Say WHAT?!

Okay, I know it was just yesterday that I said I was putting down my writing for a while, but the news I just read at Same Child Different Day has boiled my blood enough to write a book. Read Jon Gilbert’s blog on SCDD about the Florida teacher who was reinstated, by a unanimous vote, by the school board no less, after being suspended for having her Kindergarten students vote on whether or not to allow a child to stay in the classroom. Not just any child, but a child with Asperger’s. Interestingly enough, the child was not diagnosed with Asperger’s until after this incident. Does that mean the parents have this teacher to thank for bringing his problems to their attention?

But let’s take that label out of the equation for a minute. What if the child being voted on had no disability, and was the same color as everyone else in the class? Would it then be okay to ask Kindergarten students, 5 and 6-year-olds, to vote, VOTE on whether or not to allow that child to remain in the classroom? Let me answer that for you – Hell NO!

I know, dear readers, you may be wondering where in the world that calm, sweet little Deanna went to. Who is this woman writing this post?

She’s a parent. And I’m not just any parent, I’m a mama hen. I am just as outraged by the fact that this woman, this teacher, pressured those young, innocent minds to decide whether their peer was “good enough” as I am that she singled out the child with the disability.

Many people’s first memory stems from this age group. Imagine what sort of people these children will now become, thanks to the “guidance” of this one teacher. I could almost guarantee they will become a bully, always excluding anyone who is different. Hopefully these children have decent parents who are fully aware of what this experience could mean, parents who will get them the help that they will now need, (unfortunately), thanks to this woman

Let’s think about this poor child who had to stand in front of his classmates while judgment was passed on him. He was 5-years-old and being VOTED ON! I am so sorry for him and his family to have to endure such devastation. Read the original report in naplesnews. Fortunately the mother, in this article, said “This woman needs to be fired. There is no reason for someone with that mentality to be around children. I think nothing less than her being terminated needs to happen.” The article also says she will file a civil law suit. I so hope she wins. Though winning a law suit may not, will not, do anything to bring the boy’s self-esteem back up, maybe it will at least cause school officials to sit up and take notice, to realize that we parents are not going to put up with this sort of treatment.

I am absolutely appalled that they would reinstate this teacher. Not only did they give her job back, but they’re moving her to 6^th grade. Most of you recall how difficult those in-between years were. The child between the ages of 11 – 13 are already feeling weird, what with their limbs sprouting further and further, becoming aware of other children noticing them, and simply not being sure what to do with themselves. How will that child feel when this teacher singles him or her out of the class because he or she isn’t like the rest of the group? They will either be bullied or become a bully, no doubt about it.

Okay, I’ve said my piece and counted to three. Now it’s your turn. I appreciate all comments, but don’t just stop here. Jon, I’m taking the liberty of paraphrasing from your post here: “Please link this story, post about it, make it known, Tweet and Retweet it…Email (you can get a list of departments by clicking here) or phone the Port St. Lucie school board (772-340-7100).”

Shout for our children!

Writerly Wednesdays, Issue 3: Let it go to let it flow

You may recall my deeming last Wednesday “Whiney Wednesday”. I had been trying so hard all week to practice description writing, but was getting nowhere. I believe I was right about the reason I was getting nowhere too – I was studying too much. Yes, I had produced tons of words on the page, but none of them made much sense. I have come to the conclusion that I was blocking my creativity.

With that in mind, I set out this past week to put the studying aside, and just enjoy myself, enjoy the process of writing. After all, that is why I write, because I love it. I’m happy to say it worked. This past week I have written stories and other things that actually made some sort of sense. That’s not to say they’re perfect. On the contrary, most of them will need heavy revision, if not a complete rewrite, but the point is I had fun.

When writing starts to feel like working, there is no point. I hear all you writers that make a living by writing – writing is working. Let’s address that. No matter what your career, there comes a time when your job feels like, well, work. That’s normal, it’s natural, and all we can do is work through it and hope tomorrow will be a better day, but when you start to feel like the job you’re doing is a chore, day in and day out, it may be a good time to reassess. Of course we may not always have a choice in the matter. We could be working a job just to pay the bills, to keep food on the table, and a roof over our heads. But even in that case, there is something you can do about it. There is always room to dream of, if not right-out plan, a more satisfying career.

By now you’re probably wondering “what the heck is the point of this post?” If you are still with me, thank you, dear loyal reader. Here is my point:

I am fortunate enough to have a full-time job that I enjoy, even when it becomes challenging. I’m even more fortunate that I get to do that job from the comfort of my home. I am blessed to work for a company that asks no more than they’re willing to give themselves. The extent of my writing talents in this job is limited to business letters, proposals, and presentations, with an occasional newsletter article thrown in for good measure. This is why I practice my creative writing during every spare moment I have. It’s difficult to be creative when you manage Microsoft licensing, among other contracts and subscriptions, unless you count the post-conversation tirades, which can become quite creative. Lately I’ve been spending more and more time either writing stories or thinking about them, thus not giving my day job the attention it deserves. Before I began taking my writing more seriously I would use my lunch hour, and even weekends, to get ahead at work, to always be at least a month ahead “just in case”.

