Tag: attitude

Categories
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)

You Can Do It!

I have shared before how difficult those first days after my accident were. This month I want to give more detail. Not all of my struggles were in the form of physical struggles. There are things in life that are more crippling than physical trauma.

Sure the loss of feeling on the left side of the body, loss of motor skills and inability to walk were tough to deal with. The toughest parts were more mental and cognitive. This is why most brain injury survivors must be counseled by neuropsychologists.  Life is hard enough without a disability and some days I would wonder if it was even worth it.

Being so young and so helpless was almost unbearable for me. To make matters worse, I was constantly being told by friends and family about how serious my injuries were. Even the nurses and doctors, including one of the best surgeons in the world at the time, would cautiously remind me that I was one stroke away from dying instantly.

Regardless, it was a given I would never walk again. Being young or just hardheaded, I was determined to prove everyone wrong—only to find myself falling off the toilet and eventually a bicycle. But each time I failed, my heart told me I could do it!

You Can Do It!

While I was going through rehabilitation the movie Waterboy came out and I went to see it with some friends from college. It featured a main character, Bobby Boucher, who was mentally challenged.

The premise of the movie was Bobby’s challenges kept him from doing things in life, like playing football or even getting married. However, by the end of the movie his rallying cry was, “You can do it!”

After seeing the movie, I unintentionally adopted this statement as my mantra.  As I faced each setback or trial on my road to recovery, I would remind myself that, “I could do it!”

The writing life is challenging; at times we will have to encourage ourselves just to keep going when things don’t work out how we hope or plan. When it does, we must learn to adapt and press on. Here are some other thoughts to help you remember, “You can do it.”

  1. Just because it’s hard doesn’t mean it’s not worth it.
  2. If you fall, you don’t have to stay down.
  3. Life is a marathon, not a sprint.
  4. Learn from what you’re going through or it’ll be wasted time.

Resistance!

Despite all the resistance we will face on our writing journeys, we must remember that resistance isn’t meant to stop us, only to make us stronger and better writers. During my rehabilitation, I learned that muscles I hadn’t used during my hospital stay had become weak and the only way to make them stronger was to put pressure on them. 

The same principle applies going to the gym and working out. Our muscles don’t grow unless we test them by increasing the weight to give us more resistance. While the gymnasiums are closed during this pandemic, I decided to purchase a high-end resistance band set.

I don’t want to spend these weeks and months being sedentary and letting my muscles get soft because I have become comfortable. While the economy has slowed down to a record standstill, we writers need to be flexing our writing muscles to keep the creative juices flowing. Below are a few advantages of resistance.

  • Keeps us motivated.
  • Keeps us moving.
  • Tests our strength.
  • Keeps us productive.

Writing is a mental and physical workout that requires discipline to keep growing in our creative processes. Don’t avoid the resistance because you don’t feel like doing the work.

This is why I use the hashtag #Youcandoit on social media when I post about writing. Once you learn to process the struggles of writing, it can fuel your creative process in the long run. You can do it!

Martin Johnson survived a severe car accident with a (T.B.I.) Traumatic brain injury which left him legally blind and partially paralyzed on the left side. He is an award-winning Christian screenwriter who has recently finished his first Christian nonfiction book. Martin has spent the last nine years volunteering as an ambassador and promoter for Promise Keepers ministries. While speaking to local men’s ministries he shares his testimony. He explains The Jesus Paradigm and how following Jesus changes what matters most in our lives. Martin lives in a Georgia and connects with readers at Spiritual Perspectives of Da Single Guy and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.

Categories
Devotions for Writers

Personal Directive

devotions

“Lord, what about him?”

John 21:21 (NIV)  (Read John 21:15-22)

Have you seen someone reach quick success? Maybe you’ve been writing for years and struggling to get your name out? But they come along and effortlessly get published.

It’s easy to be jealous of someone else’s success. I’ve wasted a lot of energy on the green eyed monster, and can tell you first-hand, you never win at that game. There will always be someone more qualified/talented/prettier/more popular than you. Peter questioned Jesus about John’s future in comparison to his own. Basically Jesus responded, “It’s none of your business, Peter. What is important is that you do what I’ve planned for you!”

