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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Think (09/02/10)
Just think. That didn’t take long, now what? I’m sitting here staring at a blank page hoping the words will spring forth and fill the paper. The topic of ‘think’ is so broad I can’t seem to narrow it down into one single thought. Multiple thought are bouncing around in my head, which one should I go with, what direction should I take?

Maybe I can write about my thoughts on a hot topic like politics or religion. I know, abortion will be my topic! I sure have lots of opinions on that subject, but it would be hard to corral all my thoughts into seven hundred and fifty words or less on that subject. Hope I don’t forget about the Right to Life walk next Saturday.

Let’s see, so far I’ve ruled out abortion, anything political and religious topics. Now days we’ve got to be politically correct.

Okay, what’s next? What do I think about? My grandkids, the joy of being a grammy. There’s probably too much to write about there. I've got five grandkids, if I only give each one a paragraph it might work, but how would I string it all together?

What’s my next thought? Animal cruelty, nope the topic is too sad to write about for the challenge piece. I’ll write about animal health care. Oops, just remembered Miss Alli’s shots. Note to self; take cat to get vaccinations up to date sometime this month.

Moving right along, think, what do I think about? When my husband ask me what I think, my standard answer is that I try not to, I don’t want to fill my mind up with useless clutter.


I’ll write on my thoughts about clutter. What will I say? I’ve never thought much about clutter. I’m an artist, I like having my creative clutter around me. Yea clutter! No, they might think I’m a messy person if I write about my art studio.

The thinking process…. I’m not a doctor; I really don’t know how the thinking process works. I usually just think and “bam” it’s there. Let me think about this from another angle maybe if I stood on my head. That would never work I’m too old and fat.

How about if I write on what others think? I guess I could choose a topic and ask others opinion on the issue. What topic should I choose? It needs to be politically correct and something they could answer quickly since I’ve only got up to seven hundred and fifty words. What do you think Miss Alli, would that approach work? No opinion, hum. Well I guess I will strike out that ideal as well.

Come on, think, think, think. It’s already Wednesday; I need to turn something in soon. I really wish I could think of something, but I’m coming up blank. What do I think about? My husband, no, he said he would prefer that I didn’t write about him.

Who would have thought this could be so hard. I can’t seem to think of anything to write about, maybe God could help me think of something.

That’s silly, I’m sure God has more important things to do than listen to me whining about not being able to think about anything. I know, I’ll look in the bible, isn’t there supposed to be stuff in there to tell you what to do. That way I won’t bother God and I can use the brain he gave me to figure stuff out for myself.

Alright, Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God” NIV. Does this mean that God is interested even in my thinking problem? Does he really want me to talk to him about something as trifling as writers block? I guess I could give it a try.

Well, I do feel a little better after talking with God. It's been awhile since our last visit. I need to get busy writing. I think I’ll read some more in my bible first; but I don’t think that will help me to come up with anything on the subject of think.

Wow, I can't believe what I just read! That’s amazing. Let me get a fresh sheet of paper.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things,” Philippians 4:8 NIV.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Allison Egley 
09/09/10
:) Cute. And I can relate.

Try not to write about the challenge itself for the challenge. Try to think of it from the point of view who has never heard of the challenge or FaithWriters.

I've actually used the same technique before for my entry.... But I changed "the challenge" into a writing class assignment. :D Though I still don't recommend doing that much either. :)
Beth B
09/10/10
I enjoyed your story. Made me smile. I can relate to writers block and having too many ideas and deciding which idea to write about. God bless as you write for Him.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
09/11/10
I smiled as your brain just whirled from one thought to the next. Mine does that too.

You should check the message boards. In Jans Writing Basics she gives little lessons about how to write for the challenge. One big don't is don't mention the topic or the challenge. She gives some outstanding hints.

You have a nice sense of humor. I enjoyed how you sprinkled it around in your piece. Keep writing you have some great thoughts.
Patricia Turner 
09/14/10
I enjoyed walking with you through your thought processes. I'll try not to hammer too hard on the topic of not writing on the challenge. Bet you've got that one. I hope to see more of your very nice since of humor.