Planning a Story

For those of you who love to write, do you ever remember sitting down by your pad of paper or at your computer and just starting to write a story out of the blue?

"It was a beautiful, sunny day. Little Mary Seuffert was skipping merrily down the sidewalk when suddenly . . ."

You had no idea what was going to happen next, or even how your story was going to end. You remember the kind, don't you? 

Well, if you're still writing those kinds of stories (which I admit are extremely fun to write, as you get to experience the story as you write it), I have some very helpful hints for you! For the past week in English/literature class I have been planning a story. Here is what I have learned in 10 easy steps:

Step 1: Describe your main character (MC) -
Your story really should include only one MC. Your readers should become very familiar with this person, and the story should follow him/her consistently. Your description should include the MC's appearance (height, hair color, eye color, etc.) and inner traits (cheerful, tidy, studious, etc.). You most likely won't state these descriptions in the story, but will rather tell them ("Caleb brushed his unruly hair out of his eyes, and ambled aimlessly down the hall."). You may not even mention all of the descriptions you wrote, but your list will keep you from being untrue to you character (such as, "Michael hurried diligently to finish his chores . . ." and later, "He replied sullenly, 'Do I have to mow the lawn Dad?'").

Step 2: List other characters, giving brief descriptions of more important ones -
A few other characters should be given brief descriptions, such as your MC's family, a friend that plays a role in the story, or the MC's opponent. Everyone else, if they play no important role in the story, will only be mentioned with a name in the story, and not described (the next-door neighbor, the pastor, minor acquaintance, etc.).

Step 3: Define what age level the story is for - 
Make sure your story is comprehensible for the age level you are writing for. Children need lots of dialogue, lots of word "pictures," lots of descriptions, and NO big words unless they are defined (this would not fit very well in a children's book: "She elegantly descended the curving flight of stairs, and glared condescendingly at her unrefined visitor."). Stories for youth still need adjective descriptions and some dialogue, but can use bigger words. Adults do not need dialogue to find stories interesting, but they usually still like adjective descriptions and big words. Also make sure the plot of your story will interest the age level you specify, and make your MC the same age as you are writing for.

Step 4: Write the theme of the story, and the lesson it will teach -
A good story should carry one theme and end with one lesson. Do not get sidetracked while writing. If you story is about treating parents with respect, do not include a side lesson on forming good habits.

Step 5: Write the setting of the opening scene, and the opening scene (OS) itself -
The setting should be something like, "A sunny afternoon in a small town." Do not write word for word what the OS in the actual story will say, instead write what you want it to say (instead of "It was a beautiful, sunny day. Little Mary Seuffert was . . ." write "Mary Seuffert skips down the sidewalk when she hears a forlorn meow coming from the bushes. She goes over to investigate . . ."). All the adjectives and style will come later when you actually write the story.

Step 6: Chronologically write the incidents of crisis that will lead to the ending of your story -
Again, don't write these incidents word for word. Tell what will happen. These incidents are not written in stone. As you are actually writing your story, if you find that one incident doesn't fit well, or needs to be changed in order to flow, change it or delete it by all means. This plan that you are writing is only to help you be consistent in your writing, and give you an idea of where you story is headed. 

Step 7: Write your story! -
Now comes the fun part! Try to keep your characters consistent! Don't get off on tangents that have no bearing on the outcome of your story (for example, don't write of an incident where Cassie borrows a book and accidentally ruins it, and then must replace it, when the moral of your story is about Cassie overcoming her habit of telling lies). Make sure your story flows, and don't stick so rigidly to your plan that you can't change it to help the story proceed smoothly. 

Step 8: Write a catching title -
The title of your story should not give away the outcome of you story ("Mary Rescues an Abandoned Cat"). It should also not be longer than 5 words ("Mary Hears a Meow and Investigates"). Make use of alliteration, rhyming words, or words whose rhythm flows ("Mary and the Meow" (alliteration); "That Cat!" (rhyme); "Investigating Pays" (flowing rhythm). 

Steps 9: Make sure your story has a moral -
Have fun, and use your imagination! But most of all, make sure that your story glorifies our heavenly Father. Don't write about things that have no bearing on eternal salvation (such as, "The Trick I Played on Mother."). Don't write about disobedience or other wrong things unless they are corrected in the end. Make sure the reader of your story will come away changed!

Step 10: Be prayerful! -
Pray that God will use you to impact someone's life!

