Write About Your Easter and Passover Memories

 

Spring Flowers

In the northern hemisphere, we celebrate Easter and Passover in the spring with the rebirth of flowers, flowering trees and bushes, green grass, and more. Now is the time to gather your memories of these holidays to add to your family stories. 

Think about what the weather was like, how clothing figured into your holiday, foods your family ate for the special day, activities you participated in. Were there Easter Egg Hunts or Rolls? Other special games? Did your family celebrate alone or with others? 

Start with "I remember Easter....." or "I remember Passover..." to see what it triggers. Below are some Easter memories I jotted down. Not an individual story but memories of Eastertime in the Chicago suburb where I grew up. Maybe my memories will trigger some of your own.

Easter Thoughts

By Nancy Julien Kopp

I’ve been thinking about the Easter celebrations of my childhood years in the Chicago area during the 1940s. When Easter fell in March or early April, we donned colorful spring dresses and coats to walk to church in sharp north winds, even a little snow on occasion. 

On one of those bitter cold Easter mornings, I had a new aqua-blue spring coat and hat that I’d looked forward to wearing. Mother told me it was much too cold to wear it. “You have too far to walk to church. You’ll freeze,” she said. 

I begged and begged. “Please let me wear it. I’ll wear a sweater underneath.” Tears slipped from my eyes as I waited for her to give in. They were genuine, not a ploy. Wearing that new coat was a monumental need at that moment at age eight.

Mother relented, but I did have to wear the sweater I’d proposed underneath my lightweight, pastel-colored coat. I think I was very glad to have it as my brother and I headed to church to hear the Easter story once again. My parents never attended church with us. Theirs was a mixed marriage—Dad was Catholic and Mother Methodist, and neither ever gave in to the other. But we kids all attended the Methodist church and Sunday School. Dad polished our shoes every Saturday night so we’d look our best on Sunday mornings. He buffed them to a high shine and lined them up in the living room.

The day before Easter, we dyed eggs in glorious colors. Coffee cups filled with hot water, a dye tablet, and a splash of vinegar covered the kitchen table. We arranged the eggs on a big platter with artificial grass as a nest. The Easter Bunny hid them while we slept that night.

The Easter Bunny usually brought us a few chocolates, jelly beans and a new comic book. He also hid the brightly colored eggs in our living and dining rooms. What fun it was to discover the decorated eggs, one or two of which we always found in Dad’s shoes left out overnight.

Later in the day, aunts, uncles and cousins joined us for a special dinner. Mother usually fixed a leg of lamb or a big ham, glazed with brown sugar and mustard, cloves inserted in the scored top. Many side dishes weighed down the dining room table-- scalloped or mashed potatoes, two or three vegetables, a jello salad, homemade rolls, pickles, olives and pickled beets, and a springtime dessert of some kind, cream pies, berry pies, or a cake with whipped cream frosting. The aroma of all these good things filled our small apartment.

When we were all too full to move, it was time to do dishes. No dishwashers, but all the women pitched in, and they were finished in no time. Maybe not all the women. I had one aunt who always announced she needed to use the bathroom as soon as the cleaning up began. Off she went, and she never appeared in the kitchen again! The clatter of dishes and the chatter of women filled the tiny kitchen. My cousin, Carol, and I were drafted at an early age to dry the silverware, a job neither of us liked. We hurried through our task so we could walk to the park to play the rest of the afternoon.  Occasionally, we finished our Easter celebration by going to the movies. We sat transfixed at the fabulous musicals starring Betty Grable or some other glamorous star of the 1940s.

The rebirth of springtime flowers, trees, and bushes still symbolize the meaning of Easter for me. Christ’s resurrection created a rebirth for all Christians, and as He taught us to love one another, I also think of the love of family as part of our Easter celebrations. It isn’t only the ones of my childhood but for today, as well. We hope to be spending this Easter holiday with our daughter’s family, going to church, having a celebration dinner, and being together. Not so very different than all those years ago. 

Writers Must Dig Deep

 

I think our poster for today has a very good message, but it shouldn't stop there. As writers, we need to dig deeper than we sometimes do. Yes, we reach down to our soul and paint our word pictures, but do we only touch the surface? Or do we plunge to the depths and bring out all we can?

In my online critique  group, I have noted many who critique mentioning things like 'this is good, but you can go deeper' or 'you've merely scratched the surface' or 'I wanted to know more than what you gave me here.' 

I think that skimming the surface in our personal essays and memoirs is a fairly common problem. The bigger question is the why of it. You know what rises to the top like cream in an old milk bottle? Fear! Yep, that good old bit of fear of letting others see too much of who we are.

In the first place, when you decide to become a writer, you're agreeing to let people see who you are through what you write. If you only show the top layer, they aren't going to know the 'real you.' 

Those personal essays and memoirs that win awards were written by people willing to dig deep into their persona and share their inner thoughts and feelings with their readers. 

