Planning
Days 1–2: On the Train
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Glenwood Springs, Colorado: A Photo Journey
Creating a Style Sheet for Your Website: Questions on Editorial Style
Nowadays, anyone can create their own website. Issues of design include branding, usability, and search engine optimization. Often, though, those creating websites overlook editorial style. When editing, copyeditors create a style sheet. This defines the editorial specifications for the manuscript. Such a tool is also useful for the creation of a professional-looking website. Consider these questions for stylistic choices:
- What heading style do you want to use? Sentence case or title case (or even capitalization of every word)?
- In title case, do you capitalize the second word in a hyphenated compound?
- In a heading or after a sentence, do you capitalize the first word after a colon?
- Do you want to use the serial comma?
- Do you want to hyphenate prefixes and suffixes?
- Do you want a space before and after an em dash?
Ultimately, the choice of style belongs to the website’s creator. A style sheet is a valuable guide that allows for consistent usage of style throughout a website.
“Bear!” A Humorous Vacation Moment
The sun bakes the car as my husband and I drive a road that leads to a visitor center at the Okefenokee Swamp. A sign on the side of the road announces the presence of black bears in the park.
A squeal sounds from my lips. I love wildlife! Even more, I love photographing wildlife. I am now determined to find a bear to photograph. From a safe distance, of course.
We stop at the visitor center, look at the displays, and pick up a map. Meanwhile, I’m bouncing up and down, ready to find my bear.
Back in the car, husband driving, me in the passenger seat, I glue my gaze to the scenery. Trees draped in Spanish moss rise out of water. Water lilies float among other vegetation. Not a single pair of alligator eyes peeps out of the murky water. Bummer.
As we drive along the road, I see a flash of black through the trees. This is it! This is my moment! With gusto and confidence, I point my finger and shout, “Bear!”
Silence fills the car. Cue a strange look from my husband.
Why isn’t he more excited?
A few more splashes of black lumber behind the tree trunks.
“Amy, that’s a cow.”
Hyphenation Matters: Heteronyms in a Manuscript
Hyphenation matters in a manuscript. Word processing and design software automatically insert end-of-line word breaks. Sometimes, though, the breaks are wrong, and writers must proofread for incorrect hyphenation in their manuscripts.
Heteronyms, words with the same spellings but different pronunciations and meanings, present a challenge when they break in different spots. The wrong break can result in ambiguity and amusing moments.
Present (Pre-sent/Pres-ent)
The bridal party wanted to play games before the shower presents. The verb form raises the question, what is the animated shower presenting?
Moped (Moped/Mo-ped)
Before the moose moped, a mouse meandered onto the dirt road. In the verb form, a mouse meanders onto the dirt road before the moose decides to feel sorry for itself. In the noun form, a mouse meanders in front of a moped designed for a moose.
Crooked (Crooked/Crook-ed)
On the mountain road that crooked trees grew from the rocks. If the verb becomes an adjective, the mountain road no longer bends and the trees become gnarly and twisted.
Minute (Mi-nute/Min-ute)
Ralph rambled a rhythm at Minute Mic Night. If the break comes after the I, the microphone becomes tiny. If the break comes after the N, the performers have one minute to perform.
Resume (Re-sume/Re-su-me)
After writing resumes, Renee planned to write a riveting report. Renee is either a writer of resumes or she’s waiting for writing time to begin again.
Sake (Sake/Sa-ke)
For Sally’s sake, use fresh fruit such as pineapple. The break or lack of break tells whether Sally has a special recipe for sake or she dislikes or has allergies to other types of fruit.
Characterization and the Fruit of the Spirit
We love our characters. We give them flaws to make them relatable. We paint word pictures to show their strengths. We make them human.
Characterization roots our characters in our readers’ minds. The good news is the Bible provides us with a list of traits for our characters, the fruit of the Spirit.
Love
A character with an independent streak might accept help from others only when necessary (and sometimes not even then). Helping others becomes more of a chore than an act of love.
That same character might do chores for someone who has been injured. They raise money for a family in need. They love with their whole heart.
Joy
A character whose father dies and leaves the family in debt might keep the debt a secret. They push away offers of help from friends and family, and they work overtime to pay off the debt. They view life through a dark, gloomy tunnel without light at the end.
