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What I'm writing in YEAR OF THE DOG

I just finished writing Year of the Dog ! It had a massive plot hole that I had to fix which turned out to be more work than I expected. Here’s a snippet: “Hey, Auntie Nell.” He wrapped his arms around her, bussing her on the cheek and breathing in pikake flowers and shortbread cookies. And suddenly he was nine years old again, and her solid presence had made his chaotic world stable once more. “What are you doing here?” He usually took her to dinner on Wednesday nights, but today was Tuesday. The edges of her smile faltered a little before brightening right back up again. “What, I can’t visit my nephew?” She angled around him to enter his home. “Is this your new house? Looks lovely.” Which was a blatant lie, because the fixer-upper was barely livable, much less acceptable to a neat-freak like his aunt. She also left four matching pink and purple floral suitcases on the stoop behind her. Only then did Ashwin notice the cab driver standing slightly to the side of the walkway. “Can ...
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De-Lurking Week

Captain's Log, Stardate 01.11.2006

Stephanie Elliot (ManicMommy) told me about this blogger's De-Lurking Week idea. It's totally fun.

So, for any of you guys who read this blog and lurk, just give me a quick shout out! Don't have to say anything brilliant. A simple hello would make my day.

Bible in 90 Days: Day 3. I have to say, because I'm reading Genesis so fast this time, all these characters just piss me off. Everyone is extremely selfish and they do really stupid things, then really terrific things. But I guess it shows God's grace, that He raises these people to be the great men and women of faith despite their failings.

Writing: did some research in my Honolulu magazines. I'm hoping to do more characterization tonight with 45 MASTER CHARACTERS.

I finished THE TIPPING POINT by Malcolm Gladwell. Really interesting. Some is stuff I remember from college psychology and sociology classes, most is completely new information. I'm not certain exactly how I can use this information for my marketing strategy. Guess I'll have to think and pray about it.

My discipline today has been good. Margie Lawson says to make a Winners List, which is different from a To Do list in that it's stuff I'm pretty sure I can get done today. Anything that might be a challenge goes on a Superstar list. This sets you up for success. I got most of my Winners List done, just a few more points that I hope to finish tonight.
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Comments

Dineen A. Miller said…
Hi Camy,
I know what you mean about Genesis. I've read it several times and studied it recently in a Beth Moore study. Funny thing is, the more I study it, the more I realize how much we can be like those characters, especially the Israelites. It's been a very sobering realization.
Wed Jan 11, 08:27:00 PM 2006
Heather Hansen said…
Recently I had the thought, why are all of the disciples SO STUPID? I mean, COME ON GET A CLUE. Then it occured to me... Jesus picked them to show that he can turn the unintellegent into great leaders. I KNOW if he can do THAT FOR THEM then he can to great things to me! ;)
Wed Jan 11, 08:39:00 PM 2006
Mirtika said…
Actually, the disciples weren't stupid, if you think about it.

We have the benefit of 1900 plus years of witness and explanation and doctrinal expansion and exegesis and complete, bound Bibles, and commentaries and classes.

These were Jewish fishermen, no college, no New TEstament, not even filled with the Spirit until AFTER Jesus ascended...

If you really put yourself in their shoes...you might be a bit confused and befuddled and flummoxed and wondering things, too. Especially if the guy you're following around is contradicting so many of the things you were raised believing.

Imagine that some great man came to your job, said, "Follow me," and expected you to drop what you were doing and head out the door, leaving family behind. Now, this same guys said, "You think God is three persons in one? No, God is seventy-seven, but on Tuesdays, he is actually seventy-eight, because the last person manifests once every seven days. And this God wants you to take all your clothes off and walk the streets naked eating pomegranates."

That's probably how nutty it must have seemed to first century Jews, this raggedy-man saying, "No, the leaders you trust, they're wrong. And the things you're expecting from the prophecies you've heard. Wrong. THIS IS THE TRUTH."

Yeah, we'd be screw-ups, too, for a spell, til we got ourselves grounded and filled with truth.

Mir
http://mirathon.blogspot.com
Thu Jan 12, 02:00:00 AM 2006
Heather Hansen said…
Yeah, we'd be screw-ups, too, for a spell, til we got ourselves grounded and filled with truth.

Did you read the ENTIRE comment? That is what I meant. ;)
Thu Jan 12, 11:40:00 AM 2006
Mirtika said…
Yeah, Heather, sorry I went off on a rant. I did read the whole comment.

But one of my hot buttons is the abuse I've heard heaped on the apostles over the years. I instantly rush to defend them as soon as that button is pushed.

Anyone who can write the books Peter and John wrote...well...ain't no dumb there. I have to strongly disagree with "unintelligent." Maybe not scholars, but not dumb.

(Can you tell I've experienced a lot of apostle bashing? Poor Paul gets a regular drumming down this way.)

Mir
Thu Jan 12, 05:19:00 PM 2006
Heather Hansen said…
mir - Paul happens to be my favorite actually. :)

I guess what I was trying to say (so inelequently) is that they were not educated people (you have to admit that one) and yet they did GREAT things.

So if God could create that change for them, I think about what great things he can do for me.

I'm sorry if I offended you.
Thu Jan 12, 06:54:00 PM 2006
Mirtika said…
Heather, we iz cool, right? Cause I wasn't mad, just speaking up for my home boys.

Paul is great, isn't he? Obviously, a big brain, and I always dig big brains. :D

John has the big heart and the ego that got whittled down to mellowness.

Peter has the big passion and will, and the impetuousness that became a true mature wisdom.

It's interesting to think, but were ANY of the great Biblical men dumb? I can't think of one right off...

Mir
Thu Jan 12, 10:56:00 PM 2006
Anonymous said…
... just shoutin' out! : )

And to think Jesus prayed for the men He would say, "Follow Me," to. My favorite pastor, Gayle Erwin, says that Jesus didn't mess up His prayer, but He got just what He prayed for, cuz He prayed, "Father, help me choose the men the great institutions of the world would not choose, so when the world sees what My men will become, they can only say, 'It was God.' "

We have to admit, at first the disciples ... but then after God transformed them, look out. Men of courage, faith, and Truth. Where would we be without 'em?

Buh-bye for now.
donna

P.S. Tanks for stopping by my blog-hood from time to time, Camy. It gets a wee bit lonely over there.

: )
Thu Jan 12, 11:18:00 PM 2006
Heather Hansen said…
Hey Mir -

Of course we're cool. Let's see dumb men... OH you said BIBLICAL dumb men... my mistake. HE HE HE! ;)
Fri Jan 13, 12:08:00 AM 2006
Mirtika said…
Yeah, Biblical. Real life has to many dumb men to list.

Fortunately, not my hubby. :D

Jonah was my first thought, but he was surly and resentful...and he was stubborn, but can't say if he was dumb. Need more info.

We'll ask him when we get to Paradise: Hey, Jonah, wuz you or wuz you not a total dunce?

Mir
Fri Jan 13, 11:58:00 AM 2006
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