Good morning my friends,
I am happy to be writing a few comments to you. We have been occupied around this household with a variety of things, which includes two books published this year.
One new book, "ARIZONA RISING", which is centered around ranchers on the Mexican border. It deals with not only ranching, but the problem of illegal entry into the USA by border crossings. It is an interesting book, please pick it up on Amazon. It is available not only as a book, but also on Kindle.
Then, I republished under Create Space my original children's book you might be familiar with called "THE FLY AWAY BALLOON." It is a very light story about a child's birthday balloon that came loose from her little girl's wrist string. "Bitsy" as the balloon is called has an adventure in the park until she finds her little girl again. It is a cute little story your children or grandchildren might like. Also available on Amazon.
All of that is a time consuming endeavor, and it is so enjoyable. Now that both are complete, I am working on a new book. More news about that later.
When I look around at what is going on in our world, and wonder why is this all happening? When you study world politics, and follow the arguments going on between nations, you ask why!
You hear many opinions, ranging from political government differences, and environmental differences, religious differences and land possessions. My personal opinion, which much of the time I am very happy to voice, is that all of the above apply. Greed of land, resources as oil, minerals of all kinds, and power. These things all enter into the struggles going on right now.
But, you can not discount that all of these things are predicted. And they have been predicted for many years in the Bible. From before the birth of Jesus, these events have all been predicted. I know, some will say, "oh well, here we go, another Bible thumper". I guess I am one! And glad to be one. But not in the sense of Fire and Brimstone, although there is that lurking around many places is that book. But the fact is, that book, the BIBLE has certainly been around a whole lot longer than the middle eastern crisis of the recent times. The Words go back farther than Medieval times and further than much of the history you might read in schools.
The Words go back to what is referred to the "Old Testament". Men were foretelling what was to come to pass from the days of Noah. Now I am not telling you anything you don't already know about, from story books you learned from as a child. PLEASE don't rely on learning any historical facts from the motion pictures that come out from time to time, because many times they are dramatized , not always with truth, but with "stuff" that will sell movies. Nothing factual about many of those movies. BUT, many of the epics are wonderful portrayals , factual in many ways and can teach many of the biblical stories from the Bible.
If you want to read an exciting book, full of plots, intrigue, wars, battles, love, romance, and greed , pick up the Bible and start reading in Genesis. By the time you finish that first Book in the Bible you will be hungry for more. Its Chapters and pages are full of prophesy or foretelling if you prefer that word, of exactly what is going on today in the Middle East. Because, you see, it all began in the Book of Genesis. The rivalry between men and the desires of people to see their dreams fulfilled.
Can I recommend that if you are not a reader, you can look for Bible sites online, and they will read the Books out loud to you on your computer. And they read with all of the drama and excitement you can ever imagine getting out of a novel that plugs into your radio set up.
(Of course, not my books. My books have all of that excitement and drama , love and romance in them, and I would love to have you read them as well. Just sayin, just a plug)
What I am trying to say is, what is going on in the World today is not totally unexpected by those who have taken the time to read , (with a good commentary) the Bible. The politics of today enter into the equation. You can see the greed for power, for control, for land, sometimes just a little tiny strip of land called Gaza.
So, read and keep informed about today's politics. If you wonder how that can really effect me, in the little town of Podunk, USA, not my business what is going on around the other side of the world. You are very incorrect. What is going on around the world CAN AND WILL effect your everyday living , your buying power, your nation, your oil prices for your car, your heating, how about the new tile or vinyl you want to put in your kitchen, or bathroom. Petroleum products people. That effects your lipstick? Makeup? Medical products? Just look around and think. And you can extend that in so many ways.
So, in our busy times, as I described mine earlier this year, we need to also watch and read the news. Not just our local spin on things, but, if you have a computer, go for the headlines online. Be informed, even if your not interested at first, LEARN ONE THING A DAY. Just read one article on world news today and tell someone. (Not the article about the panda born in Australia !! LOL) But about something happening around the world that could have an impact on your life.
JUST SAYIN!
Friday, July 18, 2014
Friday, January 3, 2014
ANOTHER NEW BOOK IS PUBLISHED!
We have a brand new year and brand new opportunities. Recently I took advantage of one of those opportunities available and published my completed novel called "NORTHWEST PROJECT". Now, what a trip that is! Fun to do, and another accomplishment for my "bucket list."
I have found that I love to write. The children's book, "The Fly Away Balloon" was a completely different kind of project because it involved a simple story and illustrations. It also was color, bright and fun color. It was such a challenge, and it was fun learning how to do that.
With that being said, "NORTHWEST PROJECT" was a completely different kind of endeavor. It is strictly dependent on your words. No cute color graphic to describe what is going on. You have to do that description with your own words. That is another ballgame altogether. I found that if I pictured things going on in my mind, I would try to write a description as I could see it. I would visualize the scene, as if I was making a movie in my head. As the movie scene takes place you write it as you see it, or hear it. SO MUCH FUN!
There are many other things to consider . Do you know how many different ways there are to say the exact same thing? Words are such a strong tool. I am just learning how to scratch the surface of using our wonderful language to express what is going on in this wild and crazy blob called my brain. And that can be a very interesting experience in itself.
Another challenge is "keeping it clean" with keeping it interesting. By that I mean, the use of your words can challenge the mind to see what is going on in their own "picture" in their own BRAIN . But how to keep THEIR image controlled is another issue. Well, the answer is, you really can not. But, what you can do is be mindful of what images your words can conjure up.
