You Must Get In

 Natalie was not the typical woman. While other women wore sweaters or jackets while either in the grocery store or a movie theater, she always wore short-sleeved shirts. The funniest time was in the fall and winter. Everyone at her office wore sweaters and thick-lined shirts. No, not Natalie. She wore thin short-sleeved shirts. At her office they turned the heat up to a what Natalie called a "sinful temperature." So many older women asked her if she was cold, kept suggesting she bundle up.

She'd arrive at the office after a workout. Only, this wasn't some workout at the gym. Her "gym" was the greenways that were all around Knoxville. Her favorite was Victor Ashe Park. She just lost herself in the run, not always mindful of how far she'd run--in weather that was about 30-35 degrees. She loved it, the cold sweat that beaded her forehead, under that ear cover. She was even more defiant. She had a red ear cover that had NRA on it. She'd tell her coworkers unashamedly about it, about all the pre-work runs she'd have. Someone once asked, "Don't you think it's a little too cold to run outside?"

"No," she said. "This is the best time for me to run."

Winter gave way to a brief early spring. About a week or so of a beautiful early spring, it was so hot. As always, Natalie paused the running and swam. Another one of those pre-work workouts. She'd come in feeling so awesome, maybe more so than after she'd run.

"Oh, Natalie. Just the person I've been wanting to see." It was Wendy, her favorite coworker. Whitty Wendy is what they called her. She was always so upbeat and positive. Always going out to places. 

"What's going on?" Natalie was barely inside her cubicle, coffee in hand, keys in the other.

"I have tickets to go see Punchlines & Backlines." 

Wendy reminded her who they were. She'd seen some videos and reels of theirs. She laughed so hard, especially at Rodney D's jokes about the '80s. "You do?"

"Yeah. Bobby was going to go with me, but he has a business trip to go to. Wanna go? Girl's only road trip. You and me going to Nashville for the weekend."

"Sounds like a plan."

"I loved how reasonable the VIP ticket price was."

"VIP?" Natalie raised her eyebrows.

"Yeah." Wendy stepped closer. "And we get half off of any entree at Johnny J's."

"I've heard of Johnny J's. Been wanting to go there, just to check it out."

"I've met Rodney D. Met him at a convention in Nashville. Great guy."

The time came for Wendy and Natalie to go to Nashville. Johnny J's was a bar on Broadway 5 stories high. They had a challenging time getting a parking space, but they got a good one. And good would only describe the time they had. They even had a chance to meet Rodney D. When they first got in, they went in the wrong elevator. They were supposed to be on the 4th floor, but this elevator took them to the 5th. They went downstairs to the 4th. 

Rodney D headlined the show. Natalie and Wendy had great laughs, all of which continued when they went back to their airbnb. Natalie got to meet Rodney. He remembered Wendy from the convention from a few months ago. He hugged both of them.

This certainly was a trip worth taking again. Natalie needed a laugh after some hard times after breaking up with her boyfriend. She also wanted a certain job. Someone kept telling her "It's hard to get in." She applied anyway, got one interview, but then got a "thanks but no thanks" email. She hated it when people told her it's hard to get in. Could it be she should go out with Wendy more often? What was it about her that made her get VIP tickets everywhere?

"Fanboy expo is next," Wendy said soon after this Nashville trip.

It was a boiling summer morning when the Knoxville Convention Center opened up its doors on Friday at 9:30 a.m. Standing in line, a long one, for a long time. Just to get in and wait in even more lines and just about as long.

Getting Someone to Talk

Week after week in this Bible study, Stacy was learning so much about the apostle Paul. Such rich studies. The small discussion group she was in had ladies of all different walks of life. An older married lady who doesn't have children. A woman in her 40s, the same way but has a radical, ever-active life as a booking manager, author, and photographer. Then there was also Carrie, the youngest in the group. She hardly talked. Stacy, an extrovert who had taken up the role as a greeter for this Foundations Bible study, liked knowing everyone's names and finding at least one thing they have in common.

What was it about Carrie? Where did she grow up? What kind of work does she do? Every time they had discussion, everyone talked except Carrie. Why? Introverted? Scared to talk? Surely there must be something that happened in her life that made her slow to speak.

Week after week, Stacy studied the lessons in such books as Ephesians and Colossians. That was how she spent her mornings. Before too long, it was time for her to go to work, as a front desk receptionist at a retina clinic. She got to know the names of all the regular patients, including one patient in her 50s who was a rising stand-up comedian. She always said how she hated to come to these appointments. Getting the treatment for her retina was gruesome, a hassle. That was something she looked forward to that one Thursday a month when she had her appointments.

