Grit, with its intensity, diligence, perseverance, and passion-against-all odds qualities, is a character trait I most heartily pursue and value. I have tried, not only to apply grit to my relationships and dreams, but also to nurture it in the lives my children and students. At times however, it feels like grit punches you in the face. Some weeks, its not just one punch, but many-like grit's suddenly turned into Cobra Kai's John Kreese and is relentlessly driving fists into you without mercy.
Author: vanessafowler
National Suicide Prevention
September 6th through 12th was National Suicide Prevention week. Many times I've heard this about suicide: "how selfish." But during National Suicide Prevention week, a post from TWLOHA (To Write Love On Her Arms), really stuck with me and challenged that line of thinking. I forget the woman's exact words, but they went something like: … Continue reading National Suicide Prevention
To anyone who feels irritating…
Do you consistently irritate or disappoint people? Like you always do or say the wrong thing? I feel that way a lot. Even though that is such a discouraging feeling, I know God can use anyone. Hopefully, this video can be a little bit of encouragement to somebody. https://youtu.be/UTvVPmXO6Fo
Stay with me 10 minutes
Looking through old blog drafts, I found this one from when Maile was ten. Was that really almost six years ago? Wow! Hard to believe.
Writing Journey Update
Sorry for the lack of updates. Thank you to those of you who have asked about the blog, and encouraged me to maintain it. Since Nanowrimo last fall, this is what's happened: I've revised Mirror of Sparrows twiceI participated in a fantastic plot workshopI submitted what I have to my freelance editor This is what … Continue reading Writing Journey Update
#NaNoWriMo, again
It's Nanowrimo time again! For those of you who don't know, National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a time when writers from all over the world commit to writing 50,000 words during November.
Scythe and Thunderhead, by Neal Shusterman
IIn many ways, these books are disturbing reads, and for that reason, I would not recommend them for most people. However, I find them worth commenting about because they tackle with death, artificial intelligence, God, and human brokenness; Shusterman has found a way to create a fascinating framework from which to wrestle with these subjects.
Updates on the writing journey
Here's an update on the different facets of the Mirror of Sparrows writing journey. As always, thank you for reading and caring! #RevPit If you read my last post, you'll know I participated in #RevPit - a Twitter writing contest during which editors select writers they would like to give free editorial services to. It was a fantastic, … Continue reading Updates on the writing journey
#RevPit and the revised Chapter 1
This morning I woke up at 3 am to submit a query letter and the first five pages of Mirror of Sparrows to #RevPit. #RevPit gifts writers the opportunity to work with an editor for five weeks. I'm competing against hundreds of writers who've all worked really hard on their stories. My hope is that … Continue reading #RevPit and the revised Chapter 1
to create something beautiful
It's been about three years since I started writing Mirror of Sparrows, now moving forward into the fourth year. So it's a time of reflection and evaluation. Why am I doing this?
