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 |   Exploring the future through the present. One day at a time. |
| Thomas is now officially a toddler. He's been taking a few steps here and there for about a month, but over the past two weeks, he walks on his own with no encouragement about 60% of the time. He also loves the outdoors (yeah, I know, big surprise). He learned a few days ago how much fun digging into the mud (and crawling in it), tearing up the grass, and throwing rocks can be. Here's a little video of him walking around in a public play area at our local mall (you'll need Apple Quicktime to view it): http://www.almarquardt.com/images/Little_stroll.mov In case you haven't read my entry on 4/13, I added more photos of Thomas in "Invalid Item"  Hmm. Can you tell I'm a typical proud parent? Lastly, based on the comments you left in yesterday's entry, I learned what makes a blog successful: Whenever we say it is. If we're happy with how it's written, the subject matter, and the number of views/comments, then it's a success. How simple is that? Happy Friday! |
| After three years, and countless blogs here and elsewhere, you'd think I'd know the answer. Do I label a blog successful by the number of comments? The number of views? If I count the number of comments, I'd say -- by comparing mine to others -- it's mediocre. If I judge the number of views, it's average. I don't like being average at anything; I want to excel, darn it. But I can only do what I can do. I can't copy better blogs by way of writing or subject, because I may not be true to myself. A reader can spot a disingenuous writer within a single entry. When I'm feeling maudlin about my abilities I remember the line in "Trading Places" with Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy. Eddie's character asked the butler (played by Denholm Elliot), "What do they want from me?" "Just be yourself, sir. Whatever happens, they can't take that away from you." I can only be myself and write about my life, my thoughts and my passions. Whining over. Nada  made my day yesterday by stealing something from me.You read that right. She needed a picture for a story, and she took a photo using the cover of my book:  Pretty cool, huh? A writer and a photographer. Nada does it all. |
| First off, thank you for sharing your opinion on yesterday’s entry. Most ended up in two categories: 1. When writing for the Christian market, we take the risk of bouncing up against differing theologies. Some will vehemently disagree. Therefore, we should consider removing the controversial parts, or write for the general market. 2. Telepathic abilities are not directly mentioned in the Bible, so the demonic aspect can be argued against. Not every Christian publisher or reader will see telepathy as abhorrent to God. Everyone agreed that I must follow where God leads. Andrea’s point of view on telepathy is not because it is mentioned in the Bible, but that witchcraft is. The only people who claim telepathic abilities (in most societies past and present), are those who dabble in the dark arts. PlannerDan said:“I disagree with the premise that telepathic power is demonic. “There are instances in the Bible where great men of God had visions of future things, supernatural dreams, and abilities to divine dreams. What makes anything demonic is the presence of a demonic spirit in a life. If a Christian is filled with God's Spirit, there is no place for the demonic. “In addition, if the gift glorifies God, it cannot be demonic. Sometimes folks spend too much time trying to identify the signs of demons and by so doing they attribute anything that appears to look like that as being demonic. The true test of the demonic is if the person is filled with God's Spirit or of the Serpent. A true child of God cannot be demonic nor can the gifts they possess. “I would encourage you to go ahead and continue with your story. However, make it clear the character is a Child of God and that the gift they have glorifies God's Kingdom. And if you want those Biblical references, just contact me. BTW, this comes straight from an ordained reverend, with a degree in religion and years of seminary completed.” The references he gave me are as follows: Gen. 41:11-16 Joseph interprets dreams of Egyptians and Pharaoh Exodus 7:10-14 Moses, casts his rod to the floor and it becomes a serpent as does Pharaoh’s sorcerers. Notice the result glorifies God. Daniel 1:17-20 Daniel understands all kinds of visions and dreams & Nebuchadnezzar finds him 10-times better than any of his magicians and conjurers. Daniel 2:29-36 Daniel does more than interpret a dream. He tells the king what the dream is and THEN interprets it. Acts 16:10 Paul sees a vision that sends him into Macedonia Acts 9:10-17 Ananais has a vision of Paul and is sent to anoint him. My novel began with a single word: Redemption. I expanded on the thought: No one person is so evil, God cannot forgive them. Within minutes, Kallie Grath, telepathic assassin, was born. My secondary thought is how many Christian books end at a character’s conversion. I think giving our soul to Jesus is the beginning of the adventure, so the book opens with Kallie’s introduction to God. The story progresses from her conversion to the larger issue of eugenics – something I didn’t intend, and didn’t notice until I finished the first draft. I think it’s important to us today, because scientists are experimenting on designing children from the moment of conception among other genetic advancements. Dangerous stuff. I’m not against genetic manipulation as such, but we must always consider the consequences before we go too far. But that’s another subject. In the end, do I think telepathy is a demonic power? No. It’s like saying painting with watercolors is evil. The watercolor is merely the tool. How the artist wields the brush is what matters. We have to ask, does the artist glorify God, or not? Does the telepath glorify God with his/her ability, or not? You’ll have to read the book once it’s published to find out. ADDENDUM: I reread Andrea's notes on telepathy, and she said passive telepathy is scientifically possible, such as reading people's thoughts and emotions. It's the active telepathy that's not so easy to prove and thereby must have a demonic component. My telepaths have the capability to manipulate other minds including causing death, hence her concern. I still don't agree, but I wanted to clarify. |
