Susan Marlene
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Timeless Significance For Every Day

CLASSICS & WHAT MAKES THEM

6/16/2020

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​CLASSICS & WHAT MAKES THEM by Susan Marlene
Classic – 1. Of the first or highest class or rank: a classic piece of work. 2. Serving as a standard, model, or guide: the classic method of teaching arithmetic.

Just to name a few:  Fiction -- Ben Hur by Lew Wallace; In His Steps WHAT WOULD JESUS DO by Charles M. Sheldon; Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens; the Bogart movie, Casablanca; or anything by Charlotte & Emily Brontë. Non-Fiction—Webster’s Dictionary; MY UTMOST for HIS HIGHEST by Oswald Chambers; SELF-EDITING for FICTION WRITERS by Renni Browne and Dave King; or BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND by Joyce Meyer. (Just to name a few.)

Let’s name some other favorites. Discussion!

What grabs your attention strongly enough to purchase a fiction or non-fiction book or movie? What do you want to learn? What is important to you? Write down your thoughts. Remember--The brain uses stories to simulate how we might navigate difficult situations in the future. “there seems to be a reward system that allows us to enjoy good fiction, implies that there is a benefit to fictional experience.”1

Let’s unpack what some of those attractive qualities are. What do they look like? How do these emotionally charged reveals impact our writing? For fiction and non-fiction. Discussion and note taking.

Survival – (Everything from 007 danger to social acceptance at an Amish bake sale to how to techniques.)
Secrets – What happens next. (Will we be surprised or overrun or what?)
What is the antagonist & protagonist’s goal? (When so I see this?) Or what is the purpose of the non-fiction book?
(Protagonist) Desiring an unchangeable day-after-day existence but conflict comes and change is inevitable? But what of it? Why should the character care? Why should the reader care? How much conflict is necessary and believable for your story type?  Or disaster happens—what does the reader want to learn from your pages?

How to improve your aim for landing your valuable thoughts with focus and power on your written pages: 
  1. Read classics that you are drawn to especially what you like to write.
  2. Read biographies or autobiographies.
  3. Log thoughts in a writer’s journal—what you’ve learned and discovered with your super-attentive observation from everyday life. 😉

One author explained why he wrote about intriguing individuals.
Specifically, these are stories of individuals who were drawn into pivotal situations within their respective cultures, times, and geographies. I’ve emphasized the following elements about their lives: personal integrity, universally valued criteria, the influences and interdependencies of change and choice, a broad historical timeframe, and simple—yet inspiring—insights into ordinary, mostly unknown men and woman. People whose deeds are worthy of our attention and emulation because they have left us a legacy of unselfishness, not one of domination, self—aggrandizement, or capitulation.2

1Neuroscientist Michael Gazzaniga quote. WIRED FOR STORY by Lisa Cron, pg. 167
2 UNCOMMON CHARACTERS--STORIES OF ORDINARY MEN AND WOMEN WHO DID THE EXTRAORDINARY by Douglas Feavel, Located in the Prologue.
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PENS OF PRAISE JUNE HANDOUT

6/16/2020

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WELCOME TO PENS OF PRAISE CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
 
Meeting at Pat’s house. Conntact me for directions.
 
Prayer - Sarah Grosskopf
Introductions for new guests.      Pass around the sign-in sheet.
 
Devotion-- Pat Klein
 
GRAMMAR TIDBIT--What those attending what to discover in WRITE WITH EXCELLENCE 201 by Joyce K. Ellis
 
The topic this month CLASSICS & WHAT MAKES THEM by Susan Marlene, will cause us to expand our thinking so that we can use techniques that bring zing to our writings! Non-fiction and fiction alike will benefit. We hope to see you there!
PROMPT: Bring your latest work or something you admire!
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Write to Publish https://www.facebook.com/WritetoPublishConference/  This Facebook page has a listing of several apps to improve writer’s writing!
Northwestern Christian Writers Conference,  http://www.northwesternchristianwritersconference.com/ July 24 – 25, 2020
Virtual Zoom meeting info: https://www.northwesternchristianwritersconference.com/register.html
www.grammarly.com free download          
https://www.loc.gov/about/   Library of Congress website
TheFamily.net WEMI  FM
  • Thanks, Sue F.
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/
  •   Liz Curtis Higgs  on 31 Verses TO WRITE ON YOUR HEART  Very encouraging!

REMEMBER:
Inspired reader = happy reader + excellent take-away = return reader!
God’s abundant blessings to you as you write for His glory!
 
 
 
 
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PENS OF PRAISE JUNE MEETING

6/11/2020

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​PENS OF PRAISE
CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
 
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
 
We will meet at Pat’s house.
For directions please contact me at susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com, or dklein5473@cs.com. We will send you the information needed to join the meeting.
 
For those wising to maintain social distance we can connect with you on
Hangouts! Use your gmail for this!
 
 
The topic this month CLASSICS & WHAT MAKES THEM by Susan Marlene, will cause us to expand our thinking so that we can use techniques that bring zing to our writings! Non-fiction and fiction alike will benefit. We hope to see you there!
PROMPT: Bring your latest work or something you admire!
 
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

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    Words are not just words. They are thoughts and inspiration that have been behind every relationship and every deed--good or bad throughout time. If you have that burning desire to communicate and explore, come peruse my pages, teachings, and short stories. Allow inspiration to anchor your dreams on the written pages of memoirs, devotions, poems, or stories, both short or long! Luxuriate in the creativity you were born to share!

    Sarah Grosskopf is a beta reader, writer, and copywriter extraordinaire! I highly recommend Sarah and have known her for years. She has taught and encouraged Pens of Praise members with her humor, instinct, and highly praised skill sets. So you may consider this an invitation to discover details about Sarah Grosskopf. Here is a link to her website!
    https://sarahgrosskopf.com/

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"Hope" is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all,​  by Emily Dickinson


susan@susanmarlene.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Book Review & Author Interview
  • Devotions & Short Stories
  • Writers & Pens
  • GLIMPSING HISTORICAL TIMES