Check out www.christiandevotions.us
authors
deena bouknight
latest - October 24, 2011
As a challenge, describe your church on Sunday morning - conveying the reverence you feel when you enter its doors. I want to be there when I'm reading about it. Send to me: dknight865@aol.com
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
"Writers are Made, Not Born"
Not sure where this quote came from, but it's so true. Even though a writer can be gifted with a God-given talent, it is one of those skills that must be continually fine-tuned. I tell my students that even though I've been writing essentially my whole life, from myriad of journals, short stories, and diaries I kept as a child to the thousands of articles I've written for publications and books, I still must hone my craft. I must have a teachable spirit and not take it personally when there are mistakes that need to be edited or rewrites that I must undertake. In order for any of us to improve as writers, we need to be writing a wide variety of things. If students only do key word outlines and rewrite paragraphs that have already been written, they will not be able to tackle various other assignments and situations that come along. Try writing an opinion to an editorial, a detailed letter, an elaborate tale, a journalistic style article, a blog, a short fictional story, entries in a journal, a Bible study, and a speech. There are endless ways to stretch and flex the writing mind. My hope is that as an aging woman, I will continue to feel that my writing can always be improved upon. Write on!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Out Loud
At my first job as a magazine editor, this wise, seasoned, senior editor came in and said, "Before you ever turn any articles into me, I want you to read them out loud to yourself." That was the best piece of advice I ever gleaned during college or have received during my 30-year career. That sage woman just passed this year; she was still editing copy in her 80s and still offering advice to young writers. I not only continue to heed her instruction, but share it with others as it has proven invaluable. It is such a simple task: Read Out Loud. Yet, by doing this we "hear" the mistakes we make in our writing. This doesn't happen when we read silently to ourselves. We "hear" when we are not transitioning from one sentence to another or one paragraph to another; when we repeat words too often; when we fail to creatively open sentences; when our sentences have no flow; or when we travel down unintended roads. Read out loud in private - or, better yet, read out loud to family members and friends willing to help you "hear" issues that need to be addressed.
At a recent summer writing camp for a group of inner-city children that I tutor during the school year, we practiced the art of reading out loud. They marveled at the words they had carefully strung together, and they took pride in reading their final versions out loud for all others present to hear. I tell my students at home and elsewhere, like my first editor did, that they are not to turn anything into me until they read it out loud. Hearing your written words means you will hone your written words.
A 17-year-old girl I have the privilege of mentoring, Johnetta Jenkins, spoke these words out loud at the close of this school year:
"I'm a woman in God's creation.
I'm a woman who has built a reputation.
Because I know God has the world in His hands,
I know He has a master plan.
I'm a strong woman who has fought for victory,
And I want to thank everyone who believes in me."
(Excerpt from "I'm a Woman" - June, 2011)
At a recent summer writing camp for a group of inner-city children that I tutor during the school year, we practiced the art of reading out loud. They marveled at the words they had carefully strung together, and they took pride in reading their final versions out loud for all others present to hear. I tell my students at home and elsewhere, like my first editor did, that they are not to turn anything into me until they read it out loud. Hearing your written words means you will hone your written words.
A 17-year-old girl I have the privilege of mentoring, Johnetta Jenkins, spoke these words out loud at the close of this school year:
"I'm a woman in God's creation.
I'm a woman who has built a reputation.
Because I know God has the world in His hands,
I know He has a master plan.
I'm a strong woman who has fought for victory,
And I want to thank everyone who believes in me."
(Excerpt from "I'm a Woman" - June, 2011)
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Mix It Up
Unfortunately, we all fall into a trap of just doing whatever is easiest - especially when it comes to writing. The easiest path, however, is not always the most interesting. Yesterday, I had some students interview one another answering the who, what, when, where, how, and why of journalistic style writing. Their assignment is to write an interesting profile story - beginning the piece with the most intriguing aspect of their subject's life and then filling in with the person's history, likes, dislikes, goals, etc. So tempting it is to begin each sentence with Jane Doe was born in ... Jane Doe enjoys ... Jane Doe detests ... YAWN! This type of writing quickly loses the reading audience. Remember to be a good "host" as a writer so your "guests" will enjoy what they are reading. Mix it up. Yes. Challenge yourself to start each sentence with a different technique. Try an adverb opener: Interestingly, Jane Doe was born on the same day as ... Throw in a prepositional opener: Upon completion of her junior year, Jane Doe ... Try a word that ends with an "ing" or "ed": Jumping in wholeheartedly, Jane Doe tackled ... Try a clausal opener: "Because her father was in the military, Jane Doe ..." Words to avoid at the beginning of sentences are AND, BUT, THEN, and SO - unless absolutely necessary. Take a look at your stories, articles, essays. If you are using the same words over and over again to start your sentences, go back and look for ways to mix it up.
"... whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ." Philippians 3:7
I recently edited a newly published book, called Junk, written by Mitch Smith, of Columbia. It's available on http://www.lulu.com/. Here's a synopsis:
JUNK brings truth, humor, and reality to the idea that in order to get the most out of life and achieve success tomorrow, we must begin removing the junk in our lives today. From two real life personal stories, woven into research and a personal perspective, Mitch D. Smith enables you to see how eliminating junk in our lives brings clarity, freedom, and happiness. Out-of-control spending is absolutely killing American families who are trying to keep up with the neighbor next door. "We’re spending money we don’t have on stuff we don’t need to impress people we don’t even know or like! It’s ridiculous! In Junk, Mitch Smith cuts a path through the clutter and shows us how to clean up—and throw out—the junk that’s holding us back." —Dave Ramsey, host of The Dave Ramsey Show and best-selling author of The Total Money Makeover
"... whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ." Philippians 3:7
I recently edited a newly published book, called Junk, written by Mitch Smith, of Columbia. It's available on http://www.lulu.com/. Here's a synopsis:
JUNK brings truth, humor, and reality to the idea that in order to get the most out of life and achieve success tomorrow, we must begin removing the junk in our lives today. From two real life personal stories, woven into research and a personal perspective, Mitch D. Smith enables you to see how eliminating junk in our lives brings clarity, freedom, and happiness. Out-of-control spending is absolutely killing American families who are trying to keep up with the neighbor next door. "We’re spending money we don’t have on stuff we don’t need to impress people we don’t even know or like! It’s ridiculous! In Junk, Mitch Smith cuts a path through the clutter and shows us how to clean up—and throw out—the junk that’s holding us back." —Dave Ramsey, host of The Dave Ramsey Show and best-selling author of The Total Money Makeover
Monday, January 24, 2011
Encouragement: When Only God Sees
One of the truths that our family tries to live by daily, especially where homeschooling is concerned, is "Do everything for the glory of God." That means everything. My children (students) may feel like they read, tackle tough algebraic problems, and write for no other reason than to check it off their schedules. I may struggle through writing an article that I feel no one may read or be impacted by. However, we must continually remind ourselves that God sees - and that we need to do our very best in all aspects of our daily lives, no matter how mundane the tasks seem to us.
Today I was fortunate enough to be included as a writer for a national devotions site: www.christiandevotions.com. I hope it encourages you today and in your daily walk - be it with writing or whatever else you might struggle with. The featured piece is below:
When Only God Sees
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalms 139:15-16
Unexpectedly, a woman who has been a thorn in my side for several years, approached me with a gift—a book titled, When Only God Sees. I was astonished with her gesture since she has complained about my teaching style and the style of other teachers as well. She handed me the book and said she wanted me to know “He sees” and that she really does appreciate what I do. This gesture of kindness spoke volumes about what she thought of me as a teacher. It humbled me regarding my attitude toward her.
When Only God Sees is the story of a woman who feels like no one can see her efforts as a wife and mother. She feels ignored and unappreciated. A friend who returns from Europe, gives her a book about cathedrals. She is irritated at first, thinking her friend should realize it will make her long for far away places. When she begins reading it, she learns that most of the cathedral builders were never known, nor did they live to see their cathedrals completed.
There is a story of a monk who carves an intricate bird into a beam he knows will be hidden behind the walls. When someone asks him why he spent so much time on something no one would see, he answers, “God sees.”
God sees everything we are doing – no matter what time of day or night. He hears what we say during the course of the day and how we love our children and spouses. He sees our struggles and triumphs. We’re building cathedrals here on earth in the work we do and the families we raise, and that’s storing up even greater treasures in heaven. We’ll probably never see our earthly cathedrals finished, but what we do now makes a difference. And He sees.
Remember that in whatever we do, we are to do the best we can for His glory. Live transparently, because He sees.
QUOTE: A reader encouraged by this devotion offered this: "In the depth of winter I found within me an invincible summer!"
Today I was fortunate enough to be included as a writer for a national devotions site: www.christiandevotions.com. I hope it encourages you today and in your daily walk - be it with writing or whatever else you might struggle with. The featured piece is below:
When Only God Sees
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalms 139:15-16
Unexpectedly, a woman who has been a thorn in my side for several years, approached me with a gift—a book titled, When Only God Sees. I was astonished with her gesture since she has complained about my teaching style and the style of other teachers as well. She handed me the book and said she wanted me to know “He sees” and that she really does appreciate what I do. This gesture of kindness spoke volumes about what she thought of me as a teacher. It humbled me regarding my attitude toward her.
When Only God Sees is the story of a woman who feels like no one can see her efforts as a wife and mother. She feels ignored and unappreciated. A friend who returns from Europe, gives her a book about cathedrals. She is irritated at first, thinking her friend should realize it will make her long for far away places. When she begins reading it, she learns that most of the cathedral builders were never known, nor did they live to see their cathedrals completed.
There is a story of a monk who carves an intricate bird into a beam he knows will be hidden behind the walls. When someone asks him why he spent so much time on something no one would see, he answers, “God sees.”
God sees everything we are doing – no matter what time of day or night. He hears what we say during the course of the day and how we love our children and spouses. He sees our struggles and triumphs. We’re building cathedrals here on earth in the work we do and the families we raise, and that’s storing up even greater treasures in heaven. We’ll probably never see our earthly cathedrals finished, but what we do now makes a difference. And He sees.
Remember that in whatever we do, we are to do the best we can for His glory. Live transparently, because He sees.
QUOTE: A reader encouraged by this devotion offered this: "In the depth of winter I found within me an invincible summer!"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)