Is a book bought a book read?

There are some books of which scores of copies are bought for one which is read, and others which have dozens of readers for every copy sold. --John Ayscough I am both of these readers. I buy books on sale, at garage sales, from used book stores. and even brand new. But I don't always read them. My TBR (to be read) pile is tall enough to cause a hazard should it avalanche. But I also loan books. When I have a favorite book, I urge others to borrow it and share my enjoyment. I'm not one to go deep in a discussion of a book. I like to hear what others have to say, but for the most part, I don't like over-thinking, second-guessing the author, and disecting plot or character. I just want to enjoy the book.

"As long as there have been people in the world, there have been stories."

DR. GRANT L. VOTH is Professor Emeritus at Monterey Peninsula College in California. He is the author of insightful scholarly books and articles on subjects ranging from Shakespeare to Edward Gibbon to modern American fiction.



The power of words should never be underestimated. Words can educate, illuminate, dominate, encourage, and even heal.
Labeling can be negative or positive. Call a boy stubborn, and he is mule-headed, thick-necked, and incorrigible. Call the same boy persistent, and he is determined, resolute, firm, and confident.
Word strung together to make stories can accomplish much. A society can be convinced evil is good, wrong is right, and progress is regression. As Christians writing, we are obligated to use stories to enlighten, exhort, and engage people in the search for truth. Jesus did in parables.
What joy it is to take a difficult concept, blend it into a story, and allow the reader to discover a truth about God.
Make all your words profitable today.

"The trick is not to become a writer, it is to stay a writer. Day after day, year after year, book after book. And for that, you must keep working, even when it seems beyond you."
Harlan Ellison  (In a career spanning more than 40 years, he has won more awards for the 75 books he has written or edited, the more than 1700 stories, essays, articles, and newspaper columns, the two dozen teleplays and a dozen motion pictures he has created, than any other living fantasist.) 
I wondered why I was not familiar with Harlan Ellison until I looked at his work. I have to say he uses more profanity and vulgarity than I can handle. But his quote is wonderfully right on target. If you really enjoy writing, then you also constantly try to improve your skills. Every book is a challenge. With every book, you raise your standard. And logically, every book is harder to write. It doesn't get easier; it gets harder. In addition to that, you have lost the glow of first love. The honeymoon is over. This is work. (Pardon the cliches. I wouldn't allow those in any book I wrote, but I'm going to trust you can handle two cliches so I can get this posted and get back to work.)
I admit, from time to time, I've fallen into the pit of "beyond you." Didn't Little Christian of Pilgrim's Progress fall into the slough of Despond? I have to give myself a lecture. "This is fun. Quit thinking about the miles of work ahead and stick to the moment. Because, talking dragons are fun. Yes, they are. You betcha!"
This Twilight Zone was written by Harlan Ellison.

I'm going to go have some fun now. You keep at it, too!

Born to Write?

"Each of us has been designed for one of two immortal functions, as either a storyteller or as a cross-legged listener to tales of wonder, love and daring."

Bryce Courtenay

(contemporary, best-selling author in Australia www.brycecourtenay.com/ )

I agree with this statement. I have found, though, that I also enjoy being the listener, or the reader. Storytelling started around the campfires right after language became useful. I can see in my mind, primitive folks way back then, who probably did a mime type storytelling we would think of as charades.

Remembering

"It's a poor sort of memory that only works backward."

Lewis Carroll

Alice laughed. "There's no use trying," she said: "one can't believe impossible things."
"I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."
(Through the Looking Glass, Chapter 5)

Writing fantasy tends to open your mind to remembering things that haven't quite happened yet and believing impossible things quite easily.

Now see? If you believed that statement in any way, shape, or form, you have proven it.

Who is your Internal Editor?

The one thing I have learned about editing over the years is that you have to edit and publish out of your own tastes, enthusiasms, and concerns, and not out of notions or guesswork about what other people might like to read.--

Norman Cousins

(June 24, 1915 – November 30, 1990) was an American political journalist, author, professor, and world peace advocate.

I remember Mr. Cousins mostly for his practical use of this verse: A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. Proverbs 17:22
You can read about that adventure here: The Healing Power of Laughter

Experienced writers seek more knowledge, better understanding of how techniques work, and how to put them together to write more affectively. In order to maintain your own "Voice" as a writer, these cerebral influences have to be relegated to the background so a writer can just write.

Novice writers do need to absorb as much information about the skill of writing as they can. But as they practice the craft, ultimately it must be their skill, their craft, their "take" on life and how they want to express the important truths in their fiction.   

Again we must say, "Write what is on your heart, and write to an audience of One." You prepare to write your story by mastery of the art. You prepare to write to your audience by being in tune with the One.

Success

"Of course there is no formula for success except perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings."

Arthur Rubinstein (January 28, 1887 – December 20, 1982) was a Polish-American classical pianist who received international acclaim for his performances of the music of a variety of composers; many regard him as the greatest Chopin interpreter of the century. He is widely considered one of the greatest classical pianists of the twentieth century. Wikipedia

I like this quote. Success, in my mind, is not what other people count as noteworthy, but what God blesses. Small acts of kindness, large commitments to the betterment of others, everyday determination to follow Christ, and the realization that life is lived with more than the accolades of others, but also, the silliness of  not taking yourself seriously.

Success is acknowledging Who is the Author and Finisher of our work.

 Hebrews 12:2

"looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."