Writer’s Block and Procrastination
T
he other day, my friend, Gracia, asked for tips on overcoming writer’s block and procrastination. I thought I’d share here what I told her.
Writer’s block is a tough subject. I experience it quite frequently and it’s hard to get rid of. Sometimes, the best thing is to put the project aside for a few days and not think about it. Then, come back, reread what you’ve written and the “rhythm” of the story (or paper, essay, whatever) will return.
And procrastination … ? I can offer pretty good advice on how to procrastinate. Bestselling author, Brandilyn Collins, has a sure-fire twelve-step strategy (reference: http://forensicsandfaith.blogspot.com/2010/02/sure-fire-twelve-point-strategy-to.html) on this form of art, but how to overcome it is another story. What usually helps me is making a schedule and taping it on the wall by my desk so I’ll see it every time I sit there. Then I have a visual reminder of what I need to get done each day.
These things happen to all writers and we all have our own methods. The best thing to do is figure out what works best for you.
ESTHER LOPRESTO
I am first and foremost a Scribe of the King. It is my desire to serve God through the written word. I have been creating stories since age three. I would tell them to entertain my family, but didn’t start writing them down until age eight or nine.
Since then, the need to write has been insatiable. At age nineteen, I had my first book, Where’s My Other Sock?, published by Tate Publishing. Then, I graduated from community college with a degree; not in anything writing related, but in accounting. Currently, I’m hunting for a bookkeeping job and working on several books or story ideas. In my stories, I challenge the reader’s imagination with adventures into the fantasy realm. Some stories lean towards mystery/suspense or general fiction, and I try to write for all ages. I find my inspiration from JRR Tolkien’s works and from the Randomness of everyday life.
SDG. (read more…)
Down to Earth Mystery: The Double Cousins and the Mystery of the Missing Watch
My Rating: Bucks: 
Reviewed by: Esther LoPresto
Written by: Miriam Jones Bradley
The “Double Cousins” are the children of a pair of siblings who both marry another pair of siblings. In this story, Carly and her sister Molly are the double cousins of Dorie, Max, and Chad.
All of the cousins enjoy visiting their grandparents’ ranch in Kansas during the summer. Grandpa Milton tells the kids a story about his grandfather’s brother who left Kansas in the 1800s for California. But he never returned. Grandpa challenges the kids to solve the mystery. Left with only a pocket watch, Carly and Max dive into the mystery. Questions arise even more when a homeless man, Slim, comes to work on the farm for the summer.
Packed with kid-friendly adventure and excitement, Miriam Bradley’s first mystery is fun for all ages. In the vein of the Boxcar Children series, the story contains no violence or any other kind of objectionable content, simply enjoyment and mystery. She also based the setting and some characters on her grandparents’ farm and her cousins. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series!
I had the pleasure of meeting and making a friend of Miriam at Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference. It is also a pleasure to review and help promote her book! (The author provided this book for review.)
ESTHER LOPRESTO
I am first and foremost a Scribe of the King. It is my desire to serve God through the written word. I have been creating stories since age three. I would tell them to entertain my family, but didn’t start writing them down until age eight or nine.
Since then, the need to write has been insatiable. At age nineteen, I had my first book, Where’s My Other Sock?, published by Tate Publishing. Then, I graduated from community college with a degree; not in anything writing related, but in accounting. Currently, I’m hunting for a bookkeeping job and working on several books or story ideas. In my stories, I challenge the reader’s imagination with adventures into the fantasy realm. Some stories lean towards mystery/suspense or general fiction, and I try to write for all ages. I find my inspiration from JRR Tolkien’s works and from the Randomness of everyday life.
SDG. (read more…)
Forgiveness
“You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you. (Psalm 69:5 NIV1984)
One of the amazing things about God is that He sees all the mistakes we make, yet still forgives us and loves us unconditionally. Lately, I’ve been making a lot of mistakes. Actually, it has been the same mistake over and over. Even though I beat myself up over this, God erases it.
That’s what makes salvati
on so amazing!
Sometimes just asking forgiveness doesn’t feel like enough, but through God’s grace, it is as long we’re sincere:
If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say. Would he oppose me with great power? No, he would not press charges against me. There an upright man could present his case before him, and I would be delivered forever from my judge. (Job 23:3-7 NIV1984)
ESTHER LOPRESTO
I am first and foremost a Scribe of the King. It is my desire to serve God through the written word. I have been creating stories since age three. I would tell them to entertain my family, but didn’t start writing them down until age eight or nine.
