tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6109754298475840762024-03-12T22:44:15.943-05:00Mary HollingsworthBestselling Christian Author and Managing Director of Creative Enterprises Studio--A Premier Publishing Services GroupMary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-16716408249954676982011-10-20T23:01:00.006-05:002011-10-20T23:24:49.473-05:00No Wonder<style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Book Antiqua"; panose-1:0 2 4 6 2 5 3 5 3 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Brush Script Std"; panose-1:0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Harrington; panose-1:0 4 4 5 5 5 10 2 2 7; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --></style><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; panose-1:0 5 2 1 2 1 8 4 8 7; mso-font-charset:2; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 256 0 -2147483648 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Book Antiqua"; panose-1:0 2 4 6 2 5 3 5 3 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Brush Script Std"; panose-1:0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Harrington; panose-1:0 4 4 5 5 5 10 2 2 7; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <div style="border:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 0in; background:#3D0351"><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="Brush Script Std";font-family:";font-size:24.0pt;color:white;" ><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>No Wonder</span><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 0in"><span style=" ;font-family:Harrington;font-size:24.0pt;color:white;" ><b>T</b></span><span style=" Book Antiqua";font-family:";font-size:13.0pt;color:white;" >oday was my birthday, October 18. I was feeling blessed. Today my 93-year-old mom, who gave birth to me on that day many years ago, had difficult surgery. I was feeling stressed. It was an emotional seesaw. A roller coaster ride. A blessed-in-spite-of-stressed kind of day. And, oh, how I needed rest.</span></p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 0in"><span style=" Book Antiqua";font-family:";font-size:13.0pt;color:white;" ><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>At the end of that long and tiring day, finally back home in my room, alone, I sat wearily in silence, staring through my picture window into the inky darkness, reviewing the day. I was grateful that Mom had come through her surgery so well. I was grateful that I had been given another year to serve and learn and share. I was grateful to the God of life and love for his unchanging care and sweet peace, no matter what.</span></p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 0in"><span style=" Book Antiqua";font-family:";font-size:13.0pt;color:white;" ><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>As my eyes slowly adjusted to the deep-purple night, gradually I focused on a brilliant spot in the sky. A multifaceted gem. A shimmering diamond. And it dawned on me that it must be a new star in the sky. What else could it be? Although I sat looking out that same window at that same sky many evenings, I had never seen that astonishing star before. It twinkled, it glistened, it teased and winked at me.</span></p><p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 0in"><span style=" Book Antiqua";font-family:";font-size:13.0pt;color:white;" ><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Laughing at its black surroundings, the pretty star blew kisses of glory to the earth. Streaks of pinkish joy radiated from the star’s center, forming a halo of hope and beauty that reached out and gently touched the other stars around it. And an aura of angelic peace transformed the chilly autumn sky into a panorama of glowing warmth.</span></p><p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 0in"><span style=" Book Antiqua";font-family:";font-size:13.0pt;color:white;" ><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>And then I remembered with bitter sweetness . . . my beautiful friend, Sharon, flew home to glory today into the waiting, welcoming arms of a delighted Lord, who danced and shouted, “She is home! She is home!” Her days of stress are over. Her nights of pain are gone. She is forever at rest. Forever without stress. Forever blessed</span></p><p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 0in"><span style=" Book Antiqua";font-family:";font-size:13.0pt;color:white;" ><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>And smiling softly, I thought, <i>Sharon has not left us. Not really. She is still here, giving us the same sparkling light, indomitable hope, and overflowing joy she has always shed on us. Some things never change. She never changed, no matter what. No wonder we are happy in the midst of our grief. No wonder there’s a magnificent new star lighting up the face of eternity. No wonder.</i></span></p><p><span style="color:white;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:right;border:none;mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 0in" align="right"><span style="color:white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:right;border:none;mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 0in" align="right"><span style="Brush Script Std";font-family:";font-size:16.0pt;color:white;" >Mary Hollingsworth</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:right;border:none;mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 0in" align="right"><span style="Brush Script Std";font-family:";font-size:16.0pt;color:white;" >October 18, 2011</span></p> </div> <span style="Brush Script Std"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-USfont-family:";font-size:16.0pt;color:white;" ></span>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-60976112036127040032011-09-21T16:12:00.006-05:002011-09-21T17:37:53.762-05:00A Laugh a Day Keeps the Psychiatrist Away!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGj-JDFXboiVRTOjMDGir6R7Tt0rOGs9J06X7QKkEASZQBI9I3o3EFW2JVAF0KKsDKB0zzU8BpB1_t2B2Sf_4dx_PR6JF_NiI211bPM4iEeHp4TvIhLwTcF-Wf3PDeqlBc_GN1YCQ/s1600/One+Year+Devo+of+Joy+and+Laughter.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGj-JDFXboiVRTOjMDGir6R7Tt0rOGs9J06X7QKkEASZQBI9I3o3EFW2JVAF0KKsDKB0zzU8BpB1_t2B2Sf_4dx_PR6JF_NiI211bPM4iEeHp4TvIhLwTcF-Wf3PDeqlBc_GN1YCQ/s320/One+Year+Devo+of+Joy+and+Laughter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654924074080521554" border="0"></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Hallelujah!</span> The baby has been birthed and is now ready to meet its public. I'm happy to introduce <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter</span>,</span> </span>which has just released from Tyndale House. After almost two years in development, it's great to get to hold the book in my hands.<p>
When Tyndale called and asked me to write one of their One Year branded devotionals, I was humbled and honored. But when they said they wanted a devotional based on 365 funny stories, I gulped, thinking, <span style="font-style: italic;">You've got to be kidding! </span>They weren't.</p><p>
Then, the more I thought about it, the more I thought it was a great idea, and I got excited. Think about it: for the past three or four years, our world has been suffering from major depression due to war, the slouchy economy, ridiculous politics, terrorism, and other sad factors. Life has been the pits, right? So why won't a daily dose of humor and spiritual insight be a great remedy?</p><p>
That's what you'll find in this unique devotional--365 funny stories that make spiritual points, combined with a related scripture and prayer. It's truly a great way to get your day started or to end the day on a lighthearted note. I pray that you will find it uplifting and will brighten your days as it draws you closer to the God of joy and laughter. Read it and reap!</p><p>
A great gift for someone you love too!</p><p>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Length:</span> 400 pages
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Size:</span> 6" x 9"
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Format: </span>Softcover
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Price:</span> $14.99
Blessings,</p><p>
Mary</p><p>
</p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;">Available in "The Shoppe" (Adult Trade Books) </span>
<font size="4"><a href="http://www.maryhollingsworth.com"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">MaryHollingsworth.com</span></a></font>
</div>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-12164607822900199072011-07-30T20:53:00.003-05:002011-07-30T21:03:29.521-05:00Death of a Nation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix02q4pJfqSBbN4svrhYzlWZCx0n7w0SqqtAwRlYCykF0ayC43_LurqnNZnuOR12-C-YOODQCrQ28ostW_Rkq0h_G45XKbSjWiVCYjIBWDZY3ojopNyOMQkrzji6HMKiZm9Iolg9c/s1600/Photo+17+of+24.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix02q4pJfqSBbN4svrhYzlWZCx0n7w0SqqtAwRlYCykF0ayC43_LurqnNZnuOR12-C-YOODQCrQ28ostW_Rkq0h_G45XKbSjWiVCYjIBWDZY3ojopNyOMQkrzji6HMKiZm9Iolg9c/s320/Photo+17+of+24.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635330041268125858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">In America, born of hope for religious freedom, there can no more be total separation of church and state than there can be total separation of the soul and body of an American, short of death. To plead for separation of America's spirit and state is to plead for her death; and who of us, as Americans, will be guilty of requesting such self-inflicted demise?</span></span><p><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">As the Spirit of God indwells his children, so his church indwells this nation. To suggest—even to tolerate the suggestion—of something less, begs trial for treason against the very heart of America.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>In truth, separation of church and state was never intended to protect the state from church involvement. Rather, it was intended to protect the <span style="font-style: italic;">church</span> from <span style="font-style: italic;">state</span> involvement—the very atrocity that drove our forefathers to America from their homelands. But somewhere and somehow along the way, that intention has been inverted to suit the diabolical goals of the enemies of America. And now, once again we find ourselves in a nation where the church is controlled by the state—the very crime our forefathers could not, would not, abide. And yet, many of our nation’s leaders today seem to abide the crime in apathetic contentment.</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>May God, who rules the world and this nation, whether or not acknowledged or recognized by unbelieving Americans, prevent his Spirit from being separated from his nation, whatever must be the cost to his children. As long as his Spirit dwells in the hearts and consciences of Americans, his church must dwell inseparably with the state of America.</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>If such separation be perpetrated by atheistic politicians, Old Glory will be finally folded to a three-cornered bundle, and the mournful wail of "Taps” will laden the stale air as America the Beautiful is laid to rest. Those pitiful notes will echo through history for all time to come as a benediction to something glorious that could have been. Only we can change tomorrow's history . . . today.</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">O God, please, bless America.
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Mary Hollingsworth</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com/">Creative Enterprises Studio</a>
</p>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-41130556299036006872011-03-28T17:16:00.007-05:002011-04-01T16:00:11.513-05:00Join the Positive Woman Connection!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuRN3yCZa6xarQctW9BV7hVtqkZLY5mP-zlraH8urIghaZ4A-fmJThtQjWJFTXH7YKDjY6iKYmm3-uIE4zNN_4MjAR8-ji1gZblIy9ic40Y_fale1FF4G-4sB9aBvof1jG-JGbOo/s1600/Karol+Ladd.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuRN3yCZa6xarQctW9BV7hVtqkZLY5mP-zlraH8urIghaZ4A-fmJThtQjWJFTXH7YKDjY6iKYmm3-uIE4zNN_4MjAR8-ji1gZblIy9ic40Y_fale1FF4G-4sB9aBvof1jG-JGbOo/s320/Karol+Ladd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590721862809859058" border="0" /></a>
<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For the past few months, I've been attending the Positive Woman Connection in Dallas, thanks to </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Gigi Falstrom</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> who introduced me to the group. Lead by my friend and best-selling author </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Karol Ladd <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(<span style="font-style: italic;">The Power of a Positive Woman </span>et al),</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> this monthly luncheon and Bible study sponsored by </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Roaring Lambs Ministries</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> is an oasis in the desert of a hectic week. Karol's gift of presenting interesting, exciting, and enlightening messages from God's Word is truly beautiful. She's so animated, funny, deep, and challenging. It's a refreshing time of networking with other Christian women, enjoying a marvelous buffet lunch, and just relaxing for a bit.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><p> </p></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This time I got to sit by speaker and author </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Helen Hosier</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. What a charming lady! And after many years in the Christian publishing industry as an in-house editor for Thomas Nelson and author of more than sixty books, she's so bright, well informed, and insightful. We had fun talking about "all things books." It's a great honor to get to know her.<p></p></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It never fails, too, that Karol and the delightful </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Donna Skell</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, executive director of Roaring Lambs Ministries, have piles of books and treats to give away at the luncheon. So you always come away with gifts, laughs, a full tummy, and a touched heart. What's not to like about that?<p></p></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">You might also like to follow this wonderful group at "Facebook/PositiveWomanConnection" or read their weekly blog at "PositiveLifePrinciples.com."<p></p></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Join Us!</span>
If you're in the neighborhood on </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >April 26, 2011,</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> come and hear Karol speak about </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >"How to Get Along with the People Closest to You."</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Or join us on the fourth Tuesday of any month at 11:30 a.m. at the Prestonwood Country Club on Preston Road just north of Arapaho in North Dallas. Lunch is Dutch treat ($18), and the huge buffet is fabulous fare. If you can join us, </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >please let Donna know you're coming ahead of time</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> by emailing <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">dskell@roaringlambsministries.org</span>. I promise you'll be so blessed if you come. And maybe I'll get to meet you there!<p></p></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Blessings, friends,</span><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mary</span>
</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.maryhollingsworth.com/">MaryHollingsworth.com</a><p><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com/">Creative Enterprises Studio</a>
</p></div>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-67381143174194221682011-01-06T13:30:00.005-06:002011-01-06T14:58:12.282-06:00The Rhinestone Writer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NJvw-x5rUBz9v-zGLQYIjNYPusgHSRNEqKKymfnPJlcGrbrPN4dRXz_LGw4sSxRHsAdlc3-GaHrwEZt5bWTqsStyk1_cwBmlq4bFsLRv1OAybH2UDNbX_Wxx3x6ha8Se3IEKVPQ/s1600/IMG_3006.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NJvw-x5rUBz9v-zGLQYIjNYPusgHSRNEqKKymfnPJlcGrbrPN4dRXz_LGw4sSxRHsAdlc3-GaHrwEZt5bWTqsStyk1_cwBmlq4bFsLRv1OAybH2UDNbX_Wxx3x6ha8Se3IEKVPQ/s320/IMG_3006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559170135213631586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Hello, friends,</span><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">As most of you know, during the past twenty-five years I've been privileged to edit literally (no pun intended) hundreds of best-selling books by well-known authors, such as Chuck Swindoll, Patsy Clairmont (in photo at left), Billy Graham, Women of Faith, and many others. (I want to grow up and be just like them!)<p>I've also edited lots of books by lesser-known authors whose names I'd best not mention. The difference I see in the <span style="font-style: italic;">best</span>-sellers and the <span style="font-style: italic;">least</span>-sellers is usually based on the depth of insight, powerful stories, and practical helps presented by the authors.<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><p><span style="font-style: italic;">Best-selling authors</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal;">seem to reach out and grab your heart with the first words of the book, and they don't let go until the last word of the book, whether they are writing fiction or non-fiction. The content is thought-provoking, touching, life-changing. The books are filled with powerful stories and useful, carefully researched material that can truly make a difference in the reader's life. The writing is poignant, well-honed, repeatedly polished. These books are "more-ish"--you hate for them to end because you want </span><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal;">more</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal;">. (One of those books is reviewed below.)</span></p></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><p><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Least-selling authors</span> are often what I call "rhinestone writers." Their books are all splash but no substance, flash but no solid food, glitzy but not really good. They (and sometimes their publishers) try to mask their lack of real intellectual and/or spiritual meat with fancy interior designs and typesetting tricks to make the buyer/reader <span>think </span>there's more to the book than there really is. (<span>True confession: </span>I know this because I've helped publishers do it.)</p></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><p>The Challenge: </p></span></span>Don't be a rhinestone writer! If you don't have something of substance and importance to share with your readers, do these:
</p><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Wait</span> to write until you do! Don't jump the gun and just throw something wimpy out there, even if you're a well-known author. "Wait on the Lord" (Psalm 27:14).