An editor who reads a submission might like what he/she sees at first glance, but upon further reading, he/she feels like maybe there's more to this topic than what shows here. The editor might ask the writer to dig a little deeper and resubmit. Then what happens?

The writer has to do a little soul-searching. Do they want to dig deeper/ Can they? Should they? Would it be too much exposure? The way to look at it first is to decide if you, the writer, truly want this piece to be published. Do you want others to read and gain from your words? If the answer to that is yes, then go for it. If you still have a concern about baring your deepest thoughts, perhaps it isn't time for this one right now. 

Don't despair. The day may very well come that you are ready to share every thought about the topic, and you'll rewrite the whole thing.

To dig deep, you much reach for every emotion connected with the topic. You know which ones, and you know how deep they are. Your next priority is to bring all that emotion to the surface and share it with your readers. You should strive to make them feel what you feel. It's not always an easy task. 

Thoughts like 'what will they think of me?' and 'will they judge me on the way I feel about this?' and 'am I ready to take some possible criticism?' might surface. 

If a personal essay or memoir piece isn't working, try to dig deeper. Be willing to share what you find with your readers. In the end, you'll both come out a little richer in personality, a little stronger, and a lot more satisfied.

Idea at 18, Published at 55!

I read an article in the March 25th issue of the Wall Street Journal about a woman who had a dream at 18. She finally saw it fulfilled at age 55 with a debut novel that recemtly sold in a seven-figure two-book deal.

The idea for Angelina Boulley's young-adult thriller surfaced when she was only 18. She recently tweeted "I'm 55. #NeverGiveUp." 

The article states that there is a prevailing thought that you must publish when in your 20s or 30s or it's beyond you. Even so, there are plenty of authors who publish for the first time later in life. I was in my mid-fifties when I was initially published. The article states that Sue Monk Kidd was 53 when her novel "The Secret Life of Bees" hit the market. It became a bestseller and late a movie. Nancy Pearl was 72. Ellen Meeropol's book, "House Arrest." came out just months before she enrolled in Medicare. 

I know that Laura Ingalls Wilder published at 65, and I recently noted on a Facebook post that a woman published her first book of poetry at age 95. So, don't ever, ever tell yourself you're too old to publish, that the time has passed so you'll just wander out into the pasture alone. Uh-uh! If the idea and the dream were there once, they can continue. It's you who must keep it alive and feed it little by little. You'll need a healthy dose of patience and perseverance, my two keywords for writers. 

What if Ms. Boulley had tried to write and go through the traditional publishing route when only in her teens or twenties? I'm guessing it would not have been the success that she found these many years later. Think of the life experiences she's had between 18 and 55! All of them most likely figured into the final draft of her book. 

You can google the article, or go to your local library and look up the March 25th issue of the Wall St. Journal. The article is in the Personal Journal section and is titled "At 55, a Debut Author Finds Success" There, you will be able to read more about the book itself and her journey to success.

What I want to convey in today's post is that you are never too old to complete a dream, to reach for success. We all know that whatever we practice becomes better, and so it is with writing. This is not to say that authors in their 20s and 30s do not do a good job. Many of them are super writers who will only continue to become better and better. 

The important thing is to keep that dram close, don't give up. Pursue it until you can catch hold and share it with the world. 

 

Blog Postponed

in

Ok
 

 I am unable to post on the blog for a short time due to illness and a few days in the hospital. When I return home, I will be posting again. Meanwhile, keep writing and reading. 

Nancy

A Photo Prompt Writing Exercise

 

The photo today is Falmouth Harbor in England. I took it when we were touring the UK with friends. 

Study the photo as a prompt. Then write one of the following for a Monday Writing Exercise:

1. a descriptive paragraph
2. the beginning of a story
3. a poem
4. a few paragraphs with a mystery theme
5. a love story
6. a weather-related story
7. a paragraph filled with sensory details

There are many directions you can go with this exercise. When you do one, let your imagination soar!

FYI:  There is a lovely Yacht Club and Maritime Museum at this harbor plus the inevitable gift shop.

Don't Be So Hard On Yourself

 

Today's I am repeating one of my most popular posts. 

For those who are regular readers of this blog, you've heard me say that lots of negatives in our writing life are good lessons for us. The one thing they are not is a life without pardon kind of sentence. Go ahead--make mistakes, learn from them and move on.

We learn from rejections, especially multiple rejections on the same submission. At least, we hope we learn something and we will if we give it a few days to rest and then go through whatever was written with an objective eye. Pick out the parts you think did not appeal to an editor. Maybe it was a lot of mechanical errors. Or perhaps the clarity factor was pretty low. It might have been a dull report without any emotion or sensory detail. 

Consider yourself fortunate if the editor returns your work with a note telling you why it was rejected. There is no question then as to what you must correct but not all editors take the time, or are kind enough. to do that. Don't let it be the end of your writing world. Move on!

