Prayer
Introductions for new guests.     
Devotion-- Rebecca McLafferty

GRAMMAR TIDBIT--Rebecca McLafferty
                                                                                   
Okay, I’m nibbling a Hershey’s Heath Bit while sipping steaming coffee. Nutritious? No. But the combination is perfect for this frigid February day.

1. To increase their product line, Hershey’s added Hershey’s Kisses milk chocolate Meltaway Roses, a milk chocolate Bear, Hugs & Kisses Heart Box, a Reese’s Peanut Butter Rose and Reese’s Big Box O’ Love. (See source below.)

 
How does that sound? (Not the candy, the grammar!!)
 
Hershey’s is a company. It is not a he, she, or they. Hershey’s is an it.
 
To increase its product line, Hershey’s added Hershey’s Kisses milk chocolate Meltaway Roses, a milk chocolate Bear, Hugs & Kisses Heart Box, a Reese’s Peanut Butter Rose and Reese’s Big Box O’ Love. (See source below.)

1. I purchased chocolate for myself.

Use I, we, you, he, she it, or they when the pronoun is the SUBJECT of the sentence.
The word ‘myself’ directs the action of the verb. (purchased for myself). Myself is never used as a subject pronoun.
 
I shared the chocolate between him and me.
Use me, us, you, him, her, it, or them when the pronoun is the DIRECT OR INDIRECT OBJECT OF A VERB.

1. (Reese’s Pieces is the name of the candy.)

This Reese’s Pieces belongs to me!
This Reese’s Pieces candy belongs to me!
These Reese’s Pieces candies belong to me!
These Reese’s Pieces belong to me!
 
4.It’s my chocolate Valentine heart. (it is)
My Valentine heart lost it’s foil. (incorrect – no possessive apostrophe in its)
I can’t believe its gone. (incorrect – it is gone – it’s)
I can’t believe it’s gone. Correct! (it is gone)

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/food/story/hersheys-unveils-2021-seasonal-sweets-including-marshmallow-reeses-74988826
 
 
LET THE TEACHING BEGIN
“Sentences Are the Thing--our February topic is facilitated by Susan Marlene. We will investigate some interesting sentence structure from 25 Great Sentences And How They Got That Way by Geraldine Woods. Plenty of discussion and I’m sure laughs as we practice and explore sentence structures we may never have fathomed before! May we be blessed and a blessing in all our endeavors this year!
PROMPT: Write a favorite sentence that you found in fiction, non-fiction, history or dare to quote a family member! Tell us why this treasure of an idea captured your attention!
Steve Laube & Christian Institute    https://stevelaube.com/resources/reference-tools/ shares a lot of excellent and informative website for writers of fiction and nonfiction.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
TheFamily.net WEMI  FM

• Thanks, Sue F.

Write to Publish Conference   http://www.writetopublish.com/ June 16 – 19, 2021
Christian Devotions is looking for devotions. This is not a paid site, but one to give to the Lord and share your message with others!   www.christiandevotions.us 

• ; https://www.paperrater.com/

Northwestern Christian Writers Conference,  http://www.northwesternchristianwritersconference.com/ July 16 - 17, 2021
www.grammarly.com free download          
https://www.loc.gov/about/   Library of Congress website
 
REMEMBER:
Inspired reader from excellent take-away from you writing = return reader!
God’s abundant blessings on you as you write for His glory!
 
 

Sentences Are the Thing by Susan Marlene                      February 23, 2021
 
Great quotes, memorable lines, intriguing dialogue—those are the stuff that influential and entertaining books and movies etc. are made from. How to create some of your own lines that will—sail tall ships or drive negativity away or accentuate beauty in a world that seeks out ugly—is alluring. Maybe necessary, if you want to write for a career.

We are going to briefly peruse the book 25 Great Sentences And How They Got That Way by Geraldine Woods. Here is a quote from the author from page XIV “My standards for judging a sentence start with this foundation: a good sentence communicates clearly and fulfills the author’s purpose, whatever that might be. The sentence should flow naturally and rest on a sturdy structure.” 

