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A Behind-The-Scenes view of the writings of author and teacher Mark Miller. I personally give insight into the creative process of my fantasy adventure series, The Empyrical Tales. I reveal the how & why as well as origins and "Easter Eggs".
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You may have noticed some subtle changes to my social media and official site recently.
Here is the good news: MillerWords, LLC is now accepting submissions for publication.
The plan is simple - a streamlined publishing experience which gives more control to the author.
MillerWords will format and produce both paperback and eBooks, then partner with the author to promote the stories in the most creative ways possible.
The question is simple - What can I do for you?
With over 20 years of customer service and retail experience, my goal is to help in any way that I can. I have been a traditionally published author since 2008 and I want to produce professional, attractive books that will look great on any shelf. Through
Authors in the Park, I will offer the added benefit of promoting local authors and selling anything in the
MillerWords library.
If you have been trying to decide whether to self-publish, send me an email. If you are tired of rejection letters, send me an email. If you have any questions, send me an email.
MillerWords pricing and contracts are very competitive and fully negotiable. Whether it is one book for a family reunion or the launch of your best-seller career, I want to help you make that dream a reality.
MillerWords is not a vanity press or self-publishing.
Your book will be registered with the Library of Congress, have an ISBN, and the MillerWords imprint.So, what can I do for you?
By: Mark Miller,
on 4/20/2016
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It's never too early to start planning for the holidays, right?
I had to get a head start on this one. December 10, 2016 will be the 5th anniversary of Authors in the Park and we will be celebrating in style with the "Christmas Book-tacular"
What is Authors in the Park (AIP)?
It's a local event for local authors. Basically, its a way to promote the little guys (like me). Past events have featured local authors, new break-out writers, regional favorites, international best-sellers and even a rock-and-roll legend. It's a great way to be involved in the community with raffles donated by local businesses, art strolls, wine tastings. We have done quite a lot.
That's why we wanted to go big this year to celebrate. The upcoming event will host 40 authors - who can register here:
Check out the link to see the schedule for the day. I will give you a hint: there will be an author reception, two guest speakers and a huge public expo for authors to sell and sign their works.
Jaimie M. Engleis an award-winning author from Brevard County, Florida. She has written professionally since 2003 with publications in Space Coast Living Magazineand Florida Today Newspaper along with Writer’s Digest and the Dr. Laura Program. She independently published her anti-bullying children’s book Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light in 2013, which won a BRAG Medallion in 2015 and was listed as a Top 10 Book in 2014 by Kid Lit Reviews. She published The Dredge in 2014, an L. Ron Hubbard Writer’s of the Future honorable mentions. Engle ran the Marketing Dept for an independent publishing house and lectures regularly at colleges, conferences, schools, and libraries. She runs her own editing & marketing firm to educate authors on marketing and publicity. Follow her at www.jaimiengle.com and hire her atwww.awriterforlife.com.
Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of 16 novels including The Unfinished Gift, The Discovery and When Night Comes. He has won 3 Carol Awards (finalist 6 times), 3 Selah Awards and 3 of his books have been finalists for RT Review’s Inspirational Book of the Year. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Word Weavers International, Dan writes fulltime in the Daytona Beach area. He and his wife Cindi have been married 39 years. You can find out more about his books or follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads or Pinterest from his website at http://www.danwalshbooks.com.
There is only one thing missing - YOU!
AIP is extending an open invitation to you, the author, the independent, the self-published, the regional celeb. Registration is open now and space is limited. As of this writing, there are less than 30 tables still available. Early registration ends May 31st and the fee goes up after that. So, don't wait!
Register now and celebrate with us!
And thank you once again to Grammarly for some great content - https://www.grammarly.com/spell-check
By: Mark Miller,
on 5/14/2015
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Here we go - the cover reveal and some exciting information about my newest book!
Gratitude Renewed is a personal journal of faith and healing. By journal, I mean that you, the reader, are going to be doing some of the writing. This book is meant as a tool to start your own journey of renewal. The idea for this book came from the Lazarus Filmworks motion picture God, Where Are You?, staring Wade Wilson and Kibwe Dorsey. My co-author on this book and father, De Miller, also wrote and directed the movie. In this movie, the main character feels that God has abandoned him. He then receives Gratitude Renewed as a gift with instructions to fill the pages with his life.
Gratitude Renewed will be available in paperback for you to do the same. If you know someone having troubles in their life, this book could be the blessing on which they are waiting.
Synopsis: This is not a traditional self-help book. It is a life plan designed to renew gratitude and strengthen faith. The authors of this book are not trained psychologists or ordained clergy (although they got lots of input from the pros). They are a father and son with a combined one hundred years (plus) experience of Life. They have faced challenges, experienced failure and explored their faith.
There are several journal pages included at the end of each chapter. They are intentionally left blank for you, the reader, to fill.
Gratitude Renewed is already garnering praise through reviews and endorsements:“It is well written and easy to understand and is prospectively a great self-help tool.”Theda Sturm, M.S., L.M.F.T., In Harmony Counseling
“Mark and De have a great gift in writing given to them by God. What a blessing...from God.”Gilbert Remington, Appointee Minister, Semi-Retired, Community of Christ Church
“Putting the principles from the book into action will renew the gratitude and help you discover the blessings in your life. I recommend this book to any individual that wants to live on the other side of why in a land called peace.” Mark Payne, Pastor, No Limits Church, Lake Mary, FL
“...an interactive challenge to their readers that will have them reexamining their lives and turning those lives around.” 5 StarsJack Magnus, Author, for Reader’s Favorite
“...a very motivational and positive read.” 5 StarsCharity Tober, Author, for Reader’s Favorite
“...you really feel like you’re learning something without a lot of extra noise...definitely a book I will hold onto for a long time.” 4 StarsSamantha Dewitt, Reviewer for Reader’s Favorite
(includes FREE shipping and a personalized autograph)
Coming soon to Amazon and other online book sellers
By: Mark Miller,
on 4/11/2015
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Well, this is a long awaited update to my blog. Hopefully you've been awaiting it...
I will get right to it. The update today is to announce the new design of my website.
The goal was to deliver something light and fresh. All of the key points are there and link across a variety of social media. It is an active site which will constantly be updated from the blog, Facebook and Twitter.
One of the most exciting things is the new MillerWords store.
Follow the
Order link to connect with the official Square store. Currently, all of my paperback books are available with free shipping and a personalized autograph. We are in the process of adding hand-made jewelry and all of my eBooks. (the link to the store is also at the top right of this blog)
I invite you to visit the links and follow me on Facebook and Twitter. As always, your feedback is most welcome in the comments below.
