FaithWriters.com-Christian Writers Forum

No, Jan, I think you should teach the class....you're good at bringing complicated ideas "down to earth". I had to read his points a couple times over before I understood....plus I'd be afraid of the homework Steve would assign! :shock: I think it's fine for you to explain the lesson, and...

the way I understand it, "objective" deals with things that are actually observed (or perhaps heard, felt, etc.), but "subjective" deals more with feelings, emotions, etc. Yes, that's it in a nut shell. "Objective" (in the haiku context) basically means related to the ...

As always, I really hope to get additional insights from you. What have I missed? What comments do you have about haiku? What questions do you have? Let’s talk.[/b] Here are a few things that I try to do with serious haiku. The reference to seasons can be tricky if I am not doing a strictly nature ...

Here is a link to a press release about a lawsuit the Florida Attorney General's office filed against a bunch of literary agents and agencies: http://myfloridalegal.com/__852562220065EE67.nsf/0/0CA04161DA4BE29C8525762600550D21?Open&Highlight=0,robert,fletcher The press release makes it sound as ...

After enjoying the site--and it's benefits--since last November, I'm finally kicking in the $10/mo.

It'll be 26 years July 2 for my wife and me. In honor of that and of Father's Day, I've changed my avatar. (Of course if anyone stumbles across this after I've changed it again, this post won't make much sense.) That's the family last month at my daughter's college graduation. She was on the 5-6 yea...

Steve, that book sounds like one I want to read! Where do I get my hands on that? You may get your chance to read it. I just returned from the Colorado Christian Writers Conference with good news. Two publishers and one agent want proposals for the novel. As I have explored what it takes to get pub...

Now, Miss Jan, “The Ontogeny of Recapitulation”? Methinks someone has been reading the Theology boards! As everyone has said, your class is so wonderful. I know I will suffer withdrawal. Enjoy your break. I agree that titles are incredibly important and I usually agonize over them, although sometime...

Something ridiculous? I have no idea what you mean. By the way, when I explain your piece “Thanksgiving Afternoon With the Queen of Scrabble” to you, I think you will agree that it should find a natural audience among Baltimore Ravens fans, Aleutian Islanders, and women who wear size 6 dresses with ...

Steve, my 9th grade lit. students now think I'm deranged, as I just read your post and laughed out loud. Now they want to know what's so funny--and I have no idea how to explain it to them. Just tell, them, “Don’t worry class, it was laughter of joy. Someone just explained to me what one of my stor...

Know why there are 6 jars in the story?

Does it have anything to do with the 6 waterpots of water that Jesus turned into wine and all the implications of new wine/new covenant/ new life?

No James Whitcomb Riley on my reading list this week. Just some Ackerson. I am working on an essay on her classic piece, Sniggles. I read an interview with the author once in which she said that 75% of it was based on actual experiences that she had working as the secretary for a dyslexic pastor, th...

Steve, I'd like to hear more about symbolism (or its lack) in parables. So, are you anti-symbolism, then? No, not anti-symbol. Just anti-deconstructionism. I do think that we can be personally persuaded that symbolism exists where it doesn’t and that that can either enhance or diminish ENJOYMENT of...

I'm with Carol on the over finding of symbolism. Two famous examples are To Kill a Mocking Bird and The Lord of the Rings. Both authors denied symbolism (or in Tolkein's case allegorical symbolism) often ascribed to them. I am also a strict anit-deconstructionist and don't believe it's OK to think t...

A few thoughts: 1. I think suspense is accentuated by compressed time and/or fast pacing. It seems that these two would point in opposite directions: if you only have a short time and things move quickly, you might not have much of a story (of course you would have plenty for 750 words!). However, t...