Appropriate topic for a February post on Seekerville, eh?
In my opinion, it’s appropriate for any post in any month for any writing blog because I want passion in my fiction—as a writer and as a reader.
Passion is what makes life rich.
Passion is what makes life worth it.
Passion is …
By now some of you are thinking, “Oh, boy, she’s one of those slender-thigh, bodice-ripping authors.”
Um, no. I’m not.
I haven’t had slender thighs since—wait, that wasn’t what you meant, was it?
Well, here’s what I mean:
Passion is that which stirs our hearts to do what reason says cannot be done.
Raise your hand if you saw Passion of the Christ. In the ancient sense of the word, “passion” refers to Christ’s sufferings. But what was Jesus’ passion as portrayed in the movie by actor Jim Caviezel? It played across his face as he pushed up from the Gethsemane dirt and strode forward. Remember?
Remember the set of his jaw, the determination in his step?
His was not a do-or-die passion. It was do and die. His passion was to make it to the cross, and that same passion enabled him to endure the suffering.
Nothing wimpy there, folks.
Merriam-Webster’s “simple definition” for passion says:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passion
• : a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something • : a strong feeling (such as anger) that causes you to act in a dangerous way • : a strong sexual or romantic feeling for someone The M/W “full definition” reads: 1. 1 often capitalized a : the sufferings of Christ between the night of the Last Supper and his death b : an oratorio based on a gospel narrative of the Passion2. 2 obsolete : suffering3. 3 : the state or capacity of being acted on by external agents or forces4. 4 a (1) : emotion(2) plural : the emotions as distinguished from reason b : intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction c : an outbreak of anger 5. 5 a : ardent affection : love b : a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept c : sexual desire d : an object of desire or deep interestIn my copy of Rodale’s The Synonym Finder, there are 216 listings under the word “passion,” not including derivatives like passionate, passionless, etc.
Passion comes in many colors.
As I mentioned earlier, I want passion in my fiction. However, passion not only enriches a story, it has power to fuel the story-writer. May I be so bold to say:
If you are not passionate about writing, stop wasting your time.
Harsh words, those. But think about it: if you have no passion for writing, why are you doing it? We all know it’s not the money.
What will keep you going in the dark, early morning hours when everyone else in your house is asleep and you’re trying to knock out a thousand words before you leave for your day job?
Passion, baby. Passion.
I write clean/safe/inspirational—call it what you will—romance, but it better have passion.
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| The Cowboy's Bride Collection |
But that is not the only kind of passion in the story. The widowed hero, Josiah Hanacker, is passionate about not losing his daughter to her conniving aunt—and he will do whatever it takes to keep her. Hence, his motivation and goal.
(See Mr. Webster’s No. 4 a. and b. definition above.)
As writers, we all savvy goal and motivation:
Goal: What does Josiah want?
Motivation: Why does he want it?
I contend that passion must lie at the bottom of both motivation and goal, or our characters will never be able to overcome the conflicts that make up the rest of the story.
If I want to read a book without goal, motivation, conflict, and the characters’ PASSION to succeed, then I’ll read the phone book.
God forbid I ever write a phone book.
So how about you? Is there something in your everyday life about which you are passionate—in the strongest sense of the word? Or are you looking for something to be passionate about?
Twitter: http://twitter.com/davalynnspencer
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5051432.Davalynn_Spencer
Pinterest:
http://pinterest.com/davalynnspencer/boards/
Leave a comment today for a chance to win one of two ecopies of The 12 Brides of Summer - Novella Collection #4. Winner announced in the Weekend Edition.
Love Is Buzzing in the Good Old Summertime! Summer's winding down and the nights are getting cooler, but love still warms the heart in Novella Collection #4:
The Columbine Bride by Davalynn Spencer
Lucy Powell is widowed with two children, but she is reluctant to accept Buck Reiter’s help on her neglected farm. Can the old cowboy convince her his interest is more than charity?
As a reader I insist on passion. No passion or little, and I won't pick up the next one. I just caved into buying Lassoed by Marriage yesterday, as well as 2 LI. I know those will fill my craving for passion. Thanks for a great post Davalyn.
