Thursday, August 30, 2007

A Good Story

The most dreaded affliction for a writer. Writer's block.

I've had it for awhile now. I've been writing, of course, when you want to be a writer you can not under any circumstances stop writing, but where as sometimes words seem to flow from my fingertips and align themselves wonderfully on the screen, lately it's been a struggle to write every word. Even these words.

It's hard to write when you are constantly under the direction of changing hormones. I feel as a woman at this time in my life that I am sometimes rushing along the swirling rapids of inspiration and eagerness to tell a story, and other times I am fighting to stay afloat in the murkiest of quicksands.

Yet I am always thinking about writing. I am always reading. It may sound odd, but as I sit here I can hear the distant voices of wonderful characters yet to be discovered resounding silently in my mind. I think of the heroes and heroines that will grace the pages of future stories, and I yearn to know them. I desire to my deepest depths to be able to put their story down in a way that makes them real, tangent, inspiring.

That's probably the most frustrating part. I've come far enough to know what I want to write. I want to write about compelling, interesting, admirable people in an exciting and inspiring way. I want to describe things so clearly and succinctly that the words are refreshing and inspiring to read. I want the story turns to come from no where, and take the reader on a wonderful roller coaster ride of emotions, making an unforgettable impact.

If I can't write like that, then why write?

Fortunately, the best Writer of all is a personal friend. I'm looking forward to his further mentorship.

Friday, August 24, 2007

A Song Sung By a Hat

Isn't God amazing, that He can speak through the most unlikely sources? Take for instance this quote from a secular book I'm in the midst of reading. It struck me so deeply I had to stop and share it. Talk about a timely message for believers in this age! If you haven't read the book, it may seem confusing, this is a song... sung by a hat... oh, just read it.

"The houses that, like pillars four
had once held up our school,
Now turned upon each other
and, divided, sought to rule.
And for awhile it seemed the school
must meet an early end,
What with dueling and with fighting
and the clash of friend on friend
And at last there came a morning
when old Slytherin departed
and though the fighting then died out
He left us quite downhearted.
And never since the founders four
were whittled down to three
Have the Houses been united
as they once were meant to be.
And now the Sorting hat is here
and you all know the score:
I sort you into Houses
because that is what I'm for,
But this year I'll go further,
Listen closely to my song;
Though condemned I am to split you
Still I worry that it's wrong,
Though I must fulfill my duty
And must quarter every year
Still I wonder whether sorting
may not bring the end I fear.
Oh, know the perils, read the signs,
The warning history shows,
For our Hogwarts is in danger
From external, deadly foes
And we must unite inside her
Or we'll crumble from within,
I have told you, I have warned you....
Let the Sorting now begin."

- The Sorting Hat, "Harry and the Order of the Phoenix" by J.K. Rowling

"A house divided against itself cannot stand." - Matthew 12:25

Hiding Out in Life


I wonder if I'm the only one who ever feels like hiding out.

Perhaps it has to do with personality. When you are a person who is always in search of answers, always thinking deeply, sometimes causing waves around you.... well, it's just good to put a blanket over your head for awhile.

That's when I am glad for my home. My family. My responsibilities that can seem so mundane at times, suddenly seem a comfort. No one will challenge my methods of washing the dishes or doing the laundry, and my children provide a captive audience when I read to them or play with them. My husband almost always agrees with my philosophical ramblings. It's good to be married to your best friend.

In general, I'm glad for the privilege of being a wife and mom. I'm thrilled for the freedom to be able to completely focus on these tasks. I'm awed and grateful for the wonderful people that God put me with.

Life can be uncomplicated and sweet. We all need these moments to give us strength for the trials, which inevitably are many.

How has God given you rest from the journey today? Be thankful to Him for His wisdom, His grace. He is so good to us.

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