Thanks for stopping by!
By: Mark Miller,
on 12/6/2014
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Authors in the Park, the long-running showcase for local authors, is coming back to downtown Mount Dora with the 3rd Annual Christmas Spectacular set for December 20th.
This year’s event will feature Steve Boone of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band The Lovin’ Spoonful. Boone will be on hand to promote his memoir, Hotter Than a Match Head.
Authors in the Park is an author event series which supports local authors and community literacy. The event is sponsored by
MillerWords.com and Arts for the Community, Inc. (a local non-profit).
“It is great to have Steve at this year’s event. Not only is he a rock legend, but also a Florida author,” Mark Miller, founder of Authors in the Park, said.
In addition to Boone and Miller, other local authors will be on hand including: Sharon Coady, Illustrator Victor Donahue, De Miller, Olivia Miller, Theresa Oliver, D.G. Stern, C. Kevin Thompson and Colleen Wait.
“Another great thing about these authors is their commitment to their community,” Miller said. “This year’s line-up features educators, inspirational speakers and more.”
The Christmas Spectacular will take place Saturday, December 20th from 5p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Donnelly Building at Fifth Avenue and Donnelly Street in the center of festive downtown Mount Dora. It is free to attend and the authors will be available for photos and autographs. The city will be showing off its holiday light display and local shops will be open.
Dinos are truly fascinating. Their fossils spark the imaginations of kids and kids-at-heart. It's no surprise that Jurassic Park 4 (Jurassic World) is on the way. Then when you combine the talents of three people that also happen to like dinosaurs a lot, you get something like this:
Volume Two of the Ask DG young reader series is available now in paperback and Kindle!
Written by Mark Miller from questions asked to Dinosaur George Blasing by real kids, this book is perfect for young paleo-enthusiasts. Kindergarten through Second Grade can easily read this on their own and gain new facts with a touch of humor.
The real gems in this book, however, are the illustrations. Artist Victor Donahue makes his debut publication with impressive, detailed and entertaining images. Dino-fans will love Victor's incredible full-color drawings!
Order today to receive your book in time for Christmas!
By: Mark Miller,
on 10/29/2014
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I am participating in a themed blog hop with my publisher Helping Hands Press (myhelpinghandspress.com). The theme this month is, as the title suggests, my writing process. That is a very open-ended topic on which I probably have too much to say. I am thinking where to start, doing the usual – stare out the window until the right word pops into my scattered brain. That’s it. That’s my writing process. I randomly wait until some thought stumbles through the blank slate of my mind and I hurriedly write it before it escapes.
Oh wait. That’s only a fraction of how I write. Sometimes, I actually have solid ideas, well-plotted with themes and even a little style. Maybe that’s my writing process? I compose a sturdy outline. There are plot points along the way, like the map of a family road trip with all the tourist traps circled in red. I know where the story starts and know where it ends. Along the journey, I make sure to visit the World’s Largest Ball of Twine or the live mermaids of Weeki Wachee. I do, of course, allow extra drive time for any serendipitous side trips.
The thing that occurs to me is that we writers all have our own process. We each have things that work best, our own traditions and superstitions even. We all have our own style. That is a good thing because every reader has their own style too. We will never run out of stories as long as we never run out of readers.
Now, if I can only add something of substance to this post. Some of the best advice I ever received on writing was to develop my Point of View. That doesn’t mean readers want to know my opinion on anything (probably more the opposite). What it means is that I had to decide who is telling the story and make that connection with the reader. It does not mean to write in the first person tense. Even in third person, you have to have POV. You have to choose one character to tell the story. Show the world through that character’s eyes and reveal that character’s inner thoughts and desires. Then the reader only knows what the character knows, which can help build tension or create surprises. The reader can rise and fall with a character that way.
I could go on for a while about this, list countless examples of good and bad. I could cite specifics in my own books. I don’t want to bore anybody, so I’ll bring it to a close.
In summary, writing, for me, is a passion. We each live out that passion in our own way. I happen to love every minute of it.
Mark currently resides in Florida with his wife and four children. He has achieved some success as a Kindle Best Seller and having one of his short stories selected as a winner in the Florida Writer’s Association Short Story Collection.
Growing up in Kansas, Mark graduated from Sumner Academy of Arts and Sciences and received his Bachelor’s in Film from the University of Kansas.
Mark has written numerous novels, screenplays, short stories and digital series. He has geared his young adult fantasy series, The Empyrical Tales, for the classroom and explored his spirituality, writing both with his father and daughter. Inspirational stories with positive messages are his goal with everything he writes.
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Today we're interviewing historical author Amber Schamel.
Bestselling author Amber Schamel writes riveting stories that bring HIStory to life. She has a passion for history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest". A homeschool graduate from a family of 12 children, Amber found her calling early in life. First published at age 21, she has continued to hone her craft. Between ministry, family and working in their family businesses, Amber loves to connect with readers. Find her on the Stitches Thru Time blog, or on any of the major social media sites.
Amber, can you tell us about your new release, The Messiah's Sign?
Sure! Thanks so much for having me on the blog today. This book released just yesterday, so I'm so EXCITED to share it with readers.
The Messiah's Sign is the second book in the Days of Messiah series. It follows the storyline of Book One, but from the husband's point of view. Here's what it's about:
Dreams…they shouldn’t bother him, but when Tyrus’ worst nightmare is vindicated, he has no choice but to face reality. His wife has been unfaithful, and God has punished her with the most feared disease in the land: leprosy. Banishing her to the leper colony, Tyrus struggles to raise their son alone and protect him from a merciless outlaw. But when Malon begins following the teacher from Nazareth, what remains of their business and reputation is at stake. Can Tyrus save his son from the beguiling lies of a false Messiah before he loses the only thing he has left?
What sparked this story?
Book one started as a short story, but a lot of people told me I should expand it. I picked up the story and began thinking about what the entire story would be like, and that's when the Lord drew back the curtain to show me not only Aaliyah's story at the leper colony, but also the story of her husband and son. Tyrus—as the heartless husband that banishes Aaliyah to the leper colony—is the villain of book one, so I wanted to show readers his side of the story.
What do you want readers to take away from The Messiah's Sign?
As hard as you try, you will never be sufficient on your own. It takes Christ working in you.
For those that have read volume one, I want them to realize that you cannot hate someone until you de-humanize them. The villain of book one becomes the hero of book two, and we see the motivations behind his 'heartless' acts. In truth, Tyrus was doing the best he could. If we can empathize with people in our lives, it will go a LONG way in keeping the roots of bitterness at bay.
What are you working on next?
I am finishing up a really fun series with three other historical authors on the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
I'm also setting to work on a Christmas story set during the Civil War entitled The Christmas Pardon.
