“I am unwritten. Can’t read my mind. I’m undefined. I’m just beginning. The pen is in my hand. Ending unplanned. Staring at the blank page before you.” — Natasha Bedingfield
Click on the highlighted word “Unwritten” to watch Ms. Natasha Bedingfield’s video. I hope you will enjoy this visual masterpiece as much as I have and still do. May this inspiring song cure your writer’s block.
“Today is where your book begins. The rest is still unwritten” — Natasha Bedingfield
Popularity: 14% [?]
July 23rd, 2008
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Last year, my wife, KWiz, and I watched the movie “Freedom Writers.” This year, we watched “The Great Debaters.” Both are unforgettable films. If you’re an aspiring writer who needs a reason to finish writing your book, please don’t wait to see either of these films. Both are amazing examples of the art of story-telling.
It’s true! Everybody has a story to tell. Some of you are extremely talented, gifted writers who can effortlessly employ the power of the written word to tell your stories. For me, writing is a struggle, which is why I started blogging last year. Have you ever wondered if there’s some secret formula or writing technique that will make one book sell better than another?
Can “talent alone” ensure the success of the books that authors allegedly choose to write? Who or what enables prolific writers to repeat the meticulous process behind the creative chaos that made your book a success? Does the timing of a book’s release play a significant part in its author’s ability to emotionally connect with one generation and not another? Do you believe that book sales, or the lack thereof, are an accurate indication of the perceived success or the failure of a book?
According to prolific author Paulo Coelho’s profile, “Slow initial sales [of The Alchemist] convinced his first publisher to drop the novel, but it went on to become one of the best selling Brazilian books of all time.
Have any of you ever pondered the possibility that the part you played did little to determine the success of your book? Did God’s sovereign will and perfect plan have anything to do with the success of your book? If yes, does it really matter whether or not an author chooses to employ “urban street teams” or “main stream” marketeers to promote a book that’s destined to become a national best seller? As writers, what part do we play in the books we author?
Do books choose their writers or do writers choose the books they pen? I had no desire to write a book before I began to pen Steppin’ Out Of The Darkness. I believe the book that I birthed chose me. I can still recall waking up in the middle of the night to write the first page of my big dream. Once I began writing it, I couldn’t stop. Whenever I felt inspired to write, I didn’t sleep much. I didn’t eat. I didn’t talk. Since I didn’t have anything to distract me, I just wrote. I constantly canceled or rescheduled appointments until the words stopped flowing from somewhere deep within the heart of my soul.
Am I crazy or has this ever happened to any of you? What did you do initially? Did you look around the room to see if you were all alone? Did you ignore the words you heard or did you heed the still, small voice that inspired you to believe that you could achieve something bigger than yourself? Did people laugh at you, ridicule you, and reject you when they heard about the genesis of your big dream? My mother and my wife stood by me at a time when I needed their love and support the most.
Writing Steppin’ Out Of The Darkness was an act of faith for me. I wrote on anything and everything I could get my hands on as evidenced by all the cardboard boxes still stuffed with the hastily scribbled notes that I stockpiled over the years. During those difficult days when I had no place to lay my head, I didn’t have time to feel sorry for myself. For reasons that still escape me, I refused to give up after the fall I survived.
Nevertheless, trusting God when nothing made sense wasn’t easy. To challenge myself to keep getting up and showing up for my street fight with Adversity, I started writing poetic essays. Writing literally saved my life after my business failed and I was forced to file bankruptcy. Because of the vision that God gifted to me, I had a plan that I could believe in. God’s unchanging love gave me hope during my darkest days. It’s true! Without a vision, people with no reason to hope will perish.
For reasons now known, “But by grace still go I” is not just some empty Christian phrase that I casually toss around to sound spiritual. If you’re a published writer, did your book choose you or did you choose your book? I hope this post has encouraged somebody to rise to your feet and inspired you to honestly believe that you can beat impossible odds with God’s help. If so, please let me know.
Copyright (c) 2008 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.
Popularity: 35% [?]
January 14th, 2008
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“Dear Mr. President,” by Pink, is one of those rare music videos that stirs the soul as it tugs at our hearts. Matters not if you’re a Democrat or a Republican. Click on the highlighted words “Dear Mr. President” to watch Pink’s video.
Pink, our “politically corrected” leaders could learn a lot from you if only they’d slow their roll and listen to the voice of reason. It’s a shame the mainstream media, radio stations, and television stations refuse play a song that’s filled with so much relevancy, honesty, and truth.
Kudos to Mr. Jimmy Kimmel for letting Pink perform “Dear Mr. President” on his show.
Pink, as a sign of respect, I tip my hat to you for having the courage, the compassion, the empathy to write such a powerful, insightful, thought-provoking song for such a season as this.
Copyright 2007 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.
Popularity: 24% [?]
August 13th, 2007
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The words from the Gospel song, “In The Midst Of It All,” by Grammy award winning singer, Ms. Yolanda Adams, and the Scriptures verses found in Psalm 121:1-8 NIV will point you in the right direction.
It’s my prayer that you will be encouraged, empowered, and inspired to get up, show up, and take the next step towards making your big dream come true today.
1) I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
2) My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
3) He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4) Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.
5) The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade on your right hand.
6) The sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
7) The LORD will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.
The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever.
Psalm 121:1-8 NASB
Popularity: 12% [?]
July 8th, 2007
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