ReplyDeleteI love your name. Did you have to repeat it when people asked your name? Or have to spell it? I still have to spell mine, since it is an uncommon spelling
"It's not about the money" hahahahahaha.
ReplyDeleteI was talking with the Seekers about the Oscars. E Online shared how much money actors and actresses pay to get ready for the Oscars. 266K for a first timer. 1-2 Million for an Average Attendee. 10 Million for an A-Lister.
Can you believe this. Writers do not spend that money for conference, nor do we take it to the bank.
YOU BETTER LOVE IT!!!
Oh, and welcome Davalynn. Sorry you got me all passionate there.
ReplyDeleteI have chocolate croissants coming in the am, along with Cowboy Coffee.
I guess if there's anything I'm passionate about it's my faith. I pray that shows in every aspect of my life. I'm not vocal about it, but I really want my actions to show it. Not that I CAN'T be vocal about it, but if I don't show what I say, how will people believe me? Going against the flow of society speaks volumes, doing the right thing when it seems crazy speaks volumes, treating others with respect when they don't deserve it speaks volumes! See how we can be passionate about things without even saying a word? I'm passionate to do & say what's good and right according to what God expects of me and instructs me to do in His Word!
ReplyDeleteI like where you say "if you aren't passionate about your writing, stop wasting your time". While not a writer, I think that can apply to a lot of areas of our lives! If you can't do something with your whole heart, then why do it? It should stir you and make you excited to do whatever it is you've put your mind to do.
I love to read passion in books...and no not the kind that should be reserved for the marriage bed either....characters who are passionate about life. Those who go above and beyond what's possible to make things happen. The tenacity & determination some characters show in a book really excites me and makes me invested in the story. I can connect on a deeper level :-) I've put some books down in the past because there was no depth and the characters were shallow. No passion, no story for me...lol!
Great post Davalynn! Even though I'm not a writer, I can see where I can apply this to my life in other areas. I'm definitely writing this down as a keeper quote, "Passion is that which stirs our hearts to do what reason says cannot be done." LOVE IT!!
I've read and reviewed "The Cowboy's Bride collection" and really enjoyed each story! Thanks also for the chance at The 12 Brides of Summer #4.
What an absolutely marvelous, delightful post! And the perfect perspective of the true meaning of passion....
ReplyDeleteTo live/write/work with passion is so far beyond the sensual meaning of attraction and sex, it's totally an inner drive toward excellence in whatever you're passionate about.
I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!
This is my kind of passion that grabs the emotions with turns and twists and goes beyond love and romance because while that's a strong backbone of so many things, our lives (I hope!) go so far beyond a singular meaning of such a powerful word.
And maybe because as a Catholic, we walk the Passion every Lenten season in Stations of the Cross and on Good Friday and Palm Sunday.... so for me that word has always held a deep connection with old-fashioned Christ-died-for-us faith which you put so beautifully here.
I am blessed this day.
Thank you, Davalyn and thank you for being here!
COFFEE IS HERE and NEEDED FOR OSCAR WATCHERS!!!! OF WHICH I AM NOT ONE!!! YOU'D HAVE TO CARE TO STAY UP THAT LATE!!!! AND I WOULD HAVE NOMINATED KAREN ABERCROMBIE WHO PLAYED MISS CLARA IN "WAR ROOM" AND THAT WOULD HAVE DEFLATED THE ENTIRE NIGHT!!!!
ReplyDeleteChocolate croissants??????
ReplyDeleteOh I am totally in on those!
I am passionate about reading. Without a book in hand I'm like a ship lost at sea, going here and there searching for shore.
ReplyDeleteMay everyone have a blessed day.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
Welcome, Davalynn! Thank you for this wonderful post. I'm passionate about my faith, family and friends...and of course, writing.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, DAVALYNN! You're so right--only a passion for writing will KEEP you going as you write book after book and weather the ups and downs of a writing career. The new novella collection looks to be a good one -- and it sounds as if you have a front-row seat to incorporating authenticity for your stories!