In the aftermath of the Civil War, a young lawyer battles with the U.S. Supreme court. In what seemed to be a Christmas miracle, he had secured a pardon for his friend from Lincoln himself. The army executed the boy anyway. On the fifteenth anniversary of his death, will the lawyer finally clear his friends name and bring justice to his memory?
Thank you for joining us today, Amber.
Thank you for hosting me! It's been a pleasure. I'd like to invite each of you to join me in celebrating my new release on my Facebook Launch party tonight! We'll have trivia, giveaways, behind the scenes tidbits and TONS of fun. Join us tonight at 6pm mountain time! https://www.
facebook.com/AuthorAmberSchamel
By: Mark Miller,
on 10/12/2014
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Mark Miller's ONE is a spiritual anthology featuring true stories of faith from best-selling and critically acclaimed authors around the world.
The 2015 edition is going to be a little different. It will be written by YOU! All of the stories in the 2015 book will be by first time authors. 20 stories will be selected from all submissions.If you have a story to tell and have NEVER been published, this is your chance. We want to hear your story.Beginning October 1, 2014 and running through January 31, 2015, submit your story by FB message to MarkMillersOne - www.facebook.com/MarkMillersOneBe sure to "like" the page while you are there and share it with your friends.
Now for some details:
*This contest is open to everyone 18 years and older, or 12 to 17 years with signed consent of a parent or guardian.
*The writer must NEVER have been published, either traditionally or self.
*The story must be an original work and not infringe on anyone else's copyrights.
*The story will be published by Helping Hands Press in the 2015 edition of ONE. As such, Helping Hands Press will retain all print and digital rights of the story for five (5) years from the date of publication. Selected authors will also have the opportunity to contract with Helping Hands Press for future works, but are under no obligation.
*Submissions should be in a Word-compatible document. A minimum of 1,000 words, but no more than 10,000 words. Stories must be inspirational or faith-based, preferably Non-Fiction (sorry, no poetry). Stories containing profanity, sex, or violence will be automatically disqualified.
*Winning selections will be personally edited by Mark Miller. Any and all submissions, in whole or part, may be displayed on the ONE Facebook page for promotional purposes.
*Contestants agree to donate all proceeds from the sale of ONE 2015 to a charity selected by Mark Miller, MillerWords.com or Mark Miller's ONE.
Please feel free to share this event and invite any aspiring author you know. Please post any questions to this event page.
This is a press release from Saint Julian Press about my friend Melissa Studdard's newest book.
Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Other Fine Book Retailers
With Whitmanesque exuberance and voracity, Melissa Studdard’s
I Ate the Cosmos for Breakfast is a collection that devours the world even as it offers it—a collection that, through all its doubts and wounds, through “fire, ice, hurricanes, tsunamis, and quakes” arrives “with that tornado in its throat”— love—to spark renewal again and again.
Noting the voluptuous, yet spiritual thrust of the book, Robert Pinsky states, “Melissa Studdard’s high-flying, bold poetic language expresses an erotic appetite for the world: ‘this desire to butter and eat the stars,’ as she says, in words characteristically large yet domestic, ambitious yet chuckling at their own nerve. This poet’s ardent, winning ebullience echoes that of God, a recurring character here, who finds us Her children, splotchy, bawling and imperfect though we are, “flawless in her omniscient eyes.”
Poet Cate Marvin observes, “In so many ways the poems in this book read like paintings, touching and absorbing the light of the known world while fingering the soul until it lifts, trembling. Gates splayed, bodies read as books, and hearts born of mouths, Studdard's study, which is a creation unto itself, would have no doubt pleased Neruda's taste for the alchemic impurity of poetry, which is, as we know, poetry that is not only most pure of heart, but beautifully generous in vision and feeling.”
Melissa Studdard is the author the bestselling novel, Six Weeks to Yehidah, and other books. Her works have received numerous awards, including the Forward National Literature Award and the International Book Award. Her poems and short writings have appeared in dozens of journals and anthologies, and she serves or has recently served as a reviewer-at-large for The National Poetry Review, an interviewer for American Microreviews and Interviews, a professor for Lone Star College System, a teaching artist for The Rooster Moans Poetry Cooperative, an editorial adviser for The Criterion, and host of Tiferet Talk radio.
I Ate the Cosmos for Breakfast, poems by Melissa Studdard, is published by Saint Julian Press
By: Mark Miller,
on 8/31/2014
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Five years. That's right, I'm celebrating five years of my blog. Looking back at this year's posts, I see there aren't too many, but there's good reason for that. I'll get to that in a moment. There are lots of things to cover.
First, I want to say that Robin Williams made my day. Please don't take this the wrong way. I am not trying to make light of a tragic situation. I know both depression and addiction are powerful diseases. My point in saying he made my day is that it emphasizes no matter how successful or financially well off you are, you are still not immune. It reminds me that chasing every last dollar and stressing over bills is not the answer. We live in a beautiful world and need to focus on the truly important things.
Now, as soon as I can put my soap box away, let's get on with the party...
A little bit further down this post, you can find details on the blogiversary prizes. Some of you may have noticed that I have been a bit absent from the "writing world" coming close to a year now. At least, I hope you noticed. Well, there's good reason for that. I've actually been living a childhood dream.
I'm currently a Walt Disney World Monorail Pilot! Ever since I was a little boy, I wanted to drive one of those things. Last November, an opportunity arose and I took it. Let me tell you, the actual drive training is one of the most challenging things I've done in a long time. Every minute has been worth it! I am having a blast and spend my days with some absolutely amazing cast members.
As for my writing, I have some plans and things are coming together.
My friends at Helping Hands Press (
www.myhelpinghandspress.com) are helping me celebrate this blogiversary for the next 25 days. I have two projects that I am working on for them. Quite a while ago, I started co-authoring a story called
Amish Wonder. When finished, it will be a novella about a young Amish boy thrust out into the secular world. For fans of the
Defective Amish Detective, I will be re-editing those stories into a complete novel with a nice surprise on the end.
I am also working with Dinosaur George Media on two different series.
Ask DG is a question and answer picture book for young readers. Book 2 will feature illustrations from the very talented Victor Donahue. Both
Ask DG and
Dinosaur George and the Paleonauts book 2 are expected to be available by Christmas. You can find these books and more here:
store.dinosaurgeorge.com
And the one that started it all -
The Empyrical Tales. Book Four of the Empyrical Tales will continue the story of Zandria and Olena by telling the tale of
The First Queen. The whole series will be revamped and re-introduced soon. Until then, I will keep those details under wraps. Please visit my official website for more details and the series and my other books -
www.MillerWords.com.
