Did you know there was an “International Day for Failure,” a day meant to encourage people to “celebrate our shortcomings and failures, share our experiences and promote the understanding of failure as a learning experience.” The creators of the “Day for Failure” encourage people to quite literally “share” their stupidities, errors and awkward moments with others.

The Old Testament recognizes the importance of learning from the errors we make and actually records how the foundations of human history are built on failures.  Old Testament writers could elaborate on their failures in life. Present day writers should do the same. 

The failures of early humanity recorded in the Bible are epic. Following each failure, however, humankind moved forward. Our present day failures can become great stories, maybe not epics, to share with others. To err is human - but to strive to do better is to aim for the Divine.

With our failure comes doubt and fear of rejection. However, that does not mean we should turn your back on someone in need.  If you see a fellow church member in need, reach out to them. A helping hand can come in the form of a friendly smile or a simple hello. Let them know you are praying for them and pray with them.

                       

At the same time, express gratitude to God for our lives through prayers. We are so blessed.  Everyday has a blessing that we need to express with thanksgiving to God.  Offer prayers of thanksgiving for all things. We don’t always understand the actions of God. 

 

Be aware of your spiritual health as well as your physical health.  In this time of flu season, so many of us are looking at our physical health but we should be aware of our spiritual health as well.  It is a season for being busy. Remember to included God in the things that you do.

 

Why bother denying your failure.  Take responsibility for your actions.  We become better Christians because of it. Sometimes we have to learn and relearn.

 

copyright (C) 2016 Donna Germany

Resolutions

 

 

What New Year’s resolution did you make this year?  Popular ones are to lose weight and exercise more.  Years ago, I decide mine would be to learn one new thing during the year.   That first year it was to eat sushi.  Then, learn a new craft.    But now, I have goal is to finishing a book.  Not just any book, but one that I have knocked around in my head for years.  I believe I can do this.  There are writing challenges that have you finish a book in a month.  But I think I will take a few months. 

I read blogs about writing, blogging, and getting published.  I read books about writing styles and techniques.  Some author say writing has to be a calling on your life. Anything else is self-oriented and can never really satisfy. You have to write or feel out of the will of God. 

There are blogs posting about insights to getting your book written in 2016.  Here are some ideas from Jerry Jenkins’ new writing class “Finish Your Book in 2016” for getting started.

• Set a goal/deadline of pages or word to write per day.
• Schedule your daily writing plan.
• Expect delays.
• Manage your procrastination.
• Relax and sleep well anyway, knowing your subconscious is working on your book.                                                                                                                                  
• Manage time wisely, adjusting your pages-per-day, but don’t let the days or number of pages get out of hand.
• Keep your deadline, if at all possible.
  Other blogs and magazines suggest reading about writing.  William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White, The Elements of Style was a book my high school English teacher recommended.  William Zinsser, On Writing Well: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction was mentioned in Writer’s Yearbook 2016 magazine as a book that sold more than a million copies.    Jerry Jenkins’ blog also suggested Dean Koontz’s How to Write Bestselling Fiction.  I didn’t have this book so I did a search on Amazon. It is only in hard back and is out a publication.  Imagine my shock when the price was $170.00.  WOW.  I made out an interlibrary loan in hopes that I can get it just to read.  I told the librarian that this book was gold, treat it with care.  I will, too. 
  What do you really want from your writing? Do you know what truly matters to you?  Is it fame or glory or just getting words on paper in hopes that it will inspire someone else?  Do you know what you stand for?  Are you fixed in your belief and have your eyes set on God?  Are your priorities God oriented?  Without having inspiration or a calling from God your writing may not stand for anything important. 
  I want to be a writer in the worst way. The passion of writing keeps me up at night.  I want to tell my story and really reach to inspire readers. So, if that is what you want from your writing you'd better believe in what you write. 
   
  Works Cited
  Jenkins, Jerry. "FINISH YOUR BOOK IN 2016Lesson 1: How to Overcome Fear and Procrastination (So You Can Finish What You Start)." Finish Your Book in 2016: Lesson 1-3. N.p., 2016. Web. 20 Jan. 2016.
  Friedman, Jane. "2015 The Year in Review." Writer's Yearbook 2016 Winter.2016 (2016): 5-9. Web. 2016.

            copyright 2016 DonnaGermany

Originality, Overrated

Writers who admit to not being original with their ideas.

Edith Wharton, a secular writer, said of her book Ethan Frome, “I make no claim for originality in following a method of which “La Grande Bertêche” and “The Ring and the Book” had set me the magnificent example; my one merit is, perhaps, to have guessed that the proceeding there employed was also applicable to my small tale.”  She admitted to having her ideas come from other writers and was a bestselling author of her time.

Many other writers admit the same.  They read an article in the local newspaper, magazine or hear a radio broadcast, their story line explodes into their own ideas of “what if.” 

Even Einstein was inspired by the likes of mathematician Minkowski, physician Lorentz, the Latin poet Lucretius and Gandhi.  Again, someone whose inspiration came from others.

Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.

C. S. Lewis

So if it is your dream to be a writer, professional or hobbyist, just look around.  There are plenty of ideas for stories from everywhere.  It makes your work no less brilliant, but something unique does not always come from nothing.

 

Now is the time to get inspired to write a story of the newspaper article you read this morning.  That radio journalist your listening to can give you the inspiration you need to be the next great author of our time.

I have read RL Stine's new book, Red Rain.  It is an adult novel of horror.  If you loved Stine as a youth with Goosebumps, this should terify you as well.  