Week after week, she looked forward to the Tuesday evenings she went to Foundations. She's been at this study for so many years. She knew every several weeks, they had a night of fellowship, an extra 45 minutes to talk about the study, have a good time, and eat. Stacy always made sure to not eat any sweets at work. A lot of times, the ladies wanted to order pizza and doughnuts the same day she had these fellowship nights. She also loved to bake. It was a cool, crisp fall day on that certain Tuesday. She had some annual leave to burn. She used that time to make a pumpkin chocolate chip bundt cake. Only, she did something different. Even though she didn't have to, she bought gluten-free ingredients.

Two hours after she baked it, she had it in a cake holder and the tote bag of her Bible and Bible study guide. She headed toward that congested Alcoa Highway to the study. Walked as if the horse knew the way into room 212 of the host church. The leader, Ilene, was there. They chatted for a moment. One by one, the other ladies came with cookies, crackers, pepperoni and salami slices. Carrie was there, too, but had brought nothing. Everyone easily got into conversations--all except Carrie. 

Chocolate, the one thing that never lets any woman down. Stacy thought about the co-pastor's wife, Kathy, who loved everything chocolate. They had lots of conversations about it. Stacy kept glancing at Carrie. What would it take for her to talk? 

"Ladies, my cake is gluten free."

As if she said the magic word, whatever it really was, Carrie's eyes lit up. She reached for a plastic plate, a few napkins, and a fork. Using a knife, she cut a big slice of it. "I love chocolate. And I'm gluten free." She cut a piece of it with the fork and closing her eyes, as if in a dream, she slowly bit into it. She remained quiet for some time before eating another bite. "Stacy, this is delicious. I'd love the recipe." 

Stacy had learned to always be prepared when going to gatherings. She made some copies of the recipe. She had one in her Bible study guide, folded in half. She handed it to Carrie. Carrie studied it briefly. "I'd love to make this. It's coming up so soon on Thanksgiving. I wasn't sure what to make since I'm the only one in my big family that is allergic to gluten."

The fellowship time unfolded. Women talked about their things going on at work, all the ups and downs. Carrie talked about problems she was having in her marriage, some family issues. While she talked, she ate another slice of the pumpkin chocolate chip cake. She took the rest with her.

A Conflict with the Love Languages

In 1992, The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman lined the shelves of bookstores. The purpose of the book was to enhance married couples' communication and emotional intimacy. Since its release, Chapman has included this principle for all other kinds of relationships.

My love language for my marriage and all my other personal relationships is words of affirmation. I've kept every handwritten note someone has given me. I've stuck them in any one of my Bibles or notebooks and perched them on my desk. I've read them on bad days. Furthermore, I've taken screenshots of kind words I've received in texts and Messenger conversations. 

When someone says a kind, sincere word to me, I have a productive day and a positive, hopeful outlook on life. If some unforeseen circumstance happens, I'm hopeful in seeing the end soon. 

On the other hand, one discouraging word would take me the rest of the day, maybe even a whole month, to get over it.

The beginning of this week was challenging. I once again felt inadequate, invisible, unappreciated. I should've reminded myself to give it 72 hours. Some awesome, unexpected thing may likely happen.

And it did on Wednesday night.

I spoke with the pastor of my church during our weekly Equipped to Stand Bible study, based on Ephesians 6:10-18. What I learned about him: We have the same love language. We talked about how frequent, discouraging, back-stabbing words can make us feel like we've done something wrong, can hinder our progress. I often wonder what I could've done had I not let others' discouraging words or actions (or lack of them, like ghosting) take root in my mind and soul.

What I thought about yesterday morning: My love language as an author is acts of service (for now, anyway).

Since publishing Strong & Steadfast , I experienced new things. Within less than 12 hours after its release, I received a glowing 5-star review. Not just one review afterward, but two others, both of which were a 5. I also sold it to someone in person, which, for some reason, has always been rare for me. She later told me she couldn't put it down. 

However, I have some disappointments. 

In the weeks leading up to the release date, I announced it in the Facebook groups (where I could, of course) for endometriosis support and once again--and many times--told everyone who expressed even the smallest interest in this upcoming writing offering of mine. 

Soon after it went live, I also made a flyer with the blurb, front cover photo, and a QR code for the Amazon link, printed out several copies of it, and had them laminated. For a few weeks, I placed them in waiting areas at ob/gyn clinics and hair salons

This will blow your mind: 0 response. 

In some ways, I'm a quick learner; in others, I'm like an elderly turtle. This year, I finally realized how stressful book-signing events are. 

The big picture of them: I pay a so-called low vendor fee, determine what books I'd like to sell that would interest the target audience, and order some more copies if necessary. I load my car up with them, some decorations, food, water bottles, and for outdoor events, a table and a canopy. After I check in with the event contact person, I set up everything on my one designated table. And during that whole event, I get more compliments than sales. You may say, "I thought that was your love language." 