</li></ul><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Research. </span></span>Don't be a lightweight. Hit the research books and find the substance and support you need for the points you're making.
</li></ul><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Read</span> and study best-selling books by authors you respect. How do they do it? What are their techniques? Learn from them. Don't plagiarize their words, but copy their quality.
</li></ul><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Search. </span></span>Find compelling stories to illustrate your points. Remember: "Facts tell; stories sell!" Books without stories are boring and rarely successful.
</li></ul><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Pray</span> for God to speak the words <span style="font-style: italic;">he</span> wants said through you, rather than writing what <span style="font-style: italic;">you</span> want to say. And ask for his hand to be on your heart and hands as you write that he will be glorified, not you. "Not to me, O Lord, not to me, but to your name give glory" (Psalm 115:1).</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-family: trebuchet ms;">Bottom line:</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">books become best-sellers because the </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: trebuchet ms;">readers</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> say so, not because authors say so. (If authors could make books best-sellers, then </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: trebuchet ms;">all</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> books would be best-sellers.) It just doesn't work that way. If you want readers to spread the word about your books and promote them to best-seller status, give them something solid, practical, and valuable to talk about to their friends and families. It's an undeniable fact: wimpy books wimp out.</span><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So, friend, if you want your books to be read and for God truly to be glorified, don't be a rhinestone writer--be a solid-gold writer!</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
Blessings and joy,</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
Mary</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Creative Enterprises Studio</span></a>
</div>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-2234147193530030832010-04-04T20:55:00.008-05:002010-04-04T22:28:20.345-05:00Whatever Happened to Miniature Books?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEAjKKJdpy7bR2mSlY_c8ZDRx_GmLpm6thBXrqgz_Z9VQaEhYy1CuAk_YpCCpkvsfMZeKDfIbtgc-DmbMaW1YRQ-VyAXFmd5jYQIrAmCraSDAvK9F7BXmgpewqyOwaOJhzeK_liQ/s1600/IMG_0731.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 189px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEAjKKJdpy7bR2mSlY_c8ZDRx_GmLpm6thBXrqgz_Z9VQaEhYy1CuAk_YpCCpkvsfMZeKDfIbtgc-DmbMaW1YRQ-VyAXFmd5jYQIrAmCraSDAvK9F7BXmgpewqyOwaOJhzeK_liQ/s320/IMG_0731.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456485672253004962" border="0" /></a>I'm a miniature book collector. I've been collecting teeny tiny books for about fifteen years or more. So far I have almost 400 volumes. That sounds like a lot until you realize 400 miniatures take up a space about two feet by two feet in little bitty bookshelves. In fact, my entire collection fits behind a door on the landing of the stairs outside my office. And truthfully, mine are not all true miniatures.<p>According to the Miniature Book Society of America (MBSA)--a group of which I've been a member (and I have the sweatshirt to prove it)--a proper miniature book must not be more than 2.5 inches tall by 2.5 inches wide. (Check that on your ruler to see just how small that is.) So most of the so-called "miniatures" we see published by Running Press and other companies are not truly considered miniatures by those who are officially "small minded."</p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYM6mzSAC2pzoCB-0Da1X3YoyTRS6enJjPFjwc9pGZ1VbuZZz_-GVQjh4lrXoRsZ4G42xW4QIaD6f27W_mIjMhlqq1j2v5ItImKGAnYEpzqQFShjv1Iu7Z9jcDY0kLW8D07EkPCM/s1600/IMG_0741.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYM6mzSAC2pzoCB-0Da1X3YoyTRS6enJjPFjwc9pGZ1VbuZZz_-GVQjh4lrXoRsZ4G42xW4QIaD6f27W_mIjMhlqq1j2v5ItImKGAnYEpzqQFShjv1Iu7Z9jcDY0kLW8D07EkPCM/s320/IMG_0741.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456481998334598082" border="0" /></a>Once I traveled to Chicago to the MBSA convention. Now <span style="font-style: italic;">that </span>was an interesting book convention! It was about sixty little blue-haired ladies and gentlemen and me (I was about fifty years old at the time--a mere youngster, comparatively speaking). The displays were all enclosed in locked glass cases, I guess because, if you were a thief at heart, you could put someone's entire library in your jacket pocket. Also, many of these handmade miniatures are extremely valuable, especially those made by the famous makers of miniatures. I saw some itsy bitsy volumes for $3,000-5,000 and more!</p><p>One older lady had been collecting true miniatures for more than forty years, and she had a huge collection of 8,000+ volumes! She had just donated her entire collection to the University of Chicago library, which had built a special temperature-controlled room for them. They were so valuable that she declined to comment about their worth. When asked, she just smiled knowingly and shook her head.</p><p>At the MBSA convention, I saw the smallest book ever published--a copy of the Bible. It was about 1/2 inch wide by 1/2 inch high and about 1/2 inch thick. It was so tiny you could hardly hold it, much less turn its teensy pages. It was boxed with a huge, strong magnifying glass, and you could actually read it. An astounding feat! And completely fascinating to see.</p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWfUW2LPpIDgQgxebK5znKSziOk-iU-MCbg-4vyWpu7UEhmdVfCgj-urB3mYcLu0M_rZm9mvH5miqKSekFX7fa6FiOz9aTDcvep5U7b3Y6HVHsbbyrXULSk-sVNWadQhwErrDmZ4/s1600/IMG_0735.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWfUW2LPpIDgQgxebK5znKSziOk-iU-MCbg-4vyWpu7UEhmdVfCgj-urB3mYcLu0M_rZm9mvH5miqKSekFX7fa6FiOz9aTDcvep5U7b3Y6HVHsbbyrXULSk-sVNWadQhwErrDmZ4/s320/IMG_0735.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456481604996616738" border="0" /></a>I've actually been privileged to have four different quasi miniatures published: <span style="font-style: italic;">My Littlest Bible; The Kings Alphabet; Together Forever; <span style="font-style: italic;">and </span>On Raising Children. </span>And I thoroughly enjoyed working on them.</p><p>But where have the true miniatures gone? I used to find them regularly in antique stores, but now it's rare to locate real ones anywhere. Still, I'm always on the lookout for them. (Let me know if you find any!)<p>
Is anybody else out there a fan of miniature books? I'd love to connect with you, if you are. We miniature collectors are a small club of specialists (no pun intended . . . well, maybe just a <span style="font-style: italic;">little</span> one).</p><p>
</p><p>BTW, have you seen <span style="font-style: italic;">The Word of Promise </span>audio New Testament yet? It's amazing! See my review below.</p>Blessings, friends!<p>
<p>Mary
</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com/">CreativeEnterprisesLtd.com</a>
<a href="http://www.maryhollingsworth.com/">MaryHollingsworth.com</a>
</div>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-79628989721276715372010-03-19T23:05:00.009-05:002010-03-20T00:41:39.368-05:00The Changing Face of Christian Publishing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpGQjPJsnvW2hH-Zu7aV3a39HqRqNLrXRPwHBP8yE3KK2o3uH0W8POZTmSvrxe55iXvaCOaZBHW6a9Haek6af_c7P-m-v7vRaGVJIw3t1ewl22F5VwrlajiBuxWpblFmKaenj9Do/s1600-h/IMG_0575.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpGQjPJsnvW2hH-Zu7aV3a39HqRqNLrXRPwHBP8yE3KK2o3uH0W8POZTmSvrxe55iXvaCOaZBHW6a9Haek6af_c7P-m-v7vRaGVJIw3t1ewl22F5VwrlajiBuxWpblFmKaenj9Do/s320/IMG_0575.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450568674381038274" border="0" /></a>On Saturday I was privileged to speak to the DFW Ready Writers--a local chapter of the American Christian Fiction Writers. I had a great time eating Mexican food at La Hacienda Ranch with <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Lena Nelson Dooley, Janice Olson, Lynn Gentry</span>,</span> and about twenty-five other Christian writers. Many of these folks are published authors several times over; others are just getting started and have found an encouraging atmosphere in this delightful group.<p>
They had invited me to come and talk about "The Changing Face of Christian Publishing." In that presentation I covered what I consider three of the important changes currently happening in our industry:</p><p>
1.<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> Consolidation.</span> Bigger publishers are acquiring smaller publishers, creating huge publishing conglomerates, like Thomas Nelson, and reducing the number of places where we, as writers, can present our works for consideration. Also, large bookstore chains are buying smaller chains or independent stores, creating huge selling/distribution vehicles, resulting in Christian superstores that sell everything from Christian soup to nuts. Consolidation has its advantages and disadvantages, which we discussed in more detail.</p><p>
2. <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Crossover. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">While crossover books rarely happened in the past, now it's becoming more common. Christian publishers are creating products for the general market, and general market publishers are trying to capture the Christian spending dollars by publishing books for that market. That has allowed Christian books to reach more seekers and non-Christian readers and even to now regularly appear on general market best-seller lists, such as the <span style="font-style: italic;">New York Times</span>.</span> Once again, there are positives and negatives about this change in our industry that we discussed.</p><p>
3. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Branding. </span></span>Publishers are now creating "brands" around their most prominent authors, and then building powerful marketing and promotional programs around them. Instead of publishing six books by six different authors, publishers now often create five derivative products from one author's major trade book, such as a gift book, a devotional, a Bible study guide, an audio book, and even a children's book. The advantages to that for the publisher is that an entire line of companion products based on a best-selling author creates a bigger presence and attracts more attention in the stores than one product can. </p><p>
Also, the publisher can advertise the entire line of products with basically the same promotional dollars they previously had to spend on one product. This spreads the promotional dollars out across six products, thus raising the profit level of each product. Smart . . . for the publishers, and you can't blame them for making good business decisions, especially in this economy. However, it also means that instead of six authors' voices being heard, now only one is heard. And that's a sad thing for the readers, in my opinion. We discussed the ins and outs of the branding trend in detail.</p><p>
<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Other Topics</span>
In addition, we talked about such topics as the industry's new "core inventory" program, the limping economy's impact on Christian publishing, traditional vs. individual publishing, various printing options--regular press runs vs. print on demand--a 3-step plan for creating a stronger social media presence, and what the future may hold for Christian publishing.</p><p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgK6vEEArHzx_A9V31WxT-uRuvggGCkuM4Ij6ePDEUPU-Yec0E4tfdefMRg3cydxxUFRosX8c1IVLOwgKAwRlHSRj6aBPurxB56gZJl18jI_X_h8-c_XV4F5cLAKWtqQ-l_rUgkKc/s1600-h/The+Changing+Face+of+Christian+Publishing.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgK6vEEArHzx_A9V31WxT-uRuvggGCkuM4Ij6ePDEUPU-Yec0E4tfdefMRg3cydxxUFRosX8c1IVLOwgKAwRlHSRj6aBPurxB56gZJl18jI_X_h8-c_XV4F5cLAKWtqQ-l_rUgkKc/s320/The+Changing+Face+of+Christian+Publishing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450573183353366066" border="0" /></a>
The Ready Writers also asked that I record my presentation to them, which I did. And it occurred to me that, perhaps, some of you might also like to hear the more complete discussion of our changing industry. If so, the 50-minute CD is available for just $15, plus shipping and handling under the tab "Changing Face of Publishing" on my Web site: <a href="http://www.maryhollingsworth.com/">MaryHollingsworth.com.</a> </p><p> I would be honored if you find it insightful and helpful in your writing career.</p><p>