ReplyDeleteMarianne - Happy reading on those book choices. I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for in them! And about the name pronunciation - yeah, pretty much. I'll answer to nearly everything, even "Dave Allen" as a friend of mine says. I repeat it or spell it a lot unless I throw in a temporary Arkansas accent and day "Dave-a-LYNN." That seems to do the trick until someone says, "Well, honey, what's your first name?" My husband and I were once introduced as Dave and Lynn. No worries!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the warm welcome, Tina. I'll take one of those fancy-rolled biscuits and a large cowboy coffee because it's 4:45 a.m. here. Cow-checking time - if I had cows. I bet I know what Mary Connealy's doing. But as you say, it's hard to imagine spending the big bucks on fancy riggin's like they do for Oscar. Come to think of it, there was a pretty snorty rodeo bull year's ago named Oscar ...
ReplyDeleteTrixi, good choice for your passion, and Amen, sister. Passion comes in different flavors, and as you say, the silent variety is often the strongest. So glad you enjoyed the Cowboy's Bride collection and took the time to write a review. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Ruthy, for your perspective. A California locale where I spoke for women's retreats had a Passion Trail with the stations of the cross. Truly a thoughtful and heart-tugging walk as one climbed to the top.
ReplyDeleteAnd War Room. Oh, yes. Wouldn't you love to have coffee with Miss Clara!
Cindy - you sound like my daughter. Since she discovered Nancy Drew in the library years ago, she's had a book or four in her hands, on her e-reader, stacked on the nightstand, wherever. Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteGood choices, Jill. So glad you stopped in this morning.
ReplyDeleteHi Glynna. Yeah, that front-row seat pretty much wore out my knees when the boys were fighting bulls at the rodeo. I contend it's way harder watching your son than your husband dancing around out there in his football cleats. I was forever praying out loud!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have coffee with Miss Clara, yes! What a delightfully insightful character.
ReplyDeleteAnd I want to hear more about raising rodeo boys.... Give us cowboy lovin' authors an inside scoop, please????
I've been to several rodeos but I don't personally know anyone who competes.
Well, Ruthy, my experience comes from the contract side of things. When my husband was a young(er) man trying to ride bulls and a saddle bronc or two, he noticed that the bullfighters always took a check home. Motivation, that. So he bought a pair of Wrangler clown pants (we're talking baaaaaack in the day), washed them until they started to fade so he didn't look like a newby, and touted himself as a clown and bullfighter. It worked. Of course, it's a tad different now. You don't just run out into the arena and say, "Yeah, I've stepped around a few" without getting your clock cleaned. Today there are rodeo schools people attend to learn how to ride, rope or fight bulls. In fact, our son is a bullfighting instructor at some schools. And as it's always been, the majority of contestants grow up either on a ranch or near one, or learn from their parents and other family members. It's a sport that's heavy on family involvement.
ReplyDeleteHi Davalyn!
ReplyDeleteSo happy to see you here today!
Of course, my writing is my passion. I love writing all forms, short, short stories(talking under 150 words) and short stories for Sunday school take home papers along with longer books. I haven't tried a short story longer than 900 words.
Can you tell us what your current project is?
What a great post! I hopped over to Pinterest, and your boards are beautiful. I love the rose china you picked. You did a great job stirring reader interest in your books.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts on being passionate about our writing and making sure our characters are passionate. This is definitely a keeper post.
I'd love to have my name in the drawing. Thanks!
Rose - so glad to 'see' you! Writing short is hard - as my college creative writing students are discovering this week. At first, they moaned when they had to write a 2,000-word story. Now they're crying for more words! Kudos to you for knocking out the short-short form.
ReplyDeleteMy projects are piling up, but I guess that's a good thing. Starting tomorrow, I'm teaching the online novella-writing course for ACFW, and I have four works in progress: two historicals and two contemporary - one about a bullfighter, of course. But I love writing. It's my passion. Oh, I think I may have already said that.
Thanks for stopping by!
Hey, Jackie - so glad you enjoyed the Pinterest boards. I really need to add to them because I love images that speak to my stories. And pictures of cabins. And cowboys. Well, you get the idea.
ReplyDeleteWhat's a phone book?
