To Read Out Loud or To Not Read . . .

By Bonnie Harris

You know what I've rediscovered this past little while, is the value of reading books out loud. Lately, I've been reading stories to my little one (particularly the scriptures) as he's playing on the floor or I'm trying to get him to sleep. I'm amazed at how my tongue slips up and I insert words that aren't really there. Phrases just come out the way I think they should and not the way they were actually written. It has really thrown me and I've really begun to appreciate the easy flow of well-written stories. Not only are they easier to read out loud, but I don't find myself tripping over my tongue as often.

So, I've taken that into account as I work on my writing. I've even found myself whispering my sentences and smile when I realize what I'm doing. It's also a great way to get out of a writing slump. Things have become a bit overwhelming (what? overwhelming this time of year? Never!) and my brain doesn't want to function when I sit down to write. More and more in the past few days, I'm turning to reading a chapter or two in order to escape, calm myself, get inspiration, and any other word you'd like to plug in right there.

Remember, part of writing is reading. So don't feel bad when a book calls you rather than your characters. Or you choose to ignore your characters and dive into a good novel. Whatever you do this holiday season, enjoy and Happy Writing or Reading, whichever it may be!

Who’s your masculine character?

I’m such a romantic and I can’t hide that when I write.  My YA novels incorporate young love; finding that first love, falling in love, really juicy G-rated stuff.  When I wrote my first novel, my male lead was Darren, the love of Winona’s life.  As I explored his character and really dove into who he was, I realized he was exactly like my husband, Derek. 

This writing process was like falling in love all over again.  By exploring Darren's personality, I was allowed into my husband's mind to read his every thought.  I was able to find his insecurities, watch him take chances and risk anything for the love of his life.  I let my imagination go wild (still G-rated, mind you).  It was like therapy. I remember working late in the night, writing and developing my plot.  More then once, I woke Derek up with a kiss and thanked him for being so wonderful. 

My husband is thoughtful, intellectual, warm and confident.  Interesting my fictional male leads seem to have these same characteristics. My male leads are always tall with naturally curly hair too.  Yep, you guessed it!

These has come up more then once.  When I read These Is My Words, I fell in love with Captain Jack Elliot, who in more ways then one was my husband.  When I first read Twilight, I fell in love with Edward Cullen, who in my eyes was so much like my husband. 

 (I'd personally like to thank my husband for fulfilling my fantasy and dressing up like Edward Cullen for Halloween.  I was a Twilight nerd, but even happier when someone suggested I was Stephenie Meyer.)

Isn’t that why reading the book is so much better then seeing the movie?  Our mind let’s us pick who we want to take the lead.  And when you're the author, writing the story is even better.

Who’s your masculine character?  Does he take on the characteristics of the man you love?  

Today is a Gift!

Wow. I can hardly believe that November is over and December has begun. I haven't even cleaned out my garden boxes yet. (I haven't unpacked all my moving boxes either, and we have now been here more than 2 years...but that's a blog for another day.) sigh.

Anyway, our daughter Micaela came home from school a  couple of days ago totally excited about a challenge from her Seminary teacher. She showed me a handout that maps reading the entire Book of Mormon in the month of December -- with Christ's appearance landing over Christmas. Micaela challenged her siblings to join her in this journey. A couple of her older sisters accepted the challenge. I decided that if my daughters, whose time is filled with cooking, cleaning, caring for babies, church callings, and school can do it, so can I.

I'm not usually keen on just reading nonstop through the scriptures. I'm a "take time to read the footnotes" kind of gal. But I had an experience earlier in November that has given me a renewed sense of gratitude for this sacred work:

"November 11, 2011 -

As I began my scripture study this morning, I found my mind wandering all over the place -- on work, on school, on home, on writing my book -- everywhere but on the scriptures. I decided I needed to start over with prayer. As I asked for the Spirit to be with me and help me focus, I found myself asking the Lord if I might sit at His feet and hear and listen to Him teach me. In our Stake Gospel study class, Kelli Ford discussed how if we had enough faith, we too could see the Savior...just like Nephi and the brother of Jared did. I am not nearly worthy of that experience, to see the Savior face-to-face, but I hope that someday that will come to pass. For now, I can feel His love and recognize his hand in all things, for all things testify of Christ. I felt the warmth of His love as I prayed and saw a picture in my mind of truly sitting at the Savior's feet and felt great peace and excitement."

I will forever remember Linda Whiting"s testimony when she told me that reading her scriptures every day was the most difficult part about knowing she would soon depart from this earth. As she read her scriptures and pondered on the words of God to us, she realized that any day she would actually be hearing His voice with her own ears and seeing His face with her own eyes and literally feeling His arms around her.

I am accepting my daughter's challenge. I feel like a kid who can't wait any longer and has to peek in the package now! The best part is that no matter how many times I open the gift of the Book of Mormon, it just keeps on giving. My scriptures are always exactly what I need when I need them.

Life is beautiful. Open your gift today!!!
hugs~

Ode To Thanksgiving Leftovers

By Melinda Carroll

The month is gone, where did you go?

Goodbye fall leaves, it's time for snow.

And with another season change,

My food I'll have to rearrange,

Oh turkey, it is time to leave,

I know it seems hard to believe,

'Tween ghosts and elves you were the bridge,

But now your scraps are in my fridge,

And going bad, I'm sad to say,

They won't last even one more day.

Out rolls and sweet potato pie,

Out mashed potatoes, my oh my,

'Cause I need room for Christmas treats,

for custard, ham and yummy sweets,

So leftovers, it's time to part,

But know you'll stay deep in my heart,

Until next year when one more time,

we meet again to feast sublime.