A meagre glimpse at Part I (This book is packed with excellent examples and info! You will be wise to purchase your own copy, in my opinion!)
​
Pocket sentence
Crossed sentence
 
Pocket Sentence
This is a sentence structure that may drive those with modern style (shorter sentences) a bit crazy—but there is hope. Let’s see what I mean…

• Reading the example from page 3 from Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway.
  • Though the sentence is like a paragraph long it is filled with lot’s of goodies.
    • Sentence begins and ends with a strong declaration (over + over) Between these words you have the information that the War isn’t over for Mrs. Foxcroft and link of ancestral land is broken for Lady Bexborough.

At the end of the sentence is much more effective than, This
leaves the reader wondering is it really over????

• Adding a phrase (except for someone like Mrs. Foxcroft at the Embassy last night) is stuffing the pocket in this sentence. Not a clause that is more direct and powerful and holds more meaning. Yet the pocket info adds implications allowing the reader to decide for themselves. Not just telling the facts in a boring way. Theme of morality. Engaging the reader to get involved.
• Pg 7 lists some useful qualities for pockets, such as: inserting extra info, shows off the character’s secret thoughts, feelings or emotional reactions, and interesting comparisons!
• (JUSTIFICATION STYLE) pg. 8 supplies supporting info as to why the character’s opinion is valid.
• (ARGUMENT STYLE) An opposing statement or thought is contained in the pocket. Using a pronoun with different meanings a separation is created. Pg 9 I’ll read the example with Lincoln for us to discuss.
• (COMPARISON STYLE) Exaggeration is used in the pocket example. Funny!
• (DESCRIPTION STYLE) This example lists the beginning and ending of Shilling Alley and the pocket is chock full of descriptions of what you see along Shilling Alley.
• (CORRECTION STYLE) This is a changing focus pocket. Example from life to death.

 
More examples and types of pockets are mentioned. Here I a fun activity at the end of the chapter.
 
Here are some sentences and I dare you to use the notes above to fill in the blanks. 😊

1. Mercedes Bender knew the answer ______________________was that answer true?
2. I tell you all the time _________________________________what time did you arrive?
3. Mama told me __________________________________________ I should have listened to Mama.

 
Crossed Sentence
When using the same words but switching the order to include opposing ideas, one creates a crossed sentence. These sentences add spice and glitter to your writing. Use them for your most important point that you wish to drive home. To strengthen the main idea. Kennedy’s speech is filled with paired and opposing ideas which repeat and strengthen the listener/reader with vital choices. Read the examples on page 19 -20
 
Discussion
 
Order for your words matters to the meaning—be careful! Pg 21
Crossed sentences define and compare with opposing ideas and playfulness with words.
Ex. Pg. 23  Ex. On pg. 27
 
Here is an activity for you to play with! I will read some word groups and you write a crossed sentence with one of them.
 
Activity on pg. 27 And make your template.
 
 
Movie Divergent --  It all works, everyone knows where they belong, except for me.
                             -- The future belongs to those who know where they belong.
 
An Avenger movie -- Time for me to be who I am, not who I’m supposed to be. 

 PENS OF PRAISE CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP 

Tuesday, February 16, 2021
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Zoom Conference
​
I will send the ZOOM log in information in our normal Pens Announcement for anyone wishing to attend. Any writer who has not attended Pens prior to this—please contact me at susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com at least a day before the meeting. I will send you the information needed to join the meeting.
 
Attend from…
 
Your home. Your choice of refreshments from your fridge--still no running to Kathy’s house for treats! 😊 How I long for a good in-person meet and greet Pens gathering with you all. 

Sentences Are the Thing by Susan Marlene
Are you ready to look at sentences differently than you ever did before? How would you describe the photo above in a unique way? Susan will bring us through some very entertaining sentence structures that we can play with and be inspired by! Susan invites you to offer some of your own sentence collections so that we can talk about how to apply specific techniques to our fiction and non-fiction works-in-progress. Be ready to learn some great info and to have a lot of fun!
 
PROMPT: Write a favorite sentence that you found in fiction, non-fiction, history or dare to quote a family member! Tell us why this treasure of an idea captured your attention!
Inspired readers given excellent take-away = return readers!
We are a safe place to share, and Pens Meetings are free.
 
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact Becky McLafferty @ rebeccamclafferty@gmail.com or
Susan Marlene@ susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com