The Lord has a specific design with you in mind. Each opportunity adds a stepping stone in the journey of self-awareness and understanding of what that design entails.

On a flight by the coastline of Georgia, I looked out the window and saw boats way down on the water. Actually, I couldn’t see the miniature vessels themselves, but I could see the white foam streamers left in their wake. I may feel miniscule, like the boats viewed from the airplane, but I can leave big waves and make a difference in the lives of others. You may not see me, but you may see where I’ve been and benefit from what I’ve done.

You, too, leave a wake behind you. God has a different plan for each of us. Don’t compare yourself to Peter or John. Do obey the Lord in what He has given you to do!

Exercise:

Do you wonder what you have to say, that someone else might want to read? Do you compare yourself with others? God has given you a writer’s voice that is uniquely you. Your assignment is from the Lord and needs to be said by you, because no one else could say it quite like you.

Have you found your voice, yet, that particular bent that affects your style of writing? A friend once commented, she knew my devotionals before seeing who wrote them. She knew my “voice.”

Pull out old journals. You’ll hear your voice, there. Read through them to appreciate how you’ve grown in wisdom and in humility toward God. Note answers to prayer and situations resolved. Stop to write down thoughts that trigger story ideas. How can you help someone who might be facing the same struggle? 

Learn from Peter, that each one has an important assignment from God!

Over 140 of Sally Ferguson’s devotionals have been published in Pathways to God (Warner Press). She’s also written for Light From The Word, Chautauqua Mirror, Just Between Us, Adult Span Curriculum, Thriving Family, Upgrade with Dawn and ezinearticles.com. Prose Contest Winner at 2017 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.

Sally loves organizing retreats and seeing relationships blossom in time away from the daily routine. Her ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat is available on Amazon. 

Sally Ferguson lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, NY with her husband and her dad.

Visit Sally’s blog at www.sallyferguson.net

Categories
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)

Able-ities

My first days in a rehabilitation hospital after my accident were some of the most difficult days of my life, but they were also full of crucial lessons to learn. Being young and full of life, I thought I knew it all—furthermore, I thought I could do it all.

No one could tell me anything and nothing could stop me well…except for myself. When I got to breakfast and saw all the other patients were senior citizens or severely disabled, some of which had food falling out of their mouths as they ate, I told myself I was better off than them and wanted to go back to my room. Then, while I ate, I noticed there was food on my pants. The food was falling out of my mouth as well, I was humbled.

As I struggled to push away from the table, a nurse returned to help me. She smiled and told me she was there for me. That was when I realized how my life had changed.

Later I had trouble relearning how to tie my shoes. The physical therapist told me it would be a lot easier if I would listen to her and let her help. I remembered when I was little and all the times my father tried to teach me something new.

He was a sergeant in the Army, yet gently encouraged me, “I want to help you do this, but you are going to have to listen to me and do as I say.” He taught me to do so much in three simple steps.

  • Focus
  • Listen
  • Learn

Little did I know that my father’s wise instruction would guide me in life even if I didn’t have the ability anymore.

Ability?

The dictionary defines ability as, “Possession of the means or skill to do something; a talent or proficiency in a particular area.” In writing, as in life, we don’t all have the same abilities. But we all have certain abilities that make us who we are.

And if we follow my father’s sage advice, we can learn from each other and gain new abilities. After my accident, I was unable to return to college to finish pursuing my degree in English.

I gave up on writing because technically I could no longer physically write. Then about nine years ago I received a packet in the mail about a professional writing program for Christians.

The state I live in gave grants for persons with brain injuries like myself and I applied for the funds for the courses and writing software that would allow me to write with speech.

I applied and was accepted into the Christian Writers Guild writing program where I was mentored by some of the best writers and editors in the business. Their knowledge and abilities would foster the abilities and stories I have.

During the course, I read what the owner of the school looked for in aspiring writers. Jerry B. Jenkins notes, “In any writer, I look for the –‘ilities’:

  1. Humility
  2. Teachability
  3. Coachability
  4. Availability
  5. Flexibility”[i]

In our writing careers, as in life, we must apply each of these “ilities” if we want to learn or gain new abilities. The best writers are always learning. They know it’s okay to ask for help and are willing to accept a helping hand.

