Category Archives: GENERAL INTEREST

Posted on

Writing 101 for Wannabee Authors

For Wannabee Authors and Newbie Writers

2014-01-03 22.30.38

Here I am writing in my tablet on my first visit to the Vina Monastery. This will become the first chapter of my second nonfiction book. You just never know how the journey will play out.

On occasion, I will be posting about my journey as a writer. I will share the tools I am learning and how I am developing my craft. It is an interesting pathway, much different than I imagined initially; one that I am teaching myself with the assistance of online classes.

Online courses are helpful. They  provide a community of skilled people, professionals in their field of expertise (niche), resources, materials, community, breadth of knowledge, and just about everything you can imagine except the kitchen sink. It has been a wildly fascinating endeavor, and I’ve met a lot of wonderful people (who’ve not met me, yet. I am the invisible person who asks a question once in awhile but mainly takes it all in).

I am still operating as a newbie blogger and author. My time is coming when what I write will impact people in a beneficial way. But until then? I persevere. Learning grammar isn’t my favorite nor proofreading, but progress is being made. Hey, I just think that what I am learning might as well help someone else with a hand up.

Good writing and marketing a book are much more complicated than thinking that says all I have to do is write my book some day (and that was big, too!). I write the book, and they’ll be lining up to buy it! Hah! Not so fast, tiger. It is a journey, and a fun one at that! Get on the bus. Let’s move forward. Hopefully, I can encourage you in your writing tasks.

Happy writing,

Norma

Posted on

Suicide is Not Like Other Deaths

A Suicide is Not Like Other Deaths.

I lost my beloved sister to suicide. She was much loved and had everything to live for. We didn’t know she was at an emotional low where despair and depression cause loss of hope and weariness with the on-going effort to live life. For a Christian family, the impact and devastation also caused confusion as we wrestled with belief and the ins and outs of why this happened in our good, loving family and as we contemplated what it all meant.

Because of my sister, Lois, I write about suicide, sadness, sorrow, pain, and suffering. I wish to inform and offer hope to anyone losing hope, who is depressed, despondent, and despairing of life. I also write for families with loved ones who are suffering. My family is private. My folks are scarred by my sister’s death. Our family will never feel complete even after all these years.

I write about my family’s loss and suicide simply to offer a ray of hope to those who need to know someone cares. Please, don’t do it. If you only knew there are people who want to help you and talk with you. Call a crisis line. Call a friend. Stay away from negative messages and dark music and dark movies. They will not help you.

I also offer a few articles to those who need them or are encouraged by them. I want to offer help and hope.

There is always hope.