While you are there, please check out my new online store, where you can get autographed copies of all of my paperbacks at a special price with free shipping.
In five years of writing, blogging and social media, I have met some fantastic writers and been blessed with some great fans. I've received humbling reviews and inspiring emails. I've tried my hand (not always successfully) in many different genres and have something for most every type of reader. To celebrate, I am giving away the gifts. Here are the links to five of my paperbacks available through
Goodreads.com:
In addition to the paperbacks, Helping Hands Press has put together a prize pack of selected eBooks (mine and some of my author-friends). Lazarus Filmworks, for whom I wrote the adaptation of Daniel's Lot, is also including some prizes. Please be sure to visit both of my sponsors. This part of the giveaway will be done through Rafflecopter exclusively on my blog. You can earn an unlimited amount of entries by using social media once a day for the next 25 days.
a Rafflecopter giveawayIn closing, I want to express my gratitude. That is one thing of which I have an abundance and can afford. I am full of thanks for all of my experiences over the past five years. I am thankful for the people, both real and virtual, that I have met. I am thankful for the opportunities I've had. In this time, I have also watched my family grow and change and I thank God for that gift. Please feel free to share this post and all of the prize links. And, as always, I appreciate any comments on my blog.
Thank you for the past five years,
and I look forward to the next five!
Mark
Happy Fourth of July!
Imagine how the signers of The Declaration of Independence feel while looking down from heaven and listening to their critics. The thought never occurred to me until my publisher asked me to write a fictional short story relating how John Hancock experienced the 4thof July. Before starting, I read Herbert S. Allan’s even-handed biography of Hancock. Yes, the Founders were all human - Hancock was vain and a clothes horse, for example. But when you study the founding of America from the perspective of a Founder, the greatness of these men staggers you.
“But they didn’t free the slaves and women and blacks couldn’t vote!”
Guess what? No one could meaningfully vote and everyone, everywhere, was in some form of bondage. The English themselves were “subjects.” Except for royalty and a small number of men in a handful of tiny Greek city states, no one had ever controlled their destiny.
Writing in the first person forces you to see things through the eyes of the character or historic figure, to imagine what they felt, wanted and thought. The Founders were operating in uncharted waters, laying the foundation to free all mankind and making things up as they went. They were doing it while at war with the most powerful Empire on the face of the planet. On January 1, 1776, George Washington discovered he had only 8,000 enlistments instead of the 20,000 planned. Georgia and South Carolina announced they would not sign if slavery were denounced, let alone outlawed.
As I imagine Hancock saying, “The hard truth is we will not free the Negro slaves . . . not because we don’t want to, but because we can’t. The southerners would revolt . . . freeing the black man will require a war and the forces of liberty are barely able to fight one war, let alone two.”
On July 4, 1776, the Founders were almost to a man well educated, affluent and doing quite well as subjects of Britain. In the 18thcentury, traitors were hung from a gibbet with their hands tied behind their back. Rather than breaking their necks, the traitor took about ten minutes to strangle to death. Traitors’ property was forfeit, so their families were left impoverished. While the Founders were signing their own death warrant, Benedict Arnold was trying to keep his army from disintegrating as he retreated from the disastrous Canadian campaign. "I have often thought how much happier I would have been," said Washington, "if, instead of accepting a command under such circumstances, I had taken up musket on my shoulder and entered the ranks.”
They were great men, yet consider the petulance with which they are treated. While reviewing “The Price they Paid” email about the Founders, the left wing site “Snopes” called it part true, part false. Why? Here’s an example: “Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.” Snopes - “yeah, well . . . she was already sick.” Seriously. I paraphrase, so check it out for yourselves. Part of the disdain appears to be petty racism, sexism and anti-Christianity - the Founders were white male Christians - but there may be something deeper. Writing about an attack on the Framers, Professor Walter Williams wrote, “If I believed in conspiracies, I'd say (Time’s) article is part of a leftist agenda to undermine respect for the founding values of our nation.”
Hancock might have said, “No doubt, those who hate liberty and embrace hate amongst the races will use this against us not only now, but far into the future. We can only trust this and future generations will be wise enough to detect the charlatan, understand his aim and reject his deception. That battle is for another time, and will be fought by other men. We must fight the one in front of us now.”
This is a column of opinion and satire. The author knows of no undisclosed facts. Contact Lewis, the author of John Hancock, in Remington Colt's Revolutionary War Series, visit him at josephmaxlewis.com and click on Rimersburg Rules. © Joseph M. Lewis
By: Mark Miller,
on 5/20/2014
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Well, Episdoe VII is officially under way. Principal cast has been announced and shooting has started. As a life-long fan, I have much confidence in JJ. Contrary to many, I totally enjoyed what he did with Star Trek and thought Into Darkness was better than his first one. To me, it seems Mr. Abrams is a fan first and a businessman second. I hope that he makes my beloved universe his own, acknowledges the fans and makes something not only for kids, but also those of us who never really grew up.
Star Wars Weekends 2007
I have my hopes for what I would like to see in the new trilogy; characters like Mara Jade and events like the death of Chewbacca. Don't get me wrong - I don't want to see Chewbacca die. Jar Jar heads that list. Chewbacca's death was an epic moment and a great sacrifice. He swore a life-debt to Han and it should be a necessary moment, even if it does not occur as it did in the Expanded Universe novel.
The cast consists of a young group of relative unknowns. Sound familiar? Still, there is one
Harry Potter alum, two from Coen Bros and one that endured
Attack the Block. One of the biggest treats for me is to see Max Von Sydow join the ranks of Alec Guinness, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. In case you are not familiar with this legendary actor, he starred in the classic
Strange Brew.
I could rant about how great the original trilogy was, everything wrong with the prequels and what they musn't ruin in the new movies. I won't do that. We all have our own opinions and own hopes. Isn't that what
Star Wars is really about...hope? It is adventure, humor, mystery, love and good conquering evil. On top of all that, it gives us hope...hope that there is something bigger, greater out there - something that binds the universe together. It gives us hope that we can revisit our childhood and remember the things that made us happy.
Star Wars remains one of the earliest inspirations for my own writing. The Hero's Journey is a universal map that applies to my first novel,
The Fourth Queen. I even tried my hand at some SW Fan Fiction (which might end up on this blog some day).
"They're for sale, if you want them."As I continue my training in the Jedi way, I find that I can part with material things. To that end, I have created a Facebook album featuring over 300 figures collected since 1995. Feel free to make me an offer on any or all of them.
As always, thank you for reading my blog.