ReplyDeleteKB
Davalynn, I always have several projects going at once. One that I'm shopping around/entering in contests, one that I'm working on with my crit partner, and, at least this month, one that I'm writing from scratch for Speedbo. That means I'm using all my skills all the time, or developing new ones.
ReplyDeleteWriting is my passion along with my family and God. I know it's not about the money because I haven't made any yet! Every now and than I run my brain through the scenario of, what if I won the lottery (impossible, I don't play) or got a huge inheritance or came into money some other way. Would I still write? Yes, yes, yes. The difference is I'd use the extra money for conferences, contests and coaching. Yeah, it's a passion.
Please enter me in the drawing.
Welcome Davalynn! Thank you for sharing your PASSION with us.
ReplyDeleteI am passionate about worshiping the Lord.
Please put my name in for the draw.
Have a great day!
Oh, Kaybee, you made me laugh this morning with your phone book question. Yeah, there's that. Um, okay. Phone book. I rarely use one anymore because the internet is so much faster. Sounds like you have a handle on the writing life. It's right up there with plate juggling, but that's even older than phone books, so I won't go into it. My son is always talking about winning the lottery, too, and I keep telling him he has to buy a ticket to do that. Our family ops out for candy bars instead.
ReplyDeleteWell, I had to take a break. Annie and Oakley haven't figured out the cat door and want me to let them in after a night of chasing field mice. And Blue, our heeler, wants out. The sunrise is pinking the eastern sky, and my coffee smells like it's ready. Love my antique porcelain pot and stove-top perked coffee. Nothing better.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Caryl. Stepping into His presence - what beats that? Thanks for dropping by.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, DAVALYNN. I've just recently joined ACFW but I'm still working my way through everything. So much to learn. Thank you for such interesting reading this morning!
ReplyDeleteAs for passions, I'll just "copy" from my like-minded friend JILL WEATHERHOLT this morning -- faith, family, friends and writing are the big four for me, too.
Good cornerstones, Laura. And as for learning, I'm sure you've discovered that we're never finished. But I like that. Always something new to learn.
ReplyDeleteSo there are schools???? THAT IS AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteAnd I hear you about the family involvement and/or the chance to grow up on or near a ranch.
This is fascinating.
Absolutely fascinating.....
So those country songs of rodeo lament and regret, Davalyn.... How accurate are they? Like other obsessive competitions, do some guys end up married to the circuit instead of normal life?
No names need to be mentioned!!! :)
Good morning Davalyn Well said and welcome to Seekerville. Hope you enjoy your day here with us.
ReplyDeleteGreat definitions and examples of passion. I'm with you. A story has to have passion and the deeper the better.
Thanks for sharing.
Oh, yes, Ruthy. Men often 'marry' their obsession, as we all know on one level or another. The thing about rodeo cowboys is they have to pay their own way. No national teams to foot the bill. It goes to that independent spirit we all love in the cowboy. Sure, many today have sponsorships from truck dealers, boot companies, hat and clothing manufacturers, and alcohol distributors. But the brunt of the cost of getting down the road falls on the cowboy and his family. Timed-eventers, those who rope, wrestle steers, or run barrels (women's barrel racing) have to haul a horse. And horses are high-maintenance.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a lot of practice to get good at something, and that calls for enough passion to fuel the long-haul. Hmm, sounds familiar. Cowboys are passionate about what they do, whether rodeoing or working cattle back at the ranch. And they need to be because they can get their neck broken as well as their bank account.
Hi, Sandra. Good to 'see' you here. My visits to Seekerville are always so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI'll take some chocolate croissants Tina Thank you.
ReplyDeleteKB You're too funny. What's a phonebook indeed?
Oh and Jackie says there are Pinterest boards too. Oh my. I guess I am going to have to learn about those.
Yes, Sandra, I LOVE Pinterest. Need to add more since I've been so busy writing and teaching lately. I feel a Pinterest Day coming on ...
ReplyDeleteGreat to have you with us today, Davalyn, and such an inspiring and--dare I say--passionate post!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite line: "If you are not passionate about writing, stop wasting your time." As so many writers have said, if you can quit writing, then you probably should.