What if you received a brutal critique from another writer? Ouch! It does hurt and any good critiquer will be fair and honest and deliver with a dash of kindness. However, not everyone is like that. You don't have to like what the person told you but you can learn from it. There is no need to back into a corner and put your hands over your eyes and let forth with a piercing scream while you contemplate your next step in life. Sadly, there are writers who have given up writing after an experience like this. Today's quote is perfect for them. It was one person's opinion and perhaps a good lesson. But you should never feel that you must quit over a singular incident such as this.

Did you ever have a teacher who scribbled cruel words across your essay or poem that you slaved over for your English class? I know people who have a mental block when it comes to writing because of just such an experience. Again, it's a lesson, not a life sentence. As a teen, it was probably hard for us to take that objective look and figure out what was wrong, what lesson was learned. But, now as an adult, it something like this still haunts you, put it in perspective. Don't let one person keep you from being the writer you wanted to be. An attitude of I'll show them! will serve you best here.

It's much harder to look at problems like these as a lesson to be learned than it is to give up. Giving up is easy; working at the lesson is a tough job but, oh, so beneficial. 

Simple Words and Better Words

 

The poster today is from a set of Verb Flash Cards used by primary grade teachers. The child sees the action and the written word next to it. See it often enough, and it is bound to sink in. The words, of course, are simple ones. They're words we continue to use as we move through grade school, high school, and beyond. Simple words that work for us.

There is nothing wrong with these words, but for writers, there are other choices. Why should we choose other words? To enhance and enrich our writing. To make it attractive to our readers. To get out of a rut. 

The first thing we might do is check our thesaurus for alternative choices. 

1. RUN:  race, rush, spurt, sprint, dash, bound, gallop, trot, scamper, whisk, dart
2. WALK:  hike, stroll, step, promenade, saunter, parade, pace, perambulation
3. SMILE:  beam, grin, smirk, look happy, look amused, look delighted 

I only selected some of the many words listed with the three words we're looking at today. There are myriad choices for each one. Writers should work on using alternatives to simple words. 

One instance where it is needed is when you use a word like 'run' more than once in the same paragraph. Use run once, if you like, but in the other places substitute another word meaning the same thing. Doing so will make your paragraph far more interesting. 

If you're writing for first and second-grade children, those simple words work well and are helpful to them through recognition. Even then, I would toss in another word meaning the same to see if they 'get it.' It's the beginning of expanding their vocabulary. 

If writing for adults, you should work at using different words for the very simple ones whenever and wherever you can. The longer you do this, the more natural it becomes. Those alternative words will simply slip out without a thought. 

When you proofread and edit your drafts, look for places to change simple words to better ones. It's very easy to skim right over those simple ones like run, walk, smile. 

A Formula for Writers

 

Every writer knows the path on the writing journey can be pretty rough. There are potholes and roadblocks at every twist and curve. It's up to you to hurdle them or swerve around each one. 

When we start writing, we have an image in our mind of what the journey from beginner to successful, published writer will be. We tell ourselves that there will not always be smooth sailing, but we can overcome whatever problems arise. We'll be patient and persistent. At least, that is what we tell ourselves.

It's a good plan, but we meet problems along the way that rub at our patience and prickle our persistence. We get angry or hurt or depressed or... Blame it on our muse fleeing. Blame it on editors who don't know good work when they see it. Blame it on lack of places to submit. Blame it on critique groups who tear our work to shreds. Whew!

The easy way is to blame all those things, when we really need to look in the mirror to see who is the one that needs to accept a good share of the blame. Hey, none of us is perfect. We make human errors. We fall down and get up and move on if at all possible. 

We deal with all kinds of things as writers. That crummy opening sentence that you've rewritten ten times. Another rejection to add to the pile. A plot that starts out great but goes nowhere. Stilted dialogue. Saccharin prose that gets worse as you continue. Can't put the emotion felt into the words. The list could go on and on. 

The person who wants to continue writing will meet each one of those roadblocks as objectively as possible. What would you tell another writer experiencing the same? What kind of pep talk would you give them? Nothing wrong with giving it to yourself. 

Attitude plays a big role here, too. The way in which you see these potholes in your writing journey makes a big difference. I don't need to tell you that a positive attitude will help you overcome the problems. Maybe not immediately but in time. Our need for haste is in itself a problem. We must learn to have some patience and let things resolve a little at a time. 

Be patient, be persistent, and be positive. You can avoid many of those potholes with this formula.

It's Fun to Write an Ekphrastic Poem

 

Reflections by Richard E. Miller (1915)

Do you know the meaning of an ekphrastic poem? It's simply a poem inspired by a work of art. In the old Greek, it meant vivid description. Fifteen people could view and study the painting in today's post titled "Reflections," and each would write something different about it. 

At one of my writing group conferences, we all picked up a postcard size photo of a painting. We had ten minutes to study it and come up with a short poem. "Reflections" by Richard E. Miller (1915) was the one I selected. I wrote the following poem to accompany the painting. 

Reflections

She gazes at herself

Looking so pensive,

Shoulder bared,

Beads falling on

Snowy chemise.

