Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Blog (10/20/11)
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TITLE: Grandma's Cooking Blog | Previous Challenge Entry
By annie keys
11/02/11 -
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This will make you laugh, but, Grandma wants to write a cookie blog. Women today have so much responsibility that they have no time for learning how to bake cookies! But, this can’t be just a “blog”, it has to, somehow, include a witness for my Lord. Because I love him so much, my heart wants to include him in everything that I do! Grandma has to create a blog about Jesus that includes cookie recipes and baking tips.
First, the most important thing I have to find out is—how do I make a blog? All I know is that it’s done on a computer. Not wanting to bother Grandpa, I googled and found rules for creating a blog. Experts say the first thing that I must do is, choose a title. Grandma is grateful there are rules for every step!
Rule #1: A blog title should not be underwhelming (?). The title should be unique, yet clearly state the content and draw the reader “in”. “Grandma Bakes With Jesus”? No. Well, I mean I DO, but that’s not a good title; no mention of cookies.” Grandma Blogs About Baking Cookies With Jesus”. No, too long.
Wait, statistics say the most commonly used title word for a blog is; “blog”. Because of the common use, I should, therefore, not use it. Whaaaaat? This means that, “Grandma’s Cookie Blog” with, or without, mention of Jesus, is not a good title choice. Alllllrighty, then. Grandma wishes she’d baked a pan of cookies for herself before she started learning about blogs; just saying—. Mercy!
My Thesaurus is found and an alternate word for “blog” is--? Blog is NOT IN my desk Thesaurus! Back to Google search, I learned that “blog” didn’t exist until April (maybe even May), 1999. I made a paste it note to buy a more current version of Roget’s even though the pages on this one don’t even look worn! Technology happens so fast!
Hoping for help, I asked Grandpa what HE thought a good blog title would be. He looked at me over the tops of his bifocals, put his teeth in and quipped, “Blog title? I thought you were going to bake me some cookies.” (Sigh) Obviously, Grandpa isn’t going to be any help at all--.
Rule #2: Identify the kind of people that will be reading my blog. Obviously, that would be girls who want to bake but don’t have time. They need time saving hints. AND, with such busy lives, they need encouragement in Christ. Grandma must combine Jesus with baking cookies; this is a challenge. Help me, Lord, to put all this together!
Rule #3: Use vivid words to lure the casual reader in. How do I make a blog about baking cookies vivid? With all this new technology, Grandma wishes that somebody had invented smellavision. Now THAT would lead the reader in! I’m no wiser than I was to start with, but all this research and thought has made me feel ‘snacky’ and Grandpa is expecting cookies.
I pull out my mixing bowl; Grandma thinks better while she is baking. Instinctively, I dump the ingredients into the bowl and turn my mixer on. A vivid title that doesn’t use common words yet lures the reader in. Oh, and without using the word, “blog”.
Grandma has baked for more years than computers have existed; the cookie dough comes together with little thought and much prayer. No matter how busy life gets, the joy of both baking and eating homemade cookies never goes away!
I remember when I was a young mom; the list of chores was daunting and I didn’t even work outside the home! Mercy sakes! I can’t even imagine working full time AND keeping up the house and kids!What can I do with this blog to encourage these girls?
Then, it came to me. Today’s young women don’t need a blog on how to make baking easier. They need a fat old granny to bring them a plate of warm, prayed over cookies! As I pull the last pan of cookies out of the oven, I see young Janice, next door, pulling into her driveway.
Two cranky preschoolers in tow, her weariness is clearly seen on her young face. Talking about Jesus’ love over a cookie and coffee will be easily done. Grandma isn’t waiting for those weary young women to have time to read a blog; I’m taking cookies and Jesus TO them.
(fiction)
Word count: 749
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I noticed you used a lot of exclamation points. Try to use exciting words instead and save the ! for dialog.
The story made me smile and had a delightful message. It was a fun read.
I'd separate out the rule from Grandma's thoughts on the rule, so it's very easy to see where the rule ends and where her thoughts begin.
Now... Let's see if I can come up with a title for Grandma's (now non-existent) blog... What about "Grandma's Jesus Cookies"? :) I loved this. Cute idea!
God bless~
Great story. I felt myself trying to brainstorm a title. :)