Those Special Songs . . .

    Have you ever had one of those days when you want to crawl into somewhere hidden and stay there? Or maybe just one of those long, dry times when you don't feel upset, but you don't feel joyful either. A difficult time in life, a "valley" day, a long spiritual winter season. And then you sit down in a car or in your room and turn on the radio . . . and this beautiful song that completely applies to what you're going through comes on. A song that echoes what you're feeling, that empowers and comforts you, giving relief from all the problems, filling your heart with joy and a desire to praise the Lord. Moments like this are amazing, and definitely a "God thing."
    The Lord is so good to bless the world with songs like this; music that touches the heart and beautiful words that speak His truth. They remind us of His character, His grace, His love, His promises, and those are what we need to feel whole. And it can be a great reminder that He knows what we're going through and what we need; that He understands everything and can lead us through whatever situation we're in. That gives immeasurable hope.
    A song that does these things is a great blessing--and kind of like a special treasure we can share with the Lord. And when you know the lyrics and the tune by heart, you carry it with you all the time, able to remember and sing (or hum or whistle) it anywhere you go.
    Do you have a special song like this? Isn't it wonderful?

When Writing Advice Conflicts

Just like flowers, no writer is exactly the same. Each signature
writing style has its own special beauty.

    Have you ever read a quote about writing that recommends one technique (for example: "You should never use the word 'said' when writing dialogue.") but later read a different quote that tells you that you should do the exact opposite?    There's a lot of things like that out there; debates over different techniques. Showing vs. telling, flashbacks vs. no flashbacks, stories that focus on plot vs. stories that focus on character, etc.. With so much advice that contradict each other, how can a writer know which way is best?
    Well, according to many, many, many professional writers: there is no "best way" to write! Storytelling is an art, not a specific equation. Every writer has their own style. Some might use action-based descriptions to tell the story, while others aren't afraid to spell out in sentences what the character is feeling; and both techniques result in fantastic pieces of work.
    It can really be a fascinating experience, learning what one's writing style is. Since writing's an art, one can take lots of time to try out multiple different kinds of techniques, following each piece of advice one at a time to see which suits the story (and the writer). When one technique seems to work better than the other for the individual writer, then they can add it to their accumulation of writing strategies, and eventually develop a signature style.
    At least, that's what I think. Do you feel the same way? What's your favorite sort of writing style? One with lots of descriptions, action-oriented narration, short chapters, long chapters?

Luke 12:32

 

"'Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.'"

Luke 12:32 (NKJ)

Sunny Days!

    Summertime! It has descended upon us. A time of vacation, relaxation, fun . . . and hotter weather.
    But even with sunburns and sweat, sunny days like those of summer are wonderful blessings. :) There are so many fantastic things about them.
    -Plants benefit, for example, from the bright sunlight. And so do people. It's the gift of Vitamin D. Doesn't everyone like to bask in the warmth of the sunlight every now and then?
    -And speaking of basking in the sunlight; it gives an opportunity to work on a natural tan. And what better place is there to take the time to do that than . . .
    -The beach! Sunny days are said to be the very best time to go there; it's definitely one of the most popular. Walking on the sea shore, getting wet in the waves, defending your chips from flocks of seagulls, and of course admiring the beauty of the glimmering ocean are a few of the fun things that one can do.
    -Sunny days are also great days to hang out in a swimming pool and/or play water sports. Spending time with family and/or friends, maybe enjoying a barbeque, keeping cool, and playing pool games. It's a great way to spend an afternoon.
    -Also great: ice cream, lemonade, cold sodas, and other cool refreshments. And days where the sun is hot seem to make those taste even better!
    Summer is such a nice, bright season, don't you think? :)