She ponders

Her pregnancy

Just now known,

Who to tell

And how.

She hates this

Seed within.

Planted by him,

The one hired 

Only to drive their car.

Maybe I had been watching 'Downton Abbey' or some such show or had been reading a similar book. Where else could the poem have been derived from? 

Here is a public domain work of art for you to try writing your own ekphrastic poem. 

Two Sisters on the Terrace--Pierre Auguste Renoir 1881

Study the painting, foreground, and background. Study the expressions on the faces, the basket on the table. Then write a short poem. Even if you've never written a poem before. 

Have fun with this exercise.

One Book, Three Authors

 

I recently finished reading a very interesting book. All the Ways We Said Good-bye used the Ritz Hotel in Paris as the focal point in telling the story of three women of different periods of time. Aurelie de Courcelles' story centers on WWI. That of her daughter, Daisy, takes place during the Nazi occupation of WWII. Babs Langford's part in the book happens in 1964. The three women are all related in some way, two by family and one by default. 

The story is rich in characters and background of both world wars. The Ritz Hotel is home to Aurelie's mother, Daisy's grandmother, and is always a place of refuge for the women. Babs Langford, who lives in England and was widowed a year earlier receives a letter from an American asking her to help him find out what happened to the de Courcelles family talisman, why it ended up in the hands of the Germans and why his own father was left with a dark cloud over his head because of it. The American lawyer, Drew Bowdoin, is on a quest and he seeks Babs' help. She agrees to meet him at the Ritz in Paris to satisfy her own longing to find the woman, known as La Fleur, who stole her husband's heart. Babs doesn't tell Drew her real motive for helping him.

The chase begins and we are treated to bits and pieces of each woman's story in the proceeding chapters until the puzzle comes together at last. All this with the palatial Ritz Hotel as its own character.

I enjoyed the story, but I was also fascinated by how the book was written. There are three authors--Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White. Each wrote the chapters detailing one of the three women protagonists. They did it seamlessly. The stories intertwined magically and beautifully. Had I not seen the three names as authors, I would never have thought that more than one person had written this entertaining book. 

What would it take for two or three authors to write a book together? It's been done before, of course, but I think there must be a real chemistry between the people to start with. Each one of the three authors has written several books on her own. I've written before about the mother-son writing team known as Charles Todd. 

Perhaps these writing teams look at producing a book together as an interesting challenge. And fun. And profitable. Each one might gain more readers for her individual books. If I'd read one of the authors previously, this might make me check out the individual books of the other two. 

For you writers, how do you feel about writing a novel with another writer? Or with two more writers? There would need to be some ground rules and definitely some rapport between the writers. 

If you're looking for an interesting read, give this one a try, not only for the story but for the way in which it was written. 

Writing and Accepting Constructive Criticism

 

When I was growing up, my mother and I played a game. Or at least, it seemed that way. Step 1 was me doing something wrong or not accomplishing a task the way it should be done. Step 2 was Mom saying this phrase: "Just a bit of constructive criticism." Step 3 was me pouting or pressing my lips together waiting for the admonishment to come next. Step 4 was Mom showing me the better way. Step 5 was me redoing the task to my mother's satisfaction with the bit of praise she usually added to finish our 'game.' Not without a grumble here and there, however.

We played this game well into my teen years. As I grew older, I realized that she was not being a 'mean mom' but trying to help me learn the right way or the better way to carry out a task. She was a wise woman. 

As writers, if we put our work in front of a writing partner, a critique group, or an editor, we're agreeing to have any of them show us what we need to do to make our story, essay, article, poem better. Should we look at them as that 'mean mom?' Absolutely not! 

Those who critique our work have one aim, which is to help us improve a piece and to become a better writer. We never reach perfection, so there is always room to grow in our craft. 

Admit it. You've probably been hurt by some critiques along the way. Especially in the early days of your writing journey. I certainly was. Your initial thought is They didn't like what I wrote. Then They're jealous and want to be mean. Or Why are they putting me down like this?

Let's look at all three of those muddling thoughts: 

They didn't like what I wrote. If you think this way, you're considering that the critiquer hated every word in your submission. That's more than likely untrue. If you see comments and suggestions in the text, it's usually the parts the person critiquing thinks can be improved. It doesn't mean the whole thing is to be tossed. It's nice if the crit person does like the story, but that is not really necessary. Their job is to help you create the best story possible. 

They're jealous and want to be mean.  This would be a rare thing indeed. A writer who offers to help improve another writer's work doesn't have jealousy as a motive. She/he might envy some of the ways you wrote, but that's not the same thing. The intent is to help. Why in the world would she/he try to be mean to you if she/he signed on to critique with the thought of helping make your work publishable? 

Why are they putting me down like this? This response is showing the hurt you feel when your work didn't receive flying colors from others. This is the time to remind yourself of why you submitted your work for critique in the first place. Were you looking for high praise, or were you seeking ways to make your story the best it could be? Hopefully, the latter is your aim. 