Help?

Not long after I began taking writing classes again, a friend from church approached me about getting her books published. She told me she already knew how to write and didn’t need to learn how to share her stories.

Despite having no training as a writer and only having experience in the Army’s medical field, she was confident she had what it took to make it as a writer. Although I was still learning myself, I wanted to help my sister in the faith.

Her biggest problem was, she didn’t want my help to become a writer; she wanted a shortcut to being published. Every time she saw me, she asked if I would give her emails of the editors and writers I was learning from.

Again, I cannot express how difficult and time-consuming it is to break into the writing business. There are no shortcuts to publication, albeit self-publishing is a quicker path, it isn’t a guarantee for traditional publication.

Fear not, the writing community is more than willing to help out aspiring writers. Perhaps not the way most would-be authors desire, but the community gives nonetheless. As my first writing mentor, Roger Palms wisely shared, “Successful writers let their writing speak for itself—learn the craft.”

In writing, it takes time to:

  • Edit your work.
  • Develop your voice.
  • Know your message.

Furthermore, as I’ve learned from being disabled, possessing the right “ilities” makes it easier to learn new abilities.

[i] Jenkins, J. B. (2006) Writing For The Soul. Cincinnati, Ohio: Writer’s Digest Books. Pg 105.

Martin Johnson survived a severe car accident with a (T.B.I.) Traumatic brain injury which left him legally blind and partially paralyzed on the left side. He is an award-winning Christian screenwriter who has recently finished his first Christian nonfiction book. Martin has spent the last nine years volunteering as an ambassador and promoter for Promise Keepers ministries. While speaking to local men’s ministries he shares his testimony. He explains The Jesus Paradigm and how following Jesus changes what matters most in our lives. Martin lives in a Georgia and connects with readers at Spiritual Perspectives of Da Single Guy and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.

Categories
The Intentional Writer

Are You a Intentional Writer?

The intentional writer

Lots of people aspire to be writers. Not so many do the work to become one. The fact that you are visiting a writing website means you are serious enough to do something about your writing dream.

Good for you! Keep it up.

Writing, like any creative endeavor, can be a lonely, frustrating struggle. To move from daydreaming about being a writer to actually becoming one, you and I need to be intentional about what we do and why we do it.

Intentional: done with intention or on purpose; intended; deliberate

An intentional writer approaches writing with purpose

  • They know who they are in Christ.
  • They know writing is part of their calling .
  • They understand that they have a unique message and a unique voice—no matter how mundane the content or unglamorous the genre.
  • They ponder why they write and who they write for.
  • They choose to be courageous about putting their experiences and life-passions into words and then sharing those words with others.
  • They are wise stewards of their writing abilities, always learning, improving, and seeking new ways to share their words.

An intentional writer makes deliberate choices about things like:

  • Attitudes
  • Habits
  • Writing goals
  • How to spend their writing time
  • How they talk about themselves and their work
  • Every element of their craft, from overall theme to individual word choice.
  • When to follow the rules and when to break them
  • Pursuing critique partners who give helpful (and sometimes painful) feedback

An intentional writer knows success is not measured in dollars, fame, or total pages published.

  • They understand the ultimate goal of writing to honor God, whether that means writing an entertaining romance or a thought-provoking theology book.
  • They trust God to use their efforts to challenge, encourage, or otherwise touch people, wherever, whenever, and however he chooses.
  • They are generous with their writing and their knowledge, eager to encourage fellow writers.

Please don’t think this intentional stuff is way too serious for you.

Every aspiring writer can become an intentional writer. All it takes is a decision to be intentional about the how, why and what of your writing.

What one small step can you take to be more intentional about your writing today?

Lisa E. Betz believes that everyone has a story to tell the world. She loves to encourage fellow writers to be intentional about their craft and courageous in sharing their words with others. Lisa shares her words through dramas, Bible studies, historical mysteries, and her blog about intentional living. You can find her on Facebook  LisaEBetzWriter and Twitter @LisaEBetz

Categories
Guest Posts

Word Play: Life Lessons from One Tough Cookie by Diana Derringer

“Will you please teach me a new slang expression and what it means every day?” Little did I know where that simple request would lead.