Laughing at KB--"What's a phone book?" You just reminded me I haven't seen one dropped on our front porch in quite a while now. We used to get them regularly, and they'd lie around on the counter for a while before getting tossed in the recycle bin. The Internet has made them irrelevant.
Just scrolling back through earlier comments, and apparently RUTHY caught the JULIE virus.
ReplyDeleteAND--not only did she post an entire comment in ALL CAPS, but she BOLDED EVERYTHING!!!!
Welcome to Seekerville, Davalynn. Your novella collection looks great!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post! I'm passionate about living my faith and spending time with God. We writers need passion about our stories in order to keep on keeping on, no matter how many rejections we get, no matter how many less than perfect reviews we get, no matter how little we earn. Without that passion for writing, I wonder if we can create strong, memorable characters with passion for achieving their goals.
Janet
Great Post!
ReplyDeleteI am passionate about the Lord, my writing, my reading, and teaching children.
I would appreciate continued prayers for my health. I am waiting on a call from the doctor. My throat is still of fire and I cannot swallow. When I cough, everything goes black for a second as I nearly pass out.
Looks like the Love Inspired chance will have to wait till next year. Just don't have any more time to finish the research needed before I write the first page. I will continue working on it. In the mean time I have another story I will begin tomorrow for Speedbo. This one will be a sequel to my first book that I finished writing in September.
Ha - thank you, Myra. Yes, what's the point without passion? And we can't be too hard on Ruthy. Coffee. It's the cowboy coffee. Strong enough to float a horseshoe and all that.
ReplyDeleteI just talked to the nurse. They are calling in a prescription.
ReplyDeleteDavalynn, what's it like to live with bullfighters? Ever need nursing skills?
ReplyDeleteJanet
Absolutely, Janet. I fell in love with the characters in this Cowboy collection because of their passion. Some things are just worth fighting for. As writers, we fight against what you mentioned: rejections, bad reviews, dwindling bank accounts. But it's worth it. Many who came before us wrote with quills by lamp light or with ink on parchment/paper (some still do!). Typewriters -- remember those? Cut-and-paste had a whole different meaning, though it should have been called cut and tape.
ReplyDeleteWilani - you're the one I want in the classroom if you're passionate about teaching children. Yes! And good news on the meds.
ReplyDeleteOh, Janet, living with bullfighters means you bloody your knees in prayer! Nursing skills - yes. And sewing skills and photographic skills and driving skills when it's your turn behind the wheel. For some reason, my turn always came about 4 a.m. Maybe that's why I had no trouble getting up this morning for Seekerville.
ReplyDeleteOH, WOW, Davalynn, this post drew me like a bass to a hula grub!! Why? Because PASSION is one of my FAVORITE subjects!! Which could be because God went a little tilt when he handed it out in my family, I'm afraid. :|
ReplyDeleteWELCOME TO SEEKERVILLE, GIRL ... and WOW, what a subject!! Passion is SO important to me that it's my tagline as an author -- "Passion With a Purpose" -- so God bless you for shining a beautiful light on this truly important gift from God!
YOU SAID" His (Christ) was not a do-or-die passion. It was do and die."
Oh, AMEN to that, and THANK GOD!!
YOU ALSO SAID: "If you are not passionate about writing, stop wasting your time."
LOL ... had to laugh about that because if I am not "passionate" at the moment about a scene I'm writing, I'm pretty much wasting my time since passion (and prayer) are the only fuels that drives this bus.
GREAT POST, my friend!!
Hugs,
Julie
Janet's question reminded me of a 'skill' I never thought I'd need: impersonation. One summer a bull hit Mike in the chest, broke his ribs, and tore off an ear as it ran over his head. Thank God it didn't step in his face. (Sorry ladies - rodeo's rough.) Doc and Jesus sewed the ear back on, but Doc said Mike couldn't return to the arena because if dirt got in the sutures and cartilage, infection could travel to the brain. We had a contract that included bullfighting at the rodeo and clown acts for four nights. So the next three performances, I dressed up like Mike and carried on with the acts. Comedy is hard. But rest assured, I did NOT go out there during the bull riding. Another bullfighter picked that up for us. My mama didn't raise no fools.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie. Yes, and amen! I've written those scenes, pushed by word-count rather than passion and they were, um, dare I say it - boring! Delete. Do over. Life's too short for passionless writing. Good job with that 'purpose' of yours.
