These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

about 6 hours ago
In response to "English Sonnet: "Planning Ahead""

Thank you so much for the encouragement, Mary Ann. "Among cyber friends," indeed, it is "good to be."

Mary Ann MCPhedran

about 9 hours ago
In response to "English Sonnet: "Planning Ahead""

Lovely words and nice to see them written by you. Good to be among
cyber friends.

Just buddhangela

about 11 hours ago
In response to "Storytelling Without TELLING a Story"

Hi Jay! First, if you're a wannabe and you're writing, then you're already a writer.

A piece of advice I've heard multiple times on WdC–and in Stephen King's On Writing–is that to be a good writer, you have to read a lot. Up until I joined WdC, I was a very slow reader and didn't read much or often. Maybe it was fear of failure (?) but I was reluctant to take that advice to heart. But with encouragement from participating in low-stakes challenges like "Rach's Reading Club"

and doing reviews on WdC, I found that reading a lot helped my writing immensely and in so many ways. I've also become a faster reader–never thought that would happen! Maybe you can find an author you really enjoy and try reading more of their work? Or if you're interested in a specific genre, pick a variety of random books and give them a shot and see if you get hooked. I know some people feel the need to read a book once they've begun it–I'm definitely not one of those people. Read what you enjoy, shop around, and maybe try genres you've never read before to find out if you're missing out on something that would inspire you.

So please know that you aren't alone, and not being a speed-reader isn't a bad thing–reading's just a muscle that needs to be exercised. I promise, the effort of reading, reading, reading will help.

We're all here to learn and practice our craft, and I haven't heard of any writer–high profile, newly published, or amateur wannabe

–who doesn't think their own writing sucks. (Well, except maybe Brandon Sanderson

Jan 11, 2026 at 11:36pm
In response to "Listing the Sounds"

Thank you, Dianne! That’s encouraging. 😃

Lazy Writer est 4/24/2008

Jan 11, 2026 at 11:00pm
In response to "Listing the Sounds"

That made me cold! In my house! Good poem!
Keep writing
Dianne

Silvern

Jan 10, 2026 at 5:21am
In response to "Where Is Stillness?"

This beautiful poem discusses finding stillness in a busy life through God's grace, celebrating Christ's victories, and writing poetries.

Jan 9, 2026 at 8:49pm
In response to "Where Is Stillness?"

You’re welcome. Thank you so much.

Kenzie

Jan 9, 2026 at 8:46pm
In response to "Where Is Stillness?"

You've done it again. Thanks for sharing your creativity and your faith.

Bodhisattwa Parekh

Jan 9, 2026 at 6:52am
In response to "Tea Moment"

Take a moment to be still and sip the tea, finding rest and hoping for gentle moments.

English Sonnet: "I Think, Therefore I Believe"

Jan 3, 2026 at 10:57am
In response to "26 Paychecks"

Thank you so much.

January 22, 2026 at 6:10pm

#1106540

To think I must. Believe is my design.
My mind hath much to trust of fellowman.
Believe I must, that eating out is fine
or fear will stop my ev'ry waking plan.

To think I must. Believe is how I breathe.
Believe, I do, that gravity is true.
I walk outside with naught, that doth deceive.
Still on the ground I am when walk is through.

To think I must. Believe still weaves my soul.
Each thing I do requires my lasting trust.
When Life is o'er, belief will keep me whole.
I trust His Merits, Who hath made me just.

To think believe the Merits of the Truth.
I have believed Him, since my very youth.

by Jay O’Toole
on January 22nd, 2026

English Sonnet: "Planning Ahead"

January 21, 2026 at 11:58pm

#1106501

The future is a tricky thing to guess.
We think we know where market value goes,
but what of weather, that can curse or bless?
When Future's Now what are the lasting woes?

The future of our days upon the Earth
seem tentative from many'a factored cause.
The breaths we take for decades from our birth
behoove us that in sober thought we pause.

The future of our lasting lives for aye
doth cause us painful look at truths we hold.
Some live for just the feelings of today.
What do we do wi'the Gospel Gift so told?

This life is short. Eternity is long.
Will living there be doleful or a song?

by Jay O’Toole
on January 21st, 2026

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January 20, 2026 at 11:38pm

#1106440

Minute Poem: "Peaceful Christmas"

The Christmas rush is fin'lly o'er.
All weary snore.
The denouement
without flaw.

The after Christmas storm it comes
What danger sums?
So, will there be
'lectricity?

Will Christmas Sunday come this soon?
A gentle tune,
a piping cup
with fam'ly sup.

by Jay O’Toole
on January 20th, 2026

Minute Poem: "Peaceful Christmas"

January 20, 2026 at 11:38pm

#1106439

by Jay O’Toole
on January 20th, 2026

January 19, 2026 at 7:21pm

#1106354

New Can Be Challenging

Sometimes new is not very easy.
Things to do, and ways to do are not known.
Finding help from others busy
causes frustration to them and me.

"You should know it already."
"But I don't. Please, guide me."

Silence. Crickets.

All humans seem overwhelmed.
Too much newness.
Too much gotta.
Too much right now!

