Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia - by Glynis Belec

Genesis 11:1

Now the whole world had one language and a common speech.

  So do you have it? Are you hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobic? I used to be that way until I armed myself with my trusty thesaurus and my dependable dictionary . Now the fear has settled nicely into cope-ability and intense fascination, thanks to my trusty ebony resource books with the gilt lettering.

     Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia - fear of big words.

 

This favourite word of mine is longer than the meaning. When I do a presentation at schools or libraries, I often will use this word to 'attract and hold’ the attention of fidgety five year olds. For some reason, children like arming themselves with a big word or two and then trying it out on teachers or parents or big brothers and sisters.

    Amazing what words are to be found at our fingertips. The thesaurus/dictionary duo can be a perfect friend for word-smiths of any ilk - students, writers, readers...

     Seriously, I love my thesaurus. In fact I love my Roget's Thesaurus so much that I have worn off some of the gold lettering and the spine has come loose. (This is starting to sound a little like the Velveteen Rabbit story.)

     I could never have made it through 26 or so years of writing without my good old writerly companions. I will, when I am in a hurry, use the thesaurus or dictionary in the Word program. They are helpful to a point. Then the same online resources are a mere click away and they can be helpful, too, but as a distractable soul such as me is wont to do, I get side-tracked and before I know it I have clicked link after link and soon find myself  wandering recklessly down online rabbit holes.

     There is something warm and cozy; comforting and calming about my good old dictionary and thesaurus pair.  Sometimes I will just read parts of them and stories begin to form. I get so fascinated with the way words can mean so many things. Much to the chagrin of some of my students, I love playing with words and using the thesaurus and dictionary to try to help them overcome being hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobic.

     When you think about it – a mere 26 letters make up so many words. And the combinations of these words are endless. I tried to look up actually how many words there are in the English language but didn't really find a definitive answer. There are variations of words, then plurals or homonyms or scientific terms, dialect, abbreviations, obsolete words and so on that might or might not make it into the dictionaries. From what I can see from some of the dictionary sites I checked out, the best guestimate on that would be somewhere around three quarters of a million words.. 

    As I have discovered over the years words are not to be feared. I've learned to dig out the resources and remember the power of the written word. Words are magnificent and I am grateful that God blessed us with 26 of them. 

May you and I dare to use magnificent words (big or otherwise) as we string them together for amazing purposes. 

Words...Another reason why God is awesome.  

DIY Writing Retreats – Ramona Heikel

Is there anything that sounds more delicious to a writer than a writing retreat? I think it must be our version of a decadent chocolate dessert. An opportunity for time away from the cares of the world in a quiet, beautiful hideaway, inviting you to work on your novel, poetry or another favorite piece—ahhhh.

But have you considered a day-retreat, or a mini-retreat, at home? It may sound a bit disappointing to hang around your own familiar digs, and call it a retreat. But when you custom-make the schedule and activities for your own priorities and enjoyment, you can have so much fun you can’t help but have a great day (and compose some great work)! I have found these little breaks to be refreshing and satisfying, putting the creativity back into my writing.

Below are outlines for two do-it-yourself writing retreats, based on a mini-retreat I did with a writer's group. One of the joys of a retreat is having someone else take care of your meal and snacks, so prepare drinks and a lunch in advance so you don’t have to “work” in the middle of your inspiring day.

Part of the enjoyment of the day is leisurely reading from some inspirational and educational articles or books, so gather some things the day before that you’ve been anxious to read. Find some quick, easy writing prompts or exercises that look like fun and have those handy as well.

Suggested schedule for a Mini Writing Retreat

10:00 – 10:05     Prayer, quiet your mind
10:05 – 10:15    Do a writing exercise
10:15 – 11:00    Read from articles or books that inspire and encourage
                          your writing
11:00 – 11:10    Coffee/tea break, move around, relax and clear your mind
11:10 – 12:00    Think about, then write your vision or goals as a writer
12:00 – 12:45    Lunch Break

12:45 – 1:00     Do a writing exercise
1:00 – 1:30       Read from articles or books about the craft of writing
1:30 – 2:30      Write a short story, poem or article related to one of your
                         writing exercises
2:30 – 2:45      Coffee/tea break, move around, relax and clear your mind
2:45 – 3:30      Write an article or scene of how you want your writing to
                         affect someone

“Kid Day” – A Mini Writing Retreat for Children’s Writers
Based on the above, but you’re focusing on being a kid today,
so keep it simple and fun!

