Tuesday, July 24, 2012

OCD at VBS


OCD at VBS

by Jane Thornton


Laughter and shrieks from eighty children echoed off the supposedly insulated walls of the gym. Crazy song time for VBS purposefully incited the mania, its goal—keep them pumped up. I had to repeat to myself over and over, “This is not the time. This is not the place. You are not in charge.”

Some time later, my crew of third through fifth graders had a down moment as we waited to rotate from snacks to crafts. The irresistible urge for correction bubbled up in me again.

“Hey, hey, hey,” I hollered. “Who knows what I do for a living?”

One bright little lad piped up, “You teach English.”

Thumbs up! “Yes, I do. I’m going into teacher mode to ask you a question. Who remembers the milk song from crazy time?”

Hands flew up.

“Show me how it goes.”

A raucous medley, not in unison:  “Don’t give me no Coke – no Coke. Don’t give me no tea – no tea!”

“Good job! Now, how would you say that if it weren’t crazy song night and your English teacher was listening?”

Long pause. Finally one lone girl’s voice questioned, “Don’t give me any Coke?”

Hurray! Points for her English teacher.

Perhaps you need such a compulsive corrector to look over your work in progress. If you are searching for an editor, please contact Jane Thornton at jethornton@tx.rr.com.


Jane Thornton, English teacher, wife, and mom of two almost grown children, strives to break free of the automatic boring label attached to those roles. Her two suspense novels eagerly await a willing publisher, and her articles search for inspiration in the humor and tears of life.


Monday, July 23, 2012

3 Habits of Highly Creative People by Lynne Gentry


3 Habits of Highly Creative People


The late Stephen Covey’s 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE encouraged people to set priorities, take the initiative, and seek win-win relationships. But in his 2004 follow-up book, THE 8th HABIT, Covey says to be successful you must “find your voice and inspire others to find theirs.”

As a writer and actor, I think it is very important to find your voice, your creativity. But where does that creativity come from? I’m not completely sure. But when my creativity dries up, here are three things I do to refill the tank: 

1. Read. Nothing like getting lost in a good story to stir up the imaginative juices. Read what you like. Read what you don’t like. Read fiction. Read the newspaper. Read blogs. Read. Let the flow of words and the varied structuring of sentences stimulate your own neurological pathways.

2. Observe people. Nothing like spending the day with a couple of 5-year-olds to help you see the world in a whole new way. Watch their body movements, their inability to concentrate for long periods of time, their wonder at their surroundings. Or, spend the day with an elderly person. Listen to their stories, their struggles, their victories. Study the creases in their skin, the effort to rise from a chair, and their need to grasp stationary objects for support.

3. Daydream. Nothing like spending a few hours in nature to put you in touch with the creator of creativity. A limitless sky, a breeze rippling across a pond, or the smell of wild grasses can awaken the senses numbed by the stress of life.
Don't you wonder what they are thinking?
What inspires your creativity?



My mom enjoying a beautiful morning.
She died of breast cancer later that week. 




Lynne Gentry knew marrying a preacher might change her plans. She didn’t know how ministry would change her life. She writes about the fragility of family ties and the lengths to which we will go to preserve them. Author of numerous short stories and dramatic works, she travels the country as a professional acting coach and inspirational speaker. Lynne lives in Dallas with her husband Lonnie and counts spending time with her two grown children and their families her greatest joy.

Visit Lynne at www.lynnegentry.com

To listen to an interview with Lynne Gentry, please visit Living Joyfully Free Radio ...http://www.livingjoyfullyfree.com/audio-items/lynne-gentry/

www.fliterary.com


Thursday, July 5, 2012

Grace for the Char-Baked

Yay!! I'm so excited!! My little novella is now available on Kindle for .99 cents!!

With “Char” as a nickname, Charlotte Wilson’s cooking skills are more incendiary than culinary. Charlotte is the last person on earth who should run a bake sale. But when her plans of running in a charity marathon are side-lined by a broken foot, her old flame’s suggestion becomes a challenge amidst her friend’s simmering doubts.

Luke Hammond has spent the last five years studying and preparing to travel overseas as a medical missionary. When his high school sweetheart unexpectedly comes back in his life, Luke wrestles with what he feels God calling him to be and what he wants to do. His reappearance rekindles an attraction that could char Luke and Charlotte’s heart or cook up the perfect romance.

About the Author: Lisa Buffaloe is a speaker, blogger, writer, radio host for Living Joyfully Free Radio, and a woman extremely limited on culinary skills. Her eclectic past blesses her with a backdrop to share openly how she would be char-baked without God’s grace.

http://www.amazon.com/Grace-for-the-Char-Baked-ebook/dp/B008HT76I0/ref=la_B008HVG1OS_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341936724&sr=1-1




Or order a paperback version at... https://www.createspace.com/3927689


Monday, July 2, 2012

2012 Writer Conferences for August


AUGUST CONFERENCES

August 1-4, 2012
GREATER PHILLY CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE
Philadelphia, PA - Philadelphia Biblical University
http://www.writehisanswer.com/philadelphia/

August 5-10, 2012
CAPE COD CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE
Cape Cod, MA - Resort and Conference Center of Hyannis
http://capecodwriterscenter.org/ <http://capecodwriterscenter.org/>

August 11-16, 2012
GIDEON MEDIA ARTS CONFERENCE AND FILM FESTIVAL
Ridgecrest, NC
http://www.gideonfilmfestival.com/

August 13-16, 2012
OREGAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS SUMMER COACHING CONFERENCE
Willamette Valley, OR - Aldersgate Retreat Center
http://oregonchristianwriters.org/summer-coaching-conference-2012-flyer/

August 19-24, 2012
GREEN LAKE CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE
Green Lake, WI - Green Lake Conference Center
http://www.glcc.org/Adult%20Conferences.html

August 23-25, 2012
CATCH THE WAVE CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE
Gwinnette County, GA - SimpsonwoodConference Center
http://www.christianauthorsguild.org/cag-conference/

August 29-September 2, 2012
CHRISTIAN COMMUNICATORS CONFERENCE
Asheville, NC - Billy Graham Training Center, The Cove
http://christiancommunicators.com/