Now, please excuse me, but I have to go finish painting my guest room. (Can you hear me groan?)</p><p>
Blessings and joy!</p><p>
Mary</p><p>
</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://creativeenterprisesltd.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Creative Enterprises Studio</span></span></a>
</div>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-83031680407906433192010-02-20T17:06:00.006-06:002010-02-20T19:32:18.703-06:00A Hole in One!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8-Qm_faTvsYzg3ZA3vtDIYz_3qmOKO58tMx1kWabJdL5zpYe1DJZcZS95xtHuQfq70bZH54bAjY36EKpq8MhfkD4jsv46vWJu6pAl9_4ShfJDm4OuriuaJLZAZGR4LWOyAEX2kI/s1600-h/Web-size+Cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8-Qm_faTvsYzg3ZA3vtDIYz_3qmOKO58tMx1kWabJdL5zpYe1DJZcZS95xtHuQfq70bZH54bAjY36EKpq8MhfkD4jsv46vWJu6pAl9_4ShfJDm4OuriuaJLZAZGR4LWOyAEX2kI/s320/Web-size+Cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440466199998553442" border="0" /></a>As managing director of Creative Enterprises Studio, I'm so happy to announce the upcoming release of Peggy (Mrs. Byron) Nelson's book, <span style="font-style: italic;">Life with Lord Byron</span>: <span style="font-style: italic;">Laughter, Romance, and Lessons Learned from Golf's Greatest Gentleman.</span> The book will release in Dallas on May 20-23 at the HP Byron Nelson Championship tournament--one of the regular stops on the PGA Tour.<p>
Byron Nelson was, perhaps, the greatest golfer to ever play the game. And he still holds several world records—
winner of 11 straight PGA tournaments, a total of 18 tournaments for the year, with a 68.33 scoring average—records that many professional golfers believe may never be broken. Sixty-five years later, no one has even come close so far.</p><p>
Byron was a godly leader on and off the golf course. He is a great legend, and he was lord of the sport, often referred to as Lord Byron. He was the players’ player—the one they still try to emulate. He was the great Christian gentleman of the gentleman’s game. The standard bearer.</p><p>
You’ve probably heard the astonishing stories of Byron Nelson, the golfer, sometimes called the "Father of the Modern Swing." Peggy's book tells the rest of the story—Byron Nelson, the man—as only she can describe him. You will also hear what many well-known professional golfers, friends, and family members say about him. Through them you will learn the secrets of Byron’s success, both in golf and in life. You might just find they work for you too.</p><p>
Here's what some of the best-known golfers in history say about Byron:</p><p>
</p><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">I loved Byron Nelson as a friend, teacher, and confidant.
His honesty and humility epitomized what is right with the human race.
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: center;">– Tom Watson<p>
</div>
</div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My admiration for Byron Nelson has spanned my lifetime.
I was always impressed with how he treated the game
with such grace, dignity, and respect.
All of the players looked up to Byron and what he stood for
and what he contributed to our great game.
</div><div style="text-align: center;">–Arnold Palmer<p>
</div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Byron told me to be good to the game and to give back.
Byron himself gave strength in time of weakness,
courage in time of fear, and love in time of doubt.
He always gave his best.
</div><div style="text-align: center;">–Ken Venturi<p>
<div style="text-align: left;"> Here are some of the features and details of the book:<p>
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li>Foreword by professional golfer Scott Verplank</li><li>5-1/2" X 8-1/2" softcover with French flaps</li><li>16 pages of full-color photographs</li><li>dozens of stories and anecdotes about Byron that have never been told in print before</li><li>an inside look at Byron as Christian, husband, friend, stepfather, and grandfather</li><li>stories about his avocation as a master woodworker</li><li>tales about the romantic and fun-loving Byron</li><li>stories of Byron's powerful impact as a Christian man on the lives of others
</li><li>a CD is also included in the back of the book entitled <span style="font-style: italic;">Byron Nelson Remembers 1945</span> on which Byron is interviewed by well-known sports writer Russ Pate. This one-hour CD features Byron reliving his 1945 streak of 11 PGA wins, tournament by tournament. You can hear Byron himself recall from memory each course and many of the holes he played, as well as giving tips and advice on how to play golf successfully.
</li><li>224 pages</li><li>$24.99 retail + S/H<p>
</p></li></ul>This book is definitely a hole in one for Peggy, because she has accomplished her goal of allowing Byron's many friends and fans around the world to see that Byron was even better than his wonderful reputation, both as a golfer and as a man.<p>
To pre-order a first-edition copy of the book, please visit the Creative Enterprises Studio product store by clicking on the link below. Books will then be shipped as soon as they are available in May.</p><p>
Blessings!</p><p>
Mary</p><p>
P. S. Stay tuned for the announcement about the launch of the official Byron Nelson Web site too!</p><p>
</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com/">Creative Enterprises Studio</a>
</div></div></div>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-36309005284028593042010-02-11T08:09:00.010-06:002010-02-11T09:46:12.450-06:00Frosted Fantasies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixc9sAl1wexvzl1j9D-q_gW9mVdUbW-GWXTRrrlfn9E8w44Emqynxps2_kV0J3tKKvNxlG4nOCRfcCu7ep9eRJK1D9qkM-WX4KYzI9J4Ljg8lwnV_np_qSW5EPsOyO0FeC3yx7zrA/s1600-h/Set103_01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixc9sAl1wexvzl1j9D-q_gW9mVdUbW-GWXTRrrlfn9E8w44Emqynxps2_kV0J3tKKvNxlG4nOCRfcCu7ep9eRJK1D9qkM-WX4KYzI9J4Ljg8lwnV_np_qSW5EPsOyO0FeC3yx7zrA/s320/Set103_01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437000036268019954" border="0" /></a>Today is such a rare treat for Texans--snow! And this time there's enough to actually wade in, ball up, and throw at someone. It reminded me of my years in Kansas where we had lots of snow and the poem I wrote one winter's morn. I thought you might enjoy it too.<p>These photos are of my lawn today after the finger of God touched it.
</p><p>Blessings,</p><p>Mary
</p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Frosted Fantasies
</span></p><p>Sunrays at dawning peeping up bright,<BR>
Touch frosted fantasies glistening white;<BR>
God’s chilling finger labored through night,<BR>
Transforming landscapes to visual delight.<BR>
<BR>
Crystalized wheat fields, glimmering green—<BR>
Seas of delicious lime sherbet ice cream.<BR>
Whispy grey mist shrouding the stream—<BR>
Invoking a vision-like, mystical dream.<BR>
<BR>
A gentle sad willow, graceful with glaze,<BR>
Bows icy tentacles low as it prays.<BR>
Frozen blue puddles glint through the haze<BR>
Like shimmering diamonds wildly ablaze.<BR>
<BR>
Granddaddy long-legs, frozen in place,<BR>
Eternally webbed in delicate lace.<BR>
Fuzzy green juniper, loaned icy grace,<BR>
Resembles an oldtimer’s aged, whiskered face.<BR>
<BR>
Fairyland countryside, dreamy display;<BR>
Sugar-dipped wonderland twinkling and gay;<BR>
Blanketing autumn’s sad death and decay,<BR>
Winter’s first frosting with purity o’relay.<BR>
<BR>
<span>Copyright 1981, Mary Hollingsworth. Written on a snowy winter's morning on a Kansas wheat farm. All rights reserved.
</span><l>
<l>
</l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></p><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com/"><l><l><l><l><l><l><l><l><l><l><l><l><l><l><l><l><l><l><l><l><l><l><l><l><l><l><l>CreativeEnterprisesStudio</l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></l></a></div>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-35947644922332877652009-11-15T10:02:00.003-06:002009-11-15T10:33:59.616-06:00One Down, // One To Go!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29CAok2D79XrBmb-19FsGuDQ6J4PBPmvTNKIMtL_0N5cuDy54sst1BCeJImHX7q3pxW8OV7ii1KLhqRVX8ZaaBIo4Yz0TxqE8fBONckkbusVtU9gf6mGtVBNWLwCiFODjghihFj4/s1600-h/Interrobang.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 97px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29CAok2D79XrBmb-19FsGuDQ6J4PBPmvTNKIMtL_0N5cuDy54sst1BCeJImHX7q3pxW8OV7ii1KLhqRVX8ZaaBIo4Yz0TxqE8fBONckkbusVtU9gf6mGtVBNWLwCiFODjghihFj4/s320/Interrobang.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404361871387092226" border="0" /></a>In my last post I complained about our "Missing the Mark" and pointed out that we really need two additional punctuation marks in our English language--the exclamatory question mark, and the grand pause.<p>
Since that post I have found the answer to the exclamatory question mark--it's called an Interrobang. Research shows that this mark was invented by American <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_K._Speckter" title="Martin K. Speckter">Martin K. Speckter</a> in 1962. Speckter was head of an ad agency and believed ads would look better if copywriters showed surprised rhetorical questions with a single mark. He proposed the concept of a single punctuation mark in an article in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magazine" title="Magazine">magazine</a> <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=TYPEtalks&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="TYPEtalks (page does not exist)">TYPEtalks</a></i>.<p>
Speckter sought possible names for the new character from readers. Submissions included <i>rhet</i>, <i>exclarotive</i>, and <i>exclamaquest</i>, but he settled on <i>interrobang</i>. He chose the name to reference the punctuation marks that inspired it: <i>interrogatio</i> is Latin for "a rhethorical question" or "cross examination"; <i>bang</i> is printers' slang for the exclamation point. Possible graphic representations for the new mark were also sent in response to the article. <p>
In 1966, Richard Isbell of American Type Founders issued the Americana typeface and included the interrobang as one of the characters. In 1968, an interrobang key was available on some Remington typewrites. During the 1970s, it was possible to buy replacement interrobang <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5ZUlfJLJTWg-NyHCMBWeMzQcEzVCtUHVUjLOeXyPTFdeCVOzysqdjfb5PpZhbpDySczm4vnONAFVYXYdDAiw1BIibWuuAUCqkkcFQpbtKM8yqG1qVMX2dIjs_xO_IrV3pvTkb9k/s1600-h/Interrobang.svg.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 75px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5ZUlfJLJTWg-NyHCMBWeMzQcEzVCtUHVUjLOeXyPTFdeCVOzysqdjfb5PpZhbpDySczm4vnONAFVYXYdDAiw1BIibWuuAUCqkkcFQpbtKM8yqG1qVMX2dIjs_xO_IrV3pvTkb9k/s320/Interrobang.svg.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404367411219158258" border="0" /></a>keycaps and typefaces for some Smith-Corona typewriters. The interrobang was popular for much of the 1960s, with the word <i>interrobang</i> appearing in some dictionaries and the mark itself being featured in magazine and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspaper" title="Newspaper">newspaper</a> articles.<p>
Unfortunately, the interrobang failed to amount to much more than a fad. It has not become a standard punctuation mark. And yet, although most fonts do not include the interrobang, it has not disappeared: Microsoft provides several versions of the interrobang character as part of the Wingdings 2 character set (on the right bracket and tilde keys) available with Microsoft Office. It was also accepted into Unicode and is present in several fonts, including Lucida Sans, Unicode, Arial Unicode MS , and Calibri, the default font in the Office 2007 suite.<p>
<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Bottom line:</span> as with fadish words and phrases that become popularized through grassroots use and eventually make their way into dictionaries, I believe popular use of the interrobang will eventually force the powers that be in all matters punctuation (whoever that is) to finally accept it as a legitimate addition to our language. I, for one, intend to begin using it in informal writing. However, as a professional editor, I cannot use it or condone its use in formal writing until it has been properly recognized.<p>
I hope you'll join me in promoting the use of the interrobang, because in my opinion, we're definitely missing this mark.
