Fun Fridays – October 20, 2017

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On October 20, 2017

A change of pace today.

Do yourself a favor. Set aside 10 minutes. Turn up your speakers. Quiet your mind and heart. Close your eyes. Then play this video. The song “Alleluia” by Eric Whitaker is performed. (There is nothing to watch, only the album cover is displayed.)

While you let the music wash over you, pray.
Lift your burdens before the One and Only One who can help you carry your burdens.

Martin Luther wrote, “My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “Music… will help dissolve your perplexities and purify your character and sensibilities, and in time of care and sorrow, will keep a fountain of joy alive in you.”

In our world aggrieved by turmoil, tragedy, evil, loss, and pain it is my prayer that for these few moments your spirit can find comfort.

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Yes, It’s Personal

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On October 19, 2017

We’d all like to think everyone will love all our books. But it just won’t happen. It’s personal, and that’s okay. Based on past posts, regular followers of this blog might conclude that I don’t like any book I start. That’s not true, but I’ll admit I’ve ditched a couple …

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Be Published? or Be Read?

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Bob Hostetler

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On October 18, 2017

Is your goal “being published” or “being read?” What pieces of writing and publishing advice do professional agents and editors wish would go away…forever? I asked that question of some of my friends in the industry (yes, I have friends, and most are much smarter than me). The last two …

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The Damaged Reader

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On October 17, 2017

Not like I am some overly sensitive guy, but often when I hear a sermon in church or some Christian presentation, I cringe when a pastor or speaker might say something to the effect, “Raising a family is the most important thing a married man and woman do in their …

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What Makes a Great Hook?

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On October 12, 2017

Lately, smart publishing professionals have been saying “it needs a great hook” to describe  books they seek. Recently I wrote about the all-important first page, which of course should seize the reader and not let go. However, that’s not the same as the story hook itself. The hook must make …

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Writing Advice We Wish Would Go Away

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Bob Hostetler

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On October 11, 2017

I mentioned in last week’s blog that I asked some of my writing and publishing friends to tell me what one “writing rule” they’d like to see go away…forever. Many cited the timeworn, “Write what you know” (see here). Others, however, gave different but similarly helpful answers. Author, speaker, and …

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Attack of the Writing Robots

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On October 10, 2017

I have a number of personal friends and long-time acquaintances who are talented voice-over artists. They work in radio, television and narrate audio books. I frequently get together with three other guys who are all professional speakers and radio people. I sound like Elmer Fudd when I am around those …

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Grammar and the Singular “They”

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On October 9, 2017

Yesterday I opened a can of worms. There were many worms in the can; some male and some female. I discovered that a few of the worms were married to each other. One couple was having a marital disagreement. They were arguing about grammar, of all things. The fight was about the proper use of gender pronouns. Here is the sentence under dispute:

“When a spouse greets a partner with derision because of an opinion, what should be ___ reaction?”

Fill in the blank. Should you use his, his or her, or their? This is a grammatical conundrum. Your choice will determine whether you will be categorized as “sexist,” “tiresome,” or “ungrammatical.”

Our vernacular has changed over the past years due to our sensitivity over the generic “he.” For some it is a matter of being politically correct. For others it is merely a way of being inclusive of both genders in their writing. In addition it can be simply a matter of using the common language of everyday speech.

So what is correct?

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