Category: blogging

Hope

On By dotluvs2writeIn Beauty, blogging, Cultural and Political, humanity, Illness and Medical Treatments, Inspirational, Nature, News Events, ReligiousLeave a comment

Orthodox Jesus Prayer sunset

One of my favorite movies that I’ve watched so many times over the years, I’ve lost count, is Hope Floats.

In a time when hope is needed more than ever, I wanted to share a few words, quotes, and a song I’ve been listening to this afternoon that moves me to tears, as it’s so beautiful.

First off, know that you were created by a Trinity, Who is Love, Peace, and Hope.

He fashioned you with the breath of His Spirit, the soil of His created planet, and in His own Image.

You are higher than every plant, animal, and nature’s grandest and most beautiful mountains, seas, and deep, rich forests.

RMNP photo

You are higher than the angels.

You are the conduit between the immaterial and material.

All because of Him. His Love.

bird flying over sea at sunset

This pandemic will pass.

This economic depression will pass.

We will meet on the other side of it all with the hope of better things to come.

Live in the Light, Love, and Peace of Him.

 

“I was reborn when I was broken,

I wouldn’t believe, I wouldn’t believe, no,

Been through a storm, no use in hoping,

That you would come rescue me,

Somehow your love set me free.

And I, I can let my life pass me by,

Or I can get down and try,

Work it all out this lifetime,

Work it on out this time.

I can let it all pass me by,

Or I can get down and try,

Work it all out this lifetime, lifetime…”

– by singer, Maxwell

 

Hope Floats quote

 

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Encore

On By dotluvs2writeIn blogging, Fiction Writing, Fun, Humor, Inspirational, News Events, Past Life Activities, PlaywritingLeave a comment

For those new to my blog, I’m reposting a video from a blog post from 2018. It is a very short play (no more than 5-7 minutes) I wrote back in 2015 for my Introduction to Creative Writing class when I was still in college.

I was lucky enough to have a local theater’s actors perform my fun play on January 20, 2018. I’m a bit shy, so my husband introduced my play. Hope you enjoy and laugh just a little. 🙂

The Not-So-Stellar Book Reviews

On By dotluvs2writeIn blogging, Fiction Writing, Inspirational, Musings, News Events, Writing TechniquesLeave a comment

open white pages book

Today, I received a two-star rating on my debut novel, Passage of Promise. It was my first two-star review out of twenty that have been mostly five and four stars.

As a newly-published author, I expected to receive some ratings that judged my work mediocre. It is part of the life of an author.

Even top, best-selling authors get one-star and two-star reviews, some, unfortunately, with a few nasty remarks. It’s par for the course in the realm of the author’s world, as I said.

Experienced authors have always given the advice to newer authors that they must grow thick skins and not take reviews that aren’t spectacular to heart.

I found the two-star anonymous reviewer’s comments pretty fair. Not everyone is going to like my storyline or my writing style.

This is natural.

As a reader myself, I too, pick up books to read, and come to the same conclusions. Although, if I don’t like the writing style, I don’t buy the book, so I may be even more picky than my two-star reviewer!

The latest book I bought and am having a struggle getting through, I read the first few pages on Amazon and tended to like it because I thought the writing style was pretty good.

But I admit now that the storyline so far has been dragging, and I’m finding it easy to set down the book. The story just isn’t drawing me in to the point where I feel compelled to keep reading it.

Therefore, I understand everybody’s tastes are different, and that each author has her/his niche readers. And that’s good enough for me.

New writers out there and newly-published writers, don’t be discouraged if or when you may get a negative or lower-starred review. Count it as a good thing.

There are three things good about even two-star reviews that are somewhat negative, especially the one I received:

  1. The comments weren’t really insulting.
  2. The person took the time to leave a review.
  3. You learn what each reader gleans from your novel.

For someone who doesn’t really have a high self-esteem, I do know my writing is good, that my stories are worth sharing, and I appreciate the feedback.

Newly-published writers, keep writing and keep publishing your work. There are enough readers out there for each of us.

 

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