Since then, the need to write has been insatiable. At age nineteen, I had my first book, Where’s My Other Sock?, published by Tate Publishing. Then, I graduated from community college with a degree; not in anything writing related, but in accounting. Currently, I’m hunting for a bookkeeping job and working on several books or story ideas. In my stories, I challenge the reader’s imagination with adventures into the fantasy realm. Some stories lean towards mystery/suspense or general fiction, and I try to write for all ages. I find my inspiration from JRR Tolkien’s works and from the Randomness of everyday life.
SDG. (read more…)
Atmosphere
Unless you count band performances and going to the orchestra, I went to my first concert last night. Now that I know what I’ve been missing, I wonder why I never wanted to go to one before and what made me want to go to this one. I was amazed by the atmosphere at Chris Tomlin’s concert in Baltimore. People were polite and friendly. There was none of that pushing and shoving that one would expect at such an event.
But when the music started, the atmosphere changed. I don’t have the words to describe the awesome way God met us in that arena. All I know is that it was powerful … and real.
Those of you who know me know that I am very quiet and reserved. Well, you wouldn’t have recognized me last night. I lost myself in the atmosphere. I have never had a worship experience like that before; singing and dancing like nobody’s watching for an audience of One. I had a great time.
But this morning at church, there was none of that type of atmosphere. There seemed to be an apathetic attitude throughout the congregation. I don’t understand what caused the atmosphere to change. Of course, it was a new day and a different place and different people, but God is still the same and He comes wherever His people are gathered.
Last night, I shut my eyes and danced with everyone else not caring who was watching or what they thought. Why is it that I could do that in a room full of strangers, but not in church? Why do we care who’s watching? Why should it matter what others think?
The atmosphere may change, but God never changes and neither should the way we worship Him.
ESTHER LOPRESTO
I am first and foremost a Scribe of the King. It is my desire to serve God through the written word. I have been creating stories since age three. I would tell them to entertain my family, but didn’t start writing them down until age eight or nine.
Since then, the need to write has been insatiable. At age nineteen, I had my first book, Where’s My Other Sock?, published by Tate Publishing. Then, I graduated from community college with a degree; not in anything writing related, but in accounting. Currently, I’m hunting for a bookkeeping job and working on several books or story ideas. In my stories, I challenge the reader’s imagination with adventures into the fantasy realm. Some stories lean towards mystery/suspense or general fiction, and I try to write for all ages. I find my inspiration from JRR Tolkien’s works and from the Randomness of everyday life.
SDG. (read more…)
Book Review – “The Witness” by Josh McDowell
International Adventure: “The Witness” by Josh McDowell
(2 July 2010; 192 words)
Marwan Accad, a security agent, is the only witness to Rafeeq Ramsey’s murder. After some investigation, he becomes the prime suspect in the murder. Marwan goes on the run in a chase covering both sides of the Mediterranean. From Monte Carlo to Casablanca to Cairo, he relies on his brother Ramy and his friend Kadeen to keep him hidden from French Inspectors Goddard and Lemieux. Along the way, Marwan has to use false identities and he meets Dalia Nour who sends him into a whirlwind romance.
The descriptions in this book are excellent and the action is amazing! From page one, the reader is thrown into Marwan’s race to clear his name. Obviously, there’s a lot of violence involved, but it’s not graphic. There are also minor drug and alcohol references.
When it comes to Marwan and Dalia’s romance, again, nothing is graphic, but there is innuendo. The only thing I found odd about the book was some similar character names: Ramsey (the murder victim) and Ramy (Marwan’s brother); Colette (Goddard’s partner) and Claudette (Ramsey’s wife).
Overall, a great read if you love action and adventure!
(Tyndale House Publishers provided this book for review.)
ESTHER LOPRESTO
I am first and foremost a Scribe of the King. It is my desire to serve God through the written word. I have been creating stories since age three. I would tell them to entertain my family, but didn’t start writing them down until age eight or nine.
Since then, the need to write has been insatiable. At age nineteen, I had my first book, Where’s My Other Sock?, published by Tate Publishing. Then, I graduated from community college with a degree; not in anything writing related, but in accounting. Currently, I’m hunting for a bookkeeping job and working on several books or story ideas. In my stories, I challenge the reader’s imagination with adventures into the fantasy realm. Some stories lean towards mystery/suspense or general fiction, and I try to write for all ages. I find my inspiration from JRR Tolkien’s works and from the Randomness of everyday life.
SDG. (read more…)
On This Day
“This is the year of the favor of the Lord. This is the day of the vengeance of our God .”
I was about 7 or 8 years old when I first heard this song based on Isaiah 61. I was far too young to understand these two lines, but I think I have a little bit better understanding now.
This day everything changed for our country; January 20, 2009 when President Obama’s inauguration.