One Down, // One To Go!<p>
Your comments are welcomed and encouraged in response to this post.<p>
Blessings, friends,<p>
Mary<p><sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference">
</sup><div style="text-align: center;"><sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com/"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >CreativeEnterprisesStudio.com</span></a></sup></div>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-90590683415831209592009-10-21T21:21:00.005-05:002009-10-21T22:10:14.903-05:00Missing the Mark!?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OyNWKJyO67A-MzuiyPWyD0jnnVdeZGBc7ZXagmS0U3FyDy1eE6yENnLGGaDPThhZjp4SFKZ19ujh0Um8Fw89GHvTQrkYQDvyDp7YuFs1aCEldzLDEO6eiB7AzWcovtbh1230oa0/s1600-h/Mary+in+Navy.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OyNWKJyO67A-MzuiyPWyD0jnnVdeZGBc7ZXagmS0U3FyDy1eE6yENnLGGaDPThhZjp4SFKZ19ujh0Um8Fw89GHvTQrkYQDvyDp7YuFs1aCEldzLDEO6eiB7AzWcovtbh1230oa0/s320/Mary+in+Navy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395254345751030098" border="0" /></a>Can we talk? I'm frustrated. Sick of it. And I'm going on a campaign! Perhaps you'd like to go with me. Are you tired of not having all the punctuation marks you need to express yourself correctly? Me too. I'm convinced we are missing at least two marks in the English language. Let me explain.<p><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Exclamatory questions.</span> </span>When you want to use an exclamatory question, should you use a question mark or an exclamation mark? Neither mark alone really accomplishes the task, and yet it's improper to use two such punctuation marks together. So we see writers trying to"make do" with what we have by combining them: "He said what?!" Wrong. And any editor worth his/her salt will eliminate one of them, leaving the expression technically correct but emotionally incomplete.</p><p><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> What we need is a new exclamatory question mark</span>.</span> But what would that look like? Perhaps we could take a clue from the Spanish language and use an upside down exclamation mark. (I can't demonstrate that here, of course, since we don't have them in our language.) Or perhaps we could put the exclamation mark at the beginning of the sentence and the question mark at the end: "!He said what?" Or better yet, perhaps some clever typographer could create an all-new mark just for this purpose. All I know is when it comes to exclamatory questions, we are definitely missing the mark.</p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The pause.</span> </span>Do you ever want to communicate to your reader that he/she needs to pause for a second? I often do, but again we're missing the mark to do that. Sure, we see people try to create that pause by using the ellipsis: "John, will you please just stop . . . take a breath . . . and think about what you're doing?" But that is an incorrect use of the ellipsis, which is properly used to indicate missing text, not a passing of time. Once again, a sharp editor will eliminate that usage, leaving your writing technically accurate but without the pause you hoped to achieve.</p><p><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> What we need is a pause mark.</span> </span>Unlike the exclamatory question mark, the solution to this missing mark could be quite simple. We could just borrow what's called the "grand pause" from the language of music. The grand pause is indicated in music with double forward slash marks: // And it works beautifully: "John, will you please just stop // take a breath // and think about what you're doing?"</p><p> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Now what?</span> I have for some time been thinking of sending these two ideas to, uh, who? Where do you begin to get new punctuation marks added to our language? Who is the final authority? I need your help! If you have ideas or suggestions about where I could submit these ideas, I would be grateful for your input. Please just email me directly at "ACreativeShop@aol.com."</p><p>While I may not be the one to make this change happen, maybe I can begin to stir the pot to get things cooking. Something definitely needs to be done, in my opinion, because we are really missing the mark here.</p><p>Blessings,</p><p>Mary</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com/">CreativeEnterprisesLtd.com</a>
</div>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-41357681115364167222009-10-07T20:52:00.015-05:002009-10-07T23:23:47.008-05:00Untick, Untock<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Q0XzPuqiQmgmgSafW4tEGlyUKyEXfMYukMSCINkXy2OADqwVwxhUszFzXYT0IKWhrubntZk0MO0g8c4b7RdQkcS2h8naqViYLyHzUDvMsTCIvWL479-8OP2Stm8e8dVBZGwIjnI/s1600-h/IMG_0074.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Q0XzPuqiQmgmgSafW4tEGlyUKyEXfMYukMSCINkXy2OADqwVwxhUszFzXYT0IKWhrubntZk0MO0g8c4b7RdQkcS2h8naqViYLyHzUDvMsTCIvWL479-8OP2Stm8e8dVBZGwIjnI/s320/IMG_0074.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390053225707956354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Do you ever wish you could just turn back the hands of time and have a few do-overs? I know, I know, that's not how life is intended, and for the most part I wouldn't really want it that way. We're not made to look at life through a rearview mirror or walk through life backwards. If we were we would have eyes in the backs of our heads as well as in the fronts, right? (Have you ever wondered why God didn't put eyes all the way around our heads so we could see in all directions at once?)</span> <p>
<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Still . . . when life whirls around too fast, and I'm not getting as much done as I need to do, sometimes I think </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Could we please just start this day over again? I'd like to have another run at it. I think I could do it better this time. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Do you ever do that?</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <p>Most often I remember really special times with really special people in really special places, and I catch myself wishing I could just do <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >those </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> over again. Sunsets on that glorious A</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">laskan cruise. Sunrises over the mist-shrouded glens of Scotland. Riding on the rowdy bus with forty choir members through the emerald green landscapes of Ireland. Standing on an arched bridge over International Boulevard in Geneva, Switzerland, looking at the flags of all the nations of earth, singing "Love In Any Language." Ah . . . sweet memories.</span></p></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >When I fall into those reflective moods, I write poetry. I'm not saying it's great poetry (maybe not even good poetry); Shakespeare certainly doesn't have to worry about his place in history; it's just mine. One of those poems--a 16-line sonnet--expresses my thoughts on this subject and a particular moment about twenty-five years ago when I first met my best friend for all these years. Perhaps you can relate to it.<p></p></span></p><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Time Retreat</span><p>
</p></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">
</span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Why can't yon clock take backward flight?<p></p></span><r><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Why prod and push me day and night?<p></p><p><r></r></p></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Why hurry me 'til worn I sigh<p></p></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And onward march me 'til I die?</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">
<p></p><p></p><p></p><p><r></r></p><p>Instead, twist hands now right to left;</p><p>
Tomorrow's dulled ears be deaf!</p><p>
Let future's family mourn bereft;</p><p>
Store glistening hopes on musty shelf.</p><p>
</p><p></p><p></p></span>
<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><p>Retreat, retreat to joys again,</p></span></p><p>
<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Erasing moments scathed by sin,</span></p><p>
<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Eliminating might-have-been,</span></p><p>
<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Retracing paths of noble men.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">
<p></p><p></p><p></p></span>
<span style="font-style: italic;">
</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><p>Untick, untock, untick, untock</p></span></p><p>
<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">To that sweet moment on the clock</span></p><p>
<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When first I found my precious friend,</span></p><p>
<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And never forward tick again.</span></p></r></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><r>
<span style="font-style: italic;">Copyright 1981, Mary Hollingsworth. All rights reserved. Contact: MCHWriter@aol.com.</span><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ></span> <p></p></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >What's my point? Savor the special moments of your life. Taste them, feel them, hold them in your heart, glue them into your mind like photographs in a scrapbook. They may not come along again. Life is good. Live it well, love it deeply, share it with those who walk through it with you day by day. And every step of the way hold on to the hand of the One who gave it to you to enjoy.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Blessings,
Mary</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">P. S. I'd love for you to subscribe to this blog and interact with me on a regular basis. And invite your friends! We'll have a jolly time.</span></span>
</span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com/">Creative Enterprises Studio</a></span>
</div></r></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div></div>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-6674067364594978262009-09-22T15:52:00.008-05:002009-09-22T18:52:24.182-05:00Why's a Church Doing a Broadway Show?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSF4BrqZiJMMvgL2QTwyZ_IyLRf1annJ03S6P0zfp3C39lC6Cv2MtT6GOf0ZOG323UoCGnnyNMXsort-r9JkPaTn5HUaHMtDctAO6de-Dg6Dl2xzZ6Lm6WBidnxNO6yWpEPlWWW2w/s1600-h/Program+Front.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSF4BrqZiJMMvgL2QTwyZ_IyLRf1annJ03S6P0zfp3C39lC6Cv2MtT6GOf0ZOG323UoCGnnyNMXsort-r9JkPaTn5HUaHMtDctAO6de-Dg6Dl2xzZ6Lm6WBidnxNO6yWpEPlWWW2w/s320/Program+Front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384407208522111826" border="0" /></a>This past week was a whirlwind of activity. I was involved with a musical program called "Broadway Bound" at the Richland Hills Church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas. We had stage and set building, technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and music rehearsals almost every night. I'm happy to say that our hard work paid off, because we were blessed with a full house both nights of the performance. A special thanks to each of you who came. <p> At first glance you might wonder, <span style="font-style: italic;">What's a church doing presenting a Broadway show?</span> And, frankly, that would be a fair question.</p><p> Perhaps you remember in the movie <span style="font-style: italic;">Sister Act</span> that the Mother Superior was incensed by the choir singing popular rock'n'roll songs and "turning the church into a glitzy night club act or theater show." Sister Mary Clarence (Whoopi Goldberg) responded, "But that's just the point: people <span style="font-style: italic;">like </span>going to night clubs and theater shows, because they're fun, but they <span style="font-style: italic;">don't like </span>going to church because it's a drag. We just want to get some people in the seats; <span style="font-style: italic;">then</span> we can tell them about God." Mother Superior didn't "get it" at that stage, just as many people today don't "get it," and I can really understand why.</p><p> Through the years I have worked and sung with a great outreaching choir. Our philosophy was to "go out into the highways and byways and bring them in" (Matthew 22:9), rather than waiting for them to come to us at the church building (which they rarely do). So we sang for local fairs and festivals, at patriotic celebrations, at Christmas programs, in parks and malls and corporate events--anywhere we thought there would be lots of people. And we made friends by presenting upbeat, excellent, clean family entertainment. We had fun, and they had fun.</p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jgyEF7mAQHanKcXyMnlVQnoKUo8V09ivzDuNrCxOtPWQLDgUQ_bDpTesP-QmKIYpayia6n8K89c5pnwEch3kF5mt04sUDXK8O2M1aQ50nvHB6vnspV1TNDZFO_9hJoVmSu8vM-8/s1600-h/Barney+copy.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jgyEF7mAQHanKcXyMnlVQnoKUo8V09ivzDuNrCxOtPWQLDgUQ_bDpTesP-QmKIYpayia6n8K89c5pnwEch3kF5mt04sUDXK8O2M1aQ50nvHB6vnspV1TNDZFO_9hJoVmSu8vM-8/s320/Barney+copy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384418063093434802" border="0" /></a> Then we would invite them to a program we were doing at our church building, and because they already knew us, they would come. When they came to the church, they met even more Christians who knew how to have fun without all the "night club" trappings. And over time many of them came back to special programs and worship assemblies and began to follow God. It worked!</p><p> "Broadway Bound" was a great family show where church folks could bring their friends and neighbors just for fun. We featured musical drama vignettes from such marvelous Broadway shows as "South Pacific," "The Sound of Music," "Phantom of the Opera," "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat," and "Jesus Christ, Superstar." The show was free--we just invited them to bring a can of food or make a small donation to help the homeless. In all they brought 866 items of food and $457!</p><p><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Bottom line</span>: they had a wonderful time, met some nice Christian people, became more comfortable with the church building, and went home with smiles on their faces. Some will come back for the next show. Some will come back for worship. Hopefully some will come back and become followers of God. And that, my friend, is what it was all about.</p><p> So what do you think? Should the church be doing a Broadway show? I'll let you decide.</p><p>Blessings,</p><p>Mary</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com/">CreativeEnterprisesLtd.com</a>
</p>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-40017988182640328282009-09-01T15:36:00.005-05:002009-09-02T11:09:14.188-05:00Emma Was a Rainbow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fhyphenhyphenf-wqI3mdnhrZlHw8VathnrPTpJExzBwrJR0uDq2SiRnlyzIemDPZ3LtNsvCsMeRizVp8LFH5dgQx2bRXDn1rm6CUVb3IveurBcMyEEZgQBWRDshnJZPy1g0bdzzNjSgap3MY/s1600-h/IMG_0588.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fhyphenhyphenf-wqI3mdnhrZlHw8VathnrPTpJExzBwrJR0uDq2SiRnlyzIemDPZ3LtNsvCsMeRizVp8LFH5dgQx2bRXDn1rm6CUVb3IveurBcMyEEZgQBWRDshnJZPy1g0bdzzNjSgap3MY/s320/IMG_0588.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376902773735787330" border="0" /></a>
Some people are storm clouds; some people are rainbows--full of hope and color and promise, even in the midst of darkness and trouble. Emma was a rainbow. <p> Emma was eighty-nine years old, and when you asked her what she did for a living, she answered cheerily, "I take care of old people." She lived in a dilapidated two-story frame house in a poorer section of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she had taken old people in off the streets.</p><p> At dinner time Emma would tug on a little angel figurine tied to a piece of twine that rang tiny bells on the second and third floors. Then her dozen or so tenants would slowly descend the stairs in twos, helping each other come down safely to the dining room where they had a nice meal that Emma had prepared for them.</p><p> These folks were castaways of society--homeless, rejected by their families, jobless, and hopeless . . . until Emma adopted them so they wouldn't starve on her doorstep. Emma cared for them with her own money and what little money they had, never asking for help from anyone else. In truth, most of the tenants were younger and in better health than Emma. </p><p> Emma and I were friends at church, so I went to her house for dinner one night, and I found myself wondering, <span style="font-style: italic;">Would I be as generous and kind as Emma is</span>? At eighty-nine Emma could have decided she had earned a rest and sat easily on her front porch rocking away the rest of her life. And no one would have criticized her, because we have bought into the unbiblical concept of retirement. Ease. Comfort. She could have chosen to be an old person, too, but she didn't. Instead, she chose to become hope to the hopeless, joy to the joyless. She was the vibrant Christlike rainbow in their storm-clouded skies. And they loved her dearly.
