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Best and worse writing advice given (LTUE 2011)

Posted on October 24, 2012 by admin

There is a wonderful writer’s symposium called Life The Universe and Everything. And Here are some notes from one of the panels. Best and worst writing advice. For your reading and writing pleasure. The program book said that the panelists were: (Frank Cole, Anna del Dye, Mette Ivie Harrison, Tyler Whitesides)

-Write the first book, get it ready to send out, send out then start on the next book. Don’t be married to your first book.
-Continue to read, especially in the genre you write in so you can be familiar with the elements of that genre and what is being written.
-If you have an idea write it, each idea, even with a familiar or already used concept is written in a unique way.
-Don’t follow the hot market. Write the best story you can write.
-After you have written several books and you have learned and refined different skills; go back to the books you’ve already written and see how they can be redone.
-Rock Canyon = is an on line group where professional writers discuss the business etc.
-Ways writing conferences can contribute to your success. 1. They can contribute to your success by who you network with there. 2. You can establish life long friendships. 3. Meet with agents and editors who come as guests and come looking for new clients.
-Read Stephen King’s book on writing.
-You need to establish a thick skin. You have got to keep submitting even when people give you some negative critique
-Look for ways to have each character speak differently.
-Don’t let your fears stop you. Different people like different fiction. It is nice to have fiction variety.
-Take each critique with a grain of salt. Some comments from a member of a critique group can be useful and others need to be ignored. Writing groups are geared to find the problems in writing and we often hear just the problems. Writing groups are good to find a weakness in a plot. It should be the author not the critiquer who provide the solutions to fixing the plot hole. Otherwise it no longer becomes the author’s story.
-You need to find critiques from people who enjoy reading in your chosen genre.

Well there you go. If you have advice that you would like to add, please feel free to share it in the comment section of this blog.

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Making grape juice

Posted on October 22, 2012 by admin

A friend gave me two boxes of concord grapes and let me borrow her steamer. Steps to make grape juice.

1. Sterilize bottles
2. Put water on bottom third of steam and start boil
3. Rinse off grapes and separate grapes from stems.
4. Fill up top third tray full of grapes.
5. Fill up bottles, clean the mouth and put on the seal and the screw lid and make tight.
6. They should ‘pop’ to seal the juice.
Grape juice is my favorite. Yum!

Thursday night I’m going to try homemade apple sauce.

If you bottle something, please feel free to share the steps with the rest of us.

Warning: found out tonight that straight grape juice can stain some glassware. Used two different cups (not glass) to enjoy some juice and they’re stained now. Just a head’s up.

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Humor to teach compassion

Posted on October 21, 2012 by admin

I hope today’s lesson can be of use to youth ministries, counselors, Family devotionals and family home evenings. My current object lessons are taking a different slant. Instead of using objects around the house, I’m employing humor to teach a serious topic. We’ll see how it works eh? Today’s lesson is how a dog on a roof can teach compassion.

Joke: A man went on vacation and left his dog with his brother. While away he called his brother to ask about his dog.

“Your dog died,” said the brother.

“What?!!!,” replied the other brother. “You’re not supposed to just come out and tell me like that. The first night I call you’re supposed to say the dog is on the roof. The next time I call you’re supposed to tell me that the dog fell off the roof. The third night I call you tell me that the dog died. Got it?

“Got it.”

“Okay, good,” said the brother on vacation. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

The next day the vacationing brother calls and asks his brother, “So how is everything going?”

“Good,” says his brother, trying to make pleasant chit chat.

“And how is mom?”

“She’s on the roof.”

Today’s lesson is on compassion. We only have to be in a dire situation and a complete stranger gives us essential aide for us to appreciate kindness. It the challenges of today’s society, compassion is becoming a rare and more valued trait.

It might be easier for us to offer acts of kindness by simply imagining ourselves to be in a difficult situation. Putting ourselves in another person’s shoes/condition can help build our sympathy and thus we may be more inclined to offer assistance. We do have to be careful who and when we help others as sometimes villainous people will entrap kind people for personal gain. But there are time when a person who has received a kindness from another wishes to share their good luck with another.