A Few More Tips For Note-Taking

    Note taking: a way to learn new writing/plotting techniques, and watch an awesome series marathon-style without feeling guilty about it.
    I've written a post on things to consider while note-taking before, but it was pretty short. Here are some more ideas that I didn't mention in the last one. :)
    Special vocabulary/terms/slang. Every place in the world pretty much has their own vocabulary. Same with fiction. The Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld has a whole new vocabulary and an honorific system. But it's not just science fiction or fantasy or historical fiction that can have special terms. Most cities/regions have their own nicknames for objects that outsiders have to learn.
    Subplots. Because you can't have just one plot. Things would seem flat, one-dimensional. Life is never as simple as only having issues in one aspect of life. People--real and fictional--have problems and happenings on multiple plains. Family matters, school dilemmas, inner issues (like self-doubt or a feeling of inadequacy), romantic relationships. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins has at least three subplots along with the main issue of the rebellion's war against the Capitol: Katniss's love triangle with Peeta and Gale, her attempts to protect her family, and the fact that she's battling depression, guilt, and a wheelbarrow of other traumatic scars. The main character's juggling chainsaws; there's never a dull moment in the story!
    The main goal of the characters. What is the thing that everyone is working towards? This is a nice thing to take note of because in a novel, the characters' work should build up to one large climax, not multiple small ones. An example of a sentence like this could be: "The characters are working towards stopping the antagonist from receiving and selling plans of mass destruction to other bad guys."
    The main problem that the characters have. Like the main goal, a main issue might be a good thing to identify. There can be lots of problems in a story, but it's particularly awesome when they all comprise one thematic issue. For example: "The protagonists need each other, but they can't get along!"
    Particularly powerful/awesome lines and scenes. The lines that make you laugh out loud in public. Actions that surprised you as a reader. Things the character said that you'll never forget. It's nice to write these down (or write a sentence-long summary of the scene) not only because they'd be cool to tape to a mirror, but because they can be analyzed. What made that statement so funny? What factors made that scene so powerful?
    Special information. I read a great novel where the setting was a cooking competition show, and it definitely could not have been written so well if the information was just Googled. The author clearly had experience. They knew exactly what they were talking about because they'd experienced aspects of what the characters did. Having an idea of what exact sort of information they took from their library of knowledge pertaining to their skill could be used when writing about a skill of your own.
    Writing style. Are things written in a way where every moment is described in detail, or are there a lot of summarizations of character action? Does the writer use a lot of jargon, or do they use description to explain what the character is doing? What sort of words are being used; complicated ones or words that everyone knows?
    Opinions as you read/watch. If you've ever gotten critique and the critiquing person tells you things that they thought as they read for the first time, you know how awesome it is. It gives vital information on which exact words made a person feel something most, how a description/the actions of a character portray them, and how fun it was for the reader while they were reading the story. Reviewing one's own opinions of another story can help in identifying which passages should be analyzed most.
    End thoughts of what aspects were great. At the end of the long adventure of reading/watching, not being caught up in one particular part of the book/show/movie, what are your overall thoughts? What was the best scene? The subplot that was done best? What are the best parts, and how can one use similar techniques in their own story?
    End thoughts of what aspects weren't so great, or were really bad. We learn from mistakes too--maybe even more than from successes. If you despised the story, why? Was there just one aspect that spoiled the rest of a great book? How can one avoid making the same mistake?
    Do you have any of these factors in mind when you take notes on a novel, movie, or TV show? What do you take notes in--a specific notebook, or random pages of paper?

John 10:30

"'I and My Father are one.'"

John 10:30 (NKJ)

    Jesus and God the Father are one. The three-fold Godhead (Father, Spirit, and Son) are one. Which means that whenever we look at the Son, Jesus, we see God's exact character. We see His love, His kindness, His willingness to help and to bless people, His peace, His joy, and His loving protectiveness. All fears that come from the idea that God's angry with us for messing up disintegrate when one looks at Jesus.
    God is the best Father there is, isn't He?

A Few Thoughts On Joseph

    The story of Joseph (the son of Jacob, not the husband of Mary) is a really fascinating one. It's got brotherhood, betrayal, integrity, righteousness, faith in God, an incredible rise to power, forgiveness, and peculiar dreams.
    Said dreams, at first, didn't seem to bring their bearer, Joseph, much good. The first two times he talked about them, he was scolded by his family, his brothers became bitter against him, and they eventually sold him out--literally. Then he ended up in prison interpreting the dreams of prison mates. He had to tell one that he was going to die, and when he asked the other to have someone get him out of prison, he was completely forgotten.
    Then, two years later, he was called up by the country's ruler to interpret his dream. And immediately, Joseph went to do it.
    Which seems incredible considering what had happened to him so far. There were so many things that could've kept Joseph from speaking.
    Fear of something bad happening, for example--this was the ruler of the land; if Joseph did something wrong or even just offensive, he could be executed. Then there was the possibility of bitterness--it's so tempting to be angry when you've been kicked more than once. Joseph also must have been plagued with doubts at some point--his initial dreams about wheat sheaves and the lights in the sky hadn't come to pass yet, after all.
    Fear, bitterness, and doubt. All of these things are powerful motivations to keep quiet. So why did Joseph take the risk? Why did he dare to speak of dreams again?
    In Genesis 41:16 (NKJ), Joseph tells the Pharaoh that: "'It is not in me: God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.'" He understood that God was the one who gave him any wisdom in anything--that He was the one who gave him dreams and interpretations of them. Joseph also believed that God had put him there in that situation and that God had given him things to say of dreams.
    He had faith that God had given him the gift and was willing to risk his life on it--and he was not only righteous in doing so, but right. Since Joseph didn't succumb to fear, bitterness, or doubt, God used him to save more than one nation from a severe famine. He used the situation to give Joseph authority and to reunite him with his family in forgiveness.
    So among being a story of integrity, righteousness, coming to power, and faith, the story of Joseph seems to also be a story of using the gifts that God gives, even when it has a cost.
    Genesis has so many awesome stories like this. Isn't it cool? Which story in Genesis is your favorite?