</p><p> Some people are storm clouds; some people are rainbows. Each of us gets to choose which one we want to become. Emma was a rainbow. I wonder, what are you?</p><p>Mary</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">CreativeEnterprisesLtd.com</span></a>
</div>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-12985234439286282172009-08-23T14:52:00.009-05:002009-08-23T16:19:26.042-05:00Fresh Wind!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiST1Sh56_799fBp_xDEn4wreyu-DTEMVSQqjGGD7TObJUm9_8klYP-EKG7SKGEftuJjUuZ-LW9lrTXiCFrZQcxNKynoqxU9ULp5_cBZsrwIlkdp7ro-imNYjlpzMhi6sjXNmbhLaA/s1600-h/IMG_0577.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiST1Sh56_799fBp_xDEn4wreyu-DTEMVSQqjGGD7TObJUm9_8klYP-EKG7SKGEftuJjUuZ-LW9lrTXiCFrZQcxNKynoqxU9ULp5_cBZsrwIlkdp7ro-imNYjlpzMhi6sjXNmbhLaA/s320/IMG_0577.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373270878793469618" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >What a whirlwind week this has been! Meetings, lunches, Women of Faith c</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >onference in Dallas, and a myriad other details to </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >handle. I </span> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >loved it! I'm a work hound. I just love t</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >o b</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >e busy doing something productive, checking off things on my to-do list. I can't just sit and watch TV or hang out. I have to work on something with my hands at the same time. How about you?</span><p><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >I'm happy to say that </span>I feel a fresh wind blowing through our land, bringing renewed joy, a brighter day, an anticipation of hope, a little touch of heaven on earth. My work seems to be picking back up as confidence is returning (or perhaps people are just tired of being depressed and are ready to move on). For that I am extremely grateful and hopeful. I pray that's also true for you, friends.<span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >something productive and checking things off my to-do list. I can't just sit and watch TV or hang out; I have to work on something with my hands at the same time. How about you?<p></span></p><p><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >The Women of Faith conference was excellent this year, as it always is. Patsy Clairmont left the entire 16,000-women audience rolling in the aisles. Steven Curtis Chapman had everyone on their feet for song after song. Lisa Whelchel (Blair from the Facts of Life TV series, who is now a minister's wife and mom) blessed us with her story of victory over life's difficulties. The praise team was uplifting. Mary Graham was as </span>gracious and caring as ever.</p><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><p>I didn't get to hear Marilyn Meberg or Luci Swindoll this year, but the one who touched me the most was Sheila Walsh. Her heart-wrenching story of brokenness, depression, and fear that turned into renewed joy and love through forgiveness had everyone in tears. Then she topped it off with two amazing songs--"Let Go" and a wonderful version of "Amazing Grace." (Please see my review of her new book below.)</p></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><p></p><p></p></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Thank you, O God, for your never-failing mercy and love. Help me to reflect your glory and grace accurately to th<span class="text_exposed_show">e world through my words, my actions, my songs, my relationships, my writing. "Not to me, O Lord, not to me, but to your name give glory" (Psalm 115:1).<p>
</span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Blessings, friends, for a wonderful week ahead. May you shine your mirror so you reflect His glory accurately into the dark corners of the world too.</span><p><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Mary<p></p></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><p></p></span></p><div style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com/">CreativeEnterprisesLtd.com</a></span>
</div>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-959240362013232302009-08-06T15:39:00.008-05:002009-08-06T17:31:44.102-05:00It's About Time!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37tJpzivNykZ0vXEfcjvux4L2EPNJs1A3lJNSD202oeGzQnAI6_pWJqWRPAHj8C8UfQjtYO0X1XuF_EYvjcvgqPboARAZaRWOSbKhf6PndoreQjNlhxF_kEx0n0_rnz-ZLfEit_c/s1600-h/IMG_0665.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37tJpzivNykZ0vXEfcjvux4L2EPNJs1A3lJNSD202oeGzQnAI6_pWJqWRPAHj8C8UfQjtYO0X1XuF_EYvjcvgqPboARAZaRWOSbKhf6PndoreQjNlhxF_kEx0n0_rnz-ZLfEit_c/s320/IMG_0665.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366970517337302194" border="0" /></a>For the most part I am not politically oriented. I find politics outrageous, unreasonable, and repetitively boring. But now the Democrat National Committee (DNC) has released a memo attacking most of us Christians and conservative Americans as right-wing extremists. So, as we say in Texas, they've got my dander up. <p>Yes, I'm <span style="font-style: italic;">extremely</span> dedicated to Christ; yes, I'm <span style="font-style: italic;">extremely</span> devoted to right; yes, I'm <span style="font-style: italic;">extremely</span> passionate about keeping America strong and well defended; and yes, I'm <span style="font-style: italic;">extremely</span> opposed to national health care, government-controlled education, and the economy spending frenzy. So, if that's what being a right-wing extremist means, sign me up!</p><p>It's about time we, the "conservative right," stop being the "wimpy, silent right." It's useless after all to be <span style="font-style: italic;">right</span> if we don't speak out against <span style="font-style: italic;">wrong</span>. It's useless to be right if we don't act against wrong. It's useless to be right and passively tolerate wrong. So, in my opinion, we need to either speak up or shut up (yes, I know Mother said don't use that word, but it's the only one that works here).</p><p>For two centuries Christians have had it easy here in America. We have worshiped in peace. We have lived in peace. We simply ignored anyone with whom we disagreed and went blithely along in our non-confrontational oblivion. We were in the majority, we knew it, and we acted like it. We have often been nose-in-the-air snobs about our superior spiritual "standing" as Christians, even if we didn't really mean to. And our "faith without actions" has allowed Christianity in America to dissolve into a puddle of ineffective rhetoric that is rejected out of hand by reasonable people looking for real answers to t<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6EOl91xqefYK6QEp_Xec_9KYdAT1qM_Fh3dZHnhHLW5nS8IoMFTR5FwzgmRfF-gaRIB4sIlq3ZPciF1KuU_4QQQIZjaolyJJeR1xen5lHCURtDsR1scyJPPYzkvDBdYxf0CAHsA/s1600-h/Photo+14+of+24_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 171px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6EOl91xqefYK6QEp_Xec_9KYdAT1qM_Fh3dZHnhHLW5nS8IoMFTR5FwzgmRfF-gaRIB4sIlq3ZPciF1KuU_4QQQIZjaolyJJeR1xen5lHCURtDsR1scyJPPYzkvDBdYxf0CAHsA/s320/Photo+14+of+24_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366971254832404306" border="0" /></a>heir spiritual struggles.</p><p>So now what? Now we're the minority. Now our influence is almost gone. Now every day we face the out-of-control left-wing extremists, and we don't know what to do. Now America, the world's bright star of hope, is falling from the darkening sky and becoming the world's burned out meteor. Now we're scared. </p><p>But now the sun seems to be rising, because there are finally rumblings of discontent from the right. Grassroots rumblings. Christians are starting to get involved in political affairs again. Conservative people are speaking up, carrying signs, and taking a stand against wrong and evil. And all I can say is, "It's about time!" It's time for us to wake up! It's time to speak up. It's time to act up. It's time to look up to "the hills from where our Help comes" and follow His lead. It's time to move forward together on our knees in the name of Jesus. It's time to <span style="font-style: italic;">be</span> the Christians we claim to be and stop wimping out in the face of trouble. It's time . . . definitely time . . . well past time!</p><p>So what are <span style="font-style: italic;">we </span>going to do about it--you and I? Sit around and wait for someone else to take the lead? Wait around to see whose cause we can join online and follow their RSS feed? Or will we use our voices as writers, speakers, composers, singers, artists, and dramatists to speak out? Act out? Sing out? I'm using mine. Won't you join me? After all only what's done for Christ will last. May God give you the courage to act.</p><p>Blessings,</p><p>Mary
</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com/">CreativeEnterpisesLtd.com</a>
</div>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-35458560039720147622009-07-29T19:06:00.004-05:002009-07-29T20:51:32.217-05:00Suck It Up, Buttercup!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVCkI4NDfp0juka01fHAx79uaLMw-JY0hsWvYaaySN-G9QeutpOCTGMJcB_a9ccvRtGYsmQrKwQlglxYn-bF_yt_3VkwST4IS3wKLgZUXli9BboLrihjeNuSvWEzFgf1tPcP5Em8/s1600-h/Photo+4+of+24_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVCkI4NDfp0juka01fHAx79uaLMw-JY0hsWvYaaySN-G9QeutpOCTGMJcB_a9ccvRtGYsmQrKwQlglxYn-bF_yt_3VkwST4IS3wKLgZUXli9BboLrihjeNuSvWEzFgf1tPcP5Em8/s320/Photo+4+of+24_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364058314163466354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">Reality is no fun sometimes. Right now the reality of America is truly less than fun. The economy is in the pits. Jobs are scare. Credit cards are maxed out. Retirement funds are shrinking. People are frustrated, scared, and depressed. Families are stressed out. And everybody is looking for a way out.</span><p style="font-family: arial;">Like many other folks, I've had very little work in the past year. Still, when I examine the last few months, I haven't missed a single meal. My air conditioning is working. My car has gas in it, even at $2.50 per gallon. And while I've eliminated a lot of frivolous things from my monthly budget, so far I've been able to pay my bills, unlike people who have been hit even harder than I. Thank you, God.</p><p style="font-family: arial;">So I don't know about you, but I'm tired of listening to America's whining. If we compare our current situation to the pitiful daily lives of people in third world countries, who haven't had a decent meal in weeks or months or years; if we realize that what we have <span style="font-style: italic;">given up</span> during this money crunch is lightyears more than their skimpy basic livelihood; if we look at their gaunt faces and emaciated bodies compared to what we see in the mirror; perhaps then we will quit moaning about our problems that fade in the glaring light of their daily reality.</p><p style="font-family: arial;">Suck it up, Buttercup! Focus on the donut and not the hole. Look at what you have left, not what you have lost. Count your blessings rather than the extras you have "sacrificed." Praise the God who has overwhelmed you with grace, love, and salvation. Show the world the difference in how Christians face problems versus people who don't have God in their lives. Yes, times are tough compared to previous years. Move ahead anyway! Do something risky anyway! Laugh anyway! Celebrate life anyway! Love life, even this new less-extravagant life, anyway! In reality, we are still the most blessed people on the planet. Let us remember that and be grateful.