Please be sure to visit me on FB: www.FB.com/MarkMillerAuthor
First, let me ask: When did we, as a people, stop caring about doing what's right and start only thinking of ourselves?
I know I am generalizing, but I am bombarded daily with acts of selfishness and buffoonery that show no compassion or consideration. I know there are good people in this world (I try to be one of them). Still, my sense of justice is assaulted constantly by those that simply don't care.
With that out of the way, let me get to the reason I asked you here. There is a certain high school student, let's call him P, to maintain his confidentiality. P stands for Pinocchio because this student does not lie, fib, or even swear. His moral compass makes mine look like a Cracker Jack toy.
P is in a predicament. In one of his classes, it seems that the majority of classmates are OK with cheating. Over the past several weeks, they have been sharing answers to quizzes and tests, going so far as to text them or write them on the side of a coffee cup. Worse yet is that they are getting these answers from a Teacher's Aid. In case you don't know, a Teacher's Aid is supposed to be a student of strong character entrusted with helping the teacher. In this case, the Aid is helping other students cheat.
P has a problem. He does not feel he can go to the teacher or administration about this. P is worried about repercussion from his fellow students. In this age group and moral climate, repercussion could easily become physical. P also does not feel he has the support of the administration. Previous experience proves as much in a case where he tried to resolve something anonymously and then the teacher (different than the one above) singled him out to the class because that teacher had some backlash from administration. I should also mention P was a victim of bullying at a younger age. Administration did nothing in that case either, so P has little faith in them and knowledge of the capabilities of his classmates.
What is P supposed to do? What would you do, as a parent or student? It is possible that the teacher won't find out and nothing will happen. If the teacher becomes aware and P does not step forward, what happens? Is P's silence self-preservation or complicity?
I invite comments, suggestions and debate on this topic. Please post comments on this blog, share on Facebook or email me.
Author Jen Cudmore visits with news of her Goodreads Giveaway. Enter at the link below, but you better hurry - the drawing ends on March 30th!
Ever been told how to do your job?
At some point, someone has probably thought they knew how to handle a situation better than you. What's worse is when you're in charge of a project or situation, and the other person decides to insert themselves without your approval. And they just can't take the hint (or the demand!) to leave you alone.
But what do you do when it's the person who hired you?
My first historical novel, The Lawmen of Clayton County: Athena Creek, is about the new marshal of a small town in the Pacific Northwest. He's only on the job three months when he realizes the man who hired him expects full loyalty. And obedience.
Trace Ingram is the stereo-typical cowboy, the kind you'll find in pretty much every Louis L'Amour book. He's been a lawman before, and doesn't need any advice. And yet Charles McCrae, the man who founded the town and hired Trace, makes it plain that if Trace won't follow orders, then he's welcome to leave.
Ever been told by your boss that if you don't do something a specific way, you can find a new job? Trace knows Athena Creek is where he belongs. It doesn't take long for him to see the entire town is loyal to McCrae. So it comes down to a choice: Does Trace uphold the law as he sees fit, or does he let McCrae have his way?
The answer is easy at first. Then Trace begins to investigate three strange murders, all of which point to McCrae as the prime suspect. If Trace isn't careful, he'll be out of a job. Or worse yet, he could wind up dead.
"What would McCrae do next time Trace refused to take orders? His stomach tightened as he remembered Orabella Madison standing in the street in front of the jailhouse, piercing eyes locked on his while she accused him of being McCrae's puppet. No, he wouldn't put up with the businessman's interference, even if it meant being tossed out of town. He was no man's pawn."
©2014 Jen Cudmore (This was taken from a post originally written for a blog tour last August.)
Jen was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. She first started writing in 2007 and is now a published historical romance author. She currently lives in Alaska with her husband, two children, two boxers, and two cats.
By: Mark Miller,
on 3/12/2014
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Here is the official press release for the upcoming event. (That guy, Mark Miller, sure talks a lot, sheesh...)
The Mount Dora event series Authors in the Park continues with its Second Annual “Spring into Art” festival, Saturday, March 29 at Long and Scott’s Farm in Mount Dora, FL., event chairman Mark Miller announced today. The Authors in the Park group celebrates literacy while promoting local and independent authors from Lake County, Central Florida and beyond. (
www.authorsinthepark.com)
The event, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., will be the first time the group has held an event at Long and Scott’s Farm at 26216 County Road 448A, Mount Dora, Miller said.
“We are extremely excited, not only to be at Long and Scott’s, but because this year’s event will feature both authors and artists,” Miller said. “Long and Scott’s is known for Zellwood Sweet Corn and their fall corn maze as well as being a great supporter of their community.” (
www.longandscottfarms.com)
Spring into Art will feature over twenty authors and artists. A wide variety of books will be for sale in all genres and ages, as well as exclusive artwork. Some of the paintings are slated to be sold for charity.
In addition to great books and art, representatives for Team Jay will be on hand, Miller, an author himself, said. Team Jay is a project of the Lake County Firefighters Charity to benefit young Jay, the son of a firefighter currently battling Leukemia. (
www.lakefirefightercharity.org)
The outdoor event is free to attend, Miller pointed out. Authors and artists alike will be available to discuss their writing, sign autographs and enjoy a day on the farm. Some author proceeds will be donated to Team Jay and other worthy organizations, he said. Scott’s Country Café will be open for lunch.
Visit
www.Facebook.com/AuthorsInThePark for details on participating authors, artists and event updates. Join the FB event here:
www.facebook.com/events/622986207772066
You know how they say, "It takes a village to raise a child"? Well, publishing a book does not take quite that many, but it helps to have several talented people working together. In this case, Gabe Bush brought his skill as an artist to our little project Dinosaur George and the Paleonauts. Gabe designed and illustrated the cover, as well as some really excellent insets for the chapter headings.
Of course, Loki is not in our book, but I wanted to start this interview showing Gabe's range. He has an impressive background, drawing characters from Asgard to Oz and everywhere in between. And yes, he has done some of them professionally. Now check out the cover for our book:
MM: Gabe, thanks for taking the time to talk with me today. Why don't we begin at the beginning? Please share some of your background and where you honed your skill.
GB: I've been drawing for as long as I can remember. As a kid I remember drawing super heroes a lot, the typical ones like Superman, Batman, the Hulk and Spiderman. Every now and then I would draw some landscape scenes too. One landscape scene I remember drawing often were waterfalls crashing against the rocks below. I’m not sure why I drew that so much, a lot of Bob Ross influence I guess, hahaha. I don’t do a lot of landscape scenes now, though I should. Aside from that, I got my associates in sequential art at San Antonio College and interned a few times at a comic company in San Antonio called Antarctic Press.
