #1

I'm reading MG books in the attempt to define what makes a good book. I'll share what I learn.

 

Book #1: The Sky Inside, a MG sci-fi mystery, by Clare B. Dunkle. 

Here's what I learned from this author/book.

• Write simple, easy to understand chapters.

• Don't get too technical even if it is sci-fi.

• Adult characters, especially parents, should be believable.

Martin's parents were not played as dumb adults. They had believable interactions with each other and with the children. As the story progresses you see their short-falls and fears. They are portrayed as real people. 

• Child characters and their actions should be believable. 
  

The main character, Martin, reminded me of a 13 year old boy I know, even down to some of his personality traits! He loves his old sneakers. He worries he is dying when he gets a terrible sunburn. He starts to figure out that something is terribly wrong in the suburb. He has compassion for younger kids.  

• Insert key aspects that kids love.

Kids would love Alldog, the toy that acts like a real dog. It is a robot that can morph into any type of dog. Chip is his name and he is as loyal as any dog. Other fun kid interests: exploring the underground city, robots, video games, skipping school, and even the oven that is like a lottery, determining what you get to eat for dinner.

• Have an over-arching theme or moral for the story.

This one was about lies. Every aspect of the suburb is built on lies. Martin sees how the lies have completely degraded society and his family.

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If you'd like to know more about this book, here is a synopsis I wrote, as well as the actual back book jacket quote.

Synopsis: Martin, age 13 has a Wonder Baby sister, age 6, who is super smart. They live with their parents in the Sky Dome suburb and are told that outside the dome poisons will kill you. All the suburbs’ supplied come in off the train, called a packet, and are decontamized. Martin gets an Alldog toy for his birthday, but this robotic dog can do things others can’t, like deprogram unauthorized doors. The suburb inhabitants are constantly being watched. People disappear. Then, when a man comes and takes all the Wonder Babies away, Martin sets out to find them.

Back Cover: Quote from book – “The ads had started running on mid-morning television the summer after Martin’s fourth birthday. “Wonder babies are here!” they announced….Never had the arrival of the stork brought such excitement. Overflowing  with charm and intelligence, WonderBabies were like nothing the suburb had seen before. But that didn’t turn out to be a good thing.”

Pam at 2 Encourage is featuring my blog this week. 

Isn't that sweet? 

Stop over and get to know Pam. She's one special lady!

Thank you, Pam.

Dumped on the Beach

Writing Challenge: Write based on the guidelines given for Rachael Harrie's Third Campaign Challenge.   

My response is below. It meets all the criteria. :0)

Dumped on the Beach
By Dawn M. Hamsher

Jallia lay on the smooth compact sand, still breathless from her swim. Her body glistened in the morning sun. Rolpier lay flopped beside her.

“Every day is the same. Swim in. Lay out. Swim again,” he said.

“Yes, isn’t it glorious? The next big one will be coming soon, so you better rest.”

“Jallia, your synbatec optimism is driving me crazy.”

Further up the beach, they heard a boy yell.

“Eww gross! What’s that smell? Oh man! Dad, Dad, look it’s a dead jellyfish! It’s all transparent and gushy.”

Then a woman yelled. “Brady, don’t you touch that thing!”

Rolpier sighed. “Lucky devil. He’s out of his misery.”

“I’m really not sure why I hang out with you. You’re such a wastopaneer! You should be up there with him,” Jallia said angrily.

Just then a wave washed up and swept Jallia out to sea. The water also reached Rolpier, but it only carried him a foot before depositing him again.

“Hey Jallia! You don’t mean it. Don’t leave me!”

Jallia ducked under the water, not looking back. Her tentacles tactised gracefully behind her as she purposefully propelled forward. She was deep underwater when the next words broke on the beach.

“Hey Dad! I found another jellyfish and this one’s not dead yet!”

See * Photo * Write

I'm participating in today's See Photo Write on 1st Writes!
If you'd like to write too, post it on your blog and then head over to 1st Writes and linky to it.  
Happy writing!  

My response is below.

Alaylia Gerard was no ordinary girl. She could speak to birds. She learned the language from her great aunt who lived alone in a small cottage in Wharten Woods.

Source

Alaylia was six when she first met Great Aunt Lenore and she snickered, involuntarily, at seeing the lady's great beak-like nose. Her mother, always gracious, smiled at her aunt, and then quietly pulled Alaylia from the room.

"You must never do that again, that was rude. Great Aunt Lenore is very...special." She paused. "She has a special gift. And, she would like to share the gift with you."

They re-enter the room and this time Alaylia did not laugh.

The gift turned out to be lessons in Avish, the language of birds. The gift soon changed Alaylia's whole life. 

Strong Dialog Series - Writing Tips

If you enjoyed the Strong Dialog Series I did inspired by Self-Editing for Fiction Writers Book and want to go back and review, I've placed them all on my "Writing Tips" Page.

ShoutOutSaturday (S.O.S)

Every Saturday I SHOUT OUT a favorite blog or post!

                   

        
           Today's love goes to: The Writing Life Too


I'm reading a great book on Character Development right now called Bullies Bastards & Bitches: How to write the bad guys of fiction. I looked up the author, Jessica Page Morrell, and found her blog, which I am sharing today. Ms. Morrell posts several times a week on characters and writing. Hope you enjoy it!

