A Post that Matters to Me

Joanna Young at Confident Writing has challenged us with a group writing project: Essential Lines from 2009.

1. Select your essential post

Sift through what you published in 2009 to select the post you’d call ‘essential’.

You can define that in different ways, for example:

• A post that matters: that mattered to you then, that mattered to your readers, that still matters to you now
• A post that captures what your blog’s all about
• A post that reflects what 2009 has been about, for you or for others
• A post that models essential writing

Joanna further instructs us to explain why we chose that post and encourages us to include a few “knock ‘em dead lines” from the post.

I narrowed down the choices in What I Learned from … 2009 for Middle Zone Musings’ groupwrite project. For Joanna’s challenge, I’ve chosen a post that mattered to me when I wrote it and still matters to me now.

Adversity? What Adversity? reminds me—and I hope you—that I—and you—have been blessed beyond belief with salvation through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All we have to do is accept the gift and proclaim Him Lord of Lord and King of Kings.

Nothing I have ever experienced or ever will experience can compare to our Lord and Savior being beaten, mocked, tortured, and murdered in the most vicious way.

And why? For my sins and your sins and the sins of the whole world. If I were the only person who needed redemption, Jesus would have died for me alone. My sin makes me Judas betraying Him, the chief priests and scribes condemning Him, Pilate washing his hands of Him, the crowd calling “Crucify Him!,” and the Roman soldiers killing Him. 

Yet Jesus prayed on the cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34, KJV)

Thanks be to God for the gift of salvation!

Mission Impossible: Book Trailer for Dream or Destiny

This post is an entry in Confident Writing’s Mission Impossible group writing project. Joanna Young challenged us to post something on our blogs that we’ve never done before. I’ve wanted to create a book trailer for Dream or Destiny since the book was published last fall, but I’ve been hesitant to try. I don’t know anything about multimedia except that whatever talent I have is in words, not images and sounds.

Joanna’s challenge motivated me to create this basic video montage. Now I’m motivated to move beyond this to a better and more professional book trailer that I can post on video-sharing and book trailer Web sites.

Blogging Friends

Nearly three years ago, I decided to take the advice I’d been giving to my clients and start a blog. At the time, I expected the blog to be an opportunity to share what I’ve learned about writing and editing. One of the things I love most about editing and helping authors self-publish their books is mentoring the writers—to see them constantly hone their craft and become better writers. I hoped to help writers online, but I didn’t expect to have any direct contact with those I taught.

In the first month, I had a couple of comments from offline friends who stopped by to encourage me. Then it was a couple of months before another friend stopped by. I participated in a blog carnival and got a trackback but no more comments for weeks. The next comment was also from a friend … but then—almost six months after my first post—I had a comment from someone I didn’t know! That was a thrill.

I started visiting other blogs and leaving comments, and some of those bloggers reciprocated. I joined MyBlogLog and participated in a couple of blog carnivals and memes and met a few more people. Many of the people I met in the early days of blogging are still my blogging friends. Some are no longer blogging, but I will always appreciate their blogging friendship for however long it lasted.

Recently, I recognized some of my blogging friends with the Premio Dardos Award for their blogging excellence. I’d also like to thank those same bloggers for their friendship: Alina, Brad, Cath, Deb, Helen, Jeanne, Joanna, John, Karen, Lori, Matt, Mig, Misti, Renee, Robert, and Tammy.

Bloggers who hold a special place in my heart are all those who hosted me on my blog book tours, including these who aren’t listed elsewhere: Bluestocking, Lenin, Ron, Mayra, Genesis, Father Jerry and Shirazi. 

Other bloggers whose friendship I value include:

• Laura Spencer, Writing Thoughts
• Lisa Vella, Getting It Write for You (a busy mom who doesn’t blog much anymore who was one of the bloggers I met early on)
• Merry Monteleone, Mom and More
• Michele Tune, Writing the Cyber Highway
• Phil Davis, Authors on the Net
• Sharon Hurley Hall, Get Paid to Write Online
• Theda K., Crayon Writer
• Yvonne Russell, Grow Your Writing Business (Yvonne had some health issues and hasn’t been around much lately, but she hosted The Writers Cafe where I met many wonderful bloggers.)

After my slow start in getting comments, I’m blessed today to have comments from 150 to 200 people each month. Some of them visit once and leave a comment for the Do-Follow link, but others become regulars. Each month, I thank the commenters from the previous month as I truly value them.

Some of the top commenters each month, in addition to many who have been listed elsewhere, are:

• Andrew, Good Honest Dollar
• Morgan Mandel
• Wilson, Will You Mind

What a blessing of blogging friendships! And I know I’ve forgotten someone—if your name belongs here, know it’s in my heart. I’m just overwhelmed with thinking of so many delightful blogging relationships.

And to think that less than three years ago, I thought I would be teaching my visitors about writing and editing. Instead, I’ve made friends and learned more than I could ever teach.

This post is an entry in Alina Popsecu’s 4 Year Bloggiversary Group Writing Project at Words of a Broken Mirror. You still have a few days to enter. Alina is offering some outstanding prizes (not that I’m biased or anything—one of the prizes is an autographed copy of Dream or Destiny), including a two-hour PR consultation with Alina. But even if you don’t win, just spending time thinking of great blogging friends is a prize in itself.

