When I first started writing, I thought that a really good story was plot-driven. I believed that if you had an exciting or really engaging story, then it would be successful. I didn’t consider that the strength of your characters had much to do with it. After writing a few chapters of my first book and reading it back, I had to change my thinking. A great story helps, but even with a so-so story line, having strong, engaging, or fun characters can hold the readers’ interest and keep them turning pages. At that point I had to rethink (and rewrite) what I was producing. I began to put more creative energy into developing interesting characters. Over time, this conviction has been proven true to me. Most of my readers with whom I get to speak are more interested in talking about their ... Read More about Where Do You Get The Ideas For Characters In Your Books
How Do You Get Your Ideas for Writing
I’m a visual person. I have to actually see it happen in my mind before I can write about it. That means that I need to think about a story or even a chapter for a while before I know what to write. To get inspiration, I have sometimes taken walks in the woods to make it easier to picture the events of the part of the story that I’m trying to write. I will almost always see something on those walks that will spark my imagination, and the story begins to take shape in my thinking. It’s like I see it as a movie in my mind. If the movie doesn’t make sense or seem interesting to me, then I change it until it does. Then I sit down and write what I saw happen in my head. Sometimes I change it as I’m writing it, but at least I know where I want the story to ... Read More about How Do You Get Your Ideas for Writing
“Alan, How Did You Become A Writer?”
People who know me as a veterinarian are usually surprised to find out that I’m more of a “right brain” person. I’ve been successful with the science and the medicine but all of that is work for me. To relax I need to do something creative occasionally. I’ve dabbled in painting and drawing, wood carving, stained glass, furniture building, solar panel construction, film making (see blog post: You Ought to be in Pictures), and writing. Most of these were just short flings, but the writing I was encouraged to pursue. Many years ago I was walking in the woods when I discovered a little creek with a small three-step waterfall. Spotting a hole in a rock near the waterfall, I thought that if I were only one inch tall that I could explore that cave. Seeing a spider ... Read More about “Alan, How Did You Become A Writer?”
What Is The kingdom Of Heaven And How Do I Know That I’m In It?
What Is The Kingdom of Heaven And How Do I Know If I’m In It “…Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.” – Matthew 6:10 Jesus instructs his disciples to pray for God’s Kingdom to come. The word “kingdom” here is the Greek word “baselleia,” and it means royal dominion, i.e. God’s rule or reign within us. When that happens (when God reigns within us), then God’s will is done on Earth as it is in heaven. Jesus instructs me to pray for God’s reign to come in my life. That’s why in Luke 17:21, Jesus said, “The Kingdom is within you.” It took my slow brain awhile to figure this out, but understanding what the Kingdom is turns out to be really simple. The Kingdom is simply the place where the King ... Read More about What Is The kingdom Of Heaven And How Do I Know That I’m In It?
Thoughts on the Kingdom of God – part 3
Thoughts on the Kingdom of God – part3 “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Begon, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” Matthew 4:10 Satan takes Jesus, the King of the Kingdom of God, up on to a high mountain to show Him all the kingdoms of the world and their earthly glory. Satan then tells the King that he, Satan, will give Him all of these kingdoms if Jesus will just fall down and worship Satan. Jesus didn’t need Satan to give Him these kingdoms. Jesus is Lord of all! He could have simple taken them, which makes me think that Satan knew that as well. For Jesus to have decided to take these kingdoms and set Himself up as a king on earth would be to disregard God’s will and for Jesus to do His own will, thereby serving Himself. But if Jesus did that ... Read More about Thoughts on the Kingdom of God – part 3
Thoughts on the Kingdom of God – part 2
Thoughts on the Kingdom of god – part 2 “Jesus said to him, ‘On the other hand, it is written, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”’” Matthew 4:7 The devil has now taken the King to the highest corner of the temple in Jerusalem. That is a spot where everyone can see Him. At this point Satan quotes scriptures to show that God has promised to always protect Jesus. Satan is trying to get Jesus to do something sensational to get public attention and a massive following without going to the cross. If Jesus jumped off, He would be forcing God to do Jesus’ will. The issue again is whose will is the most important? Satan’s implied lie is that Jesus’ will is more important than the Father’s will. Jesus gave an answer that showed that in the Kingdom, God’s will is not to be ... Read More about Thoughts on the Kingdom of God – part 2