We have a new edition to the Wofford family! He's a goldfish. His name is Bruce! He's named after three very awesome people: Bruce Wayne (aka Batman), Bruce Campbell and Bruce Springsteen. (Bruce was also the name of the big mechanical shark on the set of the movie Jaws. How appropriate!)
He's so cute! (Don't you think?)
Long-time, no-post. Sorry about that. But school is done now so hopefully I'll be updating more again soon.
I've been getting a lot of writing done lately. I feel like doing a little victory dance after every paragraph. I usually refrain, for victory dances take up quite a bit of time. :)
While working on my novel yesterday I was hit with an idea for a new short story. I just put a pin in the idea at the time and carried on with what I was doing. But when I took a break I pulled out a blank sheet of paper and jotted down a few sentences to see if the idea would go anywhere. Oh, has it ever.
What was originally an idea for a new short story has somehow morphed into the bare-bones outline for my next novel.
It's the story of a guy who dies and, instead of ending up in heaven immediately, finds himself in The Library. This novel will pose the question: What would you do if you were given the chance to rewrite your story?
It turns out that Heaven's library is full of people's life stories and his might just not make the cut. But first the Librarian is giving him the chance to rewrite his life story. But our main character doesn't know where to start. Luckily he's in the greatest library in all of creation, with every great story ever told right at his fingertips.
So? What do you think? I'll still be focusing on finishing Solomon's Light first, but I'll definitely be working on The Library as well.
- the author
Writer Waiting
Oh this shiny new computer ---
There just isn't nothin' cuter.
It knows everything the world ever knew.
And with this great computer
I don't need no writin' tutor,
'Cause there ain't a single thing that it can't do.
It can sort and it can spell,
It can punctuate as well.
It can find and file and underline and type.
It can edit and select,
It can copy and correct,
So I'll have a whole book written by tonight
(Just as soon as it can think of what to write).
- Shel Silverstein
“Every man dies. Not every man really lives.” I don’t know how many times I have heard this said, either directly from the movie “Braveheart” or from my brother who loves to quote said movie. Either way, it’s a truth; but are we really living like we believe it? Many people I know have a list of things they want to do or accomplish before they die. That’s good and all, but what about helping everyone else out? Life is fleeting. Shouldn’t we be trying to pass on any knowledge or wisdom that we might have? I believe every generation has something to learn from every other generation. So this is, among other things, is my gift to the world. If Jesus comes to get me tomorrow this is what I want you all to know. Alright kids, listen up. I’ll try not to be overly maudlin. Please keep in mind some of this stuff is what worked for me and some of it comes from mistakes I’ve made.
- High school is something you overcome. But it doesn’t happen until after it’s done. While you’re there, try to enjoy yourself and not do anything too stupid.
- Doing a few stupid things isn’t the end of the world. As long as you aren’t being overtly dangerous, just try and have fun.
- A driver’s license doesn’t make you an adult.
- Drinking doesn’t make you an adult.
- Smoking doesn’t make you an adult.
- Sex doesn’t make you an adult.
- I have no idea what makes you an adult.
- Being an adult is somewhat overrated. Enjoy not being one while you still can.
- Take life one day at a time. If that doesn’t work, take it one hour at time. One moment. Don’t rush it.
- Get a job in high school/college. Even if it’s crappy. Learn to spend your own money.
- Write down your ideas, your goals, your dreams, your fears. It makes a lot of things easier to sort out.
- Do your homework.
- It’s okay to go through “phases.” Take your time figuring out just who it is that you are. Not all change is bad. Just don’t make fun of people who look different from you at that moment. You probably look like a dork to them, too.
- Read. Read a lot. Find a style or an author or a genre you like. Ignore what your peers say about it. It doesn’t matter if it’s cool or trendy or not. Just read. If you aren’t sure where to start, ask a librarian. They are awesome people.
- Be nice to your substitute teachers.
- Don’t grab a knife by the business end.
- It is not wise to make fun of someone’s tattoos. Doing so is simply asking for a fight with someone who enjoys pain.
- There is right and there is wrong. Do and stand up for what is right.
- If you have a point to make, be heard. You’ll never change the world sitting in the back whispering to yourself.
- You *can* change the world.
- If something is funny, laugh. If it’s sad, cry. Don’t let someone else tell you how to respond.
- Even those born to be leaders must sometimes learn to follow.
- Obedience is not a sign of weakness.
- Falling in love is absolutely foolish and often leads to nothing but heartache. Do it anyway.
I suppose I could go on and on, but I will refrain myself. I will, however, leave you with one last thing:
- SEIZE THE DAY – So simple, yet so daunting. Give it a try.
We are children of a risen Savior!! Hallelujah!
I've been thinking a lot about my blessings today, especially since we will soon be celebrating one of the greatest ever, and I decided to make a little video. Some find the song to be a little bit of a downer, but I think it's rather hopeful. Here's a look at some of the blessings in my life. Enjoy.
I was only 19 when we dug the plot
of land where you would finally rest.
And just like all children I never had thought
you would leave us somewhere less than the best.
Death was always tomorrow, never today,
or simply never for someone like you.
We picked our stories and the songs we would play
then cried a goodbye that never would do.
You were too much for this world to handle
but too little for this world to care.
Just a little Jesus with a broken sandal,
just some angel with the wind in your hair.
You never knew perfect, but never knew hate
and you left us all wondering why
a good man like you would daily fight fate
when in the end you got only to die.
You were more of a blacksmith and less of a hero,
melting our soft hearts to steel.
I guess you knew when your life fell back to zero
iron would would be easier to heal.
Yeah, I was only 19 the morning you died.
Who knew a dead man was hard to forgive?
But now I know, through the tears that I've cried:
your death taught me how to live.
This week one of my bestest friends is staying with me. Kelley is in grad school in Texas so we don’t get to see each other very often any more. Which is a bummer. She’s really groovy. This week she is on her spring break and is staying at the Hotel Wofford while she is in town. It’s some awesome to get to be around her again. She’s one of my favorite people.
Today was an absolutely beautiful day so Kelley and I decided to take a trip to Craighead to play. I had a kite I had purchased but never used so we attempted to make it fly. There wasn’t much wind but we still had a blast. It was one of those moments when you remember that it’s not what you do with someone, but who you do it with.
After the kite, we sat at the edge of the water and threw in rocks. Kelley has the amazing ability to skip stones. I, unfortunately, do not. I’m not too upset though. I’m easily amused. It’s enough for me to just chunk rocks into the water and listen to them ker-plunk! It was a beautiful day.