See * Photo * Write

I'm a little late getting this one in.

Check out See*Photo*Write Every Monday on 1st Writes! 

Join the fun. 
Write about it and then linky to it.

My response is below. 

Woman in white
Is sleepless tonight.
She stands in a daze
Under moon's silver haze.

Her gown is just so.
Hair and face once aglow.
Now ashen is she.
No relief from her plea.

The love is all gone.
Was she just a pawn?.
Will things ever be right
From being jilted tonight?

Strong Dialog Series #15

This is the last one in the Strong Dialog Series! 

Don't cry!

I've been reading Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King (1993 edition). When I read the chapter on Dialogue Mechanics, I wanted to create visuals to go with the tips. Note: These contain my wording and examples, but the idea was inspired from the book. I'll post one a day. Enjoy!

What is a Writing Ministry? - Interview with Dawn

 

Take a wild ride over at Christine Tyler's The Writer Coaster:

What is a Writing Ministry? How can God help you write? 

Interview with Dawn Hamsher

ShoutOutSaturday (S.O.S)

Every Saturday I SHOUT OUT a favorite blog or post!

                   

        
           Today's love goes to: Ladies Who Critique

Want to find a critique partner or beta reader? Check out this free site!

Strong Dialog Series #14

I've been reading Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King (1993 edition). When I read the chapter on Dialogue Mechanics, I wanted to create visuals to go with the tips. Note: These contain my wording and examples, but the idea was inspired from the book. I'll post one a day. Enjoy!

Writing Fears - Part 2

Do you ever have writing fears and anxiety? I found this exercise in Page after Page by Heather Sellers and wanted to try it.

Writing Exercise Part 2: Yesterday you wrote down your writing fears. Today, you are going to fight them. In a court of law. Choose one of the fears and write your defense. My defense is below.

I've chosen this fear:

11. I'll give up on my book b/c revision is too hard.

My defense:

I will not give up on my book because revision is too hard. I spent 1.5 years of my life writing this book. It is my first book and therefore it is precious. It was blessed by God. He gave me the idea for it. He guided me through the entire book by leading me to scripture that inspired characters and plot. This book is bigger than me. It will happen. I will not stop it from being the best it can be. I will revise it. I just have to figure out how. And I will. 

My defense rests.


So, what about you? What's your defense?

Writing Fears - Part 1

Do you ever have writing fears and anxiety? I found this exercise in Page after Page by Heather Sellers and wanted to try it. 

Writing Exercise Part 1: Number your paper 1-15. In only three minutes (write fast), list 15 of your fears about writing. Share some of them in Comment Section. My response is below.

My Writing Fears:

1. Won't be good.

2. I'll make grammatical mistakes.

3. I won't be able to revise.

4. It will never get published.

5. I'm wasting time and not writing.

6. Afraid I don't know enough.

7. Taking time away from family.

8. Afraid I'll lose my electronic writing (crashed system, lost thumb drive, etc.).

9. Writer's block.

10. No ideas will come.

11. I'll give up on my book b/c revision is too hard.

12. A new book project is too hard.

13. Blogging and internet will capture my time instead of novel writing.

14. My characters are too flat and boring.

15. My story is not interesting enough.

As I was doing this exercise I was sinking lower and lower in a pit. Evil was creeping in. I was wondering why in the world I would do an exercise like this. It is not in my nature. I am a happy, Christ-seeking woman who stays positive. So, I opened Page after Page back up to see the reason behind the exercise.

Heather Sellers has students do this so they can recognize their fears, get used to them, and then send them packing. See tomorrow's post (Part 2) for an exercise on how to get rid of the fears.

It's true, the fears do come. How do you deal with writing fears and anxiety?

Side note: I am not promoting Heather Seller's book, but I did buy it and I want to see what I can learn from it. 

I have had to skip over much colorful language and topics that are offensive to me.

See * Photo * Write

Old Man and Cat by Iryna Smolych

Check out See*Photo*Write Every Monday on 1st Writes! 

Join the fun. 
Write about it and then linky to it.

My response is below. 

Russell leaned over and examined the tiny fluffball that was staring up at him.

“Nope, Cat, you ain’t comin’ home with me,” he said.

“Meow, meow,” the kitten said.

“I don’t need no stinkin’, poopin’ cat that coughs up hairballs on my favorite chair.”

The kitten rubbed up against Russell’s low hanging hand. Russell nudged it away. It came back and licked between his fingers.

Russell grumbled, but picked up the kitten. He stowed him inside his heavy coat and made for home.

Mindy Gledhill - Whole Wide World

Sharing a new favorite song:

ShoutOutSaturday (S.O.S)

Every Saturday I SHOUT OUT a favorite blog or post!

                   

        
             Today's love goes to: Will Write for Cookies

I enjoy Peggy's fun posts and her scrumptious photos of cookies! Hey, Peggy, I'd write for cookies!

Strong Dialog Series #13

I've been reading Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King (1993 edition). When I read the chapter on Dialogue Mechanics, I wanted to create visuals to go with the tips. Note: These contain my wording and examples, but the idea was inspired from the book. I'll post one a day. Enjoy!