The longer we write, and the more often we put our work out for critique, the easier it is for us to accept the suggestions and do some more editing and revising. Remember, also, that the person who critiques your work is there to help, not hinder, your writing journey. 

Recently, I submitted the first draft of a new story I hope to submit to a Chicken Soup book to my online writing group. Five people 'critted' it for me. There was one spot that proved to be unclear because almost all of them pointed it out. When multiple people hit on the same area, then I know that I must rework that section. I knew how it looked, but I had not made it clear to my readers. Did I appreciate every one of those comments in that area? You bet I did. It's why I am in a writing group. They help me make my writing better, and I try to do the same for them. 

To sum it up, remember that those who critique your writing are there to help you become a better writer. It's that 'bit of constructive criticism' game like Mom and I played long ago. 

Chicken Soup Needs Stories Soon for Two Books

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies has two deadline dates looming. Stories for the themes of Angels and Tough Times both must be submitted by March 31st. That is still almost 3 weeks away, so you have time to polish up an old story and send it, or write something new. 

This anthology series is one of the oldest and the longest to survive. I've seen several others come out in a blaze of glory but slowly dissipate to nothingness. What has made the Chicken Soup books last so long and continue to sell well? 

Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield were motivational speakers who heard stories from people, stories they felt should be shared. They decided to put a number of stories together in an anthology kind of book. They shopped it around publishers in 1993 getting a firm NO from all but an owner of a small health and wellness publisher. He took a chance, and the rest is history.

In 2008, the duo sold Chicken Soup for the Soul books to Bill Rouhana, Amy Newark, and Robert Jacobs who have continued the tradition started by the two original owners. The books are known around the world, more than 250 of them now. There are other products connected to the books also being sold. They have a YouTube forum and are working on a possible movie.

What is it that appeals to readers in the CS books? I think it is that the stories are by real people showing real-life situations that the ordinary person can relate to. The stories are soothing to the soul in many cases. They are life lessons we can all learn. They are inspiring and sometimes plain amusing. Readers can pick up the book, read straight through, or read two or three stories and go back later for more. 

One of the things I like is that the editors find a suitable quote to head each story. A small but nice addition. 

Because the books continue to be popular, I like to give readers a heads-up on what themed stories the editors are seeking. If you're a writer, you should check the Submit Your Story page frequently to see what books are done and which ones still need submissions. If you're strictly a reader but have a story to tell, you can write one, too. Not every author in the books is a professional writer. Many of the stories are written by everyday people. 

Yes, it is a very competitive field with thousands of stories sent and only 101 selected for each book. Don't let that stop you. There's no reason why you cannot be one of those selected. 

Now, let's look at the two books whose closing dates are coming up soon. 

ANGELS:  They want stories of actual angel sightings and interventions. Do not send a story about a friend who you consider an 'earth angel. Those are not for this book. They list a great many suggestions to help you know what they are seeking. Go through the list for some inspiration or to trigger a memory. Remember that they accept poems, too, but the poem must 'tell a story.'

TOUGH TIMES:  Haven't we all been through a tough time with this past pandemic year? I'm quite certain many of the stories in this book will deal with pandemic problems and how they were met, how they changed the writer, what life lesson was learned. Remember, it is not an essay but a story with a beginning, middle, and ending. That doesn't mean you can't add what you learned as part of the story. 

There are many other tough times we have all experienced in our lifetimes. Poverty, illness, death of a loved one, loss of a home, unemployment. The list goes on and on. Your story about these trying times in your life can help others who are meeting the same kind of problem. Read through the list of suggested topics for help.

And remember to study the guidelines, then check your story to make sure it fits. If they say 1200 words max, they mean it. They are not going to take your 1650 word story and reduce it for you. 

Authors whose stories are accepted receive $200 and 10 free copies of the book. 

The editors only respond to those whose stories are accepted, and it is usually around two months after the deadline date. 

Writers: Set Goals and Work at Achieving Them

One of our granddaughters is on a high school basketball team in a small town, 4A conference. At the beginning of the school year, the team set some goals. One was to make it to sub-state and another to go to state finals. They worked hard all year, ended with an 18-4 record, and went to sub-state and won. A goal achieved. Last night, they played in the state quarter-finals and beat an excellent team by one point. Goal achieved. And hard-won! Friday night, they play in the state semi-finals trying to make that final goal of playing for the 4A state championship. 

The girls had something to aim for with each game they played this year. We watched the live-streamed videos and joined in with their joy at each win and felt bad for the very few losses they had. Reaching their individual goals did not happen quickly nor did it come without hard work and some guidance from the coach.

I love that these teen-age girls are finding success and completing goals for their team. But I also love that they will become young women who understand what goals are and how much work it may take to reach these aims. They're setting a pattern for the rest of their lives. 

It's what we as writers also need to do right from the first day we take pen in hand or place fingers on keys. Setting goals gives us something to work for. Having a goal to reach propels our work habits. 

