Friday, February 27, 2009

The Writer As Actor

Ever watched your favorite actor or actress in a show or movie and thought to yourself, “I could be an actor”? Well, if you’re a writer, you almost have to be.

In order to have strong, lovable, and alluring characters, the writer has to become those characters themselves in order to properly portray them on paper. They have to get inside the mind of their characters to know how they think and act and why. So, believe it or not, writers are also part actors.

But, I must say, writers take the cake in the acting department. No offense to all those actors and actresses out there! Think about it though... While a working actor becomes only one or maybe two people per story/job, a writer can be many people at once (in just one story)! And that takes a lot of brain power and effort because writers have to make each and every character unique and enticing.

Also, and I don’t mean to sound arrogant or anything, but writers are a bit more creative as well. While actors are told who to become and given specific people to be, writers create who they want to be from the ground up (or, moreover, who the characters in their story want to be).

Haven’t ever thought about this for your writing? Now might be a good time to start. Put your characters shoes on and figure out how they tick. Boy or girl, doesn’t matter. Writers have to be both. Just become someone other than yourself.

Get your findings down on paper -everything from why they love blueberries to what makes their heart race or makes them cry and why (this is just as important). How they walk, how they talk, everything. The more questions you ask, the better you’ll know your character. And no question is too silly. You may find you can use something later on in the story to add comedy or drama.

I just read in Ethel Herr’s, An Introduction to Christian Writing, that to increase perceptivity you have to try new things. “Break old patterns. Take risks. And purposefully broaden your interests.” So, try wearing a different outfit -one you might not even really like, take a different route home from work, and don’t be afraid to learn new things. Experiment and learn.

That’s what actors are after all, aren’t they? Expert experimentalists? They become someone that does things they don’t. And, in order to do that, we writers have to know what is out there to do.

Observe, yes. I’m not saying that isn’t important. But do it yourself as well if you can. You learn a lot more when it’s hands on -it offers a lot more depth you can add to your writing.

~~ Put It To The Test (PIT3)- In one of your current works, focus on an important character you can’t seem to get a grip on. Make a list of questions (which will no doubt lead to more questions), and have both a:

1) “session” (where you sit across from them and pretend to ask them your questions and they give you responses..) In this case, be sure to make note of how they respond to certain questions -example, if you asked them about their home life before they moved away, do they flinch? That flinch says a lot. And then,

2) act them out and answer the questions on your own -become them. Pretend your finished book is being put on the big screen and you get to play the character.

Then leave me a note. What did you learn about them that you didn’t already know before? Did you prefer to talk to them or become them; observe or transform? Did you get more from one above the other? Was this exercise helpful?

Above all though, have fun!:)

~L. Pierce

Monday, February 23, 2009

In A Rut

I admit, I’ve had better weeks than this past one. I had to get almost completely to the bottom of the barrel for God to teach me something. But, I learned. All the honor and glory goes to Him.

I like to call this sort of thing being ‘in a rut.’ And that fits perfectly because when you’re physically in a deep ditch, it takes a while to get out of. You have to slowly climb your way out, suffering through loss of progress or even having to start all over again. Or you just have to wait for someone to come find you and help you out. Either way, you learn a lot in the process, and sometimes that’s the hardest part.

This time around, it was twice as bad, which was my own fault really. I was in a rut in both my life and my writing. Usually, when life gets bad for me, I have my writing to turn to to give me a bit of reprieve. An escape, if you will. But, this was not the case -good thing, too.

What I never want to do is place my writing before or above God. I know He is the only one that can truly help me when I’m not in the best of spirits or feeling alone, but I think I was in fact beginning to replace Him with this means of escape. God forgive me. I was relying on myself rather than Him which is always a disaster waiting to happen.

So, when my means of income was starting to weigh on me and take time away from my writing, I got rather frustrated. Why? When I thought about it, I really didn’t know. Who bucks at more income? Lol me apparently. The fact that it was stealing time from what I enjoyed would be my honest guess as to my attitude and actions.

Driving home after a long day, I was a little depressed which, if you knew me in person, is not at all normal. I cried out to Him for help. I didn’t know what to do. Why I was feeling the way I was.

And then I realized... I wasn’t just getting frustrated at the load of work or because I wasn’t able to write because of it, I was getting frustrated at God. He is the one that gives me work in the first place and provides for me -always has. I was throwing His provision back in His face. And it was making me miserable. Is it any wonder?

The Lord spoke to me. This time around it was through the radio, a station called K-Love. Basically, He kicked me in the rear and told me to wake up. He was blessing me with business, as I’ve been praying for, and I was complaining about it. So, I repented right there and immediately started to thank Him for the work instead. He had wanted my praise and was getting my childish and selfish complaints. I was quite ashamed and humbled. But I guess it’s true... We are always learning. I’m just glad I have someone as gracious and loving as God to be the one to correct and teach me.

