An Excerpt

My book, “288 Chances”, is a collection of writings that reflect some of my thoughts on everyday life and the moments that make up our day-to-day existence.  Inspired by a single word, I wrote whatever came to mind, the first thoughts that popped into my head, without thinking too hard. It was important to get my thoughts down as quickly as possible, without caring about grammar or punctuation, before the train left the station and the words escaped me and I found myself with my fingers poised over my keyboard – and nothing.  When the inspiration on seeing the word was immediate, my fingers couldn’t type fast enough!

One of the words in my book is “Unexpected”.  What first enters your mind when you see the word?  Perhaps you’ve recently experienced something unexpected, something you weren’t looking for to happen.  We would hope our unexpected is always going to be good, but as unpredictable as life is, it may not always be welcome.  I happen to think the most important thing about unexpected, good or bad, is what we learn or gain from it.

Here is an excerpt from my book.

“Life is full of unexpected.  It it wasn’t, we would all know the why, what, when and where every event in our life would take place and how it all turns out.  Unexpected events can change the very direction of our lives in an instant.  Unexpected – tragic changes us one way.  Unexpected – happy or joyous changes us in another.  The real challenge lies in how we react and respond to these unexpected moments, how we grow, change, learn or benefit from them.”



Maybe you learned something about yourself through an unexpected experience in your life.  Maybe it was good, maybe it wasn’t.  But just maybe you discovered a positive quality in yourself or perhaps an inner strength you have that you hadn’t realized was there before.  And maybe you’ll find five minutes to sit down and write about it sometime.

As I wrote in my book “Unexpected can show us things about ourselves we might not otherwise see”. 

Will you look at your next “unexpected” as misfortune or as an opportunity?

Think about it.

Thanks for visiting!

Brenda  :)

My softcover book is available for purchase now at WestBow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson, Barnesandnoble.com, Amazon.com, and other online retailers.

The Magic of Storytelling

I love animated movies.  The colors, the music, just the genius of today’s animation is mind-boggling.  I’m completely amazed at how animators can create pencil characters on a blank piece of paper and then bring them to life in stories that make us love them, fear for them, root for them and relate to them just as we would human actors.  These artists, with their mighty pens and a little computer generated technical wizardry, combine with a terrific tale to capture our attention and hold it for an entire full-length feature movie.



I came across this article on Businessinsider.com, “22 Storytelling Tips for Writers From a Pixar Storyboard Artist”, and found it fascinating.  I, as a writer, would love to know how they create this magic.  These are a few of the storytelling tips that will no doubt help any writer either begin writing or better critique their own storytelling.
 
1. “You admire a character for trying more than for their successes." - How many animated movies have us caring about and rooting for the underdog?  We empathize with and feel just as much for the character for their efforts and determination, even when they don’t come out on top.

2.  “You gotta keep in mind what’s interesting to you as an audience, not what’s fun to do as a writer. They can be very different.” - It isn’t always going to be about what we the writer wants, but more what’s going to attract and hold your reader’s attention from beginning to end.

3.  “What is your character good at, comfortable with?  Throw the polar opposite at them. Challenge them. how do they deal?” - We all eventually want to see the “happily ever after”, don’t we?  But if in the process, our characters have to face something outside their comfort zone and better yet, they overcome it in the end, we’ve told a story with both heart and substance.

4. “Come up with your ending before you figure out your middle. Seriously. Endings are hard, get yours working up front.” – I get this one.  Inspiration strikes in mysterious ways.  I have sometimes had the ending to a story all figured out from the get-go and then written my way backwards.  It’s fun!
  
For more storytelling tips, link to the complete article here.  

Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, The Incredibles.  All creative characters telling touching, teaching, entertaining stories.

“To infinity and beyond!”  Maybe that’s a testament to Pixar’s storytelling philosopy.  What’s yours?

Thanks for visiting!