Think of the carousel you rode with delight as a small child. Usually, there was a gold ring that you passed each time the carousel made its full circle. The child riding the steed on the outer edge could reach for that gold ring. Catch it and win a prize or a free ride. Aren't we writers trying to grasp the gold ring in our writing world, too? 

It's easier to do that if you set some realistic goals that you can work toward in your writing world. A word of caution--don't create an over-abundance of things you hope to accomplish. Start with a shortlist and, once you achieve one, add another. 

Possible goals for writers:

1. Time allotment for writing daily
2. Number of words written per day
3. Reading about writing
4. Attending one writing conference per year
5. Submitting on a regular basis
6. Improving writing on a regular basis
7. Joining a writing critique group
8. Reaching more readers
9. Increase vocabulary and word usage
10. Using sensory details
11. Adding emotion 

The list above is only a partial one, and again, don't try to work on all of them, or others you set at once. Choose one or two to begin. When you see progress, add another. Progress may be slow, and there could be times when you get discouraged. Time to step back, take a deep breath, and soldier on. Nobody ever said the road to your writing journey would be without a few bumps.

I mentioned 'when you see progress.' Check now and then to see if you \are making progress or was the goal merely words to look at, not work toward? 

 

Using a Thesaurus When You Write

 

Do you settle for mundane words instead of searching for ones that are more colorful, more descriptive? 

Our poster for today shows you a two-column list of synonyms for the simple word 'want.' Can you believe that there are so many? Some are simply one word while others are a phrase. Whichever, each means 'want.' 

When you're proofreading your drafts, search for the simple words that might be made more interesting. I guarantee you will find many. If you can't dredge a few substitutions from the top of your head, there is always the old reliable thesaurus to help you. A thesaurus is a reference tool to help you find synonyms (other words with the same meaning) to substitute.

For those not familiar with this helpful tool for writers, start by looking up the word you want to enhance in the alphabetical listing. It's set up much like a dictionary. Under the word you found, there will be a list of suitable words to use in place of the original one. 

We all too often repeat words in a sentence or a paragraph. I've critiqued some submissions that repeat a word like 'need' as many as three or four times in one paragraph. Readers notice it and find it boring. If you want to pep up your writing, use your thesaurus and find substitutions to use in some of those spots. 

Why do some writers avoid finding synonyms or using a thesaurus to do so? It comes down to lazy writing which leads to boring writing. Have you ever read a book review that says something like 'her prose sings' or 'lyrical and lovely writing?' People who write like that don't rely on simple words or don't repeat the same word in sentences too close together. 

Maybe it comes down to your being a word person or a story person. Is one more important than the other to you? If you're all story, you might miss out on writing it in a pleasing way. If you're totally into words and phrases and not the story itself, something will also be missing. A combination of the two will result in some fine writing. 

To use the thesaurus to advantage, you'll need to take time to do so. Make it part of your proofreading and editing process. Ask yourself again and again as you proceed "Is there a better way to say this?" "Is there another word I can use?" 

You can purchase a thesaurus and keep it handy, or you can use one online for free. I've had one for years and keep close to my writing area, but I also use the online versions, too. Find one you like and bookmark it so it's a quick task to look up a word.

As a short writing exercise today, pick a few ordinary words and find synonyms in a thesaurus. You might begin by listing the ones that come to you off the top of your head, Then, check the thesaurus. 

It's simple things like this that will make you a better writer. 

Fill A Blank Page With Words

 

Blank Page

The first day of the month feels like a blank page to be filled in by you. So does each Monday. It's the beginning of the week, and writers can start putting words on that page. Today is Monday. So, what are you going to write first on your clean white paper (or screen)?

Will you continue with a work in progress, or will you begin a new project today? Will you outline a new story or book? Might you pen a family story? Or a new personal essay? Maybe you'll write a poem today. As long as several pages or as short as a haiku. 

It doesn't matter what you write on this first day of the week. What's important is that you do write something before the day is finished. I like beginnings, and Monday always feels like a new start to me. 

If you've had an idea swirling in your head, this would be a fine time to start writing. Last week is done, this one only beginning. Take advantage of it.

Sometimes, when we look at a blank page, we feel every bit as blank as it looks. We want to write, but what to write is our biggest question of the day. That old 'writers' block' term could be applied here, but I prefer to call it 'waiting for words.' That shows a little more hope, I think. You know those words will arrive, but you're not quite sure when. 

Put this first day of the week to good use. Fill that blank page with words.

Why You Need to Write Family Stories

 

(This is a post from two years ago. I hope it helps you to give some thought to writing your own family stories. Don't consider it a chore but an act of love for your family.)

I've been thinking a lot lately about family stories and why we need to write them. It's a pet theme of mine, but next week, I am giving a program to a women's group about the same subject., so it's been on my mind more than usual.

The first question to consider is Why should we write family stories?

I found several quotes that give an answer to that question. Read them and then read them a second time. Let the words of these authors and others sink in. 

