Fireworks and Writing

By: Rebecca Irvine

It is late and I meant to post much earlier. I guess that is how lazy vacation days go. It has been a weekend of celebrations, feasts, and swimming. We attended the Diamondbacks game on Saturday evening, but were disappointed with the slaughter (14 to 1). The only reason we stayed was for the fireworks promised at the end. And we were well rewarded for our patience. They were lovely to watch. As we sat and enjoyed the fireworks and the accompanying music my mind compared them to writing. Here are some of my thoughts:

1. The best books, like the best fireworks shows, have overlapping plots. No one likes a show where only one firework goes off at a time. Or a show that only uses one kind of firework. The best fireworks I have ever seen were over the Hudson Bay. There were fabulous boats, an amazing display of pyrotechnics, and patriotic music in the background. It was an experience I will never forget. Use varied, colorful subplots to build and enhance your writing. Your reader will appreciate the added complexity and excitement!

2. Of course, with fireworks you also have to be very careful. As a kid I had a teenage cousin who was once lighting off bottle rockets. When one seemingly turned out to be a dud he picked it up for closer inspection when BAM! It launched from his hand leaving him with a badly burned palm. Writing can be similar; never rush it. It is best to let a book sit a while and then come back to it later for editing. Even if your manuscript is begging to be published, taking your time only serves to improve it and prevent the author from getting burned altogether.

3. After the family barbecue today we had some faux fireworks for the kids to do. I was wishing for some sparklers, but all the stores sell now (at least around here) are the non-igniting variety. Although I understand the safety issues and fire dangers, the poppers were sadly lacking when stacked against simple sparklers. In terms of writing, are you using tips and tricks that sparkle and shine, or only those that snap or pop? If you are not sure, find a good alpha reader to get feedback. Have them critique your point of view, dialogue, rising action, and the climax. Have you handled it in true sparkler fashion? Or does it pale in comparison to other books they have read?

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Independence Day!

By Cecily Markland

It's great to be back among the ANWA bloggers! I've just returned from a 1600-mile road trip with my youngest daughter and fully intended to make that the topic of my first returning blog. However, while that is very much on my mind, and while that trip has given me much fodder for writing in the future...and for life in general...it's hard to ignore the calendar and the celebration of one of the most important pieces of writing in history!

As I traveled through Arizona, Nevada and Utah, making several stops along the way, it was impossible not to rejoice in the beauties of nature that this land has been blessed with and in the opportunities we have to entertain one another, to worship as we please, and to recreate in some of the most fun and relaxing ways imaginable. Even with an economy that has forced families to cut back, to move in with other extended family members and to make difficult choices about what they can do without, we are blessed far beyond the many who are in abject poverty and slavery in this world.

So much of what we have is tied directly to the document that was written by Thomas Jefferson and signed on this day in 1776. These writers, we now refer to as our "Founding Fathers," had spent many hours in collaboration and discussion before Thomas Jefferson penned the words to the Declaration of Independence, to which they affixed their signatures. This piece of writing was not a frivolous diary entry (or blog...ha!) it was a statement of their core beliefs, of the things that they were willing to stand, and to die, for! And, indeed, for this simple act, of putting their beliefs in writing, of declaring to the world what they felt in their heart and soul, each of these men suffered great tragedies. It's worth remembering, though, that they KNEW beforehand what could happen to them even before they placed their pens on the parchment and signed the document. They had the courage to do so because they knew it was right and that it was important to the future of all mankind.

These were humble men, who were willing to pledge everything they had to ensure our future and our freedoms. How can we show gratitude for their sacrifices today and in the coming weeks and months? There are many ways, of course. One suggestion would be to google the names of the signers and learn more about them. It makes for a fascinating read. (Also, I have a copy of a list put together by James Witt of some of the things these men endured. E-mail me at cecilymarkland at gmail.com if you would like me to send you a copy.)

I think it would also be appropriate and do us much good as individuals and families to kneel today and express our thankfulness for these men and their dedication and foresight.

More than that, perhaps, for us as writers, we can take our own pledge in our hearts and minds, and even on paper if we dare...to write those things that move us, those things that we know are right and that will contribute to a future filled with light and truth for our posterity and for all mankind. For me, I can't help but declare that as my right and my responsibility.

May each of you have a wonderful and safe 4th of July weekend. And, may God continue to bless and guide good men and women in helping to preserve and protect this, the greatest nation in the world.

My Summer Reading

by Joan Sowards

How does one eat an elephant?

