The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Music (03/08/07)
I grew up in a household where music was a part of the daily routine, just like eating dinner together or saying our evening prayers. As the youngest child, the piano in our living room fascinated me. It seemed like magic when I heard my sister and brother play songs from their piano lessons, and more than anything, I wanted to be able to play those songs. When the neighbor kids were outside playing basketball or baseball, I was inside, working to master the magic of the smooth black and white keys.

Sometimes, my mother and I would play and sing together. I still remember the big yellow songbook with the picture of a man playing a banjo on the front, and the music inside, round notes dancing on their stems, which somehow turned into fun melodies as my mother’s fingers expertly found the right keys. I loved to yell “John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt!” at the appropriate place in one of the songs and laugh hysterically.

I remember once entering the living room as I heard my mother play “Silent Night” on the piano. I believe it was the first time I had ever heard the melody. It invoked such a strange feeling in me, either unbearably great joy, or unbearably great sadness, that I begged her to stop. I simply couldn’t handle the intensity of emotion that I felt.

As a writer, one of my goals is to capture the feeling that I get from hearing a particular piece of music. Classical piano remains my favorite, but I have a true appreciation and love for every kind. It has been the greatest blessing to me in my life, and I know that the magic that of a lovely song, sending chills down my spine, is only a small glimpse of what my creator can do.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 1328 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
julie wood
03/16/07
I loved the unusual title of this piece--it sparked my curiosity at once!

The second paragraph here really drew me in with its colorful and specific descriptions--I could see the yellow songbook with the banjo-playing man on its front and hear the kid shouting "John Jacob..." Would like to see the story open with details like that, or maybe with some lively dialogue. This memoir has great potential and could be lengthened.


I could really relate to the narrator's intense mixed feelings upon hearing "Silent Night"--there have been certain tunes that have this exact same effect upon me. Music is indeed powerful!
Jen Davis
03/19/07
This piece captured the incredible power in beautiful music. I was especially fascinated by the intense emotions you experienced hearing your mother play “Silent Night.” You also summed up this piece very well. One suggestion would be to eliminate the word “that” whenever possible.