Alex Haley:  In every conceivable manner, the family is the link to our past and the bridge to our future. 

Unknown author:  Our most treasured heirlooms are the memories of our family.

Unknown author:  The measure of a woman's character is not what she gets from her ancestors but what she leaves her descendants.

Madeleine Engle:  If you don't recount your family history, it will be lost. Honor your own stories and tell them, too. The tales may not seem very important, but they are what binds families and makes each of us who we are.

Chinese proverb:  To forget one's ancestors is to be a brook without a source, a tree without a root.

Lawrence Overmire:  My charge, then, in putting down my pen and giving over this work to posterity is this:  Take the time. Take the time to preserve the stories, the photographs, the small mementos that mean so much. This is your legacy to future generations. Give it the attention it deserves. Your children and grandchildren will thank you for it. 

Me again:  I feel that knowing who and what came before us is helpful in knowing who we are today. I find it satisfying to know what my grandparents and great-grandparents were like as young people. And also my own parents, aunts, and uncles. Hearing their stories helps me understand what kind of person each one was and perhaps why they did something in particular. 

I had an aunt who told her daughter and me myriad stories about my dad and the things he did as a little boy. Maybe she embellished them a bit, but the facts were there. It let me know that my dad was a daredevil, loved his parents, was honest and more. 

As I learned more and more about my family members on both sides, I developed some admiration for some but also some questions as to why this person did whatever. I had pride after learning many things and perhaps a bit of shame on a few others. I developed great sympathy for what some of my family members had to deal with. Those stories also let me know I was but one threat in the great tapestry of my family history.

A good reason to tell the family stories is to help us know our family medical history. In my own family, we learned what side of the family had to deal with a certain medical issue. Had we not known when the situation occurred in the present day, we would have been lost. It's difficult sometimes as past generations were reluctant to reveal diseases, handicaps etc for fear of bringing shame on the family. Today, we know the importance of knowing a family's medical history, and we're willing to share to help others in the future. 

You owe it to yourself and to your present-day family, as well as future generations, to write those family stories you've heard told for so many years. Telling the stories at reunions or around the dining room table is wonderful, but they must be written to be preserved for all those who will come after you.

Picking a Title Is Not So Easy

 

This is a post from a few years ago about titles. I think writers are sometimes too flippant about tiles, don't give them enough consideration. I hope you'll do the exercise at the end of the posting. 

Over and over, I hear writers say something like This is a working title. I can't think of anything better. In my online critique group, I see multiple comments along the line of I don't like the title. Can you help find a better one? 

It seems that most writers have trouble when it comes to selecting a title for an article, story, essay, poem or book they've spent hours working on. The title should be easy. Right? Not really. Everything you've put into the body of what you've written has to come through in your title in a mere smattering of words.

It's a no- brainer that a good title hooks the reader. It also suggests a mood or tone.It can startle a browser into looking farther. The title sometimes asks a question that can only be answered by reading farther. Curiosity might be aroused by those few words that top the whole piece of writing. Some titles depend on attention-getting words. Right now, the word terrorist is probably going to make you stop and take a second look.

Some writers like to use alliteration for the name of their story. It works especially well with stories for kids. Maybe something like Bumpy Bear's Beautiful Bridge would make a child giggle and want to look into the book. It works with adult titles, too. How about Bill Brown's Bummer Beach Babe. Every word doesn't have to begin with the same letter, but several should.

A title can also inform the browser that there is specific information to be gained here. Climate Change: Pros and Cons let you know exactly what the topic is.

If all else fails, a writer can lift a significant line of dialogue or a phrase from the text to top the story. Readers enjoy seeing that bit of dialogue or phrase when they reach it within the text. It's an Aha! moment.

You can also promise the reader something via your title. Jane, The Time Traveler does that. The reader knows that the story is about a girl or woman who travels back in time (or ahead to the future).

Is there any set rule to when you write the title? Definitely not. Write it when you think of it! It might be the very first words you put on the blank screen, or it could come to you halfway through the story. And even more likely is that the title is the very last thing you write, and it could be long after the story itself is finished if you wrestle with finding the best one.

So, why do we struggle with titles? Mostly because we know how very important they are. It's your one chance to hook that browser that you want to draw in as a reader.

Some writers come up with a title quickly and go with it. Others make lists of titles and eliminate them one by one. Of the two, I prefer the second method. If you hit on one and go with it right away, you might be missing out on a better title.

As an exercise on selecting titles, go to your local library or bookstore and spend some time browsing through titles of books. Note the ones that speak to you. Consider why those titles caught your eye more than others. What appeals most--longer or shorter titles?

For something that entails only a few words, titles are of great importance. Pick a good one!

Witing with Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

 

Our poster today says you need faith, trust, and pixie dust. I'm not sure where one goes to purchase a bucket of pixie dust, but I do know about faith and trust a writer should have.

