Do writers have agendas? State your thoughts here.
Thank you, Lord, for giving me oportunities to explore my writing thoughts. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Words are used to describe, to inspire, to dictate, explain, and intimidate. Authors use words to paint pictures. Certain portraits are stark, others dense and complicated, still others delicate and tender. Today I'm going to give you some "w" words which strike up images for me. If you like, tell me what emotions these w words invoke in you. I happen to like these w words.
Wallow
Wail
Weird
Whine (Whiner)
Wench
Whistle
Wonder
Wicked
Wallop
Do you have some favorite w words?
Father, thank you for communication, especially from you. You clarify, encourage, uplift, discipline, and use words we can all understand. Thank you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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So. Is Pelant finally dead? I certainly hope so.
Father, once again I appreciate the multiple talents and gifts you've given to your creation. The beauty and creativity you've shared. I pray more and more of those so gifted would see, know, and understand from whom they receive every good and perfect gift. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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(Free for honest review for CFBA Tour)
Hannah Shire lost her husband two years ago to cancer and is now losing her 82 year old mother Carol to dementia. Although being her caretaker is difficult for a multitude of reasons, one of which is Lady Gaga's CDs blaring from her mom's boom box, Hannah is devoted and committed to taking care of her.
After splurging on a short trip to a nice hotel for her and her mom, Hannah decides to take the scenic route home through the Half Moon Bay area to their home in San Carlos. Passing an overturned car, Hannah, who works in the medical field, stops to see if anyone has been injured. Instructing her mother to remain in the car, Hannah finds an elderly gentleman on the ground, struggling to breathe.
She uses her cell phone to call for an ambulance, describing the symptoms that she sees, and to her dismay is joined by her compassionate mother who tries to give comfort to the man. The man forces out a few ominous words to the women before the EMTs and Sergeant Charles Wade of the Coastside Sheriff's Department arrive. The Sergeant knows the identity of the man and asks Hannah some pointed questions. Because of the urgency in the victim's warning words, Hannah chooses not to reveal everything the man said in their brief encounter.
Hannah is ill-prepared for what happens next to her and her mom after realizing their short visit with the car accident victim is turning out to be a matter of life and death. Informing her daughter Emily of her abrupt plans, Hannah and her mom dare to begin a journey fueled by fear of the "Bad People" with an unknown outcome.
Brandilyn Collins lives up to her copyrighted "Seatbelt Suspense" moniker in Dark Justice published by B&H Publishing Group. Managing to inject small doses of humor into the challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia, Brandilyn also captures the tenderness, disappointments, and nuances of failing brain functions. When the circumstances escalate, the humor disappears replaced by abject fear and multilevel confusion. Hannah tries in vain to find or maintain any semblance of order for her mother as she faces unimaginable trials.
Well-written, deftly portraying terror-laced decisions, Brandilyn Collins creates an unlikely circumstance (in the sense of the women involved) and makes it plausible. Enmeshed between the pages of Hannah's encounters is an intermittent post-dated interview with Sergeant Wade by Homeland Security and the diabolical antagonist's instructions to his hitmen.
Faith issues take a backseat to the story until the final chapters where they are delicately ushered into prominence.
That well-known staccato style eases in and out of the prose as Hannah explains how she makes every effort to conquer her fear long enough to eradicate or subdue her mother's trauma.
Inspired by a Pike Research Report done in 2011, Dark Justice by Brandilyn Collins treats readers to an intense story of ordinary people accomplishing the extraordinary.
Father, Brandilyn is one of your faithful ones. May she feel your astounding love in abundance this day and always as she completes those things you have for her to do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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And he said to man:
"The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding."
Job 28:28 (NIV)
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This is what happens when creativity advances to favorite foods. What? How about you? Do you have a favorite dessert?
Ah, Lord. You know I love desserts. Thank you for the variety of creations and the sweet sweet tastes. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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I've never understood those of you who claim you never watch television. I do understand the various reasons cited for avoiding it. "There's so much garbage/smut on television." "It's a waste of my time." "I get bored just sitting there."
First of all, if you're careful and discerning, you can sift through the garbage/smut. And this is a necessity if you have young children in the room. I also realize that commercials can be as smutty as some of the programs so it can be a challenge watching TV.
I agree it can be a waste of time without the careful and discerning viewing. If you're easily distracted and get sucked into visual stimuli, you might catch yourself allowing time to get away from you.
And if you're easily bored by sitting still or feel unproductive just watching a screen, that's ample reason to do other things.
And, let's face it, cable, satellite, Direct TV, etc., aren't cheap.
For me, good television is like reading a good novel. It's inspiring to see how writers keep series TV fresh and enticing. Right casting and good acting implore a viewer to tune in or record each new episode and anticipate its return after hiatus. Without good writing, casting, and acting, television is a waste of time.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of bad and raunchy TV programs on virtually every network.
Sporting events invite a lot of viewers. From football to golf, people watch their teams or individual favorites compete on TV since many events require travel or expensive tickets to attend.
I'm a fan of television and find some of it to be inspiring. Even if the majority of what's presented over the multitude of networks isn't worth my viewing time, the programs I choose to watch prove valuable to me.
Father, your inspiration is the most valuable of all. You've given talent and gifts to all, and it's inspiring to see the results from those who've made good use of all you've given them. Thank you for each one and may they come to know from whom their creativity originates. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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The much loved character of Ziva David, played by the lovely Cote de Pablo exited the long-running series NCIS Tuesday evening. She will be greatly missed. Hope to see you back on the show at some point, Cote, although unlikely. A well-written complex character, Ziva was played to perfection by Cote de Pablo.
Father, I pray your blessing upon this actress's life, that she would know your Son and make Him her Savior. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Yesterday I spoke of tears, the emotion behind them. People have mixed feelings about "being emotional", some viewing it as a curse, others celebrating the depths of it. Most fall somewhere in between.
I've read novels from methodical writers, and I usually find them technically precise but emotionally unsatsifying. If I wanted examples of technically accurate writing, I'd choose to read manuals or pamphlets.
I want to elicit emotion, but I can understand if emotion gets in the way of story. If it travels hand in hand with story and is written to dramatically and creatively convey the depth of emotion, chances are it will be a favorite.
When I'm at my best, emotion of every kind fills the pages of my stories. Hopefully not to overwhelm but to saturate the page with the human condition in all of its vulnerability, foolishness, passion, and need. Those emotions are what move me to write.
What moves you to write? What moves you to react to a story?
Father, I thank you for emotion and passion. I know they come from you in all forms. There is beauty in their depths. Thank you for the beauty – everything good comes from you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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So many things make me cry. I can cry over a sentimental commercial. Anything to do with dogs or horses. I used to cry at the first race on Opening Day of horse racing many years ago. I cry when I see certain individuals because I sense the Lord's touch on their lives. Of course certain movies and good novels with meaningful scenes that speak to the deeper things of life elicit tears from me. Praying often results in crying. Almost anything military, patriotic, or concerning the demise of our country as we've known it.
I know some of you are hard-pressed to produce tears. And I know it doesn't mean you don't feel things deeply. Emotions are funny things. Some people hide them. Some people analyze to diffuse emotional responses. Some people react in anger to the thought of being brought to tears to protect themselves from displaying their feelings.
What makes you cry? Is it hard for you? Were you always this way?
Father, I am who I am. Terribly emotional. Deeply emotional. Truly touched by things that make others wonder why. But I feel your heartbeat in those deep expressions. I can't help it. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