</p><p style="font-family: arial;">Blessings,</p><p style="font-family: arial;">Mary
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6Vi7PEsIACew_Z9hhjx7zJ1P00drU9rSbv6JQlF8z4aNhmqoxCPrWixu5_Yz0XxztCURqlKUG-Rci3DaVyw11jgr3HwGUACgnM1YG3tGD7gLfDN0MqXBHvkxpRojKyNz8gWxOCI/s1600-h/Cover+Photo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6Vi7PEsIACew_Z9hhjx7zJ1P00drU9rSbv6JQlF8z4aNhmqoxCPrWixu5_Yz0XxztCURqlKUG-Rci3DaVyw11jgr3HwGUACgnM1YG3tGD7gLfDN0MqXBHvkxpRojKyNz8gWxOCI/s320/Cover+Photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364059016903745666" border="0" /></a>
</p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-size:130%;" >Calling All Toddlers!</span>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Tiptoe, tiptoe into the stable. Tiptoe past the cow. Tiptoe past the donkey and the sheep. Tiptoe up to Mary and Joseph. Peek in the box; peek in and see. It's a baby sleeping on the hay. It's Baby Jesus. It's God's Little Boy."</span><p>
<span style="font-family: arial;">If you have toddlers at your house, they will love the new </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: arial;">Read and Share Toddler Bible </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;">by Gwen Ellis. Written specifically for tiny ears and eyes, this delightful new Bible storybook contains 40 of the Bible stories most often taught to toddlers in short, just-right-for-toddlers length. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Combined with light, bright full-color illustrations by Steve Smallman, the pages will keep the toddlers' attention while you read the two or three simple lines of text.<p></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"> Included with each story is an interactive learning suggestion you can use to help the toddler grasp the concept being taught. It's perfect for a fun time of parent-child sharing time. For instance, the one that goes with the story above says, "Parents: Put a baby doll in a box. Then let your little one act out tiptoeing to the manger to see the Baby Jesus."<p></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"> To complete the product, a one-hour DVD of Bible stories and other features is included in the front of the book. Your little ones will love watching the DVD with you or by themselves.<p></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"> Having authored more than 50 children's books myself, I highly recommend this excellent new product for toddlers. The language, art, activities, and DVD are all perfectly designed to entertain and teach your child about the God who adores them. Get it!</span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"> (Thomas Nelson: Nashville, TN 2009). 192 pp. Hardcover. $14.99.</span>
<div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com/">CreativeEnterprisesLtd.com</a></span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span>
</div></div></div>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-72991956673508483562009-07-20T19:20:00.006-05:002009-07-23T21:59:16.406-05:00Love Is Stronger Than Death<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Kc1fHwpJJf_koXGLtE_uEEgTB3QUFRU_Aud_VOqt-8u_Jal4pvi5rpn7f0h69zPh-q5SIXPPxmWiURmdN3PHdXjHqTwQtttFTkRY3NAyXmGQY9ueUB0Zo5z3xwjSYfoxZGOpgyI/s1600-h/IMG_0587.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Kc1fHwpJJf_koXGLtE_uEEgTB3QUFRU_Aud_VOqt-8u_Jal4pvi5rpn7f0h69zPh-q5SIXPPxmWiURmdN3PHdXjHqTwQtttFTkRY3NAyXmGQY9ueUB0Zo5z3xwjSYfoxZGOpgyI/s320/IMG_0587.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360706109098813746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Love is stronger than death . . .</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"></span><p><span style="font-family:arial;">
I know it’s true because my grandmother has been gone for fifty years, and I still love her. Death cannot erase her smile from my memory or mute her quiet whistling that I hear plainly in my mind. Sometimes I even catch myself whistling under my breath the way she did. Death can’t remove the vivid image I have of her wearing her flour-sack smock and pleated bonnet as she walked up the little country lane with her little wire-haired terrior named Rags to the mailbox or sat on the bank of the pond with her fishing pole.</span> </p><p>
<span style="font-family:arial;">Love is stronger than death. I know because I can still taste the special flavor of Grandmother’s mashed potatoes. I can smell the sweet, delicious aroma of her butterscotch pie baking in the old farmhouse kitchen. Nobody else’s tasted just as hers did. I can still see the sticks of gum and tiny handmade yarn dolls that hung on the cedar Christmas tree in the front room. And I can feel the warmth of her colorful, handmade quilts and deep feather bed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">
</span><span style="font-family:arial;">Love is stronger than death. So I must learn to be content to know that love is not affected by death—it doesn’t end, it doesn’t diminish, it doesn’t change. Instead love is immortalized and eternalized through death. And the possibility of that love ever being damaged or broken is eliminated forever. I’ll put my trust in love and the God who is love, because both are everlasting.</span><p>
<span style="font-family:arial;">This bit of my writing has been quoted so many times I can't even count. I don't know why. I suppose it's because people need reassurance in the face of loss. I'm sharing it here because I thought, perhaps, you or someone you know might be comforted by it as well.<p>And now for our final writing myth. Enjoy!</p><p>Mary
</p></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Writing Myth #10: </span><p>
<span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;">Perfecting the Passive Voice</span></span>
</p></div><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><p>Passive voice is like kissing your brother—boring, without passion, not worth repeating. In order to fully engage your readers’ minds, you must engage their hearts and emotions. Make them laugh; make them cry. Make them sigh with relief or hold their breath with fear or anticipation. Whatever you do, don’t let them feel nothing. If you do, you have failed as a writer, because writing is a passionate pursuit.
</p><p>In order to engage your readers, avoid the passive voice. It is weak and ineffective. It is platonic and meaningless. Take the story's action by the throat and squeeze until it screams. Show passion! Help your reader experience the <span style="font-style: italic;">action</span> by using <span style="font-style: italic;">active</span> voice. </p><p><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Tip:</span> when you have finished writing your story, go all the way through the manuscript looking specifically at every sentence to ensure that it is in the active voice. It will be worth the extra effort when your writing is powerful and moving.</p></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><p><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com/">CreativeEnterprisesLtd.com</a>
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</p>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-77830017940168693252009-07-09T22:07:00.010-05:002009-07-09T23:00:03.395-05:00Those Crazy Deadlines!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ7aiEadj-AzMGRtJAdmvZ43y9-h4oXYajDTrHjUkduDGsrr5pCzcHzjAlUeJAkDE9oUBSdgP20dUiwh14JQlysME1vLAfnO-vMvHh8zgjdGrr7rK1tDzkCqDSvrmcGQcdi4hPXA/s1600-h/IMG_3646.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ7aiEadj-AzMGRtJAdmvZ43y9-h4oXYajDTrHjUkduDGsrr5pCzcHzjAlUeJAkDE9oUBSdgP20dUiwh14JQlysME1vLAfnO-vMvHh8zgjdGrr7rK1tDzkCqDSvrmcGQcdi4hPXA/s320/IMG_3646.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356666141055881362" border="0" /></a>Hello, friends, and welcome to the No Doze brigade. Don't laugh! I'm up to my neck editing a 300-page Christian book. The publisher gave me one (say it slowly, O-N-E) week to do it! The in-house production editor laughed when I asked for extra pay for sleep-deprivation. Ahhh, the mysteries of the publishing industry. We just love those crazy deadlines! But hey, it's work, so who's complaining?<p>
Meanwhile, the temperature in DFW was 103 today, but the heat index was 109. Whew! I can't <span style="font-style: italic;">wait</span> to see what August will be like. And where will I be in August? Orland, Florida, for the Melaleuca convention. Hot, muggy, sticky Florida. Would somebody please just shoot me?</p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChsj0AiO0r5JOBYUtpDPvMxIxSgtXMne2g2Zd-4m4tRiiznBh_hMrlgVNdRowAHA9QyhfQ0V__s_ZQz5-WmQdG7iU_jt-1xnPxVziWNwz9kkCevqvQmkTk0ezoBpUpTJOQiUiNj0/s1600-h/Mom.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 155px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChsj0AiO0r5JOBYUtpDPvMxIxSgtXMne2g2Zd-4m4tRiiznBh_hMrlgVNdRowAHA9QyhfQ0V__s_ZQz5-WmQdG7iU_jt-1xnPxVziWNwz9kkCevqvQmkTk0ezoBpUpTJOQiUiNj0/s320/Mom.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356666759074808498" border="0" /></a>
All in all it's been a good week, though. After having heat exhaustion from working in the yard too long, my 91-year-old mom got a clean report from her doctor yesterday. So all is well. Think she looks 91?</p><p>
Here's another installment on our series of "Writing Myths." I hope it's helpful.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">
</span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Writing Myth #9:<p> </p></span></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Punctuation Doesn't Really Matter That Much</span></span>
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<div style="text-align: left;">Wrong! Punctuate it right or die. Punctuation makes or breaks your writing. It <span style="font-style: italic;">does</span> matter. Punctuation helps the readers accurately grasp what you want them to understand. If the punctuation is wrong, you have misunderstanding and poor communication. Punctuation affects the rhythm and flow of your writing. When it’s correct, your writing is powerful. Strong. Punchy. When it’s wrong, your writing stumbles along weakly. It, just, doesn't, move, the, way, it, should, don't you see? If you want to impress your editor, get it right. Well done punctuation is the mark of a truly professional writer.<p>
The best resource for making sure your punctuation is correct is <span style="font-style: italic;">The Chicago Manual of Style</span>, 15th edition (University of Chicago Press: Chicago, IL 2003). <span style="font-style: italic;">Chicago </span>is the industry's primary reference book for all things editorial. If you want to be a pro, get it, study it, learn it. It's a true necessity, but get a discounted copy on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/">Amazon.com</a>, because it's fairly expensive.</p><p>
Blessings, all,<p>
Mary</p><p>
</p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Next time?<p></p></span>
<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Writing Myth #10:</span><p>
<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">Perfecting the Passive Voice</span></p><p>
<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">CreativeEnterprisesLtd.com</span>
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</p>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-44881443470140374752009-07-01T17:06:00.012-05:002009-07-02T17:11:55.097-05:00Shade Tree Junkie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvuCvuyfXiRe0X-ZKOzuL7CyD-PMchrfm5EsaztvospbsQEbN35qX5fG3sriKEvSbeYGWWUk9TLCWpKp8nysVO3rGtHl-K7k1rAZTur0sqrzFM9Bgl4VOJDU5urnCC6x3ZTQr5iQ/s1600-h/IMG_0665.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvuCvuyfXiRe0X-ZKOzuL7CyD-PMchrfm5EsaztvospbsQEbN35qX5fG3sriKEvSbeYGWWUk9TLCWpKp8nysVO3rGtHl-K7k1rAZTur0sqrzFM9Bgl4VOJDU5urnCC6x3ZTQr5iQ/s320/IMG_0665.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353707240302689074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The 4th of July--one of my favorite holidays! Having lived outside the United States for a period of time, I have a much greater appreciation for the freedoms and privileges we have here than, perhaps, those who haven't. Old Glory holds a very special place in my heart and always will. And the joy of worshiping our God in peace is simply too precious to put into mere mortal words. Thank you, God, for America! May we do whatever we have to do to preserve and protect her from destructive forces both outside and inside her borders.