My School Today

Hey everyone! Today's post is just a random collection of the interesting things that happened in school today. These are the things that make school fun and enjoyable to me.

Mathematics: I got an A+ (98%) today (with the Lord's help!) which makes me energized to keep trying my best! Geometry is challenging, but also fun and extremely interesting!!

Health: Today's lesson was on sleep. It must have been very well done, for it almost put me to sleep! I was yawning for at least a half an hour afterwards! So funny!

(But the most fun came from my English lesson:)

English: I am planning to write a story in English, and since I love writing this is LOTS of fun for me. For my research for my story, I was looking up words in a Greek dictionary. It was there that I stumbled upon an excellent name for a pet, especially a mischievous puppy. The name is: "Kakia" [kah kee' ah]. In Greek it means: "Naughtiness." :-)

Homeschooling is a wonderful privilege, and the Lord often sends little enjoyments such as these to keep me excited and looking forward to tomorrow. Praise Him!

Border Collie Genetics

A blue merle colored Border Collie pup.

Today I did the most interesting study of genetics in Biology! I applied what I learned to the Border Collie puppies we raised for a couple years. We had a wide range of colors: black and white, blue and white, and blue merles. I could try to explain it here, but it's easier to cover it all by referring you to a website:   http://www.bordercolliesociety.com/index_breedcolor.htm.   If you're a lover of science and animals, you'll enjoy this! :-)

Do You Really Believe?

I always struggled with the verse in Acts 16:31 which states, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved. . . ." Is that really all there is to salvation? Believing on the Lord and the sacrifice He made for us (Romans 10:9)? I was sure that there was something that I had to do, some way to prove that I was saved. Besides, I did believe on the Lord, and I knew He had washed my sins away with His blood.

But yet I couldn't seem to gain the victory over sin! Surely the Lord wouldn't take a sinner to heaven! Then there had to be something more to salvation than just believing, I thought.

Then I read 1 John 5. I will write a few key snippets of the chapter here:

(Verse 5) "Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?"

(Verse 13-15) "These things I have written to you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us: and if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him."

(Verse 18) "We know that whoever is born of God sins not, but he that is born of God keeps himself, and that wicked one does not touch him."

(Verse 20) "And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life."

Suddenly it struck me that I didn't really believe in Jesus, and what He had done for me, if I couldn't overcome sin! If we truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and has died for all our sins, then we will ask in the time of temptation for His help, and He will deliver us from sin and Satan! I was awestruck at the wonderful way of escape the Lord has made for all of us, that all might be saved!!

"There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able; but with the temptation will make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Quick Update

The editing process on my book "Learning Lessons from Furry Friends" has now begun!! This is part 1 of a 3 stages, which should (hopefully) take only a month or two altogether. 

Here's what the editor had to say about my book: "I have started editing your manuscript. You have done a wonderful job writing your book! The spiritual lessons are clearly presented and the story is well developed. I will be in touch as soon as I am finished and ready for your review." ~K. K.

Please pray that everything goes well in the weeks ahead! I am so happy and excited!! The Lord is doing great things in my life!! All the glory goes to Him!!!

In Memory of Tiree

Tiree Brae Brown (Shetland Sheepdog): 1992 - 2006

A wagging tail, that lets me know when you are happy;
A soft coat, to snuggle next to when I'm sad;

Alert ears, that perk up every time I call your name;
And cute tricks, that cheer me up and make me glad!

Soft eyes, that look at me and know exactly what I'm thinking;
A cold nose, nuzzled on my hand to show me that you care;
A wet tongue, brushed across my cheek that tells me that you love me;
And a big heart, with love enough for everyone to share!

A purebred dog, a mix-breed mutt, or some intended hybrid mix;
Either large or small, my dog will love me to the end!
No matter who I am or how I look or where I live;
My dog is my lasting companion and forever friend!

Update on Illustrations

Here is a sample of what TEACH Services is planning to do for illustrations in my upcoming book: "Learning Lessons from Furry Friends." They will take our family's photos of our pets and make them look like paintings. I think it's really neat!! I can hardly wait to see what the finished product will look like!

Lightning Revelation

Don't worry, the lightning is not striking the telephone pole!