     My library receives advanced copies of upcoming books.  I was lucky enough to read a copy of The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury.  Few editorial mistakes were noticed.: page 60 has "bigat" which should be big at and page 160 has "theyever" which should be they ever.  Maybe they will catch it before print time.
     The story is a great Christmas miracle story. The plot so typical of our times.  She brought to light the great gulf between wealth and poverty.  The struggles with the economy and the natural disasters that are destroying so many lives.
However, she didn't seem to have any scripture references in this one! One that kept coming to my mind while I read was 1Corinthians 10:24; Let no man seek his own but every man another 's wealth.  Maybe she could have used it somewhere with one of her characters.  Even if it wasn't the main ones.
    Overall, the story was true Karen Kingsbury.

I have finally found an author my 3rd grader will read!  It came after many searches.  We went through vampires, fairies, witches, all kinds of fantasy, even graphic novels before we hit this one.  It is one that has been around a few years. Even one she said no to several times.  Then I checked one out from the library with the only requirement being at least 100 pages.   Since she has become a moody little girl, I thought the title was appropriate!
Judy Moody Was in a Mood Not a Good Mood a Bad Mood by Megan McDonald.  She had even watched the movie and didn't think she would like the books.  But low and behold, we hit pay dirt! She can not put the down.  Even finished one in a day.  Keep them coming Megan McDonald.  I finally have her reading like I want her, a book a day.

Past Relationships

Happy people don't trawl through the past looking for answers.  A quote from  The Wedding Girl by Madelein Wickham.
But this is what I did with a boy I went to a church Valentine dinner with one weekend in 1973.
This is an exert from our conversation.  The Wedding Girl is a great read, by the way. Funny and entertaining.

DSG: You know, I was trying to remember how we met! and couldn't remember. Do you?

KJH: We met at the little Coffee House out on Hwy 61. You were the love of my life and I never forgot about you. I've thought about you often throughout my life.
Do you remember one evening when I was at your house, we wanted to make-out, but your mother made us play Spirograph?

DSG: My mother tried to keep me pure! I am sure you are going through the same with your own children. My own children did stay pure until marriage! Given my track record, that was a shock!

KJH: Yeah, you were a hot little number alright. I had 2 boys, so they pretty much followed my track record. No chance of keeping them pure.

DSG: I remember the drawing you did of your hand drawing your hand, do you still have it? You were (are) a good artist. Ya know, I think that coffee shop is a Mexican Place now??? I'm not so sure anymore. If we had stayed together, you would have made the same decision my ex did: Someone ten years younger and willing to do anything. Its not good to dwell on the past. Glad you are doing great. Hope you find the Savior in your life.

KJH: You can see some of my recent work at (my website) if you like. I've made a good living with my art and it's taken me all over the world. When I first wrote to you, I was in Las Vegas working on a project in China. I've been to China 8 times since 2001.
I never look back, but I remember how much I adored you at the time. Just a little heartbreaker. You were boy crazy at the time and not interested in being with one guy for very long. I remember that you broke up with me at the Canteen in Duncan Park.
We should have met a little later in life. I think that would have been much better.
I'm not much for religion these days, but since I was raised Baptist, I'll always look at the world from that perspective. I'm married now to a girl from Colombia. She's 44, two teenagers from a previous marriage and is as sweet as can be. I married SB from Natchez in 1977 and that lasted 7 years. We had 2 boys and they are 30 and 27 now.

DSG: All I remember about the break up is that I couldn't handle the sexual activity.

KJH: An innocent Angel such as yourself, had no business with a boy like KJH. I'm sure that after we broke up that you wisely saved yourself for marriage.

DSG: After my parent found out what happen in the back seat of that car, I was given a reprimand about reputations. The parent of the girl driving were friends of my parents. Must have been blood left over somewhere. We both got into trouble. So, I figured my reputation was gone to hell so why not continue in the same vein. Everytime my parent found out what I was doing with the next "boy," I could not see "the boy" anymore. Maybe that is why I looked to all in town that I was boy crazy. I was looking for Mr. Right the wrong way! We should not have done what we did. I have lots of regrets about my life. I deal with them and I'm sure you do, too. I was 14 when I knew you and didn't have all the answers. I am sorry I broke your heart, wish it could have been different.

Glad to know you are successful.
I'm at work, about to go home, don't have the internet at home and I'm off tomorrow. Don't get the wrong idea if you don't hear from me in a while. Don't get the wrong idea, anyway. Its not good to dwell on the past. I am not involved with anyone because I don't want to have to deal with no sex (before marriage). Just once I would like to find someone who didn't think sex before marriage was a good thing. I would probably stick with him until death.
I'll follow you on facebook. Let me know about your trips over seas. I have only been to Belize. Would love the oppurtunity to travel around the world but I don't have the travel savey. Post pictures of your trips. Your web site is awesome.

KJH: Thanks Donna,
That answers a lot of questions for me. I always felt that you broke up because you met someone else, or maybe I wasn't cute enough or didn't have a cool car.
Yes, the past is past, but I would like you to know that I have always thought fondly of you and would love to keep in touch. You still represent a special moment in my life and I'm glad we can talk now.
I'd like to be your friend.

DSG: Glad to a have friend,can't have enough of those. Sometimes I think I don't have any.

Also, glad to get that cleared up.  When the the KJ become just K?
KJH: So when I was in Art School in Sarasota, there were about a hundred K's, so I changed mine to something different. KJ was a little too country. LOL
It stuck and now, I'm known as K.
Have a nice weekend Hon, Which of the Germany boys did marry?

DSG: James, nicknamed Peco. He went to TJ.

Brenda Seab is his older sister.