ReplyDeleteRUTHY SAID: AND I WOULD HAVE NOMINATED KAREN ABERCROMBIE WHO PLAYED MISS CLARA IN "WAR ROOM" AND THAT WOULD HAVE DEFLATED THE ENTIRE NIGHT!!!!
ReplyDeleteYES, YES, A THOUSAND TIMES YES!!! That woman was AMAZING and it saddens me to think she was overlooked, especially with the strong theme of racial equality during the Academy Awards last night. Well, that woman -- and that movie -- definitely win an Oscar in my book.
MYRA SAID ABOUT WHAT RUTHY SAID:
Apparently RUTHY caught the JULIE virus ... not only did she post an entire comment in ALL CAPS, but she BOLDED EVERYTHING!!!!"
LOL ... we're both just trying to express a little passion today in honor of Davalynn's wonderful post because if we don't we will bust a gut ... or in Ruthy's case, a write a book! ;)
DAVALYNN ASKED:
So how about you? Is there something in your everyday life about which you are passionate—in the strongest sense of the word? Or are you looking for something to be passionate about?
My greatest passion in life -- other than my family and friends -- is my passion for God, hopefully portraying in my books a host of real and powerful examples of how application of God's precepts changes lives for the better. My second greatest passion is romance with God in the middle because as far as I am concerned, romance lives and breathes in the heart of the Father who loves us with an everlasting, unfailing, and YES -- PASSIONATE -- love!
Thanks again, Davalynn, for such beautifully inspiring post!
Hugs,
Julie
I've written those scenes, pushed by word-count rather than passion and they were, um, dare I say it - boring! Delete. Do over. Life's too short for passionless writing
ReplyDeleteNot only boring, but not fun either.
You married a bull rider. OH MY GOSH. You have a truck load of history to call upon for your writing. YOU LUCKY WOMAN!!!
ReplyDeleteYou make me laugh, Tina. Bull riding is how he noticed that the bullfighters always got a check even when he didn't. Hmm. A true adrenaline junky, poor man. In his 'mature' years, he graduated from bulls to bullets and became a cop while our son carried on in the arena. Yes, lucky me. More prayer ...
ReplyDeleteHi Davalynn - oops passion is a topic that gets me in trouble on a regular basis, especially when I make comments online without thinking them through. Comes also from having uber strong opinions about things. When I first started blogging 9 or 10 years ago, I let my passion just kind of rip like a flood through a dry creek. Fortunately the Holy Spirit keeps maturing me (gosh I'm glad He doesn't give up!)
ReplyDeletePassion in fiction is will make me carry a book every place until I get to the end. Sometimes It will be my reward for working. Or it might make me spend my entire day off going cover to cover.
The sad side of this topic for me is that passion seems to be AWOL among a large portion of our young people and so many of them are drifting.
Hey thank your husband for being one of the good guys that help prevent injury.
SO, JULIE, IF I WERE TO TYPE AN ENTIRE MANUSCRIPT IN ALL CAPS, WOULD THAT COUNT AS PASSION IN THE STORY????
ReplyDeleteI THINK I HAVE BEEN GOING ABOUT THIS WRITING THING ALL WRONG!!!!
;-D
Thanks for stopping by, Barbara. You've hit on an area in which we can do battle for our children by praying for them to find and connect with a passion for Christ and life.
ReplyDeleteDavalyn, we've got the greatest tools to write with these days. And we've got the greatest reason, to tell stories that honor God. We're blessed.
ReplyDeleteBloodied knees indeed! Just watching strangers ride bulls has been holding my breath. I can't imagine how hard it must be to love a bull rider. You're the epitome of a supportive wife. I'm sure everyone applauded your courage to step in and perform his clown act when your dh couldn't.