That same character might write down every good memory they had with their father. They pull their family together and plan a fundraiser to pay off the debt.
Peace
A character who lives on the streets because their one and only parent abandoned them might commit crimes such as stealing food while feeling guilty for such acts. They become wary of other people, especially those who offer help.
That same character might accept their lot in life and find ways to help others in the same situation. They finish their education and find full-time employment. They know God is on their side, no matter their circumstances.
Patience
A character with a sense of adventure might be impulsive, often doing things on a whim. They feel trapped when they’re in one place for too long. When trouble strikes, they run in the opposite direction rather than trying to work out the problem.
That same character might carefully plan out each adventure. They camp under the stars for a week with nothing but a book for company. When trouble strikes, they methodically think through their options.
Kindness
A character who was abused as a child might yell at people who try to help them. Their all-about-me attitude prevents them not only from asking for help but also from giving help.
That same character might befriend a child in the same situation. They become a mentor to the child and encourage the child to focus on their schoolwork.
Goodness
A character who likes to gossip might start rumors about other people to bring attention to themself. They spread secondhand information as if it’s true. They don’t admit when they’re wrong and instead blame others.
That same character might apologize for passing on information about another. They readily admit their wrongs while trying to become a better person.
Faithfulness
A character who has had their heart broken might throw themself into their work or another project. They refuse to see their friends. They feel anger toward the one who broke their heart.
That same character might throw themself into bettering their friendships. They invite their friends to their house. They make soup for a sick friend. They trust their life is not over even though a relationship has ended.
Gentleness
A character who is socially awkward might blurt out words without thinking, unintentionally hurting others. They do not seek forgiveness, simply because they feel awkward doing so.
That same character might give gifts to another person in secret. They write encouraging letters without signing them. They help out where and when needed without saying much but giving one hundred percent effort.
Self-Control
A character with a gambling problem might lie to their family and friends, keeping their problem a secret. They also lie to themself, promising they’ll quit or “one last time.” Gambling becomes their idol, and they act offended when anyone dares suggest they have a problem.
That same character might admit defeat to their family. They enroll in a rehab program and put their focus on volunteering at a homeless shelter.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…
—Galatians 5:22–23
Parts of a Scene: A Breakdown of Genesis 3
Every scene has five parts: an inciting incident, progressive complications, a crisis, a climax, and a resolution. The inciting incident disrupts the main character’s world. Progressive complications make the character’s life more difficult. The crisis asks the question, do I or don’t I? The climax is when the character takes action in regard to the crisis question. The resolution shifts the value of the story and moves the plot forward.
Consider Chapter 3 of Genesis. The serpent asks Eve questions and offers more insight about the tree (inciting incident). This changes the status quo world. Next, Eve eats of the tree and shares the fruit with her husband (complications). They then realize their nakedness, and hearing God walking in the Garden, they feel a desire to hide (more complications). The turning point complication comes when God addresses them directly. They have to choose whether or not to admit to having eaten the fruit (crisis). They admit it through the blame game (climax). God then tells them the consequences of their actions (resolution). In this case, the value shifts in a negative direction from life toward death.
Inciting Incident
“Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (verse 1)
Progressive Complications
- The serpent tells Eve she will not die but will have more knowledge.
- Eve shares the fruit with her husband, Adam, and he too partakes.
- They realize their nakedness.
- They hear God walking in the Garden and hide.
- God asks, “Where are you?” (verse 9)
- Gods asks Adam, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” (verse 11)
- God asks Eve, “What is this you have done?” (verse 13)
Crisis
Do I admit to eating from the tree or not?
Climax
- Adam blames Eve.
- Eve blames the serpent.
Resolution
- God curses the serpent.
- God brings about pain in childbearing.
- God curses the ground.
- God brings about death.
- God makes Adam and Eve clothing.
- God banishes Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden.
Publication: God’s Plan or the Tree in the Garden of Eden?
Publication—it’s a dream for every writer, whether a magazine article, a novel, a poem, or a short story. It says I have succeeded as a writer. It says I have accomplished a lifelong dream. It says someone wants to read my writing.
As Christian writers, we know God has set forth a plan for us.