| For a few months now, I've thought about hiring a professional editor to go through my manuscript. I've taken it as far as I can, and need a fresh eye. After much searching I came up with two possibilities. One, after setting up her website, offered a free ten-page critique to anyone who found a typo. I found one, and soon after (once I mustered the courage), sent in my manuscript. Last night Andrea Graham ( http://www.povbootcamp.com ) sent back her comments to my first ten pages. I'm surprised and pleased at how fast she was.I procrastinated on looking through it until this morning. The dread I felt after I sent it punched me in the guts, and tried to convince me not to open the document. A few days ago, the subject of my daily devotional centered on procrastination. By putting things off, we worry, and they begin to loom larger in our mind as almost insurmountable. Yet if we tackle all we need to do the moment we think about them, then we don't have time to worry. It's like coming home to a messy house. The more the dishes, clothes and toys pile up, the less we want to clean. Yet when we do, we feel so much better. Andrea's edits needn't have worried me. Her suggestions pointed out mostly passive voice (which I thought I eliminated, darn it). I told how a person felt instead of showing via their actions. My chapter breaks also didn't look right, but that's easily fixed. Heck, I'm so focused on her suggestions, I can barely write this entry! I keep editing as I go here. That means she did her job well. One question, though. The bulk of my main characters are telepaths, created through genetic and bio-engineering. Andrea pointed out that from a theological standpoint -- and the Bible is clear on this -- any telepathic sense is the result of demonic possession. If I am to be theologically accurate, then it changes the entire dynamic of my story -- in fact makes it useless. I can't go any further with any of my books, because in a way I'm glorifying demonic powers. I'm not saying I will, but her thoughts give me pause. Will other publishers, agents and prospective readers feel the same way? Should I start over with a different premise and characters? What do you think? |
| Happy Monday all! I don't have a lot of time to write a lengthy entry; I've a bit of a headache, and am busy until late tonight. As per windac's request, here are some new photos of Thomas: Invalid Photo #1019632 Invalid Photo #1019633 Invalid Photo #1019634 Invalid Photo #1019635 Invalid Photo #1019636 Invalid Photo #1019637 Invalid Photo #1019653 Invalid Photo #1019654 Talk to you later. |
| But I promise to respect you in the morning. I took the 21st Century Publishing Plunge, and am now offering my novella in electronic format: For Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00213K6JY For other formats including PDF: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1412 Kindle (for a limited time) is priced at $3.99, and the other costs $4.99. You can also view the first eight or so pages on the smashwords site. Enjoy! |
| Here I pop in for a moment because I need a break from work, and what do I find? You all getting on with your lives without me! How dare you? I thought I was loved, and adored, an integral part of your daily life. Yet I find naught an email asking how I am, what I've been up to or a short "miss you." The only emails I find are the automatic "[REMINDER} Update Your Blog" *sniffle* Fine, be that way. I didn't miss you either! So there! I'm kidding. The break has been nice and productive. I've read three books so far, and at this point, that's a record. I'm also researching markets, and have found a few publishers that look promising. I'm keeping record of my journey in my other blog at http://www.almarquardt.com/blog if'n you're interested. Thomas is quite the little boy now. He can say a few words such as "ice," "this" and "light." He's still uncertain about walking, though he has taken up to five steps unassisted. He can crawl up the stairs lightning-quick. Going down, he requires help, but I think it's more his parents not wanting him to go down by himself. He loves making a mess at mealtimes, and sometimes succeeds in placing a spoon or fork in his mouth without spilling it on his bib first. When I take him to a play area in the mall, he mostly ignores the other kids and instead plays with the puzzle toys attached to the walls. Future engineer or mechanic? Poor little guy, it seems, inherited some of my quirks. I'm a bulldog when it comes to solving a problem. No matter how frustrated to tears it makes me I refuse to give up. While a good thing on the surface, I've also broken many things, because I couldn't take it anymore. Thomas is the same way. One time he cried and screamed because he couldn't figure out how a lid fit on a bowl. I finally had to take it away from him. When he gets older, I'm going to have to teach him to let a problem go for a while, before he whips himself into a frenzy. It'll be tough, because I haven't learned that lesson yet. That's all for now. Back to work for me! I miss you, and hope to get back in touch with you after Easter. Have a great week. |
| Do you ever sit at your computer, finger poised to turn it on and pause? You think, "I don't want to be here, or do all my normal computer stuff." That be me. The thought of using my computer in any capacity leaves me . . . tired. I think it's a good thing. We all need a break from the norm, and search for different and newer perspectives on life. Life is too short to keep to a constant schedule day in and day out. What I will do with this time, only time will tell. I'm going to let life surprise me for a while. Buh-bye! P.S. Be sure to check out http://www.almarquardt.com/blog tomorrow, because I interview our own Voxxylady  about writing and publishing. |