My summer reading is a book I’ve put off for too long because I’ve always viewed it as an elephant. I’m taking it a few pages every day, and surprisingly, I’m enjoying reading it. There are a lot of things in it that I don’t understand, but I do my best. In the past, I’ve started this book numerous times, only to lose interest or get stumped by its peculiar nature, but this time, I’ve persevered and it is paying off. The book is the Old Testament.

Six months ago if you had asked me if I’ve studied the Old Testament, I’d have said yes. I have read many passages and cross-referenced, and had listened to and enjoyed Bible stories, but I’d rather have been taught the lessons than read them. Its wording seemed like cryptic seawater, not leisure reading. Our family would jokingly say, “If you can’t sleep, read Isaiah.” I confess to have used the technique several times, but actually, I now read his words wanting to know why Nephi loved the man’s writings so much. It is enlightening to learn that, time-wise, Isaiah was to Nephi what Joseph Smith is to our day. That makes more sense of Nephi’s love for this prophet.

By reading the Old Testament—I finally understand why Moses and the children of Israel wandered in the desert for forty years rather than have taken the shortcut and been done with it. I’ve finally got past the scandal of Bathsheba to see that King David was actually a very good, righteous man, and have grown to love him. Also, it is interesting that its writers used story and character development, foreshadowing, descriptive words and metaphors.

Just as one comes of age and reads the Book of Mormon to gain their own testimony of it, this is the year that church members, individually and as a whole, can gain a testimony and understanding of the Old Testament.

It is all about reading it. So, the answer to my first question is: One bite at a time.

Lesson From a Two-Year-Old

by Kari Diane Pike

The thumping of feet running across the front porch set off our ever watchful, Brittany Spaniel security alarm. As I stood to hush our trusty hound, the door flew open and the first of the visiting grandchildren greeted me with a giant hug and a huge grin. I stepped outside to greet my son and the rest of his family. By the time I reentered the house, 2 1/2 year old Gideon had already located the kitchen drawer that houses my Bosch mixer and other baking tools. The bowls had been placed on the floor and the appropriate attachments put in their place. Gideon can name all the parts and tell you what they are used for. As I entered the kitchen, he opened another cupboard and pointed at a container of flour.

"Bosch!" he said, pointing at the flour.

I laughed and said, "That's the flour. Does it go in the Bosch?"

Gideon nodded and said, "Eggs."

The light went on in my head. "Yes! Flour and eggs go in the Bosch. What about sugar?"

Gideon threw his arms in the air and did the happy dance as he yelled, "Cookies!"

A kid after my own heart--and one smart cookie!

Later, I thought about how often I underestimate the ability of children to understand the things that are happening in the grown-up world. So many times, just because they lack the ability to communicate, I forget they watch our every move. I remember the summer I spent in France trying to learn the language. I could understand a lot more than I could say. Sometimes I would pretend I didn't understand just so others would speak more freely around me. I learned a great deal by just listening.

This chain of thought led to a conversation with my son Kenny about child development and language. (I promise this all ties in together!) One of the challenges he is facing as a parent is finding good books for his children to read that not only challenge their comprehension but are still age appropriate. He has a 5 year old who has a 7th to 8th grade reading comprehension, but still loves to read about the same things other 5 year olds love to read about: super heroes, fantasy creatures, etc. He likes picture books, but the language of most picture books is very simple.

When I have to look up the definitions of words in my scholastic pursuits, I usually discover that the author uses that particular word because it is the most efficient. The use of layman terms would require a couple of sentences to replace the one word. Where do we draw the line between using more efficient "big words," and a greater variety in your vocabulary and writing for "the public?"

When we write, defining our audience is critical. We are told that when writing for the adult general public, we should write at an 8th grade level of comprehension. When writing for academia, we write on that level. Children's books have been assigned a specific level as well, but I think that we have been led down a "read/write to the lowest level" road far too long. I think there is a niche out there just begging to be filled. I realize it's not a huge niche, but it exists, nonetheless. We need more children's stories written in rich prose and accompanied by beautiful illustrations. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are encouraged to read the scriptures to our children from the day they are born, even though they obviously lack the cognitive skills necessary to understand what they are hearing. They become accustomed to the pattern of the language and as they grow and we discuss the meaning of our reading, their comprehension increases.

In a fast world filled with fast food, movies on demand, and fast moving video games, what would happen if we slowed things down by reading well-written books with our children, marveled at the imagination of both writer and illustrator, and then discussed the ideas presented in them? Little Gideon knows all about the Bosch. He sits on the kitchen counter every Sunday and helps his mom bake cookies. He can name all the basic ingredients of a cookie recipe. And he understands how it all works, even though he's only 2.