As a friendship family to international university students, I became the unofficial interpreter for my husband’s frequent use of slang, idioms, and other unusual expressions. When students asked “How are you,” he responded, “Hunky dory” or “Fit as a fiddle.” When they said, “Goodbye,” he replied, “Toodle-oo.” For them, he often spoke his own foreign language.

A student from Taiwan made her request for slang lessons during one of our daily walks. As we began exploring those often-confusing expressions, an idea slowly formed. Why not combine my writing and international outreach with a hearty dose of fun?

Thus began Words, Wit, and Wisdom: Life Lessons from English Expressions. Once a week I explain a new expression, frequently suggested by a reader. I keep blog posts short, simple, and easy to read.

My primary audience remains people with English as a second language. However, many followers, who speak English as their primary language, enjoy the word play and devotional respite.

The wisdom I find in many expressions applies to the writing life as well. For example, my husband taught me the importance of becoming a tough cookie. The way he handles hard times amazes me.

A tough cookie has often experienced a hard life.

My husband has suffered:

  • A malignant brain tumor (In 2004, he was expected to live three to five years.)
  • A heart attack, stroke, and fall that resulted in a severe brain injury (In 2009, all three happened the same day. He was not expected to live 24 hours.)

As a writer, I dread rejections (or worse, no response at all). However, in the grander scheme of things, those are not a problem. I can revise and submit elsewhere.

A tough cookie is a strong person. 

My husband refuses to give up in spite of health problems. He:

  • Almost never complains
  • Rarely gets discouraged
  • Fears little
  • Refuses to accept defeat

When I grow weary, ready to throw in the towel, I remember God called me to write. I can do this, not in my own strength but in God’s.

A tough cookie decides to make the most of life.

My husband would prefer to be healthy and able to work. However, he chooses not to be a worry wart. Instead, he enjoys what he can.

I also choose whether to make the most of each day, in spite of less-than-ideal circumstances. God can take my life and my circumstances to create opportunities I could never imagine.

A tough cookie is not perfect.

No one is. Life’s not perfect. However, like all of us, my husband has a choice: complain or do the best he can. He says what happened to him is just the way the cookie crumbles. Therefore, he makes the best of life.

Although I organize, set goals, and take notes, life seldom follows my well-laid plans. Like my husband, I learn to cross each day’s bridge as I get to it.

Why not join me? Enjoy and allow God to direct your word play. Remain a tough cookie. Who knows where that may lead or what you may discover?

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances (Philippians 4:11 NIV)

Diana Derringer is an award-winning writer and author of Beyond Bethlehem and Calvary: 12 Dramas for Christmas, Easter, and More! Hundreds of her articles, devotions, dramas, planning guides, Bible studies, and poems appear in 40-plus publications, including The Upper Room, The Christian Communicator, Clubhouse, Kentucky Monthly, Seek, and Missions Mosaic, plus several anthologies. She also writes radio drama for Christ to the World Ministries. Her adventures as a social worker, adjunct professor, youth Sunday school teacher, and friendship family for international university students supply a constant flow of writing ideas. Visit her at dianaderringer.com.

Categories
Talking Character

Give Your Character Attitude

Dig deep and you’ll find attitude, and when you find attitude, you find voice. ~ James Scott Bell in Voice: The Secret Power of Great Writing.

What kind of attitude does your main character display? Do her words drip with sarcasm? Is his inner monologue colored by his bleak outlook? If your character doesn’t ooze attitude, maybe you need to dig a little deeper.

These simple exercises will help you dig deep and explore your character’s attitude.

One-word lists

Make a list of ten or so words that your character would use to answer questions such as:

  • What are you most afraid of?
  • What keeps you up at night?
  • What are the dreams you are afraid to tell anyone about?
  • What makes your blood boil?
  • What turns you into a puddle of mush?

The more intrusive the questions, the better the results. You are trying to force your characters to reveal their deepest feelings, which will color their attitudes.

Connect the dots

Choose a random word from one of the above lists. Free-write about that word from your character’s POV. After a few minutes, randomly choose another word and connect it to what you’ve been writing. Write for a few minutes and then select another word and connect that to what has come before. Keep going as long as you like. Did you discover any interesting connections that surprised you? Did the combination of words take you down a path you would never have thought of? Did you unearth any gems of attitude that make your character more complex or in-your-face?