What I Learned from Love

photo credit: karen horton

The theme of the February What I Learned From … group writing project at Middle Zone Musings is love.

My first experience with love was the love shown to me and my siblings by our parents. They never had much money, but they always showed their love in countless ways. My father was a gentle man who seldom raised his voice or lost his temper. Yet I remember one occasion when he yelled at my mother in anger because she bought him a couple of pairs of blue jeans for Christmas. It didn’t matter that he didn’t own a decent pair of jeans, which were what he wore all the time except for church. Daddy was upset because Mama spent money on him when he wanted every penny they could spend on Christmas to go for gifts for the kids. My parents were strict disciplinarians and expected good grades and good behavior from all six of their children. But the kids always came first in their hearts and in their actions.

Then I fell in love with Jack. We’ve been married more than 41 years, and he’s always treated me like a queen. He has cared for me through a stroke, a dog attack, seizures, a fall, and several other situations. He does the laundry and the grocery shopping—and often brings home flowers along with the groceries. We’ve shared good times and bad, but we’ve always shared lots of  love and lots of laughter.

As much as I appreciate the love of my family and the love of my husband, I know it wouldn’t exist unless there was first the love of God.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. … God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. ~ 1 John 4;10, 16

In February, we celebrate Valentine’s Day, Cupid, and romantic love. May we always remember and be thankful for the origin of love.

Simply the Best

Joanna Young at Confident Writing has given us a real challenge: pick simply the best post for all of 2008.

First I narrowed down my favorite posts to one per month for Middle Zone Musings’ Blogapaloo0za. That was hard enough to do—one month I had to choose one from among three top favorites. Then I went through the favorite posts from each month to choose simply the best for 2008.

Remembering My Parents is simply the best because it still brings tears to my eyes—tears of sorrow that they are no longer with me and tears of  joy for the memories and the love we shared.

Cell Phone Users and Abusers

Brad Shorr is holding a contest at Word Sell. This is my entry in Cell Phone Users and Abusers.

I had been thinking about this post for several days. There are so many people who abuse cell phones that I was having a hard time narrowing down my focus. People take their eyes off the road, their hands off the steering wheel, and their minds off their driving to talk on the phone. Cell phones have become so invasive that our church has signs on the back of each pew: Silenceth thy cell phone.

On my way to Bible study last week, I encountered the worst case of cell phone abuse I’ve personally experienced. A guy on a bicycle was apparently taking a short cut through the church parking lot. As I turned into the driveway, he wobbled from side to side on his bicycle, holding a cell phone up to his ear with one hand and trying to guide the bike with the other hand on the handlebars. I don’t think he ever even saw me as I swerved to miss him. He continued his conversation without even looking up. He wore shorts and T-shirt and no helmet.

Being so careless in an automobile is extremely dangerous, but to be so reckless with exposed legs, arms, and head on a bicycle in the path of oncoming cars … that strikes me as a death wish!

What is your worst experience with Cell Phone Users and Abusers? You still have time to enter the contest for a chance at one of eight prizes ranging from $50 to $500. The prizes are being given by Brad’s client Dr. Mike O’Malley to promote his book called Cell Hell – 55 Cell Phone Users You’d Like to Silence. Mike offers the badge at the top of this post to anyone who joins the fight against cell phone abuse.

The Results of My Writing Experiment

Joanna Young’s theme this month at Confident Writing is Experimenting, and she is sponsoring a group writing project: The Results of My Writing Experiment.

My first reaction was that I had nothing to contribute to this project because I wasn’t doing any experimenting in my writing. Then I realized that I have recently started doing two new things here at A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye.

I posted my first book review, ironically a review of a book on how to write reviews, The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing. I learned a lot from reading and reviewing the book and consider it a success. The post generated 49 comments and several people said they intended to buy the book as a result of the review. I have a review of Santa’s Angels (Avalon Romance) by Janet Kaderli scheduled next week and have a couple more books lined up to review.

I have also conducted my first author interviews, though the posts haven’t appeared yet. The interview of contemporary romance author Janet Kaderli is scheduled for next week, and an interview of one of the characters in A Village Shattered by Jean Henry Mead is scheduled for the following week. Interviewing a character in the book instead of the author was a fun experiment.

Although it’s a little early to report any results from my experimentation with reviews and interviews, I think I’m going to enjoy doing both!

Have you experimented with your writing?

credit: shimgray

Seven Things I’m Thankful For

Luke Gedeon is sponsoring a group writing project for Thanksgiving: Seven Things I’m Thankful For. Luke will link to all the posts, and his post will be excellent reading for Thanksgiving Day (or the day after Thanksgiving or any time).

In his sermon last Sunday, our priest said, “I’m so tired of people calling it Turkey Day. It’s Thanksgiving Day, a day to give thanks to Almighty God.”