MM: So, you went from a boyhood fan to an industry professional. I know you work in education. That is definitely a high value for the Dinosaur George Company. George Blasing has a way of attracting like-minded people. Ultimately, it is about the kids. It seems that you have similar goals. Beyond your drawing, what do you like to do?
GB: I like to spend time with my wife and two girls. It sounds cliche, but kids grow up fast and I only wish I had more time to spend with them. In addition to spending time with my family I try to spend time building up my portfolio. Splitting up my time between the things I enjoy doing can be difficult though. Looking back now, I regret not having spent more time and dedication building up my portfolio before I got a family of my own, instead of getting up at 4 or 5 in the morning to do that now. Hindsight right?
MM: When you are doing something you love, there is not much room for regret. It is great that you enjoy your family. For me personally, my wife and children are my motivation. At least in your social media, it appears that yours are the same. You seem to have a very supportive wife who is also your Number One Fan. What do they think of your artwork?
GB: They think it's awesome—at least that's what they tell me! My whole family is very supportive in what I do, my wife especially. So much so that she even saved up money from her photography business that she does, Heidi’s Portrait Design(shameless plug, I know) and had a portion of the garage made into a room to be my very own man cave/art studio. How awesome is that! She’s not too crazy about the buxom beauties that I sometimes draw though—I like the old school pin up art of the 50’s and 60’s (Gil Elvgren is one of the best)—but she is still very supportive.
MM: Old School Pin Ups, huh? Aren't we all entitled to a guilty pleasure? Mine happens to be zombies. I haven't missed an episode of The Walking Dead. As a writer, my job is to use words to create pictures in people's heads. You do things the other way around - taking something out of your head and put it out there for the world to see. Would you say that is the best thing about your work?
GB: I would take that a step further. It's being able to see the fruits of my labor. It's all well and good finishing a piece and seeing it on the computer monitor or on the paper I drew it on, but to actually have something of mine printed out and used by people, shared amongst people, seeing that people like it enough to talk about it, I think that is what is best about it all.
MM: And like the image above from Dinosaur George and the Paleonauts, it really adds something special. Both Dinosaur George and I were so impressed with your work. It transformed our little story and took it to a new level. And we have received great feedback from our young fans. We all enjoy the benefits of our creativity, but tell me what is the most challenging thing about your work?
GB: That would have to be. . . me! I am really one of the hardest critics of my work. I also have a hard time receiving compliments because of it. I’ll finish an art piece and look at it thinking that I could have done better or see the things I messed up on. The other thing that gets me the most is my attention span. I’ll work on a piece and then get an idea or see something that sparks another idea and then I’ll go off and try working on that. I'll keep doing that, until eventually I’ll have all these pieces that have been started on, but not completed. That is probably the MOST annoying challenge.
MM: Oh, the burden of being TOO gifted? Just kidding. I understand where the muse takes you, you have to go. I know you could see something on TV or hear something one of your children says and then you are off on a whole new tangent. It comes down to focus and discipline for any type of artist. I have a sense of what fuels your creativity, but who, or what, influences your artistic style and direction?
GB: Here is another indecisive moment for me. There have been a lot of different artists that have inspired me throughout the years. To name a few and in no particular order, they have been well-known comic artists, Joe Madureira, Jim Lee, J. Scott Campbell, Humberto Ramos, Edgar Delgado, Adam Hughes, to amazing digital artists like Stanley Lau (Artgerm), Warren Louw, Charlie Bowater, Ray Frenden, Loopydave and Serge Birault (PapaNinja) to famous illustrators and designers such as Sam Spratt, Olly Moss, Drew Struzan, Norman Rockwell and Alphonse Mucha!!....ARRRGH! I can’t do it!...I can’t!...I just can’t say that there has been one person who has influenced me the most. I guess that's a good thing though—art is a living thing, it changes with the times and so should your inspiration.
MM: That is an impressive list. I will leave it to our readers to Google those names. I am sure they will have a rich gallery to view. Now, we have come to the part of the interview where I like to have a little fun. Sometimes, I think asking unusual or humorous questions gives us a special insight that the "safe" questions don't. So, going off the path, tell us something that is not common knowledge about you?
GB: I’m not crazy about swimming. I’ll get in the pool every now and then with the kiddoes, but God gave me two legs to walk with, not two fins to swim with, hahaha.
MM: I'm not big on swimming either. I'm sure it had nothing to do with watching Jaws as a young child. As an artist and a big time superhero fan, if you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
GB: Ugh, I'm a very indecisive person, well sometimes I am...dah, see what I mean! I like many characters for many reasons. I like Superman and Hulk because they can fly or jump really high and are really strong (I've had many dreams where I'm flying and upon waking up I've had to actually confirm it was just a dream). I enjoy running, so I also like The Flash because of his super speed. That would be awesome to get around that fast! I also really like Batman and Wolverine for their ferocity, cunningness and fighting skills. Hmm, since you are asking for ANY fictional character, I'm going to have to go with the hardly spoken of character, Superhulkflashbatverine, its a mouthful I know. He exists, really, just take my word for it and don't ask anyone.
MM: Superhulkflashbatverine? Sounds a little suspect, but I will let you have that one if you can produce an illustration. I will be watching for it on your Facebook page (link below). Since you mention both Superman and the Hulk, I will bring up a debate that I have had with my own children. With you being something of an expert, who do you think would win between Superman and the Hulk, if they crossed over from their respective universes?
GB: Hmm, thats a tuff one. Superman was always my favorite growing up, but my wife and kids say that I act like the Hulk sometimes because I can get pretty grumpy, hahaha. I'm going to take the middle road and say that it would be a tie. I imagine that they would both eventually just tire each other out and fall on the ground for a nap.
MM: A draw huh? Sounds like you took the easy way out. Then we will leave it to the readers of this interview - please comment below who you think would win that epic battle. Whoever gets the most votes (Superman or Hulk), will be declared the winner. For the sake of our poll, they exist in our current reality - that means no Kryptonite, no additional Gamma radiation and no other superheroes. Gabe, thank you again for visiting with me today. Let's wrap this up with where people can connect with you.
GB: I have a few places on the interwebs that I hang out at. Like I said earlier, I like pin up art so beware the buxom beauties. Consider yourself warned :P
Dinosaur George and the Paleonauts is available on Amazon Kindle and will be a Kindle Countdown Deal beginning March 20th. You can get it here: http://amzn.to/18R8WNt
Also available from Dinosaur George Media:
(in print at the DG Store or on Kindle)
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. If you enjoyed this interview, please let me know in the comments below or join me on Facebook.
My first post of 2014. Either I've been lazy or I was saving the first post for something good. Let's go with the second one and say Happy New Year!
