Happy Fourth

by Kristin Baker Przybyla

I haven't seen fireworks or really celebrated the Fourth for the past few years, either because I'd be working that night or parking downtown was impossible to find. I'm not really looking forward to dealing with the crowds today either, so I'm not sure yet if I'm going to go out. My husband will probably call me a party pooper and try to drag me out anyway.

But I still love Independence Day. I've appreciated it even more ever since 9/11. I thank our ancestors for their bravery and sacrifice so we can have the freedoms we enjoy today. I doubt they foresaw that the date of their battle for independence would become a holiday that nearly every American looks forward to--one that some just use as an excuse to party and don't appreciate as much as they should. I'm grateful for the freedom to decide what religion I want to belong to, and what I want to do with my life. I'm especially happy my kids have the same rights.

Happy Fourth, everyone.

Homeward Bound

By Wendy A. Jones

I packed my children into our minivan a couple of days ago and hit the road.

After hours and hours of driving (and countless answers to the question, "When will we get to Grandma's?"), we arrived. Safe and sound and mostly sane.

In our settling in, I had forgotten something outside in the car. When I went outside to retrieve it, the sun had just set beyond the far mountains and there was an orange glow over everything like melted butter on a cob of corn (Idaho does the best sunsets). The sprinklers were spitting out a steady rhythm and the almost-constant rustle of leaves stirring on their branches was in the air.

I took a deep breath.

It smelled like home.

I breathed in deeply once more, then turned back inside to celebrate my mother's birthday.

It's good to be home.

What's your opinion?

By Bonnie Harris

I've run across many books that have left me wondering about a particular topic. I've asked my husband his opinion and several other avid readers and have been intrigued by their responses. So now it's your turn.

*What is your opinion on Latter-Day Saint authors using curse words and talking about sex in their books?

I have to admit that sometimes the language and content really surprise me. I've gone back and forth with myself on what to do in my own writing. I see and understand both sides of the coin and have heard many authors say, 'If you're not comfortable using the real word, don't use substitutes, whether it be a made up word or just a portion of it.' I would agree with that, but at the same time . . . that's where I'm stuck.

What do you do then, if you have a character that would definitely have questionable language? See where I'm going with it? I guess I'm wondering what other people's experience is or has been with this particular subject. Happy Writing Either Way!

Things to Highlight

By Jolene Perry

One of my favorite tools in Word ever (on a mac) is Command F ( I believe it's ctrl F on a PC, but you're welcome to correct me).

This is the "find" button. (I've used this several times when I need to change a character's name)

I thought I'd share some of the things I hit Command F for -

look

stare

smile

glance

sigh

I also do a search for is/was in all forms.

Then (one at a time) I highlight them.

It's a sad, sad thing when a page or a paragraph lights up like a Christmas Tree.

I really believe that these are the subtle things that makes our manuscript look polished (aside from grammar, of course). Even after having three or four people read my MS, I still often find words that are completely over-used. No one smiles all the time, at everything, and this is still something I struggle with. But at least I'm aware.

Recognizing the problem is the first step to recovery, right? ;D

But these are my favorites, the words I overuse, and can't let go.

What are yours??

Also, a very happy announcement on my blog today... having to do with manuscripts and agents...