In church today, a sister gave a story from the local newspaper where someone in a grocery store did not have enough money to buy all the food in their cart. A stranger paid for their food and left. The recipient was very touched. They told the cashier, “I have $20, share it with someone who needs it” and the second person left. The crasher uses the $20 to help a third customer. They in turn say “I have $11 and would like to share it” and so it went on and on where one kept moving the blessing of generosity, compassion, love from one to another.

Share with the family or class personal experiences where you have been helped by another. It might be a family member, friend or a complete stranger. Talk about the act and the feeling of receiving that help. Also share of times when you have helped another and the feelings you had.

Please feel free to give additional suggestions you have on this topic in the comment section of the blog/site. If you have a personal experience where someone has shown a kindness to you, please share it.

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An alternative to Senator Hatch: Constitutional Party: Shaun McCausland

Posted on October 19, 2012 by admin

I was invited to a meeting by the constitutional party to listen to a person running for Senator by the name of Shaun McCausland. I agree with him on many things. I took notes on his presentation and here are some highlights.

K-Talk Radio has archives of the debates. I encourage everyone to listen to these debates before you vote. http://www.k-talk.com/index.php/archive/ (the 2012 senate debates is at the top)

Shaun’s website: http://www.mrshaungoestowashington.com/ or mrshaun.info.
Constitution party web site: http://www.constitutionparty.com/party_platform.php

Here are some of Shaun’s stands on various issues.

– Early political involvement: He was a long time republican and was once precinct chair.
– Likes the Constitution party because it is about principals.
– He felt prompted to run for Senator. He thought I can’t win, and was prompted: there’s more than winning.
– When face with financial challenges to sustain the family, he’s been blessed.
– $16 Trillian in debt.
– With the creation of the Patriot act the terrorists have won because of our loss of freedoms.
– Our Freedom and future is at risk.
– I’m running for principals.
– Executive order is supposed to be for house keeping such as getting information. It is not suppose to be used to make laws. Congress is responsible for establishing laws.
– I’m for abolishing the Federal Reserve.
– On public lands, should be controlled by the state unless the state has arranged for certain parts to be lands used for a different purpose. Feds should not have control.
– Federal government is good for defense and other purposes defined by constitution.
– Proof on ability to work with other people = Shaun was the man who arranged for multiple debates to be created in different parts of the states which the other candidates appreciated. In the initial meeting Shaun encouraged opportunity to discuss issues without mud slinging. Senator Hatch didn’t attend any of the debates but did send one representative to the debate in Cedar City.
– K-Talk Radio had archives of the debates. I encourage everyone to listen to these debates before you vote. http://www.k-talk.com/index.php/archive/
– Public education and loans should not he a Fed issue.
– He supports Ron Paul on many issues.
– He agrees with libertarians on many issues.
– Don’t agree with Gay ‘marriage’. A couple can be together but the label of ‘marriage’ is defined through the centuries as between a man and a women. So using the term ‘marriage’ for a same gender union does not match the term: ‘marriage’.
– Abortion: He adheres to the constitution, i.e.: Life and liberty. Open to abortion in the first trimester under the condition of rape and incest.
– Legalized marijuana: Feels that all natural plants of the earth should not be controlled by the government. If said plants are altered, i.e. coke changed to cocaine then then control.
– International issues: He feels US should not be involved in any out of country politics.
– Gun Ownership: the ownership of guns is more than just for hunting. They are for the protection of the people against a corrupt government.
– Israel: Feels US needs to politically stand behind their survival. Did make reference that there has been some abuse in the relationship between the US and Israel. Israel took some technology from us.
– There is no reason for the Federal government to do what they do such as Cash for clunkers.
– Made reference to ‘The Remnant. (I’ll have to check that out later.)
– If things turn bad for the US, we will need active informed citizens who know and can teach about the constitution.

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Spelling Foreign

Posted on October 17, 2012 by admin

The fun thing about learning how to spell some words is that as I search for tricks there are things I never realized about a word.