Suffice it to say my "compliment tank" is filled to overflowing, but my soul (not to mention other obvious unspoken things) is empty. Authors write books to impact peoples' lives with their words, not to get compliments. 

I'll close with this quote: 

    Praises pay neither printer, editor, nor contributor. -James       Henley Thornwell

Hiding Something

     

Photo extracted from Pinterest

    Heather unlocked the door. It was a crisp fall late-October afternoon. She felt a bit weak. She barely ate breakfast or lunch. Her friends were concerned about her. She couldn't eat. For someone who's 14 and healthy, she was never sick. Therefore, it was so unusual for her to not be able to keep it down.

    Now that she was a teenager, her mom took the chance to take on new patients. As an ob/gyn, she was in high demand. Such was the case today. Also, her father was a tax accountant. It may not be tax season, but he was still wrapped up, submerged in figures and numbers.

    She always had cheese and crackers. When she got home today, however, she didn't want them. How could she hide that in any of the trash cans? Did either of her parents even pay that much attention to what was in the trash can? Also, she was mindful of what she fed their dog, Goldie.

    She just sat on the couch and soon got into those Dick Van Dyke reruns. Two hours of it. She wasn't sure what to eat. Her parents were going to be out all evening. How to hide what she couldn't eat.

    Later that evening, she attempted to eat...

    The door opened. She heard the lilting whistle of her mom. She had this way of whistling tunes from the Jesus Music era. Song of choice "Rock That Doesn't Roll." 

    "Hi, Mom," Heather said as she kept wiping her mouth and swallowed hard several times.

    "Honey, are you okay? You look sick." 

    "Oh, no. I was just getting small aftertaste of some juice I drank."

    "Well, that stomach bug is going around."

    "Mom, I never get that no matter what."

Parts of Books, Handwritten Notes, and Journal Entries

Writers write, but they also read.-- and re-read. In fact, I don't think I do that as often as I'd like. I've had some new and exciting things happen in my life. What else can I pick up on in books I've read a few times that I didn't before?

Then there are the books I hadn't heard of before, like The Reading Life by C.S. Lewis. In the chapter titled How to Know if You Are a True Reader, the first way, according to him, is "Loves to re-read books."

I also read to be further inspired. Before I started writing the screenplay for Strong & Steadfast , before I even gave it any thought, I read Earl Hamner: from Walton's Mountain to Tomorrow: a biography. Many of you know, he was the writer and producer for The Waltons. He also wrote the script for 1973's made-for-TV movie Charlotte's Web. Now that I've been deep in the heart of working on the screenplay and learning about the film business, it was time to re-read this biography.

Hamner's personal "screenwriter's oath of conduct": First, do no harm. 

Although screenwriters need to cut the story and alter its concept, they shouldn't needlessly change the original author's words or meaning. Since I wrote the novel and its screenplay, let me do whatever so-called harm seems good to do. In fact, when I had some peaceful early mornings this past weekend to tweak it, I decided to make some scenes different, the dialogue either longer or shorter, and maybe even deleted some scenes and details. Hamner did that some when he wrote the script for Where the Lilies Bloom. Editing without mercy at its finest.

For some time now, I've been noticing small but no less meaningful words in Bible verses. Some I've been taking notes on are establish, bread, and the name of Jesus. I still haven't figured out what I'm going to do with any of that, but I'm in no hurry. 

For many years, I've been reading a chapter a day in Proverbs. The word for this month as I read it is path. Webster's New World Collegiate Dictionary defines path as "a line of movement; course taken; a course or manner of conduct, thought, or procedure." 

Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways (Proverbs 4:26, NIV, italics mine). 

Let me close with parts of yesterday's journal entry:

    I wrote a screenplay based on my upcoming novel. That's what I said between mid-November and 2/27/26.

    I wrote a screenplay based on my most recent novel. What I've been saying at times

-or-

    I've been working on a screenplay based on my most recent novel.

    Working on.

    Tweaking.

    And even more tweaking. 

    Also, asking for and receiving feedback, possibly 4 people.

    I have to come to a time when I really need to finish it, to submit it. Get to learn how to write a pitch deck. Pitch deck. What I wrote to look more into this week. It may be so hot I can't easily breathe or concentrate, but I can no longer or stall my progress. Take today off. Enjoy what's left of this glorious 4th of July weekend. A milestone to live in and be as much a part of as possible...

    What do I have to yield to now that I haven't yet? Still, it's interesting how I've amazed those around me. I'm amazed that I easily amaze them. It's not like I've arrived. Let me not do that while I'm here on earth...

    Let Him work within me. Let me quit stalling. Let me stop saying I don't know anyone. I need to stop that.