Do the unexpected

Imagine your character in a typical setting. Now, imagine they do something destructive, like smash an expensive vase, kick the dog, or set a building on fire. Brainstorm what might motivate the character to do such a thing. Keep digging until you discover something that resonates. How can you tap into this deep well of passion in the pages of your novel?

The autobiography

Imagine your character as an older person, twenty, or perhaps fifty years in the future. Put them in a situation where they are compelled to relate their past to someone. When the character remembers the incidents in your novel, how would he talk about them? What would he mention, and what would he rather not think about? What attitudes and revelations would hindsight have given him? How can this exercise inform his character arc?

Mood music

Choose a piece of music that has a distinct mood (romantic, suspenseful, victorious, jubilant). Instrumental music works best. I suggest pieces from sound tracks—especially from movies you haven’t seen recently. While listening to the music, free-write from the POV of your character. Try a journal entry, or plunk the character into a situation from the story and let them react however they like. The more they ramble about their feelings, the better. Now switch to a different piece of music and try again.

This exercise may be particularly useful if you are struggling to understand their reactions to a specific situation. Identify the emotion of the scene and listen to music that captures that mood. The emotions in the music might pull new emotion from the character.

In conclusion, the more attitude your characters exhibit, the more memorable they will be. A writer should not be a good parent, gently instructing our characters to be on their best behavior. Instead, we should prod our characters into letting their attitudes shine for all to see—rude comments and all.

[bctt tweet=”Does your character ooze attitude? #writer #attitude” username=””]

[bctt tweet=”Dig deep and you’ll find attitude, and when you find attitude, you find voice. James Scott Bell #quote” username=””]

[bctt tweet=”Five simple exercises to explore character attitude. #writetips #amwriting” username=””]

Categories
Truth Be Told

Sober Judgment

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment. Romans 12:3

I love to watch people. Airports provide ample to feed my odd obsession.

passenger-silhouettes-at-airport

Recently on a cross country flight I observed people who travel a lot get preferential treatment. They get to board early and have first dibs on the best seats. Traveling many miles can earn you free tickets, or even the privilege of sitting up front in First Class.

I maybe travel twice a year. Usually it’s to fly to visit my mom in Arizona. I’ve never been in first class. I usually get stuck in the middle seat.

Contrary to what you might be thinking, I do not begrudge frequent flyers their perks. I might envy their obvious confidence while I stress over details they obviously take for granted. Maybe when I grow up…

Truth be told, there is something that does bug me. The arrogant attitude of those who look down on those of us stuck in Zone 2, 3, or 4. They roll past us with their fancy luggage, expecting us to part before them like the Red Sea.

As I sat there watching and waiting, I couldn’t help but think about a recent sermon I preached on this very topic. Part of me wished I had considered this image, but then I felt the Spirit nudge.

plank-n-speck

Before I decide to get all judgmental, I should probably check for the log in my own eye. Their condescension and arrogance is not a license for me to feel better about my simplicity and humility.

Thinking that made me chuckle out loud. I couldn’t help but remember how irritating it was when one of my children would misbehave and the other would get all cute and be sure to inform me how much better they were acting.

I was doing the same thing, and it didn’t feel good.

I picked up my phone and texted my husband: I think next time I travel I’m going to wear my covering.

FullSizeRender

I am the pastor of a Church of the Brethren. Many of the women still wear a head covering, primarily at Love Feast. I wear mine whenever I lead in worship in recognition of whose authority I am under. (Mine isn’t traditional. It was made for me by a dear friend.)

Sitting in the airport I began to wonder if I needed to be more aware that I am under that same authority whether I am preaching or not.

The answer was and is a resounding: Yes!

To think of myself “with sober judgment” results in seeing me the way God sees me. I am fearfully and wonderfully made, but that isn’t reason to gloat—all His creatures and creation can claim the same thing.

So whether I’m in the back or the front of the plane, bus, church, or line at Walmart, I need to be sure I’m not thinking I’m better than anyone…or worse.

 

How about you? Any planks or arrogance cluttering up your judgment? Perhaps it’s time to sober up.