I know it isn't a very good photo, but it's the best I could do with my limited knowledge of photography. So, last night a beautiful storm blew through. This is the tail end of it. In fact, I am standing right underneath the towering edge of clouds--half the sky storming non-stop, and the other half dotted with peaceful stars! It was so awesome and majestic that I was reminded of Jesus' second coming--now so near in the future. "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matthew 24:27). Though the skies will be raging then over those who have rejected the King of the universe, the righteous will be at peace and will rejoice to see their Maker. And there under the stars and lightning, I jumped for joy and anticipation for that Day!

Sunset Shots

Knock, Knock; Who's There

How many of you want to be in heaven? I certainly do, and I hope you feel the same way! But, even if we do want salvation, how do we find it? The Bible indicates what seems to be a contradiction.

Read John 14:6:

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ ”

So, Jesus is the way. What does that mean? How is He the way? Well, take a look at John 10:7, 9:

“Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.’ “

Oh, then Jesus is the door! But, how do we go through? Matthew 7:7:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (emphasis added)

Now look at Revelation 3:20:

“ ‘Behold, I [Jesus] stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.’ “

Such a beautiful promise! At yet, when you think about it, it poses the contradiction I mentioned earlier. Do we knock, or does Jesus? Does He let us in or do we let Him in?

One of the best things to do if you have questions during Bible Study is to look at the context of the passage or passages you read. So let’s begin with Revelation 3:7, 8, 14, 20-22. (In chapters 2 and 3 Christ is addressing the different churches through John the Revelator.)

“ ‘And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, “These things says He who is holy, He who is true, ‘He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens’: I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, “These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God. ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ “ ‘ “

What in the world does verse 7 mean? If you do some research, you will find that this verse is quoted from Isaiah 22:22. Let’s take a look at that verse:

“The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; So he shall open, and no one shall shut; and he shall shut, and no one shall open.”

Who are all the pronouns referring to? Look back at verse 20:

“Then it shall be in that day, that I will call My servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah.”

Eliakim was the king in Israel (2 Kings 18:18). But back to Revelation 3:7. What is a key used for? Of course! To unlock a door. Then, look again at verse 8:

“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it.”

And open door! So someone must have unlocked the door and opened it. But where does that door lead? And who unlocked and opened it?

Notice the last part of verse 7:

“. . . He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.”

Let’s look at a parallel verse in Matthew 16:19:

“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (emphasis added)

Oh, so contrary to what many people believe, this is not referring to the apostle Peter, but to Christ! The door leads to the kingdom of heaven, and Christ, the King of the universe, has unlocked and opened it with His sacrifice for our sins!

So, that “contradiction” is taken care of and understood. What about the other one? We still want to know why Jesus knocks on our doors and comes in to us.

John 10:1-10:

“ ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.’

“Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.’ “

If you were watching closely, you would have noticed a seeming contradiction in just this context! Look again at verses 1 and 2.

“ ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.’ “

He who enters by the door is who? That’s right: the shepherd of the sheep, who we know is Jesus (verse 7). But now glance back at verse 9:

“ ‘I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved . . .’ “

Wow, wait a second! How can Jesus, the shepherd, enter the door and be the door at the same time? This is getting very confusing!

Let’s not lose our heads. This may have something to do with these verses: James 5:9 and Matthew 24:3, 33 (respectively).

“Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!”

“Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’ “

“So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!”

Now we’re getting the big picture! Before His second coming, Jesus is the door to us by what He did for us on the cross. At His second coming, our heavenly Shepherd will come through the doors of eternity, and take us to be with Him forever.

He is coming so soon (He is almost through the door), and He is so loving that He can’t stand the thought of leaving any of us behind—even if we deliberately walk away from Him. He will still come to us, and plead with us to open the doors of our hearts; knocking, waiting, hoping. He never gives up! He loves us so much that He does not want us to perish, but to have everlasting life (John 3:16)!

What about you? Perhaps you were so eager to find salvation that you knocked on the door before you. Perhaps you don’t think it has opened yet. Claim the promise that Christ, through his death and resurrection, has “set before you an open door.”

Perhaps you have closed the door of your heart to Christ’s. Perhaps you have heard Him knocking but haven’t responded. Won’t you open your heart and let Him come in? He doesn’t care how messy your “house” is—in fact, He is there to help you clean it up! The opportunity will not last forever (Luke 13:25; Matthew 25:10). He will soon come to earth to take Him children home. Don’t you want to be one of those children? Then open the door of your heart, and let Christ enter in. It will be a decision you will never regret!

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”