Character Foils

    WARNING: The following post contains at least one spoiler about the play Hamlet written by William Shakespeare
    Character foils. You might've heard about them in English class. Though in case you haven't, or if you have heard of it but haven't considered why they're important . . .
    A character foil is basically a character whose behavior and/or actions starkly contrast with another character's, and they're significant for not only classic literature but also current fiction for multiple reasons.
    Firstly, they help illustrate a folly. Using the classic example of William Shakespeare's Hamlet, the play's namesake and a character named Laertes foil each other. Their opposite behaviors and attitudes are shown as they react to the same event (their father's death) in very different ways. Hamlet takes a lot of time to think about what to do, hesitating, talking to himself, and experimenting. Whereas Laertes doesn't wait, hesitate, or really think at all; he immediately plows into plots to avenge his family. Both forms of action (over-thinking/procrastination and furious impulsiveness) are negative, and it's like William Shakespeare was showing the polar opposites of a spectrum and why they both should be avoided. Two themes in one without a moment of lecturing.
    Foils are also useful for creating conflict. People running in opposite directions on the same track lane are bound to smack into each other. Using the Hamlet example again, the prince of Denmark's mode of action is shown for many scenes before Laertes starts playing a revenge-seeking role. And when Laertes does start acting, it opens up a whole new door of opportunity for the play's villain, and creating serious problems (and ultimately a tragic end) for Hamlet.
    Characters who foil each other don't have to be enemies or rivals though. Elizabeth Bennet and her sister Jane Bennet from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice foil each other, and they get along fantastically. As do Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's various Sherlock Holmes stories--they're complete opposites behavior-wise, but their differences often make them a stronger team. The fact that they foil each other also makes their friendship unique and memorable to this day.
    Other examples of character foils (at least in my opinion)  are America and Celeste from Kiera Cass's Selection series, Steve Rogers and Tony Stark from the Avengers movies, Peeta Mellark and Gale Hawthorne from Suzanne Collins's Hunger Games series, and Alby and Newt from James Dashner's Maze Runner series.
    Can you think of other character foils? Does your novel/short story in progress have one?

Psalm 35:9

 

"And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; it shall rejoice in His salvation."

Psalm 35:9 (NKJ)

C.S. Lewis: The Way You Carry the Load

"It's not the load that breaks you down. It's the way you carry it."

~C.S. Lewis

    Perspective is vital. It can determine whether a person breaks down with pressure or if they get through problems with minimal stress.
    It's a choice. A decision to be either pessimistic and anxious or optimistic and at peace. One can either focus on the negative aspects and the possibilities of failure or choose to put their faith in the Lord and look for the positives. It's really easy to slip into the negativity choice, but it causes a lot of harm. And it means not trusting God when He says He's working everything out for our good.
    "A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones." (Proverbs 17:22, NKJ) Choosing to be positive and to trust in the Lord really does help immensely. It relieves stress, strengthens faith, and it can make a tense situation all right.
    C.S. Lewis sure does have a lot of great quotes. Do you know any by heart?

Clothes!

    Clothes are a daily part of everyone's lives, whether it means a lot or little at all to them. Some books include descriptions of the character's outfits--though creative description isn't the only purpose clothes can serve in stories.

I knit a cardigan to wear around the
house--it's really cool to read
about hand-made clothes in books!