One day the One, Who is Wise
will set all things right,
and then we will "know,
even as we are also known."
(I Corinthians 13:12c)

Jay O'Toole

January 18, 2026 at 11:34pm

#1106310

Structure vs. Free Form

This world's so full of loves and likes,
and skills where opposites are needed.
'Tis Wisdom's years and youth with bikes,
that make most tasks fully completed.

"I'm just a free spirit. I don't like rules."
"I like my structure. Sameness matters."
Opposing ways, or needed tools?
Must eat we steak without some platters?

"Free Spirit, where will you place your art?
Upon a canvas? Or thrown on the floor?"
"And, Structured Soul, where will you start
with walls complete, and roof, and door?"

This world's so full of cities, souls,
mountains, plains, and islands, oceans.
We need each one to keep us whole
as rough skin needs its oils and lotions.

A house is drab without its paint,
and art is naught without its canvas.
A sinner only becomes saint
when the Gospel saves to give us laughter.

by Jay O’Toole
on January 18th, 2026

January 17, 2026 at 5:39pm

#1106218

End of Saturday Light

So, here we go again, my friend.
Saturday light is going fast.
The new week starts as spirits mend,
and this work week, we put in the past.

When I was young, these Saturdays
were the best days of my growing years.
No school where I'd be on display.
No church where sermons tested fears.

At Saturday dusk the indoor light
brought a few more hours until bed.
With Lawrence Welk all was made right
for sated tummies had just been fed.

Saturday was the freest time
for these young boys throughout the week.
We'd sleep late, play, and cartoons find,
get bored, but fun we'd always seek.

The end of Saturday light, respite
when we can rest, with family be.
Be safe when going out into the night.
Return as soon as your way can see.

by Jay O’Toole
on January 16th, 2026

January 16, 2026 at 10:26pm

#1106151

Huitain: "Transitions"

To make a new thing happen now
we step from here, while facing fear.
The courage comes in quest of "How?"
The unknown is not often clear.
Remember past with gentle tear
as Future comes in from the cold.
Great strength may come by drawing near
when some good thing is newly told.

by Jay O’Toole
on January 16th, 2026

Storytelling Without TELLING a Story

January 15, 2026 at 9:29pm

#1106088

My novels are great works of art. At least they're great in my mind. I see the action clearly in my mind, but I'm not sure anybody else can. My wife tells me, that my conversations in these novels seem to be something akin to "stiff, boxy, and unnatural."

I've completed six NaNoWriMo rough drafts, and now one Novel-Writing Month on WDC rough drafts. I consistently edit for spelling, grammar, and missed words by the early part of the year, but regarding this most recent story, I've only edited two chapters.

I'm not sure I'm a natural novelist. I'm a wannabe. I've been writing poetry, since I was 13, but all too often my poems are formulaic. However, in my defense, I think it was my high school English Lit. teacher, who told our class, "If you find a poem form, that is easy to you, then you can write a poem as easily as you can write a friendly letter." My iambic quatrains become a friendly letter to the world every day.

My recent novel is fiction, that could be a biography, if my main character was a real person, and not the individual I created to convey a belief. After editing, I expect the length of the story to be between 50,000 and 60,000 words, unless some advisor thinks, that a 20,000 to 30,000 word novella would serve better to tighten up the action, cutting out some of the fluff, that I invariably put in to meet the 50,000 word finish line.

This novel started with the first day of Novel-Writing Month on November 1st, 2025. I've stopped progressing because I do not feel, that I have the necessary tools to make it fully print-worthy. I used to be part of the group Carol St.Ann

started a few years ago, but I stopped because I couldn't keep up the pace of reading somebody else's book as part of the commitment. It feels bad to have to admit, "I'm a writer, who is not a fast reader." I listen to audiobooks occasionally, but it takes me well over a month to read the average novel of 200 to 300 pages.

Could someone guide me through the basics of novel-writing? Do we already have resources on WDC, that I have missed all these years?

I have been writing these November novels, since 2017 only missing one year, I think. My style, so far, is a lot of telling through a great deal of character conversations. At some point I would like to be able to finish my most novel about a great artist, whose identity is wrapped up in his art, but he goes blind. Much of the novel deals with the thought, "Now what?"

Will he find a new career after such a loss as did Beethoven with the loss of his hearing?

Words: 483

by Jay O’Toole
on January 15th, 2026

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January 14, 2026 at 9:03pm

#1106021

Waiting for the Next Big thing

Sometimes this life is just a list
of daily things, that we must do.
The loved ones cared for, hugged and kissed,
plus cleaning house that's never through.

And then there's work, beyond the house,
that pays the bills, and buys the gifts.
The groceries shopped by either spouse,
which feed the tummies, the heart it lifts.

So many things invade our minds.
The constant tasks make rest to flee.
The pressing years, that weighing blinds
to playful childhood days we'd see.

But when a moment's breath we take
to think on respite with the Lord,
what a gift of Joy we thus partake
found swimming in The Divine True Word.

We're waiting now for Christ's Return.
The Blest Day when we'll see His Face.
This starts the years to ever learn,
to be as we were made in Grace.

But when His Majesty comes anon,
the waiting will be ever o'er.
The Greatest Love, God's Only Son,
Salvation in This Blessed Door.

If hear you can, thou needst not wait.
The behest is yours. Oh, come with speed.
Such difference made, 'tis ever great.
His Time is now. He will not plead.

by Jay O’Toole
on January 14th, 2026