Tuesday, June 10, 2003
Yesterday afternoon I received another polite encouraging rejection letter. Occasionally, I use a highly scientific and theological approach to Bible reading which I call the "Flop and Read" method. When I hit the wall, like receiving another rejection letter, I take my Bible flop it open and ask God to speak to my heart. Amazingly, sometimes the "Flop and Read" method really works. And it worked yesterday when I discovered what I call "The Writer and Artist's Prayer" in the book of Psalms. The prayer goes like this:
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us---yes establish the work of our hands.
Ps. 90:17 (NIV)
There are times when every writer, artist, musician, or any other creative person faces rejection and discouragement because of their work. That comes with the territory, so to speak. In those times, however, we can ask for God's favor and establish or confirm the work of our hands. My prayer is that we'll experience God's favor as God establishes the work of our hands. Keep creating, keep believing, and keep praying.
Aloha, Glenn
Mr. Darcy's Daughters : A Novel by Elizabeth Aston.
This is a great book for those of you who enjoyed Pride and Prejudice as much as I do. Of course, if you know me, then you know that PnP is possibly my favorite work of fiction of all time. I have several editions by different publishers and in different formats all over my house, not to mention the movies!
Anyway, this book takes a look at the children of such interesting folks as Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy. It's a fun and fast read and I consumed it in a matter of a few hours.
A lesson, though, to be learned. These wonderful parents both left on a diplomatic mission, thus taking themselves from the book. As a fan, I was bummed. I kept hoping to see them eventually. Note to self: when writing a sequel, be sure to include the original characters at some point.
Another lesson has to do with family. As great as these parents are, they left their five daughters in the care of friends and family In Town for a London Season. The girls got into all sorts of trouble, because their parents weren't with them, providing the familiar guidance and boundaries they were accustomed to.
Of course...the book wouldn't have been written if they had!, but still, a lesson to parental units everywhere.
Great book. Highly recommended. Okay, so it isn't Christian lit, but I don't confine myself to that genre...
Monday, June 09, 2003
McSweeney's Mammoth Treasury of Thrilling Tales edited by Michael Chabon.
I purchased this volume of short stories written by notable authors like: Stephen King, Michael Crichton, Elmore Leonard, Aimee Bender, and others. Of course, I expected the usual gratuitous sex, violence, and profanity associated with contemporary writing but not as nearly as much as I thought. Also, I expected tight well-written short stories from accomplished authors but again not as nearly much as I thought.
In the Amazon.com reader's reviews a couple of readers gave this volume two stars while a couple of others gave it five stars. The five star folks must be friends. Because it's more like a two-star rating despite the name brand recognition of the contributing authors.
The one redeeming factor in my book purchase is that it supports a writing program for San Francisco Bay Area students from the ages of 8-18. Which also may mean that the authors probably were not paid and may not have delivered their best stuff. Anyway, this was not my best book buy for the year.
Aloha, Glenn