    For one, they show the personality of the character. People pick their own clothes, and those choices can reflect something about them. A favorite color, for example, might show up in most of their outfits, or a favorite style (flowing sleeves, dark colors, stripes, a particular brand, etc.). A bubbly girl with an eye for cute things might wear a frilly blouse, bright-colored skirt, and quirky shoes, while a teenage guy with a sense of humor might wear regular jeans, a baseball cap, and a T-shirt with a pun on it.
    Clothes also show the financial condition of the character or their family. Not always, but at the very least it gives an opportunity to write about any money issues the character has. Are the character's outfits cheap, mismatched, or hand-me-downs? Where do they go clothes shopping, and do they love it or dread it? Do they donate clothes whenever they start to get tiny holes, or do they keep wearing them even when their friends mention growing tears?
    In many situations, a working character has a specific outfit that they end up wearing all the time. In Kiera Cass's Selection series, the girls of the Selection were always wearing fabulous dresses (which had great descriptions!). And it wasn't just to make the girls look pretty; as competitors for marriage to the country's prince, it was their job to look royal and beautiful. Their outfits pertained to what they were doing and what they were training to do.
    In addition, clothes can showcase an aspect of the setting--particularly if the character's government is different than the reader's. If the genre is historical fiction, depending on the time period, clothes could be handmade. In a dystopia, clothes made for the wealthy would definitely be different than the clothes of the poor/ordinary citizens, and sometimes clothes are linked directly to other forms of social classes (like how in Veronica Roth's Divergent series, people wore outfits that had the color of their faction). And of course, if the character's world is different than real life, there's an opportunity to create a completely new fashion style.
    On some occasions, outfits can also be used as tools. A jacket could cover something up, you could catch a scurrying creature/device with a hat, glasses can be used to start a small fire. And I've read more than one novel where the character cuts strips of cloth to use as a makeshift bandage when they have a cut.
    And if you're writing an action/adventure/suspense story where there are fight scenes, clothes can be grabbed or yanked by the character's opponent. It's an option for when punches and kicks start to get overused.
    There are things to keep in mind, of course, when writing about clothes. For one, they've got to match the story's terrain. Someone living near the top of a mountain probably wouldn't be wearing thin clothing. The style should also be in tune with both the character and the situation--if a female character hates girly things, she would try to avoid dances where she'd have to wear a dress. A writer's also got to keep in mind that as action or events happen in the story, clothes can get affected. When you tumble down a steep hill, there's going to be dirt/grass stains on those jeans; if you're wearing the same jacket for a long time, it's going to get worn out, particularly at the elbows. Also, when writing about clothes, unless it's linked to the plot, genre, character, or the setting, one might not want to include too many detailed descriptions. To some people, what the character is wearing isn't very interesting, and they'd skip over entire scenes thinking it wouldn't be important.
    So there are a few observations. What do you think?
    Do clothes play a significant  role in your story? Does your character have a favorite outfit? What is it? :)

James 1:2-3

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."

James 1:2-3 (NKJ)

    Some trials aren't dangerous problems with high stakes. Many are, but others can be less important . . . and far more annoying.
    Those can be the ones that really stretch a person's patience. They prompt irritation, frustration, anger, and bitterness; and all those emotions are poisonous. But this Bible verse is a good safeguard against building up those feelings. Remembering over and over again that trials strengthen patience can be extremely helpful, and can make a person feel calmer, more peaceful. Which is definitely better than feeling annoyed, right?
    Hope you all have a wonderful week! :)

Moving On

    The heart doesn't let go of things easily. Especially when it's something or someone you've been with for a long time.
    The school year is ending about this time. Some are leaving a particular school for another, some are leaving school for good, and some are just moving up one grade within the same school. In all of those cases, moving on is difficult. Leaving behind a small era of life can be really hard to do, because usually one never gets to experience it in person again.
    But an age doesn't last forever. Life is always changing and moving forward. It's an indisputable fact that can't be ignored.
    Fortunately, we Christians have a major comfort; Someone who never changes: God. He is our Anchor, our Rock. He's always been the same Person He is, has always been here, and He'll continue to be with us throughout our entire lives, guiding us, speaking to us, comforting us. He gives us the strength to move on in life and to grow stronger in Him, going "from glory to glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJ). When change comes, He guides us in making good changes.
    So moving on can be hard, but it can also be good. Knowing that the Lord will help us through gives the needed assurance and the ability to do it.
    Well, hope you have a wonderful rest of the week. :)