Wouldn’t you know it, my mood did a complete 180 after that. It was a HUGE wake-up call, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. But, I’m grateful for His patience with me. It never ceases to amaze me how He can constantly put up with me. I wouldn’t be so tolerant.

Our God is no doubt one of a kind. And thank goodness for that! Take time to give Him praise today, even if you don’t feel like it. See what happens. :)

~L. Pierce

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

In Whom Do We Trust??

NBC is taking a poll to find out if "In God We Trust" should remain on our American currency. To get in on the vote, there is still time... go here -http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10103521/. I wonder if they'll be surprised by the outcome. I wonder if WE'LL be surprised by the outcome.

Think it could never happen? Guess again... I read an article last month that says that the British Society is already embracing Darwinian ideas and placing their trust in man above God. You can read the article here -http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/au/one-nation-under-man.

What is this world coming to? More importantly, what will happen to us if we lose sight of God and everything He stands for -everything that is good? I can't stop thinking of the Israelites... Perhaps history is repeating itself. If that's the case, we're letting it.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8

Monday, February 16, 2009

And Another One...

Boy, scammers are busy lately. Lol

HEADS UP all you on Craig's List! There is another person by the name of Chris Morris that is trying to scam people. This person is claiming to have a 15 year old daughter. Keep a watchful eye out!

I'm finding that if you ask for proof of who they are, they just stop emailing you. Guess that means the jig is up! Haha Hope it helps!

Blessings! :)
~L. Pierce

Scam

I just came across another scam that thankfully I was able to catch onto before it went any farther.....

I’m a music teacher and was hoping to expand my in-home business with a few more students, so I posted an add on Craig’s List. I’ve done this a few time before and God has blessed me with some wonderful families. Only, this time, I did one thing different.

Yes, I was foolish... I supplied my real email instead of allowing them to use an anonymous one that would serve as my own. So, I do take full responsibility for what happened.

But anyway... Shortly after, I was contacted by a Dr. Matthew Medley in reference to his son Erin, 14 years old, for him to take lessons. This man claimed that he was working with the United Nations in Dublin, Ireland and his son would be visiting the States for a month. He wanted his son to be doing something constructive. I thought, “cool!” But at the same time was a bit skeptical (though, I always am).

The man asked what my charges would be for 3 hour lessons per week for an entire month, and I gave him a figure. 'Figured' it was harmless enough. Lol no pun intended. X)

Well, some of the main things I started to notice was that this person, this Dr. Medley, had poor English, typing skills, and would often even spell his own name wrong. That was what started me really questioning.

As we conversed back and forth a bit more, he never once asked about who I was.. If my son were going to be spending time with a teacher 3 hours a week away from his parents, I would certainly want to know who that person is! Right? But nope. Nothing. That was another key element to my scam radar. I proceeded to the United Nations website and found a page that mentioned how some people are claiming to be in association with them when in actuality they are not. DING DING DING!

So, once he found out what the total would be, he said to supply him with an address so he could have his associate, not even himself, mail me a money order. AND the only thing I would need to do was forward part of the money order to his “nanny” that would be driving his son around.

That was the last bit for me! I wrote him back and.. well.. probably didn’t act as Christian-like as I should have. I pointed out what I was reading, especially the lack of interest in who his “son” would be spending all this time with. Then I concluded by telling him to grow up and get a life, and while he was at it to learn how to speak English and type. *cringe* Yeah, I’m not too proud of it.. But, I guess it could have been worse.

Not long ago, I caught an episode of Oprah that was on this very topic of scams. Some of them I had come across before, so when this Dr. Medley came around I was a little more prepared. But there are people out there that have fallen for stuff like this and it wound up costing them, often times money. It’s sad.

But, what concerns me most is that people actually fall for this stuff. I mean, lets admit something... These scammers don’t suck us in. We are not hypnotized or controlled like puppets. All they do is lay a pleasing choice before us, feeding off our own greed/need for money. We are the ones that lack in the sufficient wisdom to see it for what it is. A trap. And these scammers know it too, otherwise they wouldn’t try. Says a lot about us, doesn’t it?

Seems to me that there is a great parallel with this. Satan is the same way. He is a scammer. Truth be told, he is the best scam artist out there -making things like drugs, alcohol, and premarital sex pleasing when in reality they are just plain stupid. Yet, almost every day I see someone else willingly stepping into his trap of ignorance.

That’s right, I said it... Ignorance. To do these things, it is nothing short of throwing logic and reason out the window. Yet, nothing good can or will ever come out of these things. Say for, oh, a “good time.” But at what cost? Your health? Your heart? Your soul? Your life? Nope, sorry.. Not worth it. There is way more to life than a meager "good time."

Call me skeptical or untrusting or even a fun sucker.. But, for one, I think being skeptical has helped me many a time and protected me from dangers that would otherwise prove to harm me. Two, I trust people when they show me they can be trustworthy -when the evidence is clearly before me. And three, fun is not what I would call willingly being blind and dumb to the obvious. Sorry, I prefer to be wise rather than stupid. I figure I’ll live a lot longer that way.