Brenda  :)

A Book Review

I’m still getting used to the idea of having published this book.  The privilege of being able to share my words with others, that opportunity in itself, still seems almost surreal.  The satisfaction of having put in the time, done the research, finished the manuscript, completed the editing process, and seeing this project go from first draft to final product is reward in itself.  All of that, and simply accomplishing the goal of finishing something I started, feels really good.   

I’d like to share one of the first reviews from a reader.  I’m so appreciative of the kind words.



“288 Chances is an insightful look into the heart and mind of a wife, mother, daughter and friend.  The book is full of thoughts and situations in daily life that everyone can relate to.  In a world full of busy and complex, 288 Chances is an insightful reminder of what really matters in life.  We all experience the joys, frustrations and highs and lows in life.  It’s what we choose to do with them that defines who we are and how we approach every day.  This book is well written, from the heart and offers something for everyone”.



I’m so pleased.  And grateful.

Such an awesome, valuable, unique learning experience.  I highly recommend.

Thanks for visiting!

Brenda  :)

Writing Tips from the Pros

In this article from Huffingtonpost.com, there is a collection of quotes from some famous and very successful authors that I found so interesting.  These brilliant writers obviously mastered their craft.  We could learn a lot from them.

Writing Tips: 31 Most Invaluable Pieces Of Writing Advice From Famous Authors

“The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” – Sylvia Plath

ME - How many times do we have an idea and never follow through because we doubt our ability to create something of real importance to anyone else but ourselves?  Self-doubt stifles creativity and can ultimately convince the writer that their words won’t really matter anyway.  And that couldn’t be further from the truth.  Even if you’re writing just for yourself, your words matter.  A lot.

“No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.  No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.” – Robert Frost

ME - I wholeheartedly agree!  If we the writer don’t feel the emotion in the words we put to paper, we can’t expect the reader to.  Why do we write?  To reach out, to touch, to engage and to inspire others.  The writer has to “get it” before he can “give it”.

“I would advise anyone who aspires to a writing career that before developing his talent, he would be wise to develop a thick hide.” – Harper Lee

ME - Rejection is a fact of life for any writer.  Even the most prolific and successful writers could probably show us boxes full of polite rejection letters before something they wrote was recognized as having enough potential to actually be published.  There are many really creative, talented, insightful writers out there whose words may never be shared with anyone, let alone be published.  And that’s a darn shame.

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.” – Stephen King

ME - Many times I’ve sat at my computer, my fingers poised above the keyboard – and nothing happens.  Not right away.  Other times, if I’m genuinely inspired, I can’t type fast enough.  My brain is working faster than my fingers and I have to really concentrate not to lose that momentum.  The first draft of anything is always very rough, but the important thing is it’s a start.  And you have to start somewhere.

“Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends.  In the end it’s about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life as well.  It’s about getting up, getting well and getting over.  Getting happy, ok?” – Stephen King

I couldn’t have said it better myself. 

Does writing make you happy?  Leave a comment and share if you wish.

Thanks for visiting!

Brenda  :)

A Picture Paints 1000 Words

You already know I have a love of writing.  I also appreciate a beautiful photograph.  A picture paints 1000 words, so can words paint a picture.  For me, writing and photography, the two are intertwined.
 
Do photos speak to you?  Sometimes my writing inspiration comes from a photograph.  And the photos were extremely important in the writings I included in my new book , 288 Chances, recently published by WestBow press, a division of Thomas Nelson.  Each photo was carefully chosen to correspond with each writing.  All of the photographs, all my personal photos, have particular meaning to me, but I hope that the reader will make the connection from words to photo as well.
 
Here are three photos, two are in my book.  What word or words come to mind when you see them?  Don’t study the photo too hard, though. I find first impressions are the most honest and rewarding.







Does a picture speak louder than words?  Can words paint a picture?  I think it’s all in how you “look” at it.

If you like, leave a comment to share your impressions.

Thanks for visiting!

Brenda  :)