Sometimes, though, the mirage-like goal becomes like the tree in the Garden of Eden—a sparkling temptation. We want to know the future of our writing, so we submit when a piece is not ready. We put in more hours at the expense of family time. We forget to pray about our writing.
When I pray for my writing, I find more focus. While I cannot know the outcome of my writing, I write with joy because God designed me with a passion to write. The destination for my writing, I leave in God’s hands.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
—Jeremiah 29:11
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate.
—Genesis 3:6
Watching the Eagles: An Adventure Along the Mississippi River
A crisp wind blows across the Mississippi River in Clarksville, Missouri. Remnants of snow cover the ground. Chunks of ice float in the river. People walk along the sidewalk in the riverside park, their gazes toward the water. Photographers view the surroundings through super telephoto lenses.
Though the winter has brought about temperatures cold enough to freeze the Mississippi River in places, the lock and dam churns the water with enough force to break up the ice.
Despite the cold, I do not slip on my gloves or bury my hands in my pockets. Instead, I grasp the camera hanging around my neck, ready to capture a moment.
Hundreds of eagles perch in the trees across the river. Some stretch their wings, circling overhead. Others swoop down toward the water to scoop up fish in their talons, only to have to fight off another eagle. Sometimes they fly away with their catch; other times the fish falls back into the river.
This scene from our annual trip to watch the eagles reminds me of God’s provision. He has provided a spot on the river for the eagles to feast during the winter. For certain, I don’t need a super telephoto lens to see God’s provision. It’s on display in nature, ready to be seen.
Does the eagle soar at your command and build its nest on high?
—Job 39:27
Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food?
—Job 38:41
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
—Isaiah 40:31
As Far as the East Is From the West: A Train Adventure
The train rumbled along a stretch of track heading north from Fargo to Grand Forks, North Dakota. The overhead lights were turned down low and the train car quiet. My husband and I were headed to Montana for a mission trip sponsored by our church.
My eyes fell shut, but after endless shifting to find a comfortable position, I could not fall back asleep. The coach seats and my tall frame didn’t afford me the luxury of more sleep.
(The silver lining: Train seats afford much more legroom than airplane seats, so at least I wasn’t shoved into a tiny space, knees crunched to my chest!)
So, at last, at four in the morning, I stared out the window and saw flashes of lightning on the horizon. I decided to escape to the lounge care.
My only obstacle: passing by my sleeping husband without waking him. Did I crawl under or over his legs? Either way I risked jarring him awake. Over his legs seemed the more dangerous option because I could easily (and probably would) tumble over (or kick or elbow) him, so I crawled into the aisle (without jarring him!) and walked to the lounge car with its wide windows and scenic views.
To the east, the sunrise painted a blaze of red across the horizon. To the west, lightning flashed and dark clouds brewed.
That day, I witnessed two spectacular displays of nature, both created by God. This scene makes me think of Psalm 103:12:
As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
—Psalm 103:12 (ESV)
Suffering From Writer’s Block? Take Out That Book on Writing You’ve Been Intending to Read
Like every writer, I have suffered from writer’s block. I have stared at the screen, willing words to come. I have grabbed a pen and a notebook, hoping a change of format might spark a new idea. I have switched projects in hopes of settling my mind. Yet when I return to the project, the words still don’t flow.
What story magic am I missing? Is the story simply not viable? Would the story be better in the Trash folder, never to be touched again?
Thankfully, I have found a writing road map in Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody. This book breaks down the story into three acts, then further into the parts of each act.
In my most recent writing project, I put my main character through many ups and downs. Act 1 morphed into Act 2 through a wonderful catalyst. (I think it’s wonderful, anyway!) Act 2 brought even more action…and then my writing stalled. Something was missing, I knew deep down.
So I cracked open Save the Cat! and realized I simply forgot that after all this turmoil, my character needed time to breathe, time to think, time to make a decision, before she went from Act 1 to Act 2. She had to react to the events.
I read on and also realized I haven’t added any B Story characters to help my character find her way. Without a B Story character, the theme has been murky and difficult to write about and my character doesn’t quite seem believable. She can’t figure everything out on her own. She needs help—and I do too.
As a writer, I need to read books about the craft of writing. I have read several and grown as a writer each time. Some I like more than others. And some, such as Save the Cat!, occupy prime space on the top of my desk, ready to be thumbed through in an instant.