So, what does any of this have to do with letting your creativity flow? Aside from the fact that I had been studying too much about writing, (instead of actually writing), I believe that nagging thought in the back of my mind that my job is suffering is also keeping my creativity from flowing. I am nothing if not responsible, and the fact that I’ve allowed that trait to slacken is really bothering me.

Therefore, I have made the decision to – ACK! – put down my pen for a while. I’m not saying that I’m giving up on writing. Indeed, I honestly cannot imagine ever not writing; rather, I’m refocusing my attentions in order to make sure my job is performed at the standard I, and everyone who works with me, have come to expect. This means I may not be publishing a blog more than once a week for the next month or so, and I may not contribute to #fridayflash on The Other Side of Deanna each week during that same time period. I didn’t want to disappear on you all with no explanation. I have a two week vacation planned for Christmas, but if I don’t get my hind-end in gear and get my work done, that will be impossible. I really want to, and need to, spend some time with my family during that vacation, so my main goal right now is to prepare for it.

Over the past few months I have experienced several breakthroughs in terms of my writing career. Yes, I said writing career. Even though I am paid to perform administrative assistant tasks, I still see myself as getting paid for my writing, maybe even one day making that my main source of income. I might be 100 years old by the time it happens, but it will happen. Thanks to a push by a great friend, (you know who you are dear loyal reader), I stepped out on a limb and started writing fiction. That was about two months ago. I now have two publishing credits, and likely one more to come over the next month – all stemming from my fiction writing, and all via requests for my work. This does not include the monthly column I do for BIN. This success makes me confident in my dream of making a living from my writing. I have no intention of stopping. I only need to slow down.

Soothing Sundays: Giving every day – why we should, and what it does for us all

Growing up, I was taught, not by words, but by actions, to give something to others every day. Even if it was one small gesture, simply saying thank you, helping an elderly person in the store, every little thing mattered. Our family motto is “you get what you give, so give love”. This feels truer for me every day.

When I was in high school my sister and I were in the band. She played the clarinet, and I was captain of the auxiliary corp. Incidentally, I only twirled the flag and rifle because I couldn’t play a musical instrument to save my life, and believe me, I tried every single one available. I was happy with my position though, enjoyed it very much.

During my junior year the band was invited to perform in a parade at Disneyworld. After the money we made with fundraisers our only cost would be $150 per person, which included transportation, two days at Disneyworld, a three night stay, and all meals. But as hard as our parents worked, they still couldn’t afford to fork out $300 for us to go. Worse, we were the only kids in the band that wouldn’t be able to make it. We had been so excited about going that this broke our hearts, but we appreciated our parents and understood why they couldn’t help. We didn’t complain; we just accepted it.

So imagine how much more excited we became when, a few days before the band was scheduled to leave, Mom told us that we would be able to go. Someone had donated the money for my sister and me to join the band on the trip. It was an anonymous donation, (and we never did find out who’d paid our way), but we were so very grateful. We wanted to do something to show that appreciation. Not knowing who to thank though we had to make do and help someone else out. We’d been shown how to give to others all our lives, but this kindness from a stranger made us want to work that much harder at it.

I believe that experience was the pivotal point at which I decided to try my best to give every day. I know I haven’t done that, I haven’t given something to someone every day for the last….ahem….*cough* years, but I have tried, and I know the simple acts of kindness I’ve offered have helped people in some way or another. How do I know that? I know that because of all the kindnesses I’ve received myself over the years. I am a great believer in karma. I know in my heart that I am blessed today because I extended a hand to someone else yesterday. I am loved because I have loved.

Author Michael J. Solender’s  short story, The Sum of His Deeds, published by Stories That Lift, says it all. The Sum of His Deeds is a beautifully written portrayal of what can happen when you reach out and help someone every chance you get. I hope you’ll stop in and read his story. I know it will bring a smile to your heart, it did mine.

You get what you give, so give love. But don’t take my word for it, try it for yourself. It takes so very little effort to help others. You don’t have to dedicate a whole day of your life to a charity, (though of course that would be a great thing); just think about what you can do to brighten someone’s day, even if it’s as simple as sending a note to say thank you, or picking up the phone to ask how someone’s doing, every little thing counts, every little act matters. And you will be blessed for it.