When I think of the word foreign one of the first visual images that comes to mind is Europe’s castles and palaces. Who lives in those places, Kings and Queens.

In the middle ages, Kings and Queens reign or rule over other countries. Thus I use that image to remember foREIGN.

It you have an alternative way to remember this word, please feel free to share it. Thanks

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How to Make Characters Real from Anita Stanfield

Posted on October 16, 2012 by admin

I found some old notes I took while attending a writer’s seminar several years ago at the Spanish Fork Memorial building. These are notes of counsel from Anita Stanfield.

Many of her books are best sellers. Romance is her specialty. Anita is on a personal crusade to have romance fiction no longer have a reputation of underdeveloped characters.
Writing is like an emotional roller coaster. The highs can be so high and the lows are very low. Creativity is a very emotional process. She believes that good things happen because good people persist. The natural laws of the universe are that things can be accomplished through perseverance.
Wrote 16 years until she sold her first novel. She was pretty much a full time writer and wrote a great deal. But it is very rare for a writer to have quick success. Editor of journal says that the one thing he sees the common trait to successful writers is that they are willing to pay a price. How much are you willing to give to be a successful writer? Is it for your posterity? Devote energy to the gospel and family keep your priorities but also still do the writing. You shouldn’t depend upon your writing to give you happiness. Family and other things can give you happiness.
She doesn’t watch TV, doesn’t bowl, tennis but to achieve her glad to be a writer then you need to be willing to pay the price.
When you’re not writing, visualize your success. Think of your reasons for wanting to write.
1. Without strong characters a story can go nowhere. A good sample is “Gone with the Wind” It is a classic today because Ret and Scarlet had substance; they had feelings and motives just like real people. They had as much depth as a real person i.e.; Abraham Lincoln. Success is when friends will be thinking of the characters you create as real people.
2. You must know your characters as well as you know your family such as asking a child if they prefer rice or mashed potatoes. Look into the attitudes of your characters so well that you know how they are going to respond to a situation as well so you know a certain family member would respond to a situation.
3. To add depth to her novels she will actually write the story of the character before the book started. She wrote 70 pages on Michael Hamaliton which then gave her a better prospective of what in his past life influences the reactions of the characters in the book. You need the psychological and influences of a characters. Not just surface stuff but what motivates a character. Characters need to be customer made to fit a plot. A character that could be transposed from one world to another most likely has insufficient depth.
Watching people or a video see what their mannerisms are. Language patterns etc.
Allow your characters to grow. When she was writing a revolutionary war captain. He was in love in the country side.
Mother of man wanted to get the girl out of her son’s life. So mother got girl framed for thievery. This explanation came from an image of the writer to her character was throwing his mother’s dishes against the wall. So the author made a history of the characters. Readers will agree with what’s happening because the readers believe the motivation of why the character is doing what they do.
When you allow characters to create themselves, they will be more believable. You need to have characters stay in character. You want your reader to see the character as unpredictable yet still be within believability of the characters. Don’t let the reader learn everything about a character all in the beginning. But let the reader learn getting to know them. Let the tension build as you readers become concerned about a character and thus are interested in the outcome of the story. The choices of a character in one scene will influence the results of future scenes.
Writers need to understand the basics of human nature. Even if you don’t write all the attitudes of the character so that even your few references will make the character believable. The ice berg theory is that you show the top of the character and the reader can perceive so much more than what is said. (Attitudes could be shown in language etc.) Don’t burden your reader with unnecessary details in the story. Resist the temptation to show off your knowledge of a subject. It will show up.
Readers not just writers can give valuable input on a story. Those readers may have experience the situation your story is touching on. Then can give you info if what you’re doing is believable and if not why.
The popularity of the Christmas box is that it touched upon a very common emotion. Parent’s desire to have family now as they may not always have it. Writers can do this, the writer needs to deal common in feeling. If your character is someone that they can relate to then your story can appeal to many.
By using vague descriptions it permits the reader to more relate to the character and readers can put themselves into the story more than a Barbie doll. When providing less detail that is in long descriptions but the writer must connect to a reader’s imagination through sensory stimuli.
Bad people don’t set out to be bad people. They see themselves as good. Grey is believable Villains have virtues and heroes have faults.