“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil,” 1 Timothy 6:10. One of those evils is most definitely ignorance. And, luckily for us, that makes scammers fallible and easier to distinguish. Just look for the signs. Be skeptical.

God NEVER expects us to be blind or stupid. That is one of the biggest myths out there about the Bible and Christians. In fact, with what I’m growing to understand, God and the Bible are the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. But, that is a topic for another time.

Be happy, live smart, and know that scam artists are forever in our midst. Lets show them we make for bad prey, shall we?

~L. Pierce

Friday, February 13, 2009

Imagination

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

I love this verse. Lately I’ve needed it, too. No eye, no ear, and NO MIND can imagine what God has planned out for us.

As a writer, I have a pretty wild imagination. For God to tell me that even with that imagination, I still haven’t a clue what He has for my life, I’m amazed! And as I write this I actually have tears in my eyes.

God is so incredible. With every possible relationship that comes my way, no matter what I think could happen, envision to be, or dream will come to pass, God always has something better. Even if it isn’t that person themselves.

If that doesn’t show us how much God loves us, I don’t know what will!

So, lets dream big! Writers or not. It’s not just a suggestion, it’s a dare! The bigger we dream, the bigger God has in store for us.

Oh, but FYI... Dream with a pure heart. Notice the end of the verse, "those who love him."

~L. Pierce

Monday, February 9, 2009

Textastic!

Texting... It’s the form of talk that’s growing more and more popular. But, as a working brain and a working writer, it can also be used for more than just talking to friends. In this post, I would like to share how it can serve as a recorder for your thoughts on the go.

Most, if not all, phones have text messaging. As long as you have the means of sending one, that is all you need. You don’t need to spend money on Unlimited Texting or anything if you don’t use texts beyond this suggestion.

All you do is open an empty text message, type in what you want to remember (Hint- T9 is a wonderful thing. It allows you to push the letter button that you want just once instead of several times to get to the letter you want.), and hit the back button. That should give you the option to save or delete the message. You want to save it.

Now, since this is man-made technology and, in effect, unreliable, I suggest that you get your idea on paper as soon as you can. Your saved message will be in the Messaging folder in your Drafts. Once you have it down, you can then delete it to save room for other ideas.

When I’m on the run and don’t have time to get out my paper and pencil (or, God forbid, forgot it!), my phone comes in awfully handy as more than just a social/work line.

~L. Pierce

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Hypocrites and Justice

There is a lot going around about Phelps being suspended. What I don’t understand is.. why?

Sure, there is a picture of him using marijuana. Does that mean he still uses? Something I fail to read about is whether the photo is recent or if it's something in his past.. Anyone know?

I find it really hypocritical though. I mean, society and the media all make things like that seem “normal”. And when it comes to those that don’t, we are labeled as uncool and even unhuman! (Which, in reality, those that don’t are cooler... Consider all that’s happening to Phelps!)

So, the photo... They created it, whether they want to admit it or not. They are creating the means (the pipe) and the motive (it’s the normal thing to do and it looks SO cool on camera). He tried that because it’s been made to seem ‘okay’.

Sure, he may have made a poor decision in actually doing it, but he’s not perfect! NO ONE IS! We are fools if we think that Phelps is as well just because of what he’s done. Yes, he’s done some amazing things. But we all have the potential to if we take it and work hard.

What kind of justice is it when we create monsters then punish them?

~L. Pierce

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Roots, by Lauri Pierce

I am by no means a poet, but God taught me something today that came out in this way. So, I thought I would share. Let me know what you think. :)

~~~~~~~ ROOTS~~~~~~~

There was once a place I used to dine,
On sin and foul of every kind.
Three trees stood tall and marked three sides,
Leaving open a welcome compromise.

Then I left that place; grew old and wise.
Turned from my sin and found my life.
One by one the trees grew rot,
Consumed by poison, ne’er to stop.
And one by one they each were chopped,
Severed once and left a thought.

I watched the last come crashing down,
The last of my sin I hoped was found.
But each tree was left a stump,
Every bit of what grew once.
Though what was seen was no more,
What was unseen still endured.

So, a note I wrote,
Of things within.
My sorrow and apology there in.
It was their future I did fear,
Actions past were there to steal.

Like those roots I learned it well,
the secret of forgiveness’ spell.
God does forgive our crooked past,
The thoughts of which turn into glass.
But with it comes clear view of those,
Of whom our wrong did so oppose.

With God’s forgiveness we should see,
That it is not a one-way street.
Yes, God forgave me,
This is true.
But now let me seek forgiveness from you.

Do not forget that all we do,
Has a way of spreading like flu.
Our tongue we use to claim a change.
Let our actions then say the same.

Even though those roots still loom,
Of trees that spelled my imminent doom.
My words, I hope, will do their part,
And save one good and innocent heart.