Creating Is a Marathon
Courtesy of Charlie Llewellin
Thinking back on the last few months a familiar pattern emerges with regards to my writing. I have fallen back into a sprint mentality. I start with a burst of creative output but after a few weeks I am sputtering. The Accidental Creative site raised the question, what is our creative superpower and our creative kryptonite. My kryptonite is consistency. After the burst, I allow distractions to take center stage and my output flags. After much processing, I realize that creating is a marathon.
When Life Feels Like a Metaphor
I went hiking the other day. As I walked along, there were noticeable changes in the trail and my surroundings. It felt like I was walking through a metaphor.
The first path was the narrow path. At some points, the path was nothing more than an animal track. The most recent creature had been a deer sometime since the last rain. At other times, the trail became obscure and there were “paths” going in multiple directions. I had to stop and survey my surroundings and then make a choice. Several times after choosing a “path” I made the mental note that I would reevalutate my choice after walking for a few minutes.
Shouting into the Void
Over the last six years, I have had spurts of writing. I might write for a couple of weeks and eventually I stop. There are a host of reasons for this but one constant is I feel I’m shouting into the void. No matter what any artist or craftsman tells you, they want someone to appreciate their work. It may not be the motivating factor but it’s always there.
I’m not looking for fame and fortune. I write because it helps me process my ideas. It gives me clarity. But I also want to know that the things I write make a difference. Maybe I encourage someone to try something new. Perhaps I bring a smile to their face. I don’t want my words to collect dust on a shelf somewhere. I want people to interact with them; to tell me I’m off my rocker if they think so. Read more
So you Enjoy this Writing Thing?
Photo by Better Than Bacon
I read Mindy Holahan’s newest article, Becoming an Accidental Creative: Building Relationships, this morning. She discusses the need for a support group of creatives that wrestles with the same creative issues you do. Your friends and families can be supportive but they may not completely understand where you want to go creatively. Two separate incidents from the past week have reinforced the idea that I need to take more risks and find a support group that fits.
Saturday evening I was talking with an acquaintance about a story I’m working on. I was describing some of the plot and my reasons behind wanting to write it. Later I was sharing my excitement that Todd Henry had commented on my article about discipline. It was during this second exchange that she asked a question that made me stop. “So it sounds like you enjoy this writing thing?” I thought about that the rest of the evening. I do enjoy writing. So hopefully her question will spur me to find my own support group that will provide that continual encouragement. Read more
Book Review: Beyond Opinion by Ravi Zacharias
Beyond Opinion is a book about apologetics. The editors divided it into three sections. The first looks at the various questions that postmodernism, atheism, world religions and science have about Christianity. The second part looks at how we have to internalize both the questions and answers. They discuss how the Holy Spirit is the only one that brings transformation and how persecution and doubt can aid in that transformation. The final section discusses the believer’s role in apologetics.
I enjoyed this book. It didn’t focus on one-size-fits-all arguments. Some of the chapters were very accessible and others leaned toward the academic side. They clearly presented the questions people are asking and gave guidelines on how to go about preparing to answer them. I appreciated that the authors continually pointed out that you can have all the right answers but without the power of the Holy Spirit, you’ll just be a clanging cymbal. In the final chapter, Dr Zacharias made a great point. When you are talking with someone coming from a different worldview, you have to step into their mindset to understand how to talk to them, just as Paul did with the Athenians, Corinthians and the countless others he preached to.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
The Enemy in the Darkness – Part 3
The first streaks of morning caused the LT to stir. He was back in the outpost. He really hated the outpost. Wait a second. He’d fallen asleep on watch again. Anderson wasn’t sure if it was the medication or if his discipline was slipping. He’d have time later to kick himself. Hopefully the private had stayed awake.
He looked around and saw a figure slumped in the corner. “Private, what’s the time?” No response. “Hey, soldier. Wake up!” Still nothing. Anderson went to push himself up and his left arm gave out on him. He really wished his arm would heal up. he tried again with his good arm.
He made his way toward the sleeping soldier when his left foot sunk into a hole. He pitched forward and landed hard. It took a few moments for him to stop seeing stars. He had landed in some kind of muck. It was all over his arms and chest. He’d clean up in a minute. “Soldier, wake up,” yelled Anderson as he shook the soldier by the shoulder. Chills ran down the lieutenant’s back as he flicked on his flashlight. Read more
The Enemy in the Darkness – Part 2
Two days later, the LT woke up in the field hospital. “LT Anderson, you’re awake.” Anderson’s eyes focused on a tall, lean man with broad shoulders decked in scrubs. He guessed it was the doctor on call. “You’re a tough one, I’ll give you that.” Anderson still groggy from the medication tried to form the question in his head. After a bit of mental effort he was able to get out, “What happened?”
“I believe Preston can fill in the details. Don’t move too much, you were really banged up.”
“Sir,” Preston squeaked out as he peeked his head around the shoulder of the doctor. “I’m glad you’re awake. I want to apologize sir. I had started dozing just before the attack. I’m awful sorry. I understand if you bring me up on charges.” Read more
The Enemy in the Darkness – Part 1
A ear-piercing scream cut through the silent, moonless night. LT Anderson awoke from a fitful sleep. His brain began processing. Was that his dream or was it part of reality? The two seemed to blur anymore. Even more so during the long, dark nights. Anderson continued to shake the cobwebs from his mind as he reached for his sword and helmet.
“Talbot! Status!” Corporal Talbot was one of Anderson’s best non-coms. Talbot was always doing his best to make his men laugh. But when it was time, he was all business. “All clear. All personnel accounted for, sir,” shouted the corporal. His voiced carried through the clear night air. If it weren’t for the threat lurking beyond the trenches, Anderson would have enjoyed this seemingly peaceful evening. Read more
Trying my Hand at Short Stories, Again
Most of my writing is non-fiction. I write about my experiences, my vacations, and things the Lord is teaching me. I don’t usually write fiction. One reason is it’s hard for me to come up with all the details and embellishments that make fiction engaging. Another, is I don’t usually have ideas for stories. The last time I consistently wrote fiction was the sixth grade. Read more
Mystically Wired by Ken Wilson
My struggle with this book began with the title. However, as Wilson points out, mystic simply means mystery. The author’s prolific use of science to support his ideas caused conflict for me. At times it felt more like a science lesson than a book on prayer, but Wilson points out that prayer is both spiritual and physiological. This idea had not occurred to me. Early on, Wilson discusses how rationalism and science have impaired us spiritually. I began to examine my faith to see what was cultural and what was biblical.
Several of the prayer methods mentioned I have often viewed as bordering on ritual. Upon re-examination, if implemented in the proper spirit, they can be beneficial. I still do not agree completely with Wilson, but I would recommend this book if you want to be stretched in your understanding and application of prayer.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