A leader should not be chosen for how he looks or whether he says the right words. He should be chosen for his morals and intention to do the right thing in his position. The new president was elected because of his popularity. The people and the media have gone crazy over him and the attention can be equated to idol worship. Only One deserves worship and He is not a mere man.
He proclaims “change” and “hope” but only time will tell if he can deliver. Perhaps it’s my pessimistic nature, but I highly doubt he will fulfill all his promises. He is going to allow girls of any age to murder their unborn, unwanted child without consent and at any stage of pregnancy. He will give a man the choice to marry a woman or another man. He claims he will lower taxes and fix the economy.
But now I refer back to the two lines at the top. I believe God will use this change in the nation to bring about a change in the Kingdom. I can’t even begin to speculate what He may do, but I will watch and pray.
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion–to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” (Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV)
On this day, I will shine my light in the darkness.
ESTHER LOPRESTO
I am first and foremost a Scribe of the King. It is my desire to serve God through the written word. I have been creating stories since age three. I would tell them to entertain my family, but didn’t start writing them down until age eight or nine.
Since then, the need to write has been insatiable. At age nineteen, I had my first book, Where’s My Other Sock?, published by Tate Publishing. Then, I graduated from community college with a degree; not in anything writing related, but in accounting. Currently, I’m hunting for a bookkeeping job and working on several books or story ideas. In my stories, I challenge the reader’s imagination with adventures into the fantasy realm. Some stories lean towards mystery/suspense or general fiction, and I try to write for all ages. I find my inspiration from JRR Tolkien’s works and from the Randomness of everyday life.
SDG. (read more…)
A Rainy Day
I don’t understand people on rainy days.
Why do they drive faster when it’s raining? As if the roads aren’t dangerous enough when the ground is dry, they choose to take a risk with wet roads. And then, they run from car to store, from store to car as if the rain will melt them like the Wicked Witch of the West. Why? Rain is refreshing, not disastrous. I actually like to stand outside in the rain for no reason other than to be rained on.
Then there’s the attitude of the rainy day. People mope around like rain is the worst thing that ever happened to them. I do not understand this attitude. Rainy days are absolutely awesome. Especially if there’s thunder and lightning involved. It’s a natural cleansing of the earth. People should rejoice in the fact that the earth is being refreshed. The same way we need water in order to survive, so does the planet on which we live. And the reward of this lovely rain is the beauty of nature; flowers, trees, grass, all manner of foliage need rain to survive. Rain means renewal.
Therefore, enjoy rainy days and thank God for the refreshing.
“Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” (Genesis 9:16 NIV)
ESTHER LOPRESTO
I am first and foremost a Scribe of the King. It is my desire to serve God through the written word. I have been creating stories since age three. I would tell them to entertain my family, but didn’t start writing them down until age eight or nine.
Since then, the need to write has been insatiable. At age nineteen, I had my first book, Where’s My Other Sock?, published by Tate Publishing. Then, I graduated from community college with a degree; not in anything writing related, but in accounting. Currently, I’m hunting for a bookkeeping job and working on several books or story ideas. In my stories, I challenge the reader’s imagination with adventures into the fantasy realm. Some stories lean towards mystery/suspense or general fiction, and I try to write for all ages. I find my inspiration from JRR Tolkien’s works and from the Randomness of everyday life.
SDG. (read more…)
Senseless Violence
“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14 NIV, emphasis added)
It seems these days that no one goes to sporting events to watch the game. They go hoping for some kind of violence to break out between the players. Proof of this can be heard in the background of week’s Indians/Red Sox game where pushing and shoving got out of control. The crowd in the stands cheers louder and louder as the fight goes on. While no punches were thrown, some heated words were exchanged and several players were fined or suspended.
What exactly is so entertaining about violence? Why do people find pleasure in the pain of others? Be it physical or verbal, violence is clearly an aberration from God’s Word. While it may be necessary to go to battle, to defend the cause of the righteous, unnecessary, senseless fighting has no purpose. It will serve only to hurt and upset those involved and will solve nothing.
http://tinyurl.com/MLB-Penalty
Esther LoPresto
I am first and foremost a Scribe of the King. It is my desire to serve God through the written word. I have been creating stories since age three. I would tell them to entertain my family, but didn’t start writing them down until age eight or nine. Since then, the need to write has been insatiable. At age nineteen, I had my first book, Where’s My Other Sock?, published by Tate Publishing. Then, I graduated from community college with a degree, not in anything writing related, but in accounting. Currently, I’m hunting for a bookkeeping job and working on several books or story ideas. In my stories, I challenge the reader’s imagination with adventures into the fantasy realm. Some stories lean towards mystery/suspense or general fiction, and I try to write for all ages. I find my inspiration from JRR Tolkien’s works and from the Randomness of everyday life. SDG.
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