*Tentative plans for next week: To share with you a writing prompt, which, at this writing, I still haven't done yet. The theme: hiding something.

Brainstorming

Brainstorming, what I've been doing a lot of lately. Writing things down in any of my notebooks. 

I take notes on just about everything I hear. 

In learning about the film industry, this is something I learned about producers:

* Get production crew 4 months out

* Set shoot date to keep from stalling

* For a feature film (which Strong & Steadfast just may be if this comes to fruition), shoot date should be one year out

Here's what I learned about directing movies:

* Make performances believable

* Actors should be doing something while talking

* They need to speak over each other

On any given morning, I'd write in my journal then work on a novel, a devotion, or more recently the screenplay. I may want to consider making an "irrelevant scene". Well, of course, nothing I've written is that. Let me put this in a better way. Perhaps make some short scripts of one of the scenes from one of my previous novels. Which one will I choose? Active Waiting , Twofold Love Comeback , The Unknown Missing Piece ? If I'm still long enough, I'll think of some awesome idea.

As I learned these basics of directing and producing, I wasn't above these reminders of storytelling:

* Plot: the pursuit of a goal despite obstacles (goal, motivation, conflict--my fellow authors will be familiar with that)

* A character is defined by the theme of the plot

* A meaningful ending is one in which the character steps out of his or her pattern

I take copious notes at church. What I need to remember is look at them soon afterward. One of the pastors at our church taught from John 2:1-11, message title Yes Changes Everything. When you say yes to Jesus, we open the door to spiritual transformation, a life of great adventure. Therefore, don't say, "Yeah, but" or let fear of rejection or failure paralyze you. Furthermore--and I need to remind myself of this daily--maybe many times a day--don't recite the history of failures and rejections.

How to apply all this: simply trust God for guidance, for the right place and time to do everything, to connect with the right people.

There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand. (Proverbs 19:21, NKJV)

Keep Writing Badly, Part Two

 

Last week, I shared some parts of a few days of writing prompts. Only, it didn't end there with Sam and Alex. Below are part of what I wrote the rest of the 6-day course.

        She knew there was more to public speaking than just what was in high school. Therefore, she didn’t bother taking that course in high school. Besides, she was shy. Apparently, it took living with Luke—oh, we’ll be just fine, we love each other—to make her realize she was headed down a wrong path. Well, enough of that. She was even more ready to move on. She takes classes in how to improve her speaking skills. She always learned quickly. But there were some times she had some challenge in wrapping her mind around it. Don’t take it too seriously, she kept telling herself. Her actress of a younger sister kept telling her if you make a mistake, keep on going. The audience won’t think anything of it.

         She was also in for a rude awakening when she learned some things beyond speaking. Those whom she trusted to help her—she knew for sure she and Shea were on the same page, cut the same cloth, so to speak when it came to speaking—only to find he was shallow. What should I improve on? What he started off with: You need to. Well, she of course wasn’t contractually obligated to do anything. That first thing was to watch other speakers on YouTube. Oh, yeah right. Like she’s going to do that all the time. She did it when she had time. But she wanted a style that worked for her that reached her audience, young women. She knew she could speak to them...

            But what was she going to talk about? The words of “I Want Action” spilled through the speakers of her laptop. What a strong laptop she got! Action. Do something. Do something in spite of what others tell you. The good thing is Shea is a male who lived in north Georgia. He wouldn’t attend this event. Besides, he doesn’t like Nashville. He avoids it whenever possible. Alex has always been strong. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. That’s what they talked about in Bible study recently. Was that because she was about to turn 30 and she’d have so many other battles? Another level, another devil. Oh, if she heard that once, she must’ve heard it a thousand times.

            Press on. Move forward. Take action. Want it. Because wisdom is where you find it. Crying aloud in the streets. Crying so loudly...  Take action. Open your mouth wide. Just say something. Have a good time. Be yourself. Be authentic. What did authentic mean? She glanced down at the bottom shelf of the bookcase. The heavier, bulkier books, one of which is the dictionary. She wasn’t about to pull it out and look up and write what that meant. Movement. Action. Be proactive. Be so intent on what you want to do, you refuse to quit. How to put her own words into what she wanted. Had being 30 slowed her down like this?...

        She couldn’t wait to get home. Good thing she’d made spaghetti. A simple thing to make while she and Stacey were so busy, full schedules. Actions that astound enemies, their jaws will drop open. No time for losers. She didn’t really like Queen very much, but she liked that line. You are more than a conqueror.

        What she wrote when she got home and got a glass of water. Take action, take that first step. Take a deep breath and jump. Wasn’t that a long-forgotten line from Flashdance? She loved that movie, too, because the character was Alex.