Please feel free to give additional suggestions on this topic. Share your comments on the comment section of the blog/site. Thanks

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More May Be Less, hotel advice by Jean Baker (guest blogger)

Posted on October 15, 2012 by admin

When you travel, do you want it all in a hotel room? Nice room, internet, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, maybe even a kitchen? Before you book your room, check out the room amenities.

Many expensive hotels have very little in the way of room amenities and what amenities there are may be expensive. Some expensive hotels will provide a refrigerator- stocked with their drinks and snacks with no room for you to store your drinks and snacks. And don’t take anything out of that refrigerator or you will pay an exorbitant price for it. Cheaper places will usually provide at least a refrigerator, microwave and free internet. Don’t be too cheap, though, or you might as well have stayed in an expensive hotel.

I have a list of expensive hotels where I will not stay. Sheraton is one and Crowne Plaza is another. Neither place provides a refrigerator or microwave in the room and the Sheraton charges for internet. If you must have a refrigerator, one may be available on request, but you will pay extra for it. These hotels will, however, provide an iron and an ironing board, and usually a coffee maker. The Mirage in Las Vegas is also on my bad list. This hotel does not even provide so much as a coffee maker, forcing one to buy an expensive cup of Morning Joe from one of the casino restaurants.

One the other hand, mid-range hotels such as Best Western and Baymont Inn and Suites, provide refrigerators, microwaves and coffee makers; although you may have to ask for an iron and an ironing board should you need them. Free wi-fi is provided in all areas and wired internet is provided in the business centers. Days Inn is another mid-range hotel that provides a full suite of amenities, but the quality of the hotels tends to vary from place to place.

A good alternative to the traditional hotel room may be an extended stay facility or any of the “suite” hotels. Extended stay hotels such as Towne Place Suites or Extended Stay America provide mini kitchens as well as laundry services. Marriott hotels (Towne Place, Residence Inn) provide breakfast every morning and dinner four nights a week as part of the room charge. My favorite “suite” hotel is embassy suites, mostly because of the open arrangement of the rooms and the gourmet breakfast served every morning (included in room charge). All Embassy Suite hotels have an enclosed central court yard that usually contains a lounge, restaurant and some sort of pretty fountain or landscaping. The rooms are arranged around the court yard. Each room faces the court yard and the “hallway” is a balcony structure open to the court yard, giving the whole place an open, airy feel.

Next time you travel, think about what you want in a hotel room and don’t forget to check the amenities. Happy trails!

Bio: Jean has managed to engage herself as a dispatcher and a police officer before graduating from college with an MS in Geology and an English minor with an emphasis in technical writing. Jean now engages herself as a program manager for the US Army and hopes to make a smooth transition after retirement to the cozy world of speculative fiction writing.

If you have some observations or suggestions about hotels you’ve visiting either nationally or internationally or even cultural observations, please feel free to share them.

By the way, do you have an area of experience that you think would be nice to share as a guest blogger? If so, please contact me.

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Humor to teach the benefits of values

Posted on October 14, 2012 by admin

Joke: Joke: Major Technological Breakthrough

Introducing the new Bio-Optic Organized Knowledge device, trade named: BOOK

BOOK is a revolutionary breakthrough in technology: no wires, no electric circuits, no batteries, nothing to be connected or switched on. It’s so easy to use, even a child can operate it. Compact and portable, it can be used anywhere — even sitting in an armchair by the fire — yet it is powerful enough to hold as much information as a CD-ROM disc. Here’s how it works:

BOOK is constructed of sequentially numbered sheets of paper (recyclable), each capable of holding thousands of bits of information. The pages are locked together with a custom-fit device called a binder, which keeps the sheets in their correct sequence.
Opaque Paper Technology (OPT) allows manufacturers to use both sides of the sheet, doubling the information density and cutting costs. Experts are divided on the prospects for further increases in information density; for now, BOOKs with more information simply use more pages.