Now he's a cop. The streets aren't safer than the arena. You've must have God on speed dial.
Janet
Ha - yes, Janet. "God on speed dial." He's so far ahead of our technology! He knows our thoughts before we think them! I think it's because ... He is passionate about us.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteLoved your post. It reminded me of a writer BFF who used to tell me that I had passion and she had drive. Her drive got her way more books published than my passion did but while I'm still writing (and having fun doing it) she suffered burn-out and quit. I never saw any joy in her 'drive' because she wrote for money.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI bolded Miss Clara's (Karen Abercrombie's) shout out because land-o'-mercy, that portrayal was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSimply wonderful.
Very well said, Davalynn! I can tell you're passionate about passion. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness, from bulls to bullets. The man likes to keep you on your toes. Is he still working or has he retired. When do you get to sleep at night???
ReplyDeleteMyra! All caps and !!!!!! The Passionate Way to Write a Novel.
ReplyDeleteWe could write that book and sell a million copies.
Jessie - could point. What you've shared sounds a lot like the football coach who said if he had to choose between a player with heart and a player with talent, he'd take heart every day.
ReplyDeleteGreat pillars, Sarah. Thanks for chiming in.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vickie. Appreciate you stopping by!
ReplyDeleteTina - oh yes, he's retired. Thank God. But the passion for what he did still beats in his heart.
ReplyDeleteJessie - that should have been "good point" not could point!
ReplyDeleteI'll start with saying that I'm passionate about my kids. My older son goes to college this fall.
ReplyDeleteI'm also passionate about my writing.
Starting tomorrow, I'm passionate about SpeedBo
Enjoyed your post, Davalyn - thank you!!
ReplyDeleteI am passionate about many things - the top of my list includes God, family, reading, and music. I love lots of passion in the books I read, promoting Christian Fiction has become a huge passion of mine in the last few years. Passion for God led me to become a cast member of an ongoing Passion Play on the life of Christ in the 90's - even though I'd never done any acting, although I did sing. It was one of the most spiritually rewarding periods in my life!!
Great, Walt. Good choices!
ReplyDeleteRUTHY: I loved War Room and Miss Clara's role - couldn't get much more passionate than that, could you?? I felt Priscilla Shirer did a wonderful job also, especially since she is considered a speaker/author more so than an actress. Too bad we weren't allowed to nominate Miss Clara's role for an Oscar, eh??
ReplyDeleteLove this post today, Davalyn. Always good to be reminded about the importance of being passionate about what we do - otherwise, why do it?
ReplyDeleteI would love my name in the draw for your novella collection. I've gotten a couple of the others and they've been grand reads.
Been laughing at the Seeker ladies comments and teasing each other. All caps and bolding... if only writing passionately were so simple *ha!*
And oy vey... I almost forgot about SPEEDBO. I haven't signed up yet. Craziness hit family and work latter half of last week and I'm still trying to recover. Must go rectify that lack of signing up...
Bonton - what a fabulous thing to be involved in, a Passion Play. Talk about a changed perspective. I also appreciate your promotion of Christian fiction. So many novels leave people feeling even more depressed than they were before reading. Christian fiction shows through story how God interacts with people. Jesus used that approach in His parables.
ReplyDeleteYou go for it, Deb! Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteDavalyn!!! He went from rodeo to police work?
ReplyDeleteI am so stealing this for a book! :)
It's like the Wild West, modern style! Tell him thank you for doing that!!!
Wilani, take care of your health, sweet lady. Love Inspired isn't going anywhere, and you can submit there when you're better!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for you.
I know, Ruth. Too much, right? I always thought From Bulls to Bullets would make a great title. One of his funny cop stories involved a call for a cow in someone's yard. Mike pulled up in his cruiser, got his rope out of the trunk, and roped the animal. True story, but probably wouldn't fly in a novel because it's so novel.
ReplyDeleteGetting to Seekerville late...just read the comments. What a fun morning! Thanks for being with us, Davalyn! Hugs to your cowboy hubby and rodeo-star son! Lots of excitement at your house on a regular basis, I'm sure!