10:00 – 10:05     Prayer, quiet your mind
10:05 – 10:30     Create a setting for a story from Play-Doh or modeling clay
10:30 – 11:00     Do a writing exercise from a writing book for children
11:00 – 11:10     Shake your sillies out, juice break
11:10 – 12:15     Using several colors of pencil crayons or markers,

                           write a poem in the shape of a rainbow

12:15 – 1:00      Lunch Break
1:00 – 1:15        Do a writing exercise from a writing book for children
1:15 – 2:00        Read a fairy tale, a picture book, or a short children’s book
2:00 – 3:00        Write your own short fairy tale, picture book, or children’s story
3:00 – 3:10        Shake your sillies out, milk and cookies break
3:10 – 4:00        Sing a children’s song and do all the actions,

                          then use it as the basis for a writing prompt

Try one of these, and have fun!


Posted by Ramona
www.happilywriting.com

A Closed Door - Natasha Erskine

There is something very disconcerting about a closed door.

Whatever climate surrounds me, whether the sun shines bright or the world rests in shadows, whether the stars illuminate the night sky or darkness pervades the atmosphere of life, a closed door is what it is.

A closed door.

This feeling of being shut out, coming up against a wall that won't budge, can be generated by a missed opportunity, a death of some kind, a lost relationship, or a terminated job. The feeling can be triggered by something as simple as a dying plant. A sickness. Running out of gas.

In all instances, there is something we hoped for, something alive, something moving forward, that has ended, terminated, come to a halt… A closed door.

As a writer who longs for expression, for a sense of flow and inspiration, a closed door in any area of life has the potential to breed a season of silence. It can bring one's creative flow to a halt. It can stall the inspirational happenings of a spirit. It can cause us to question what we once thought to be true. Who we really are. What we truly believe.

And as a writer, we must engage in that silence. Be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). Allow the Holy Spirit to reaffirm what we have known to be true as we are tried and tested in the fire.

One of the most important facets of being a writer is cultivating a listening spirit. And in the face of a closed door, deep calls unto deep (Psalm 42:7). Spirit engages with Spirit. Questions lead us down that blood stained path of righteousness and faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.

If you are facing a closed door, beloved child of God, than close your eyes. Listen. Listen in the stillness. Be wooed in the wilderness (Hosea 2). Be quiet in His Presence. And soon, words will yet flow…

Natasha Erskine


Natasha Erskine graduated from Kingswood University, where she met and married her husband, and they followed a call into full-time ministry. They served in ministry together, had two beautiful daughters, and a few months before their 9th anniversary, Natasha's husband died suddenly of unknown cause. Natasha continues to pursue God's call into full-time ministry, while grieving and raising her two children. As a writer and a worship leader, she seeks to exalt the name of God and be a vessel of truth and healing, while her own journey of healing is still being fulfilled.

How To Use Twitter to Reach God's People - Janis Cox

For the past two months I have purposefully worked to learn more about Twitter.

I questioned:

Why do we need it?
How can I glorify God through this?

As I started to experiment, I realized 4 important facts:

• People do read 140 characters.
• People will ReTweet (RT) your messages.
• People can be brought together.
• Twitter can be a powerful method for evangelism and conversation.

However, because Twitter is so huge, messages can get lost in all the chatter. It is necessary to find one another to spread the Good News.

For this reason Inscribe has chosen #ICwriters as their own Hashtag. Hashtags are made with the # symbol in front of words so they are easily searchable (even in Facebook).

If you are not on Twitter, I urge you to sign up. It is easy. Follow this Twitter link.

I believe if we all pull together on this we can make a strong vibrant community for Christ.

Here is an example of a Tweet with a Hashtag: (This link is Tweetable if you click on it)

http://ow.lysc950 How to Use Twitter to Reach God's People #ICwriters Can we use Twitter to glorify God? @InscribeCWF

Whenever we use #ICwriters, others can search and then ReTweet. Also I have been asked to try look after @InscribeCWF Twitter. I will be RTing all the #ICwriters through Inscribe.

So anytime you have made a post or want to connect with other Inscribers use the #ICwriters and it will be sent out.

This feature can look like a web.

Do you see the possibilities?

Whenever you write a Tweet, use #ICwriters and let's see how we can build a Twitter #ICwriters community and spread God's Word.

If you have questions please email Janis. icwriterscanada [at] gmail [dot] com.

For other posts on basic Twitter instructions see the following:

Michael Hyatt's Basic Twitter Guide

10 Beginner Guides for Twitter Users

Mom this is How Twitter Works

Personally I use the following Hashtags if you are interested:
#UTCOP - Under the Cover of Prayer
#john316books - John 3:16 Network to which I belong
#SundayStillness - a blog page with linky so others who write about God's Word can join in

Janis Cox, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. A writer since 2003, Janis co-ordinates a group blog called Under the Cover of Prayer. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters.

Janis is the author of the award winning children’s book, Tadeo Turtle, published by Word Alive Press. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. For more information visit Janis on her website He Cares for You. She is a member of The Word Guild and Inscribe Writers Fellowship.