Each sheet is scanned optically, registering information directly into your brain. A flick of the finger takes you to the next sheet. BOOK may be taken up at any time and used merely by opening it.
Unlike other display devices, BOOK never crashes or requires rebooting, and it can even be dropped on the floor or stepped on without damage. However, it can become unusable if immersed in water for a significant period of time. The “browse” feature allows you to move instantly to any sheet and move forward or backward as you wish. Many come with an “index” feature, which pinpoints the exact location of selected information for instant retrieval.

An optional “BOOKmark” accessory allows you to open BOOK to the exact place you left it in a previous session — even if the BOOK has been closed.

BOOKmarks fit universal design standards; thus, a single BOOKmark can be used in BOOKs by various manufacturers. Conversely, numerous BOOKmarkers can be used in a single BOOK if the user wants to store numerous views at once. The number is limited only by the number of pages in the BOOK.

You can also make personal notes next to BOOK text entries with an optional programming tool, the Portable Erasable Nib Cryptic Intercommunication Language Stylus (PENCILS). Portable, durable, and affordable, BOOK is being hailed as a precursor of a new entertainment wave. Also, BOOK’s appeal seems so certain that thousands of content creators have committed to the platform and investors are reportedly flocking. Look for a flood of new titles soon.

***

I have always enjoyed this humor piece. It can teach a very valuable lesson. Today many people think Christian values are old fashioned. They choose living together over marriage. Some will use dishonesty to achieve personal gain. Others will steal possessions they did not earn. Many feel that the Ten Commandments are restricting and thus choose to not follow them.

There are many people who would disagree that the ten commands are restricting. By obeying the speed limit we are less inclined to roll over in a car crash due to excessive velocity. When we choose to be honest in our conversations we gain a reputation of trust and people are more inclined to work and establish a business relationship with someone who keeps their word.

In today’s society we may often be tempted to act in ways that are self-serving. This may be a good time for us to be reminded of why the Ten Commandments are still important. Here are just an idea each to the usefulness of the 10 commandments.

1 You shall have no other gods before me. When God is first we live our lives with an eternal perspective. We know there is life after death where we see to live with God the Father. Thus he becomes our beacon.

2 You shall not make for yourself any carved image. We may have many passions and interests and goals in our lives. But when we keep God first and family second that can influence our life decisions. It can influence the caliber of person we are or seek to become.

3 You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. When we honor someone we treat them with respect and thus we don’t want to misuse our ‘Heavenly Father’s name. Such respect can flavor other actions in our lives.

4 Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. It is always nice to recharge the physical boy and the spirit. The Sabbath gives us an opportunity to devote a full day to God.

5 Honor your father and your mother. Family relationships can be influenced by a positive interaction between parents and children, husband and wife. It begins at home and positive behavior can influence neighborhoods, towns to cities and stretch to nations.

6 You shall not murder. One cannot restore a life. Violence has short term and long term consequences.

7 You shall not commit adultery. Being faithful to commitments says much to one’s trustworthiness and how others perceive a person.

8 You shall not steal. Not stealing can not only influence how we handle another’s possession but the emotions behind stealing can also bear negative consequences. Greed may eventually become an obsession. We may lose perspective of the value of work for what we get and numerous other lingering motivations.

9 You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. When we don’t lie we don’t ruin another’s reputation. We don’t soil our own character by verbal misdeeds.

10 You shall not covet. We can be tempted for all kinds of misbehavior because we want something someone else has. Just the comparison alone can make us feel unhappy.

Please feel free to make alternative comparison of old technology such as a book and how it is still a valuable resource. And discuss the still relevant benefits of the values of the 10 commandments.

If you have another way that his joke could be implemented please feel free to post it in the comments second of this blog. Or there may be a different moral you want to use as an example. I wish success to each of us in our endeavors to keep working on living the 10 commandments.

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