| Every year at the conference God shows me something different. This year, as I mentioned in my previous entry, God wants me to concentrate less on writing and more on him. I've run out of steam with regard to the conference, so this will be my last entry about it. I will share some quotes by the speakers that struck me with a short explanation of each. ------------------------------------------------------------ As writers seeking publication we're told time and again how competitive the market is. That fact can either frustrate us to the point of quitting, or spur us to continue to hone our craft. Dr Dennis Hensley noted in his speech Friday morning Jesus didn't come to beat (or win against) anything or anyone, but to succeed. He didn't win against the forces trying to destroy him, but he did succeed in delivering his message. Writers, Christian or otherwise, need to remember we also shouldn't assume the attitude of beating other writers to achieve publication, but work to succeed. As one magazine editor noted, "You're not competing against other writers, you're competing against the magazine's guidelines." ------------------------------------------------------------ Sammy Tippet: "Allow God to work on our character, and he'll take care of the ministry." Too often we want to know and understand all of God's plan for us. Instead, God wants us to dconcentrate on building our character, learn from our mistakes and successes. Mr Tippet then described how God impressed on him to wait upon the Lord. God often tells me to wait. And wait. And wait. As Mr Tippet spoke I finally understood the meaning of 'wait'. It's not to sit around and wait for God's direction, but to serve such as a waiter in a restaurant. ------------------------------------------------------------ Karen Kingsbury described how someone watched a butterfly struggle out of its cocoon. The person felt sorry for the butterfly, and gently cut the opening larger. The butterfly soon dropped down, its body bloated and its wings small and wrinkled. The butterfly lived only a few minutes. The man then researched into butterflies to determine what he did wrong. Turns out the butterfly needed to struggle through that tiny opening, because it pushed life into the wings. "Don't avoid struggle," she said. "for it's in the struggle we learn how to fly." ------------------------------------------------------------ McNair Wilson said in the Saturday evening session (and in every speech I've heard of his): "If you don't do you, you doesn't get done, and creation is incomplete." God's creation didn't end on the sixth day. He continues to create through each of us. If we don't accept and embrace who we are, hone the gifts he gave us and follow the dreams he placed on our heart, then we hinder his wondrous plan. ------------------------------------------------------------ Lastly, before each meal and a one-hour concert on Saturday the incredibly talented pianist Randall Atcheson played for us. God gave Mr Atcheson an indescribable talent to play the piano, and you can tell with every note he pounds out (and he does pound), he praises God. Mr Atcheson not only shows how to praise God, but the meaning of dedication. Yes, the man has a gift, but he worked 10 hours a day most of his life to get as good as he is. Therefore, I should not begrudge the time and dedication God asks of me to improve my own talents. |
| Friday night I prepared for my last editor appointment on Saturday afternoon with Sherri Langton of Bible Advocate. I skimmed through a sample magazine left on her table, and discovered none of the articles I brought with me would fit as-is. I decided to change my tactics to simply ask questions about her magazine. I questioned her about Bible Advocate’s target readers, and what they expected as far as content (deep Bible studies, or more basic, etc). As we talked, a few statements made by our speakers whispered in my ear, and the image of a waterbug surfaced. “I know now I need to look closer into my spiritual journey,” I said to Sherri. “Lately I’ve been walking on the surface of my faith, and God’s been telling me all during the conference I need to dig deeper.” I realized then God’s task for me right now. It isn’t to write to be published, or read the Bible in search for that one perfect verse for my article or story, but to feed my soul. God is jealous of the time I spend away from him, and wants me all to himself. In the process perhaps I’ll gain deeper insights readers are searching for. Other non-spiritual insights I’ve gained from attending the conference: 1. Research! Study the current guidelines online. Don’t depend solely on Writer’s Market Guide or Sally Stewart’s (the Christian version). Guidelines change all the time, and are kept more current on the magazine’s websites. Read up to six months of issues. This can be both time-consuming and economically difficult. Who among us has the money to subscribe to every single magazine we want to write for? I have a few ideas: Check archives online. Most magazines keep archives sometimes up to twenty years. Talk to friends or even people at your church to see if they subscribe and ask for their old copies. Flip through current issues either at your local bookstore (some carry many Christian magazines), and Christian bookstores. Check out the local library. Some may carry the magazines you want to write for. 2. Take the business card of every editor you speak with. No matter what the results of the appointment, email them a short note thanking them for their time. As one attendee noted, editor’s have long memories. They’ll appreciate your kindness, and remember you positively when you do have something saleable. 3. Do the same for other attendees. Networking is key to gaining readership, but also the friendships developed can be invaluable. You can encourage one another and provide feedback for your writing. 4. Be realistic! All writers attend conferences to sell their writing. However, to attend for that reason alone will only discourage you. Less than 10% of attendees sell something at a conference. If you go with equal purpose of making friends, and learning from the classes, speakers, workshops and the editors, your experience will be far more rewarding. Tomorrow: A More Spiritual Journey. |
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