This Thanksgiving—and every day—I will thank God for these seven things:

• Family: I’ve written about my parents and siblings and about my husband Jack. I have been incredibly blessed with my family of origin and in my marriage.
• Friends: Both online and offline friends bring joy to my life, and I grateful for them.
• Work: God has blessed me with a little talent and a lot of perseverance so I can earn a living doing what I love—writing and helping other writers.
• Provision: We have plenty of food (more than enough as you can tell if you look at us), a comfortable home, and everything we need to enjoy a happy life.
• Freedom: We are so fortunate to live in a land where we can practice our faith and freely express our opinions. I am grateful for our servicemen and women and our veterans for ensuring that we remain free.  
• Miracles: I have experienced many miracles in my life, including surviving an attack by a Doberman and recovering from a stroke, Most recently, I have been healed of a severe seizure disorder. I will write more about this miracle in a future post.
• Salvation: My faith sustains me,  and I am so thankful that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my salvation and that I will spend eternity with God. I pray that you also have this assurance of salvation.

What are you thankful for?

What I Learned from Government

When I read the theme for this month’s group writing project at Middle Zone Musings, it was déjà vu all over again. I was sure Robert had run out of topics and was starting to repeat himself. The topic is What I Learned from Government, and I knew I had written on that subject before.

But when I checked my archives, I discovered that the topic had been What I Learned from the World of Work. My post, What I Learned from Working for the Government, listed seven things I learned. I hope you read the original post as I’m not going to repeat those seven lessons. Instead I’m going to expand on one lesson that is very timely.

Even programs that are supposed to be for the benefit of people in need don’t always serve the needs of those they are designed to serve.

Too many people in our society expect the government to protect them from everything—enemies, misfortune, and their own bad decisions. They want their rights, and they want them now. They want financial security, and they want it now. They want to forget that there are evil people in the world, and they want to negotiate with our enemies.

The United States was founded as a republic, with limited federal powers. National security is government’s responsibility. Ensuring home ownership for citizens who can’t afford the houses they’re buying is not the role of government. It is a formula for disaster—as we’ve seen recently. Certainly many institutions and individuals—including greedy financial institutions who tried to make a fast buck, greedy individuals who tried to buy homes beyond their means, and greedy investors who tried to get rich quick—share the blame for the credit crisis. However, the root cause is the unwise, if well-intentioned, legislation and regulations designed to increase the opportunity for home ownership to more and diverse individuals.

Greedy financial institutions wouldn’t have made these risky loans if they didn’t have Freddie Mae and Fannie Mac to fall back on. Greedy individuals who didn’t have sufficient income for the houses they wanted couldn’t have gotten into debt over their head if they didn’t have the government supporting their entitlement to home ownership. Greedy investors couldn’t have profited from the situation if the government didn’t make it easy.

My heart goes out to individuals caught in the situation. But did those visionary programs to make home mortgages more accessible really help anyone? I don’t think so. Financial institutions would have been better off if they had made loans to people who were likely to be able to meet their obligations. Individuals who bought homes beyond their means would have avoided losing their homes or getting into serious financial trouble if they had purchased homes within their means or continued to rent. Investors might not be facing huge losses if they had invested more wisely.

So the well-intentioned government intervention has ended up making the situation much worse. The crisis has spread beyond the original organizations and individuals to impact our entire economy. Then comes more government intervention to try to resolve the problem. And when that doesn’t work, more government intervention …

The Declaration of Independence says we are entitled to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” It doesn’t guarantee us happiness. It doesn’t guarantee us financial security. It doesn’t guarantee us health. It guarantees us freedom, and people who are free to succeed are also free to fail.

I quit my government job because I reached the conclusion that the government programs designed to help poor people were actually harming rather than helping. The War on Poverty was declared nearly 50 years ago, and we lost. People in those programs haven’t achieved success; in most cases, they’re still in government programs, still receiving handouts. Yet, people work their way out of poverty every day. They may get some temporary help, but they don’t expect government to make them successful. They work for their own success.

Yes, government taught me that good intentions don’t guarantee good results. In the coming months, we’ll see many new proposals and many new programs designed to help people. Will they help? Or will they hurt?

What I Learned from Stress

Some stress is good. Right now, I’m stressed as I plan my book launch party and schedule my blog book tour … and wonder if anyone will buy my book. That stress pushes me to be more productive so the launch of Dream or Destiny is a success.

Some stress is not good. In fact, it can be downright bad for both our emotional and physical health. Worry about the current economic crisis. Trying to meet unreasonable demands from clients. Computer crashes. Natural disasters. The death of a loved one. The breakup of a relationship. And on and on and on.

We can’t eliminate stress from our lives, and we can’t ensure that all stress will be good. We can, however, choose how to respond to stress. We can let it destroy our health and well-being or we can respond with resilience.

When I find myself getting frazzled over things that are beyond my control, I know that it’s time to recharge my spiritual batteries. I need to turn to God—to read His Word and talk to Him in prayer. Even in the most stressful situations, He will give me His peace that passes understanding.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6, NIV)

O MOST loving Father, who willest us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of thee, and to cast all our care on thee, who carest for us; Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, give us thy peace that passes understanding, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which thou hast manifested unto us in thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This post is an entry in the What I Learned from Stress group writing project at Middle Zone Musings.

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