Monday, August 24, 2015

A Step in the Write Direction, August 24, 2015--Short story leads (and notes on self-esteem)

A Step in the Write Direction

August 24, 2015

Update: These last few weeks have been a little on the crazy side. August 13 would have been our 55th anniversary, so my daughter, son, and I took flowers to the gravesite at Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery. So thankful to know he’s not actually there….On Monday, the 17th, our daughter Patty had rotator cuff surgery. That turned out okay (although surgeon said there was quite a bad tear) and she came over our house afterward. That evening and the next morning she had chest pains so took her to the E.R. and they admitted her with pneumonia. She came home Thursday morning. Today she began her physical therapy. She’ll be out of work at least three weeks, then can go back on light duty….My lung doctor said that carpet was bad for my COPD (especially with just having mold removed), so last week the carpet was torn up in all the rooms (except two bedrooms, which will come later) and new laminate tile installed. It is so pretty and, to me, it makes the mobile home look bigger….Just finished final proofing for new version of A Step in the Write Direction. Good news is that the publisher lowered the price from $24.95 to $19.95. As stated previously, this one will have assignments throughout so it can be used in a classroom, home school, or writers’ group.

Thought for the Day: Our interim pastor (Dr. Bill Burch) preached a really good sermon yesterday on low self-esteem. He said it: 1) paralyzes our potential, 2) destroys our dreams, and 3) sabotages our Christian experience. The point I liked especially was: What right do I have to despise or belittle someone that God
·        Loves deeply
·        Esteems highly
·        Provides for fully
·        Planned for so completely, and
·        Delights in certainly

Song for the Day:
When I am burdened, or weary and sad,
Jesus is all I need.
Never He fails to uplift and make glad.
Jesus is all I need.
All that I need He will always be.
All that I need till His face I see.
All that I need thro’ eternity
Jesus is all I need.
            James Rowe, “Jesus Is All I Need”

Laugh for the Day: During a patient’s two week follow-up appointment with his cardiologist, he informed the doctor that he was having trouble with one of his medications. “Which one?” the doctor asked. “The patch,” the patient replied. “Your nurse told me to put on a new one every six hours and now I’m running out of places to put them.”

Writer’s Tips:                                               Leads

The following are samples of different types of leads you can use for your short story:

Flashback:
“I’d spent eight months in preparation for a wedding I now knew would never take place” (Sheila Boggess, “Forgiving,” Standard, 5/29/88).

Teaser:
“The buzz of the new electric hedge trimmers cut into Martha’s reverie. She slammed down the kitchen window against the irritating whine, and for the tenth time that hour implored, ‘Lord, have I made a mistake?’” (Sara L. Smith, “Newlywed,” Standard, 5/29/88).

“Just one week! Oh, why didn’t I tell him sooner?” (Donna Goodrich, “The Unspoken Question,” Youth’s Comrade, 2/19/61).

Scripture or Quotation:

“A friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” (Donna Clark, “No Need to be Lonely,” Youth’s Comrade, 3/8/59).

 Dialog:
“Marcia!” Judy Martin burst into the room where her friend sat sewing. “Did you see that?” (Donna Goodrich, “The Peach Pie,” Standard, 4/19/64).

“You’ve got to be kidding!” June Wheatley looked at her husband in disbelief. “Invite the Camerons over to this house?” (Donna Goodrich, “Such As I Have,” Standard, 5/15/77).

 Have a good week spreading the
gospel through the printed page.

Donna Clark Goodrich

·          100-Plus Motivational Moments for Writers and Speakers – half-price $5, $2.69 s&h (This is free if you purchase 5 other books.)
·           A Step in the Write Direction—the Complete How-to Guide for Christian Writers—on sale for half-price--$12.50, $3.22 s&h (only 16 left)
·          A Step in the Write Direction—Student Edition with assignments throughout—on sale for half-price $10, $2.69 s&h)
·          The Freedom of Letting Go (new one coming out will have discussion questions; can be used in S.S. class or small group); original copies without questions now on sale for half-price--$7.50, $2.69 s&h
·          Healing in God’s Time (story of Dave Clark, composer of 25 songs that have gone to #1 on the charts); was $15; now $10, $2.69 s&h
·          The Little Book of Big Laughs—105 purse/pocket-size book of clean jokes—$5; up to 4 for same s&h—$2.69
·          Preparing Your Heart for Christmas (31 Advent Devotions) half-price—$5
·          Michigan and Ohio Cookbooks; half-price $5 each, plus s&h (depending on number ordered)

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