Faith:  As a writer, you need to develop faith in your abilities. An "I can do this!" attitude will take you a long way in this writing world. Maybe writers need to be a little egotistic in their thinking. Instead of giving yourself all the reasons you are going to fail at being a writer, turn it around, and list the positives. Head your list:  Reasons why I will be a successful writer. Can't think of any? I don't believe it. Give it some deep thought. It's a pat yourself on the back kind of list, and there is no shame in doing so. 

If you have certain attributes to help you write well, put them on the list, one at a time. This list is for you, not to be shown to others when completed. 

Trust:  Do you trust yourself to follow the rules of writing, to acquire the tools a writer needs, to have the courage to submit your finished work? Do you feel assured that you can write a story, essay, memoir, poem, or article that would be worthy of publication? Do you carry the conviction that you can be a successful writer? If you're wibbly-wobbly on any one of these, it's time to work on changing. 

You need to trust your abilities before you can convince an editor that he/she should publish your work. When you submit to a publication, tell the editor why you think your story would be a perfect fit for them. Give your writing background to help an editor have a little trust in your ability. If you have never had any work published, there is no need to state that. When writing to an editor, always be positive. If you trust your writing ability, this should not be a problem. 

Trust and faith seem to go hand in hand. If you have one, you most likely have the other. Keeping a positive attitude will aid in ensuring that you have both trust and faith in your writing ability. 

Should you ever put yourself down? No is the best answer, but we also know that there are times when things don't go right that we do manage to lose that trust and faith. Maybe not lose it, but it becomes a little shaky. Try to work through the problem and climb back on the faith and trust ladder again. Feeling down about your writing does not need to be a life sentence. 

As for the pixie dust, I would love to find some to sprinkle over each submission. If you know where to get pixie dust, please share with me and my readers. 

For the Love of Reading

 

Most writers are also avid readers. I have a long history of reading from the time Miss Curto, my first-grade teacher placed a primary reader upon each desk in our classroom. "Do not open it yet," she said as she continued putting books on desks. Next, she proceeded to instruct us on how to open a new book and pointed out the cover and back cover. We moved page by page to the one that showed a picture of two children and their dog with several words on the page. Dick and Jane and their dog, Spot, helped us learn to read. I was hooked that day, so very long ago, and am a voracious reader to this very day.

What books did you read and enjoy in grade school? In high school? During college? And for the rest of your life, however long it has been. We can probably pinpoint a person's age from the books they read growing up as the series change over the years. Some stay constant while others fade into the past. 

For me, it was the Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew mysteries, Sue Barton, Nurse, a series of books using shoes in the title--Theater Shoes, Ballet Shoes, Circus Shoes, and others. I loved the Little House books. A book I've never forgotten was The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew.  In high school, I discovered Pearl Buck and the many books she wrote that had a background in China. My reading time in college was limited except for those I read for classes, but I still managed to read for relaxation now and then.

Reading helped me traverse the pandemic months. I feared not being able to find enough books to read, but between friends who loaned books, and the library reserve system as well as ebooks for Kindle, I managed to never be without a book. I still enjoy some series that follow a principal character. Some favorites are:

• Daniels Silva's series featuring Gabriel Allon, who is an art restorer and Israeli spy. Great suspense.
• Louise Penny's series follows the adventures of Armand Gamache, a police detective in Quebec and the small village of Three Pines. Good mysteries with a cast of characters a regular reader learns to love.
• Charles Todd (mother and son co-authors) have two series that I have read. One features Ian Rutledge, a Scotland Yard detective still haunted by experiences in France in WWI. The other series follows Bess Crawford, a nurse during WWI. Good mysteries

You may note that all three series I mentioned above are mysteries and suspense books. That's not the only genre I enjoy. Historical Fiction is high on my list as well as family sagas. Is it any wonder I loved the tv series, Downton Abbey?

Everyone has certain genres they are attracted to in bookstores or libraries or at our great outlet for books--Amazon. We tend to gravitate to those sections. I skip right on by Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror, and Chick Lit. 

How about you? Are you a reader? Do you have favorites from childhood? What genres interest you the most? Do you read mostly fiction or non-fiction? Poetry? Plays? Memoirs? Essays? Have you considered why you read certain kinds of books? What is it that appeals to you? 

Reading helps me travel the world and learn about its peoples. It entertains me, informs me, and soothes me.

All this about reading for today's post was inspired by a notice I read about several of the Dr. Seuss books being banned as they are racist and more. It made me sad as children love these books and do not see them in that way. It is adults who are 'reading into' them the racist and other matters. Children only see the fun and nonsense in these books. Curious George is criticized because it involves a white man who brings a monkey home from Africa. A little monkey who had all sorts of grand adventures. My grandson loved those books, and I know all he liked was the story each one told. Plus, I am one who believes books should not be banned. We should be able to choose what we want to read, both children and adults. 

Surely, some will not agree with me, and that's fine. We are all entitled to an opinion. Most of all, I hope you are reading books and enjoying them as well as appreciating what authors do for those who love to read.