Humane Blogger Award

Humane Blogger Award

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am proud to announce that I have been granted a Humane Blogger Award by Jai Joshi, a wonderfully insightful young writer currently on the trail of big adventure in her homeland of India. Check out her blog at: Jai Joshi’s Tulsi Tree.  Thank you Jai!

And now I am honored to pass the Humane Blogger Award on to…..drum roll….da da da da – Paige VonLiber’s Paradise Valley 2…..Hell’s Mountain and over the edge. Let me tell you, this woman deserves medals well beyond the Humane Blogger Award. She has been on that mountain, and well over the edge over the past several months, yet her faith that God will make it all work out for the best shines through. Please do take a moment to check out Paige’s site, you will be glad you did.

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Coming soon: Giving every day – why we should and what it does for us all

Writerly Wednesdays: Issue 2

Writerly Wednesdays – Description writing, a.k.a., showing, not telling

It’s taking all I’ve got not to call this issue “Whiney Wednesday”. This week I’ve been working on description.  Let me tell you – this is hard!  I’ve gotten so used to omitting adjectives and adverbs I can’t remember how to use them.  I’ve had to go to the thesaurus so many times it’s embarrassing! Some of you are probably gonna hit me for this, but I’m trying to be honest here – I feel like I haven’t accomplished anything this week. I’ve worked my tail off, but have not produced the quality writing I’ve come to expect from myself. I’ve started four stories, and not finished one.

However, I have learned a lot, so I can’t really say that I’ve not accomplished anything. Just because I don’t have a complete story to show does not mean I haven’t gotten anywhere, right? Tell me I’m right. I need to hear it.

I’m fairly certain this is a well-known truth, but I need validation from you more experienced writers – “you can study too much”. True or false? That’s what I feel like I’ve done this week. I’ve browsed so many different “how to write description” blogs and articles, I’m on overload and I feel like I’ve actually lost my ability to tell a good story, or maybe not lost it, but misplaced it. How do you get past this stage? How do you make yourself stop reading about writing, and just write? Lack of inspiration is not my problem – indeed, I have inspiration for stories all around me, and am constantly collecting ideas. So, what is my problem? If you aren’t my sister, please tell me. 

Although I do feel I haven’t accomplished much this week, I would like to share with you a couple of lines that have come from my studying description:

• In attempt to write romance, (a real stretch for me), this is how I showed, not told, about a man and a woman about to kiss  – “Faster than the lightning coming across the field, he was in front of her.  He took her face in his hands, trying to be gentle.  She could feel the heat vibrating off his chest onto hers.  Her legs trembled.  But she didn’t try to run as he pulled her auburn curls from her collarbone where they’d melted, nor as he placed his hot lips on her shoulder.  Mary felt her pulse increase.  How could she be frozen and melting at once?  This is what he’d always done to her.” Tell me the truth – is that crap, or halfway decent? I’m thinking it’s just plain cheesy, but I have to wonder if that’s just because I don’t generally write romance. It’s difficult to know when you’re as out of your element as I feel here.
• Here’s a passage from another story I’m working on, about reincarnation. A woman has been in labor for twelve hours, and it has just become clear that something is wrong. The nurse has gone to get the doctor, leaving the woman with her husband – “John half paced alongside the bed, reaching out to touch Anna, as if holding a séance and trying to telekinetically make her body rise; his hands couldn’t seem to figure out where to light.  He raked his fingers through his thick black curls, mainly to give them something else to do.  He didn’t know what to do, he felt helpless, but he had to comfort her.  Finally he settled and leaned his face down to hers, mopping the sweat off her clammy cheek with his own.”  How’s that, honestly?

Again, please tell me the truth. Remember, I’m trying to learn here, and I can’t do that if I don’t receive honest critique. Trust me, my skin is as tough as an armadillos. I appreciate all the help I can get. If you ever get a chance to visit me in southwest VA, I’ll make you some biscuits and gravy, or whatever your favorite comfort meal might be. Thank you!

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Since Writerly Wednesdays are supposed to be helpful for other writers, (not just a desperate plea for help), here are a few sites that have been a great help to me:

• Daily Writing Tips:  I discovered this website via Twitter, and am loving it. Daily Writing Tips is not only helpful for fiction, but many other forms of writing; everything from business to blogs to creative nonfiction.
• AuthorCulture:  AuthorCulture hosts a variety of writers, and all of them are quite knowledgeable. They offer timely advice in a clear voice, (even I can understand what they’re saying). Seriously, if you’re a writer, you don’t want to miss the articles posted here.  
• Dorraine Darden’s blog site, Free Ice Cream, is arguably one of the best sites out there to study description writing. Seriously, the woman can make a string of lights appear before your eyes with but a few words. She’s also a great source of inspiration. Her thoughts are uplifting and will make you think. Thank you Dorraine!