Some exciting things have happened since last we spoke with our friend Dinosaur George.
The biggest of those is the debut of Dinosaur George Media and its first publication:
Dinosaur George and the Paleonauts
Episode One: Raptor Island
This exciting middle-grade reader is available on Amazon in paperback and
Kindle.
Order your exclusive autographed copy directly from Dinosaur George at this link:
With that out of the way, on to what you've been waiting for! This is part two of the highly popular interview with Dinosaur George Blasing - the man, myth and legend. (read part one
HERE)
MM: Welcome back to the sequel! Last time, we talked about our young reader picture book,
Ask DG (which you can get in
Paperback or
Kindle). This time, we are going to discuss the new middle-grade chapter book series:
Dinosaur George and the Paleonauts. Readers can find out more about the book by reading the synopsis at the end of this interview. What I want to know is do you have anything specific you want to say to your readers in your writing and speaking events?
DG: The most important thing I can tell you is that you should read as many books about paleontology as possible. We all have favorite books, but if you just read the same book over and over, you’ll only learn what is in that book. If you read a lot of different books, then you’ll be much more knowledgeable about the study of prehistoric life. And the more you read, the more you learn. And that is what makes science so much fun!
MM: That's one of the things I like about
Paleonauts. It is a great adventure story with plenty of your trademark humor, but also it is educational. There is even a section at the back of the book called "Paleofacts" which gives interesting details about the dinosaurs in the story. And trust me, they are not your common Hollywood dinos. It takes someone with a real knowledge and passion for the subject to incorporate unique and accurate details like these. I understand that the concept for this story has been on your "To Do" list for five years or more. You've had plenty of time to think about the story. In creating your adventure, what do you think makes a good story?
DG: To me, a good story is one that makes you never want to put the book down. I love stories that make you excited, happy, or sometimes a little scared. But most importantly, a good story must have a hero who is kind, and treats people with respect. I like stories that have bad guys, or villains, as long as they get what they deserve in the end. I also think a story has to have some humor. When you read something that makes you laugh out loud, THAT is a good story!
MM: I absolutely agree. A truly good story should elicit a range of emotions, not simply tension or humor. I am particularly pleased with our results on Paleonauts. We managed to create a fun adventure, put the characters in a little danger and even some comic relief. I think a lot of young people will have a hard time putting this one down. Part of the pleasure for me working with you is that we share a lot of common values. It seemed to come easy for us to put those morals and lessons into the story without standing on a soap box (except for right now). I think most of our values are instilled on us when we are young. I don't think we have to go quite all the way back to the Mesozoic, but can you tell us about your life growing up? For example, did they have electricity? Ha, ha, ha!
DG: Too funny! Yes, we had electricity in the 19...[coughs - rest of year is inaudible]. I was born at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. But we moved when I was very young, so I don’t remember very much about it. We lived in a small city in Maryland and I can remember going to the Smithsonian Institute all the time. But we moved to a farm near the city of Hondo Texas and I started the 2nd grade there. Almost all of my childhood memories were growing up on the farm. We had cows, chickens, pigs, horses, goats, geese, sheep, turkeys, and many other animals. We even had a pet owl, raccoon and opossum at one time. I had a very fun and wonderful childhood. I spent hundreds of hours looking for Indian artifacts, studying the animals, fishing and, of course, hunting for fossils.
MM: It sounds like your time on the farm had a big influence on the man you have become. Judging from your social media presence, it appears that your family was a major part of that and you seem to be very close. What do they think of your work?
DG: My parents, and brothers and sisters are very supportive of what I do. I know they are proud of how I’ve dedicated my life to teaching children. Because I travel a lot, I don’t get to see my family as often as I wish I could. But when I do see them, they all want to know where I have traveled, and what new discoveries I have made. It’s kind of funny to hear them call me “Dinosaur George” instead of just “George”.
MM: Look at all the space we've filled up already. It seems when we get together, we never run out of things to say. With so much hot air between, we should enter a hot air balloon race! I want to end this section of the interview with a thought and a question. One of our goals with the Paleonauts series is to make paleo-education fun for our readers. One can hope and dream that our story can be life-changing, but my question is: what are some books that were life-changing for you?
DG: There are two books that have had a very big impact on my life. One of them was titled
Dinosaurs and more Dinosaurs. It was written in 1965 and it was the first dinosaur book I ever read. I can remember how much I wished the pages would come to life so that I could see a living dinosaur. I checked that book out at our school library so many times, I almost had it memorized. The second book that really changed my life was called
Dinosaur Heresies. It was written by one of my favorite paleontologist Dr. Robert Bakker. This book changed the way I looked at dinosaurs. When I was young I thought dinosaurs were nothing more than giant lizards. But “Dinosaur Heresies” demonstrated that dinosaurs were more like birds, and were much faster and smarter than we thought.
There is still plenty more from Dinosaur George.
Subscribe to my blog by so you don't miss Part Three.
Up at that top left, you can "Follow by Email".
About the book:
Dinosaur George’s uncle is missing!
Professor Stone was the world’s leading paleontologist. At least, until the day he disappeared. Now George is searching for him.
No one knows where Professor Stone is, but that’s not the only problem. They don’t know when he is either. Thanks to Dr. Morgan’s invention, the professor is lost in time.
To save his uncle, George joins a team of scientists and explorers. Armed with hi-tech gadgets, they will travel 65 million years into the past. Only history knows what they will discover.
Will George be the first human to see a living dinosaur?
Will he find his uncle before it’s too late?
Episode One: Raptor Island takes George to the Late Cretaceous of Southern Asia. It’s his first real chance to try out his amazing equipment and hopefully find a clue to Professor Stone’s whereabouts. But something is waiting on the island.
In a story packed with humor and excitement, experience the past like never before. Learn about dinosaurs and all of the latest theories of their existence. Don’t miss the PaleoFacts at the end of each episode with all the dino-details.
In the next post, we will have some more information on the Paleonauts artist, Gabe Bush.
Until then, find us on Facebook:
Last week a friend of a friend was out to our place to help set up some new equipment for my woodworking shop. My new “friend” is from China, and as the day wore on, I noticed that he seemed to be getting tired. I remember thinking that was a little odd because he is obviously in very good shape, but didn’t think too much about it; it is that season after all. He was here most of the day, never complaining, and when he departed in the early evening, he seemed ok other than the tiredness.
A couple of days ago I left a message on my friend’s voice mail asking about my new friend, and didn’t hear back until yesterday. According to his reply text, my new friend from China was apparently having a stroke when he was here.
