What I am reading: “Zenna Dare”
Last week I read the novel called “Zenna Dare” written by Rosanne Hawke. (Rosanne happens to be one of my lecturers at present.)
“Zenna Dare” is suitable for young adults and above. It is a story of mystery, family secrets and the importance of relationships.
I found the story to be fascinating; I could not put it down. The author has done an incredible amount of research and brings this dedication alive on the pages. The main character Jenefer finds a mysterious photograph. This leads her on an intriguing quest to find out about her family history. She discovers that some members of her family have had rocky relationships and great hardships to deal with, while at the same time trying to deal with her own developing relationship with a fellow student and the prejudices still at large in the community.
What is most pleasing about this story is the impetus it has given to my thinking about a novel I am planning to write. Actually, I am being very optimistic about the idea; it could well turn into a trilogy. It would be a fictionalised account of my own family’s struggle to emigrate from Prussia (now part of Poland) to South Australia in the 1840s to escape from religious persecution. It is a story of triumph over extreme hardships, and an unshakable faith in God.
I’ll keep you posted – when I get around to writing the novels.
Meanwhile – good writing and reading.
Happy Birthday William Shakespeare
Today we celebrate William Shakespeare’s birthday.
It is 444 years since he was born. Imagine the cake and ALL those candles! I’m sure the fire brigade would have to be on standby. It could have been a very dramatic moment. (Just a thought: the candles would have to be rather large, because by the time you’d lit the last one, the first one would probably have burnt away. How long does it take to light 444 candles?)
I must admit that I haven’t read much written by Shakespeare over recent years, nor have I seen many of his plays for quite some time. I am the poorer for this lapse. A few weeks ago I did revisit Othello which was required reading for one of the units I’m studying at present. It was a very pleasing experience; I had forgotten what an evil, manipulating and thoroughly nasty character Iago was in that play. I also dipped into some of his sonnets as reading for the lecture on Shakespeare; they also need more visits in the coming months.
What I am reading: “Holy Discontent”
“Holy Discontent: fueling the fire that ignites personal vision.” written by Bill Hybels and published by Zondervan.
I bought this book recently at a seminar I attended in Adelaide, South Australia. The seminar was the Global Leadership Summit run by Willow Creek Community Church where the author, Bill Hybels, is the senior pastor.This relatively short and easy to read book is quite inspiring. That’s what I had hoped for when I bought it.
The author explains how he was filled with “holy discontent” on an issue with which he was confronted. He was not able to rest until he had put all of his energies – plus a healthy dollop of energising from God – into doing what he could about the issue.
While this book is more inspirational rather than instructional, there is sufficient in it to take away and apply to one’s own “holy discontent.” The principle remains: great things get done when ordinary people get discontented and develop a mighty passion for a cause, whatever that cause happens to be.
What I am reading: “The Way of the Wild Heart”
“The Way of the Wild Heart” written by John Eldredge. Published by Nelson Books.
I’ve just finished reading this interesting book. It has taken me quite a few months but that is another story. In the last few years I’ve read two other John Eldredge books, Wild at Heart and Waking the Dead. I would heartily recommend both books.
John has written these books to address a problem he has observed in modern western society: the lack of hero figures in the male the population. Boys are no longer allowed to be boys and men have grown into pale imitations of what they could – and should – be in society. Their masculinity has been – to put it crudely – emasculated. In his books he seeks to promote ways of correcting that imbalance. Throughout his works he also brings a Christian perspective to the reasons why this is so important. He believes it is crucial for men, and young men in particular, to develop strength of character so that they can contribute more effectively in an ever changing world.
John explains how he has taken his own boys, and other men and their sons, through adventures such as camping, canoeing, mountaineering, hunting and various other activities that test and develop character. While I find his love of hunting abhorrent I do acknowledge the principles behind what he is attempting to do as worthwhile. Many fathers these days are weak and ineffective in raising boys. Many boys are rebelling because they do not have an effective father figure, a hero if you like, whom they can admire and emulate.
To have written this within the Christian context is doubly pleasing. Families and churches are in desperate need of a correction that will bring about strong male leaders, men who will fulfill their God-given roles in society, not wishy-washy weaklings.
5 Rules for Effective Writing
Most writers strive to be better writers.
I certainly do, and I am sure that most writers also have this simple goal with their writing. But having such a goal and achieving this goal are two entirely different matters. All writers can benefit from learning more about the craft of writing and their readers will bless them for it.
How can your writing be effective?
A simple search on the internet with the term “effective writing” brings up over half a million possible articles. Most of these will offer no real benefits to the writers seeking to improve their work. However, many years ago George Orwell wrote an essay in which he outlined five rules for effective writing. Here they are with some brief personal comments:
1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
It is so easy to fall into the trap of using hack phrases, like “fall into the trap” and “hack phrases”. To make your writing truly sparkle, make the effort to think of new ways of saying things. A memorable new metaphor or simile will bring your readers swarming back for more, like mosquitoes targeting a bare arm at a pool party. Keep it fresh.
2. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
I have very few problems in this area. After 35 years of attempting to communicate with reluctant students aged from 6 to 10, I have developed a simple way of getting ideas over to my readers. It seems to come naturally to me. Many writers, however, need to work hard at this skill. Trying to impress your readers with long, uncommon words will just turn off the majority of them. Keep it simple.
3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
This is a very simple and effective tool to use. Many writers think they are better writers because they write many words. Be ruthless in your editing. Cut out all unnecessary words. Keep it short.
4. Never use the passive where you can use the active.
I must admit that I watch this potential problem very carefully. I know I lapse very easily into the passive voice. I do not know where this comes from – perhaps from all those years of writing school reports. In fact, when I look back over this post, many of the sentences are in the passive voice [oh horror!]. I must break this rule more than I observe it. Be patient; I’m still learning. Keep it lively.
5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
This is similar to number 2 above. I worked for many years in an environment where jargon was king. It really turns me off when writers use foreign words to show off their knowledge. All it does is muddy their writing. Communication relies on clarity. Keep it understandable.
My thanks to John Wesley who wrote a similar article on this topic called George Orwell’s 5 rules of effective writing. It was this article that inspired my article.