</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Summer! We're now enjoying those wonderful 102-degree Texas tem</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">peratures day in and </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">da</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">y out. The water runs on the lawn every day, and if you listen closely you can a</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8egxeL_gztmfAPYlD8OLtB_taTtQVUhRSp7g7jGPLzn-Eeq7mnBDxY3yT5-LFUMfd9hCXUQ8T9VnUKDPQmaJf7w-Eq4VRsZ1o5gOs69TWYLryNJ_RzHN5lfVvY7109_3w9R0k7c/s1600-h/IMG_1016.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8egxeL_gztmfAPYlD8OLtB_taTtQVUhRSp7g7jGPLzn-Eeq7mnBDxY3yT5-LFUMfd9hCXUQ8T9VnUKDPQmaJf7w-Eq4VRsZ1o5gOs69TWYLryNJ_RzHN5lfVvY7109_3w9R0k7c/s320/IMG_1016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353707984148392194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">lmost here the grass slurping it up like a starving man in the desert. We become shade tree ju</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">nkies, skittering from one patch of shade to the next, avoiding the blistering sun. Peo</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ple and pets hibernate i</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">n the house where the A/C chugs along constantly just to keep up with the heat, and cool, refreshing foods are definitely the fare of the day--fruits, </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">salads, and homemade ice </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">cream!
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</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg047gQi4qYuf20cd9GUBUFCiZfFp3iLBO0pGMyjnPmGOvXaXFp5uTtGiJlEZMXRe0ZgDxijspSqUBO8_hJ3_RL0J1bqw_VxieqllHhTmEINW5EYfCFkbTeq1l9cHJAgBmfDx2kLuM/s1600-h/1591451884_002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 122px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg047gQi4qYuf20cd9GUBUFCiZfFp3iLBO0pGMyjnPmGOvXaXFp5uTtGiJlEZMXRe0ZgDxijspSqUBO8_hJ3_RL0J1bqw_VxieqllHhTmEINW5EYfCFkbTeq1l9cHJAgBmfDx2kLuM/s320/1591451884_002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353982124181217506" border="0" /></a>
<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;">Jesus Calling</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;">: Devotions for Every Day of the Year
<span style="font-size:85%;">Sarah Young (Thomas Nelson: Nashville 2009)</span>
</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >Have you ever wished you could just sit down with Jesus one on one and have a conversation? Listen to his calming voice? Look into his loving eyes? Take in his heavenly advice? Enjoy the peace of being in his presence? And you just knew, if you did, life would be better.
Sarah Young, long-term missionary, did just that, at least in her mind and during her prayer time. She now shares those encounters with Jesus in <span style="font-style: italic;">Jesus Calling. </span>Written as if Jesus is actually speaking directly to you (because he is), these devotions bring you words of reassurance, comfort, and hope. They draw you into the very presence of Christ so that you can hear what he is saying specifically to you.
"I speak to you from the depths of your being. Hear Me saying soothing words of Peace, assuring you of My Love. Do not listen to voices of accusation, for they are not from Me. I speak to you in love tones, lifting you up . . . without crushing words of shame. Let the Spirit take charge of your mind, combing out tangles of deception. Be transformed by the truth that I live within you."
A beautifully written, sensitive devotional that will lead you through every day in the intimate presence of Jesus.
396 pages/small-format hardcover/$14.99</span></span>
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</div><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Thanks for joining me on this blog. I truly appreciate your spending time with me. And if you find something worth sharing, I hope you will refer your friends and colleagues here as well. Perhaps we can learn some things from each other as we interact.
</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Now here's another entry in our series writing myths:
</p><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Writing Myth #8:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Verbs--To Be or Not To Be!<p></p></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Contrary to some writers' opinions, it is not the adjectives but the verbs that power up your writing. Verbs explode the action! They propel the story forward, heat up the passion of the story, and escalate the plot to the next level. Make certain every verb sings or soars or sails as it carries the reader along.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><p>Examine every verb carefully to ensure that it is the perfect word for the action you are describing. Not just one that's close but the only possible verb that will do. Avoid using the "to be" verb and its derivatives as much as possible, because just "to be" is weak, passive, and unexciting. Instead punch up your writing with stimulating, soothing, and rhythmic verbs that elicit strong emotions and demand actions from your readers.</p><p>Verbs! The power of great writing.</p><p>Blessings,</p><p>Mary
</p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Next time?</span>
<span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Writing Myth #9:
Punctuation Doesn't Really Matter That Much</span><p><a href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">CreativeEnterprisesLtd.com</span></a>
</p></div></div></div>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-21717703853722590342009-06-19T17:22:00.006-05:002009-06-19T19:25:49.546-05:00Floored By It All<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjyWheKjLkGmBTZxQyyeyDqUGgEm_b99FXDQ8DYglVHuJ6iCPHAoapOBPOxYl4QhedSd1M7J22QnZrriWkx0C_jB9a6W3VS24LMbyzA42LA5wwHlGTaarcQizn4BWt1f3CC5jviU/s1600-h/IMG_194_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjyWheKjLkGmBTZxQyyeyDqUGgEm_b99FXDQ8DYglVHuJ6iCPHAoapOBPOxYl4QhedSd1M7J22QnZrriWkx0C_jB9a6W3VS24LMbyzA42LA5wwHlGTaarcQizn4BWt1f3CC5jviU/s320/IMG_194_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349199164194718850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">When Texas gets rain, it's always news. This week we got 8 inches in just a few hours! Along with the torrential downpour came flooded floors at our house. So we're in the process of replacing hardwood in our kitchen, dining room, and part of the living room. Just bring your tools and come on over!<p>
At least we won't need to water our lawn for a few days. So in spite of the mess, "Thank you, Lord, for the rain."</p><p>
</p></span><span style="font-family:arial;">On a happier note, I was blessed to receive my new book this week: <span style="font-style: italic;">Miracles in Tough Times</span> (Guideposts Books: New York). Don't you just love that? God's timing is always perfect. One of my close friends said, "Mary, be sure to read the Introduction to the book again." That's where I say that tough times don't last but tough people do. So how's the old adage go? "Only your best friends can tell you that you have spinach in your teeth." </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Okay, I get it--it's time to practice what I preach. Thanks, Barbara!</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><p><span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span><span style="font-family:arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsXhPJ22iAAYw6nkKqD7pfES1VoLioJIHOTVMbIBRdvlwNRMJW_ILYR0nNgcD5rtyWG0KXwi2ujvoGiJXMbiD99RNsCnSVaqDRN5aT1jyN9wXUvM7Ar0xC93tB1NQkos0fY7xCSI/s1600-h/Miracles+in+Tough+Times.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsXhPJ22iAAYw6nkKqD7pfES1VoLioJIHOTVMbIBRdvlwNRMJW_ILYR0nNgcD5rtyWG0KXwi2ujvoGiJXMbiD99RNsCnSVaqDRN5aT1jyN9wXUvM7Ar0xC93tB1NQkos0fY7xCSI/s320/Miracles+in+Tough+Times.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349170805122358402" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span>
Anyway, here's a photo of the new book. And if you're celebrating these tough times, too, you might enjoy getting a copy to read. It's a collection of true stories of how God intervenes in our lives during our most difficult days. You can order it through the Product Store at <a href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com/">http://www.CreativeEnterprisesLtd.com</a>.</p></span><p><span style="font-family:arial;">So what are you writing? I'd love to hear about it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Meanwhile, here's another installment in our Writing Myths series. I hope it's helpful.</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Myth #7: Adjectives Are Key to Great Writing</span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><p><span style="font-family:arial;">
</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Many writers try to rely on adjectives to give their writing power and excitement, but that's truly a myth. Adjective-laden paragraphs describing the garden or the parlor actually make it more tedious and tiresome to read. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Readers tend to skip over those parts, because they’re boring. They interrupt the action and excitement of the story and slow it to a crawl. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Have you ever caught yourself skipping over those paragraphs?</span><p><span style="font-family:arial;">
C. S. Lewis once said of his writing, "I try to leave out the parts that people don’t read." And that's great advice. Don’t beef up your manuscript with strings of adjectives. Keep it moving!</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> And your readers will keep moving with you.</span>
<span style="font-family:arial;">Blessings,</span>
<span style="font-family:arial;">Mary</span></p><p>
</p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:arial;" >Next time? Myth #8: </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Verbs--To Be or Not To Be?</span><p>
<a href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">CreativeEnterprisesLtd.com</span></a>
</p></div></div></div>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-13307047104209995572009-06-09T10:28:00.008-05:002009-06-09T11:44:36.694-05:00It's Summer--Let's Celebrate!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBu5sz_1aQV1bnb-AqgC2RDkpQnRqH46dPQ5N8YDyOVs-eTMic9Y-Ty8eSwdd_XPB27LGl7VhJrUT4wE4Dz6EiACz75Od7RZVzoK3H0NtPlRsU9yC6r-RpSZE12uIctvlTgjmjsc/s1600-h/IMG_3945.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBu5sz_1aQV1bnb-AqgC2RDkpQnRqH46dPQ5N8YDyOVs-eTMic9Y-Ty8eSwdd_XPB27LGl7VhJrUT4wE4Dz6EiACz75Od7RZVzoK3H0NtPlRsU9yC6r-RpSZE12uIctvlTgjmjsc/s320/IMG_3945.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345358928334687010" border="0" /></a>Today's the last day of school for many teachers. So I say, "Congratulations for surviving another year! You're amazing people." Being a perpetual student myself, I love teachers. In fact, I have a teaching degree, too; I just never chose to spend my years in the school classroom. Instead I have used my teacher training in my writing, in speeches and trainings, and in many other ways, so it has been valuable to me. My admiration for teachers is great--they deserve our highest praise and appreciation.<p>
Summer is also beginning to shake it's sunny head here in Texas. We're in the upper 80s, sometimes 90s, already. So we Texans are cranking up our air conditioning, sitting in the backyard swing in the shade (see mine right), or hibernating in the house now until about November, avoiding summer dust storms (see photo below) and sunburns.</p><p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzP-qmNaoZGyPIWZYqrEDx_TO3RgLekApTsAUQMFHQc_TRrHMQgPiI1SAGda7uebPJW4eXLfWNeaJ-XatLY5wz4RiKtvfQepJpTAbEwVuuDcfHwkonVz1GPkyEr90E9hUu0V9xI3E/s1600-h/IMG_3582.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzP-qmNaoZGyPIWZYqrEDx_TO3RgLekApTsAUQMFHQc_TRrHMQgPiI1SAGda7uebPJW4eXLfWNeaJ-XatLY5wz4RiKtvfQepJpTAbEwVuuDcfHwkonVz1GPkyEr90E9hUu0V9xI3E/s320/IMG_3582.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345357554963215282" border="0" /></a>
The convertible top is down. The aroma of burgers on the grill wafts through the neighborhood. We mow our lawns, then water them so they'll grow back and we can mow them again (where's the logic in that?). The malls are jammed with teenagers. The public swimming pools are teeming with kids. People are taking well deserved vacations. All's right with the world. Ahhhhhh.</p><p>
I hope you have a wonderful summer too. I'd love to hear how you plan to spend it. Just click on "Comments" below and tell us what you're doing. We'll compare notes. Meanwhile, here is the next installment in our myths about writing series:</p><p>
</p><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Writing Myth #6: Vocabulary Is Everything</span><p>
</p><div style="text-align: left;">In my opinion, communicating, not vocabulary, is everything. You must learn to make your writing style fit your intended audience. The reader should not have to struggle to understand your message through a maze of highbrow vocabulary words.<p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNCaGt1Fy3vcuSeb4qsZ-6MTzRoYAky-PkY9F_F_LtO6PUbIi6-PkY6t6883mW5_5Csg_RvHuLEX5lvmXhANkC5W8EbPOB-84GTBkPIzR095XGObJjG6q3a1Vp5wC3-TRxErz-xc/s1600-h/God's+Little+Princess+Bible.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 163px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNCaGt1Fy3vcuSeb4qsZ-6MTzRoYAky-PkY9F_F_LtO6PUbIi6-PkY6t6883mW5_5Csg_RvHuLEX5lvmXhANkC5W8EbPOB-84GTBkPIzR095XGObJjG6q3a1Vp5wC3-TRxErz-xc/s200/God's+Little+Princess+Bible.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345369028876415970" border="0" /></a>
If you are writing for children as Sheila Walsh has brilliantly done with her new book, <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">God's Little Princess Devotional Bibl</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">e</span> (see photo right and review below), then write with a child’s vocabulary and sentence length, not your own. Is that easy? No! You have to give up everything that's comfortable and natural to you--your writing style, your vocabulary, your knowledge level. But it's imperative if you want your book to do well.</p><p>
If you’re writing for a general adult audience, write on a mid-elementary level. (According to U. S. Government statistics, the average American adult now reads on a fourth-grade level or below, and it's steadily declining. Scary!) That means don't use a three-dollar word when a fifty-cent one will work. Keep it simple.