I was shocked, of course, and asked what I could do. It also reminded me how fleeting this thing we call life is, and how very easy it is to get caught up in things that in hindsight are pretty irrelevant. And then I thought about how scattered most families are these days, keeping in touch via Skype and email, if they keep in touch at all. And I wondered who was at my Chinese friend’s hospital bedside since his family was not here. Then I thought, if this had happened to an Amish man, he would have immediately ad constantly been surrounded with family and friends.
I suppose this is why I enjoy writing about the Amish way of life so much. I’ve been close enough to the Amish to see the inconsistencies in some of their lives, and add that to my stories for humor and character building. But if we allow them to be human, which we must, the Amish are completed dedicated to God and family, and I respect that immensely.
Early in my Amish writing career, one of my lifelong friends asked if I was concerned about being known as an “Amish author.” The answer was and is no; I am proud to write about the Amish.
We all need to be more Amish.
FICTION WRITING — GENRE
The word is pronounced john-ra or zhon-ra, and it simply means kind or variety. In our case, it refers to the kinds of stories we read and write.
Here are some basic genres and examples of each:
* Mystery (Anne Perry’s William Monk or Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series)
* Thriller/Suspense (Brandilyn Collins)
* Horror (Ted Dekker)
* Sci-Fi (DragonKeeper Chronicles by Donita K. Paul)
* Fantasy (J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings)
* Western (Louis L’Amour)
* Romance (Karen Kingsbury)
* Historical Fiction (Bodie Thoene’s Zion Covenant and Zion Chronicles)
* Children (classics like A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle)
* Young Adult (excellent theme books by Melody Carlson)
* Short Fiction (Linda Hall’s The Weather Ladies)
What’s your genre? The key question is usually: what kinds of stories do you most like to read? I say usually, because I love reading mysteries, but I haven’t published one…yet. I also love reading historical fiction, and the more I read, the more I learn about how it’s done.
Based on your favorite genres of fiction, which would you most like to write? Why? I like Historical Fiction because it reminds me that every historical figure I write about has actually lived and died, loved and hated, succeeded and failed. When I create fictional characters in my historicals, it is with the hope that they will become as real as their historical counterparts.
The conundrum with genre selection is whether to write from the heart or for sales stats. The answer depends on our goals. If our number one objective is to sell our story, then we must research and write what’s selling. We can still be creative when we write for the market, but we must make sure we’re okay with it.
Personally, I need to write from the heart, whether it sells immediately or not. Pair that with the premise of Kevin Costner’s movie, Field of Dreams: “Build it and he will come.” Write it, and the readers will come, so we hope and pray. We must make the choice.
For the Christian writer, published or not, the choice of genre is important. If we plan to build a platform (the genre and style of writing that people think of when they recognize our names, also referred to as our brand), we will need to concentrate on writing in one genre until we are known by our readers.
Visiting Washington, D.C. # 1 - Plants
I’m still slowly writing my next book. Two houses to clean out after the death of my 100-year-old mother-in-law and a graduate credit I’m working on has infringed on my time.
The college course through Learner’s Edge has been a blast. I had to spend eleven hours visiting sites in Washington, D.C. and write a journal including some educational ideas on how to use them. I met two wonderful ladies on the bus and am going back to Washington soon with one of them.
There are many planted walkways and special gardens near the Smithsonian Mall. If you love plants or are teaching about them, I suggest a trip to Washington. Check out the United States Botanical Garden website before you plan your trip and print out a map of the gardens.
Here is a shortened version of part of my trip and my corresponding activities.
***
Walking down Seventh Street from the National Archives Building near the Smithsonian Mall, I found heart-leafed aster. Love nest sundew, I spotted in the garden beside the conservatory among the other carnivorous plants. Downy pagoda-plant nestled beyond the bridge in the same garden. What beautiful names for plants!
----Learn some genera before you go and see if you can find one or two species of each genus.
---- Alphabetize your list to make them easier to find.
----Take a notebook and write down your favorites.
---- Take pictures of your favorites.
----Think about planning a garden of your own as you walk. You can tell if it will grow in your region by the information on the placard beside each plant.
----After your visit, match the pictures to the names in your notebook. Look up the names online if you can’t remember which is which.
----Draw a picture of your planned garden.
----Look up prices online and find out how much it would cost.
----Order your plants, fertilizer, and a pair of garden gloves next spring.
----Get to work!
God’s Original*
Psalm 33:25--He fashions their hearts individually.
I got to thinking about our individuality today. Snowflakes, leaves, human voices. It started when a friend of mine, an intelligent, multi-talented model whose image graces the covers of several of my books, texted me about passing her GED. She’d never been able to graduate from high school due to extenuating family challenges, though you’d never know this, since she’s so well-read, self-educated, and accomplished.
Our texts went like this:
Her: I passed my GED with flying colors!
Me: Of course you did. You’re smart.
Her: I am an overachiever with low self esteem. So I surprised myself! Lol
Me: You have no reason, on any level, for having low self esteem. You’re gifted and exceptional. But it’s often the people like that who have low self-esteem, simply because they’re different. Normal people don’t do special things.
Me: Dang. That was good. I should blog it.
Her: Thank you!
Her: Blog it!
So here I am, blogging it. ‘Cause face it; you’re abnormal, right? Don’t look at me in that tone of voice. Of course you are, because you’re an original creation of God.
Snowflakes. Leaves. Human voices…
You were born with your own unique face, personality, and set of talents. Yet you feel inadequate when you compare your own unique characteristics with others’. “She’s taller than me, more petite; better at math, better at English, skinnier, more shapely,” whatever.
…but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise (2 Corinthians 10:12)
It’s impossible to compare the quality of two original paintings created by the same artist. Though Monet painted both Water Lilies and Sunrise, they can never be measured against each other for superlatives. One’s not better than the other; they’re just different. Like you and me.
God, the master Artist, created each of us individually.
For you formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in secret and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed, and in your book they all were written; the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. (Psalm 139: 13-16)
But God not only created us individually, He also created us as individuals. So you’re not normal, and neither am I. There is no normal, there’s only you, me, and all those other weirdos, each of us with his or her own special beauty, significance and purpose. So be yourself and be proud of it. You’re God’s original.
Today’s prayer: God, today I’m gonna be me. I won’t try to imitate anyone else, for you gave me my own, beautiful individuality. I’ll walk tall in it and be proud of who I am: a unique creation of God.
*The above post is an excerpt from David’s 90-day devotional “Encouragement Explosion--90 Days of Uplift,” available from Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Encouragement-Explosion-90-Days-Uplift-ebook/dp/B00FRHXE68, as well as from Barnes, Noble, KoboBooks, and other fine online retailers.
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