I really don't feel you have to be descriptive about gore, or intimacy, or other strong emotions. Your own mind can take you places with your own imagination. I do not find I have to be graphic or descriptive beyond the suggestion of what is happening. You keep it interesting by intimating in the readers mind . And the level they personally go to is in their own heads. It makes the reader be interactive with the story being portrayed. They then see their own version of what you are saying. Does that make sense? If you make it graphic, they see graphic. If you don't, they don't, but they get the gist of what is going on. The rest is then up to them.
A challenge was the process of creating a proper format to fit into the publishers guidelines or template. There are many ways to go, and the easy way is to pay the publisher to do the work for you. That is the easy way to do this. It is also a bit spendy. Well, those of you who know me also know that I don't always do things the easy way. My learning curve is a little longer sometimes. But, I do love a challenge and with a little help from my friends and guidance from articles on the various web sites , the challenge of putting it all together was finally accomplished. Remember, the justification of the length of sentences , of words, of phrases as well as the placement of your paragraphs, the type of font, the size of the font, and on and on and on.
By the time you go over your book in this process you have re edited several more times. And to get to the place of wanting to publish, you have already edited and re written, so, your manuscript is rolling around in your head again and again. By the way, spell check is a great tool, but, don't rely totally on that because I discovered, the word But and the name Bud are both proper words, neither misspelled, and when you spellcheck, your character's name Bud has just become But all over the place. Your fingers typing can make proper typo's and not be caught by spell check. So, they recommend that you read your manuscript an additional three times, just to catch those common errors.
So, if reading this does not discourage you, I challenge you to try this. Write down what you are feeling by writing a fiction book, a teaching book, a "How to" book. The statement , "there is at least one good book in everyone," is a true statement. We all have a story, or a poem or a talent you can share by teaching someone else. Just step outside of your own limitations within your self, and express and publish.
Please, take a moment, go on Amazon.com and type in my name. Find "NORTHWEST PROJECT", and give it a whirl. Read my simple little story, or read the adventure of "THE FLY AWAY BALLOON." Take the time to Fly Fly away with "Bitsy". Then be inspired to take the challenge for this new year. It is so much fun!
By the way, I enjoy doing this so much I am half way through writing another novel I will talk about in another blog down the line. Gosh, I sure like being retired, but I think I work longer hours now.
Blessings!
I have found that I love to write. The children's book, "The Fly Away Balloon" was a completely different kind of project because it involved a simple story and illustrations. It also was color, bright and fun color. It was such a challenge, and it was fun learning how to do that.
With that being said, "NORTHWEST PROJECT" was a completely different kind of endeavor. It is strictly dependent on your words. No cute color graphic to describe what is going on. You have to do that description with your own words. That is another ballgame altogether. I found that if I pictured things going on in my mind, I would try to write a description as I could see it. I would visualize the scene, as if I was making a movie in my head. As the movie scene takes place you write it as you see it, or hear it. SO MUCH FUN!
There are many other things to consider . Do you know how many different ways there are to say the exact same thing? Words are such a strong tool. I am just learning how to scratch the surface of using our wonderful language to express what is going on in this wild and crazy blob called my brain. And that can be a very interesting experience in itself.
Another challenge is "keeping it clean" with keeping it interesting. By that I mean, the use of your words can challenge the mind to see what is going on in their own "picture" in their own BRAIN . But how to keep THEIR image controlled is another issue. Well, the answer is, you really can not. But, what you can do is be mindful of what images your words can conjure up.
I really don't feel you have to be descriptive about gore, or intimacy, or other strong emotions. Your own mind can take you places with your own imagination. I do not find I have to be graphic or descriptive beyond the suggestion of what is happening. You keep it interesting by intimating in the readers mind . And the level they personally go to is in their own heads. It makes the reader be interactive with the story being portrayed. They then see their own version of what you are saying. Does that make sense? If you make it graphic, they see graphic. If you don't, they don't, but they get the gist of what is going on. The rest is then up to them.
A challenge was the process of creating a proper format to fit into the publishers guidelines or template. There are many ways to go, and the easy way is to pay the publisher to do the work for you. That is the easy way to do this. It is also a bit spendy. Well, those of you who know me also know that I don't always do things the easy way. My learning curve is a little longer sometimes. But, I do love a challenge and with a little help from my friends and guidance from articles on the various web sites , the challenge of putting it all together was finally accomplished. Remember, the justification of the length of sentences , of words, of phrases as well as the placement of your paragraphs, the type of font, the size of the font, and on and on and on.
By the time you go over your book in this process you have re edited several more times. And to get to the place of wanting to publish, you have already edited and re written, so, your manuscript is rolling around in your head again and again. By the way, spell check is a great tool, but, don't rely totally on that because I discovered, the word But and the name Bud are both proper words, neither misspelled, and when you spellcheck, your character's name Bud has just become But all over the place. Your fingers typing can make proper typo's and not be caught by spell check. So, they recommend that you read your manuscript an additional three times, just to catch those common errors.
So, if reading this does not discourage you, I challenge you to try this. Write down what you are feeling by writing a fiction book, a teaching book, a "How to" book. The statement , "there is at least one good book in everyone," is a true statement. We all have a story, or a poem or a talent you can share by teaching someone else. Just step outside of your own limitations within your self, and express and publish.
Please, take a moment, go on Amazon.com and type in my name. Find "NORTHWEST PROJECT", and give it a whirl. Read my simple little story, or read the adventure of "THE FLY AWAY BALLOON." Take the time to Fly Fly away with "Bitsy". Then be inspired to take the challenge for this new year. It is so much fun!
By the way, I enjoy doing this so much I am half way through writing another novel I will talk about in another blog down the line. Gosh, I sure like being retired, but I think I work longer hours now.
Blessings!
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