If you're writing for scholars, then by all means use your scholarly words and style. They expect it. They get it. Still, communicating well is still the target, not just flaunting big words.
<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-weight: bold;">Bottom line</span>: communicate! Don’t just write to show off your vocabulary. It's the message that's important, not the messenger.
Write on!
Mary
</p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Next time: Myth #7</span>
<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Adjectives Are Key To Great Writing</span>
<a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com/">CreativeEnterprisesLtd.com</a>
</div></div></div>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-31585404065182213072009-06-02T16:07:00.014-05:002009-06-02T17:24:58.164-05:00Colorado Dreaming!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQf34KybytL_-kCm3spjyuxNYEk6iVEF1ihnOFjMUsuGafSilisFy_-rPXpG_0sDFJ3fJV0-mR3HjgZ-KDKVWkxcc7Ax75fel6_U5_KaqV5eOKRS3F2_bdx4uL2MNf4343adAWso/s1600-h/IMG_0090.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQf34KybytL_-kCm3spjyuxNYEk6iVEF1ihnOFjMUsuGafSilisFy_-rPXpG_0sDFJ3fJV0-mR3HjgZ-KDKVWkxcc7Ax75fel6_U5_KaqV5eOKRS3F2_bdx4uL2MNf4343adAWso/s320/IMG_0090.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342857778081006290" border="0" /></a>My brother and his wife, Frank and Kay, left on Sunday for five wonderful weeks on the road with their fifth wheeler. They both recently retired from their jobs, so they are celebrating their freedom. They're wandering through Colorado Springs, Estes Park (my home away from home), Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, Salt Lake City, back down to the Grand Canyon, and home to Texas. What fun! I'm not jealous or anything, of course, are you?
<p>I love Colorado! When God created the world, I truly believe he must have spent some extra time on those mountains. It's such a glorious place. I'll just bet that somewhere on the base of one of those majestic peaks God signed his name as the Artist.</p><p>My friend Charlotte (see photo right) and I try to get to Estes Park for a week or two every couple of years. We just love having picnics by Fall River, shopping in all the curiosity shops in downtown Estes, watching the elk munching grass in front of the downto<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgP9JaxX7JGD_6gSNWehXtOzF2Lq4wJs3BQubfnsVdUIYCM8CjciUiPez5FTNVPDftPIDCBMR8XRVSfmHWhYCblJDdY-nZObw70glchJ0gi5HSsBcsiIZUldDzmVQbG112k8jgXc/s1600-h/IMG_0727.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 176px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgP9JaxX7JGD_6gSNWehXtOzF2Lq4wJs3BQubfnsVdUIYCM8CjciUiPez5FTNVPDftPIDCBMR8XRVSfmHWhYCblJDdY-nZObw70glchJ0gi5HSsBcsiIZUldDzmVQbG112k8jgXc/s320/IMG_0727.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342855779922074402" border="0" /></a>wn library, going to outdoor concerts, eating at the Dunraven Inn (great Italian food, and there are dollar bills lining the walls and ceilings--fascinating!), having tea at the grand old Stanley Hotel (where the movie <span style="font-style: italic;">The Shining</span> was filmed), and just breathing in the marvelous mountain air. Ahhhhhhh.</p><p>Sadly, this is not our year to go. Guess I'll just have to look at the pictures.
Last week I took a hiatus from our series of writing myths in order to commemorate Memorial Day. So now, back to it!
</p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Writing Myth #5: There's Nothing New Under the Sun</span>
</div>
Perhaps, in some ways, this statement is true. There may be nothing new under the sun, but there are fresh, exciting ways to view the same old things and give them new life. What <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> new is your personal perspective on what's under the sun. No one else who has ever lived is exactly like you or has your same experiences. Those experiences change the lens through which you see the world. So the key to being a great writer is to <span style="font-style: italic;">be yourself</span>. Don't try to be a copy of someone else. God took the time to make you unique, so use that uniqueness to glorify him in your own special way in your writing. Be creative like the Great Creator! Look for a new view. Stick your head through the hole in the fence and see what it looks like from the other side. Then you can debunk the myth!
Have a wonderful week, friends.
Blessings,
Mary
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Next time?</span>
<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Writing Myth #6: Vocabulary Is Everything</span>
<a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com/">CreativeEnterprisesLtd.com</a>
</div>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-38536347040713345132009-05-25T20:24:00.004-05:002009-05-25T21:29:31.312-05:00Remembering<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMT0xSBbmLFXGbbBdKgfg0ArLnqRUE5W6k07qnyuyPcuiNhjZQ4XCs4dbvpF5BOmQEMAvmQGaY75DUFVT-cMpgZeCYmpAPgz984S42w_yz0HU1lagL_gBg3PYGwyZwUFYU3HZYfA/s1600-h/IMG_0665.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 355px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMT0xSBbmLFXGbbBdKgfg0ArLnqRUE5W6k07qnyuyPcuiNhjZQ4XCs4dbvpF5BOmQEMAvmQGaY75DUFVT-cMpgZeCYmpAPgz984S42w_yz0HU1lagL_gBg3PYGwyZwUFYU3HZYfA/s320/IMG_0665.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339939138587259746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Memorial Day.</span> A sobering day. Glimpsing Old Glory and thanking God for men and women whose final salute to her was giving their lives to keep her flying free . . . to keep <span style="font-style: italic;">us</span> free. Celebrating the privilege of getting together with friends and family, cooking out, laughing and enjoying the day because those who gave us this freedom no longer can. Praying for the safety of our armed forces who continue to stand between us and terrorists around the world. Thinking about their loved ones who sacrifice their children, grandchildren, husbands and wives so we can have ours safely with us. Remembering. That's what it's all about. And today I remember with gratitude and hope for the future of America and the world. How did you spend the day?<p>
I received a copy of <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">The American Patriot's Bible</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">: <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Word of God and the Shaping of America</span></span> just two days before Memorial Day. How appropriate! I was immediately struck by the power and beauty of this recently released New King James Version. As a Bible editor for many years, I love new editions of God's Word, but I have rarely seen one so carefu<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7xeu6e41k_swV5pXuyoOwVyExaIl85zydEXCkndkU3Dp8fhUMVmh-ztlrvxCJCZuJ7bkDPcAcj5frILKDJ27FYM2Zy0f2RRUIfrdsMzBk_i7R5GDjzPgHree0n48bOG9fIRbzh8/s1600-h/American+Patriot%27s+Bible.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7xeu6e41k_swV5pXuyoOwVyExaIl85zydEXCkndkU3Dp8fhUMVmh-ztlrvxCJCZuJ7bkDPcAcj5frILKDJ27FYM2Zy0f2RRUIfrdsMzBk_i7R5GDjzPgHree0n48bOG9fIRbzh8/s320/American+Patriot%27s+Bible.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339950325992320050" border="0" /></a>lly and thoughtfully designed, so emotionally moving, so rich and classy in presentation. The antique look of a two-color text combined with 48 full-color pages throughout bring to life the great moments of American history through the words of her leaders quoting scriptures or making spiritual references. Photographs and illustrations from America's most treasured archives help us relive the people and events that demonstrate the godly qualities that have made America great. <p>
President Ronald Reagan said, "Inside the Bible's pages lie the answers to all the problems that mankind has ever known." Complete with index and concordance for quick reference, this grand edition of God's Word allows those answers to jump off the pages and into our lives. The perfect gift for veterans, members of the armed forces, history lovers, or anyone who holds our heritage as Christians and Americans dear. A true collector's edition.<p>
Dr. Richard G. Lee, General Editor (Thomas Nelson: Nashville 2009). Hardcover. 1632 pp. $39.99.<p>
Remembering,<p>
Mary<p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">CreativeEnterprisesLtd.com</span></a>
</div>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610975429847584076.post-63183355918483357502009-05-18T23:23:00.006-05:002009-05-19T00:30:02.641-05:00T-Shirts "Go into all the world"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pRRHFmx7chzvsnrxgrLayIxfqDtxef7ld3y22XGRafkhkmtOQQpXn_Ei6Nq3raYMDEN8JxwF5CAHgQ_8rcO8xtVdp6deFNLzVhjFJDLgpOwVCpz5Outj03EVNxesPjQNaXpPy9M/s1600-h/IMG_0068.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pRRHFmx7chzvsnrxgrLayIxfqDtxef7ld3y22XGRafkhkmtOQQpXn_Ei6Nq3raYMDEN8JxwF5CAHgQ_8rcO8xtVdp6deFNLzVhjFJDLgpOwVCpz5Outj03EVNxesPjQNaXpPy9M/s320/IMG_0068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337397189918212738" border="0" /></a>Greetings! Okay, so have you seen the new <span style="font-style: italic;">Star Trek </span>movie yet? Being a quasi Trekky, I loved it. I was especially pleased to see how well the casting director captured the features and look of so many of the old favorites in the faces of the new stars. I could almost see them growing older and actually becoming the personalities we've all known and loved through the years. The new Spock was particularly impressive, I thought. How about you?<p>I love all the Christian arts and the impact they can have--film, music, writing, drama, art, and others. A survey I read about this week by Kerusso showed that 98 percent of Christians wearing faith-based apparel want the message on their Christian T-shirts to be noticed by unbelievers. More than 56 percent said they had actually had an unbeliever ask about the message on their clothes. One statistic showed that 7.4 percent of unbelievers actually made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as their savior from a conversation with a Christian T-shirt wearer. So let's get out those shirts, friends, and wear them with joy. Who knows what can happen? What do you think?</p><p>Meanwhile, I'm up to my neck this week with 60 sixth graders and their production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" (junior version). So please pray for me!</p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">
<span style="font-size:130%;">Writing Myth #4:</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">
</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Quote Others Freely<p>
</span></div>
Many writers seem to believe that quoting lots of other people makes their own writing better. And while an occasional quote can add power to a particular point, the key word is <span style="font-style: italic;">occasional.</span> In truth if we want to read what others said, we can go read their works. We want to know what <span style="font-style: italic;">you </span>think--that's why we buy your book or article. Don't mislead your readers by putting your name on the work, and then quote everybody else. That's a cheat! Write your own work, express your own ideas, develop your own platform. Or perhaps you should find something else to do with your life.<p>Live long and prosper!</p><p>Mary
</p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Next time?<p></span><span style="font-size:100%;">
</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Writing Myth #5:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><p>
</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >There's Nothing New Under the Sun</span><p>
<a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.creativeenterprisesltd.com/">CreativeEnterprisesLtd.com</a>
</div>Mary Hollingsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033166012335850373noreply@blogger.com1