Show. Don't Tell

The mantra good writers embrace is this: Show. Don’t tell.

It means that in our writing, we strive not to "tell" what happens in the story, or how our character feels. Instead, we desire to engage the reader’s senses and emotions - thereby giving them an experience through a character.

What would happen if we lived our lives by that mantra?

I grew up during a time when the Jesus People movement was going strong. When Christian bumper stickers, large cross necklaces, and buttons with Christian slogans were the “in” thing. It was also a time when zealous Christians knocked on doors and stood at street corners handing out tracts containing the sinner’s prayer.

I look back on those times and cringe.

Being enthusiastic about your beliefs is never wrong – as long as those beliefs don't harm people.

But, I wonder if the method in which we tried to share our faith and love for God was in the end detrimental to what we wanted to accomplish.

I’ve been a strong believer for years that the way to share God’s love is through relationship with people. Not through preaching or handing them tracts that list spiritual laws.

I sincerely believe that caring about people in the work place, in the community, and even in our own homes is the way to spark a desire in hearts to seek God. Actions do speak louder than words.

If you want to share God with someone in your life . . .

Show. Don’t tell.

Dawn

Megan DiMaria - Author of Out of Her Hands

I just finished reading Megan DiMaria’s Out of Her Hands. What a delightful book! No wonder the Romantic Times gave it 4 ½ stars.

Just like in real life, the family in this story is comprised of imperfect people. They disagree, disappoint, and frustrate the other members. But they also love each other.

The novel is laced with entertaining humor. But it also holds a deeper message. I related to the main character on so many levels. What woman doesn’t have visions of the mate their child will choose? And like Linda, don’t we all at one time or another want to be able to control what’s going on in our lives, and the lives of those we love? We forget there’s someone else in control who can do a much better job than we can.

Here’s the back cover copy . . .

Linda Revere is losing control. Her grown children are poised to launch into life with exciting choices and endless possibilities. And like all parents, she only wants the best for them. She has been praying for her children’s future spouses since they were very small. Confident that her prayers will be answered, Linda is not prepared for the young woman her son brings home.

In the midst of balancing a challenging job managing an upscale photography studio with her busy home, Linda is trying to help her father-in-law get on with life after he’s widowed. And now her best friend and confidante is moving across the country. How does Linda manage when she realizes it’s all out of her hands?

About Megan

Megan was born and raised in New York State and have since lived in Maine, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, New Jersey, and now lives in Colorado. She graduated with a degree in Communications, and after graduation, worked as a radio and television reporter, freelance writer, editor and marketing professional.

When she’s not tapping out another story on her computer, she loves to spend time with her husband and three adult children in the beautiful Rocky Mountain state of Colorado.

Out of Her Hands is Megan’s second book. Searching for Spice, her first novel, also received rave reviews.

You can read more about Megan and her books by visiting her web site at www.megandimaria.com

Happy Reading!
Dawn

Thanking Our Troops

I recently became aware of the Xerox Corporation’s “Let’s Say Thanks” program. It makes it easy for us to thank soldiers who give up so much in order to do what they do.

From the “Lets Say Thanks” website:

“The mission of Let's Say Thanks is to provide a way for individuals across the country to recognize U.S. troops stationed overseas. By submitting a message through this site you have the opportunity to send a free personalized postcard greeting to deployed servicemen and women.

The postcards, depicting patriotic scenes and hometown images, were selected from a pool of entries from children across the country.

All you have to do is click on your favorite design and either select the message that best expresses your sentiment or draft a personal note. The postcards are then printed on the Xerox iGen3® Digital Production Press and mailed in care packages by military support organization

Give2TheTroops®.”

During the holidays, it can become easy for us to take for granted the ability to attend parties, concerts, and spending time with family and friends.

But not everyone has the opportunity to spend Christmas with their families. People in the military are often separated from friends, parents, spouses, and their children.

The other day a Seattle radio host spoke via phone to a woman who’s experiencing separation. Stationed in another country, she won’t see her husband and three children for six months. The youngest child is only two months old, but as difficult as it is to not have the baby with her, the mother still feels strong about serving our country.

It takes only a minute to send a card.

Take that minute today and thank a soldier at www.letssaythanks.com

Dawn

Blessed by the Butterfly Award

My dear friend, Cynthia Ruchti, nominated my blog for the Butterfly Award. Cynthia is an author, a blogger, and the newly elected president of American Christian Fiction Writers.

Cynthia's blog is also a favorite of mine! She shares insight on spiritual life through her delightful sense of humor at www.splashinginthedeepend.blogspot.com


The rules of the Butterfly award are:

1. Put the logo on your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3. Nominate 10 other blogs.

4. Add links to those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.


I'm pleased to nominate these awesome blogs - in no particular order. This isn't one of the rules, but I’m also going to tell you a little bit about them. See if you can find something that will strike a chord with you!



Rachelle Gardner’s Rants & Ramblings
www.cba-ramblings.blogspot.com
On life as a literary agent.

Writers gain better understanding of the publishing world as Rachelle shares her life as an agent. She cares about people – published and those aspiring to be published. She talks straight, but with a soft tone.


Annette Irby’s Net’s Notes
www.annetteirby.blogspot.com
Devotions based on daily life experiences.

Cynthia also nominated this blog. Annette is a close friend, author, and critique partner who has encouraged me both spiritually and as a writer.


Annette Irby’s Net’s Book Notes
www.annetteirbyreviews.blogspot.com
Author interviews and book reviews.

Annette will help keep you in-the-know on Christian fiction.


Ocieanna Fleiss’s Mommy-O
www.ocieanna.blogspot.com
Encouragement, tips, and fun for moms.

Ocieanna is another good friend and critique partner. Besides being a home schooling mother of four children, she’s also a writer and a freelance editor. Her sense of humor always makes me laugh.


Lisa Harris’s The Heart of Africa
www.myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com
On the life of a missionary mom in Africa.

Not only is she a published author of Christian fiction, Lisa and her husband are missionaries in Africa. She shares snippets and colorful photos of their life in that country.


Nora St. Laurent’s Finding Hope Through Christian Fiction www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book reviews and author interviews.

Nora is a writer who works by day at a book store. She also runs three book clubs. Her author interviews are always fun to read because she doesn’t ask the typical questions.


Michelle Sutton’s Edgy Inspirational Author Blog www.edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com
Book Reviews, giveaways, and more . . .

Sought out in the publishing industry as a book reviewer, Michelle gives it to you straight on the latest books being released in Christian fiction. She covers all genres and gives many books away to readers of her blog. She’s also a published author, an editor of the Christian Fiction Online magazine, and a friend.


Rachel Hauk
http://www.rachelhauck.com/blog.htm
Spiritual lessons through everyday experiences.

An author of contemporary Christian romance and chicklit, Rachel offers variety on her blog, including author interviews and what she’s learning in her own spiritual life. Rachel is a worship leader and the wife of a minister. I’ve had the privilege of singing with her for several years on the worship team at the American Christian Fiction Writers conference. She’s a wonderful spiritual leader with a sense of humor.


Susan May Warren’s Scribbles by Susie May http://susanmaywarren.typepad.com/scribbles/
Thoughts on love, writing, and living the great adventure.

Susie is talented author who’s been able to cross genre boundaries. She’s written Christian contemporary romance, chicklit, historical fiction, and suspense. She lives in northern Minnesota and since I lived in that state for fifteen years and grew up in Wisconsin, her blogs about her writing life in the area are especially fun for me to read. She and Rachel Hauk also provide Book Therapy group for writers The writing tips that show up in my email box have been a valuable resource.


Happy Reading!

Dawn