ReplyDeleteI use to clown around! Years ago in Kirksville, MO, I was Happy, the Pro-Life Clown. We hosted events for special needs children and their families. I used to chuckle when I'd be in my clown outfit with full make-up driving to the various events. Kids would start waving. Folks stopped next to my car at traffic lights and would point and stare. Lots of dropped jaws, wide eyes and open mouths! :)
Loved your comments about needing passion in our writing! So true!
I've brought brownie and chocolate chip cookies to share. Going with a chocolate theme today. Enjoy!
Wilani, sending prayers and chicken soup! Hope you feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteHi, Debby - thanks for coming. Oh, and about that chocolate - um, yes, please. I see also that you understand the clown world. So fun to 'hide' behind the makeup and be someone else.
ReplyDeleteHi, Davalyn. Great post about passion!
ReplyDeleteWe all have people or concepts we're passionate about. I think a passionate action happens when there is a threat of some kind. The other night I watched the old movie Friendly Persuasion. A Quaker family is passionate about being non-violent and refuses to defend themselves during the Civil War. When a troop of Confederate soldiers raids their farm, the mother willingly opens the storehouse, allows them to take her chickens and even fixes them a meal. When one soldier snatches her pet duck to haul off and eat, she grabs a broom and wallops him until he releases the duck! Of course, she's ashamed for resorting to violence. But the family has a good laugh.
Perhaps you know our bull-rider cousin, Shane Proctor? We were so fortunate to see him ride at the NFR this year!!
Finishing a mid-morning (for me) cuppa tea and ready to write for a few hours before heading in to work at our Antique Mall.
Would love to be entered in the drawing...thanks for the opportunity!
Oh, Kathryn!!! Love that story line!!
ReplyDeleteHilarious.
Feel better Wilani. Yes. You can submit to LI anytime. No rush. Health first.
ReplyDeleteAsk the bullrider.
Oh my goodness, I learned something new about DEBBY today! Except I'm having a very hard time picturing our genteel Southern lady in clown makeup!!!
ReplyDeleteDavalynn, what a word in good time! The War Room led me to Priscilla Shirer's new book, Fervent. I am in Chapter 1: Recovering Your Passion. Her definition is so close to yours it becomes a moment for me to stop and listen! I, too, in faith, count my passions in the "4" posted earlier. May the Lord bless your words that have come to us in this blog.
ReplyDeletePlease enter my name in the cat dish for that delightful twelve novellas.
Davalynn, Greetings from a fellow Coloradan. (I'm currently on loan in Nebraska but hope to return someday...)
ReplyDeleteI loved your quotes about passion. Even wrote "Passion is that which stirs our hearts to do what reason says cannot be done." on a sticky note for my desk.
I find the stories I have the most passion to write about often are hard subjects to research and approach but I WANT to tell them. Especially when I feel like they NEED to be told.
Davalynn, what a great post! I totally agree with the statement "why bother?" if we don't feel passionate about writing. I know, too, that there are times when It's difficult to feel the passion. We just have to be patient and keep plugging away until the passion returns. :) So far, for me, it always has!
ReplyDeleteHey, Davalynn! Welcome to Seekerville!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with us, Davalynn, and I LOVE your definition of passion.
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS on your newest release!
Debby Giusti, I don't recall knowing that you were a clown at one time, but how fun! And for such a worthy cause too. Thanks for bringing chocolate goodies today--YUM!
Happy Monday to all. Back to writing!
Hugs, Patti Jo
p.s. Was going to add that I'm passionate about humane treatment of felines, but I guess anyone who knows me at all knows that already, LOL. ;)
Davalynn we had a new calf this morning.
ReplyDeleteTwo yesterday.
As My Cowboy likes to say about March......THE FLOODGATES HAVE OPENED!
Myra, I'm having a hard time seeing Debby as a clown, too! :)
ReplyDeleteDavalynn, I didn't get your quote right in my comment above. You didn't say "why bother?" You said, "...why are you doing it?" Sorry for misquoting you!
I'm glad you told us how to say your name correctly! I've always thought of it as a short a in Dav, so didn't have it right in my head. :)
I MISSED THAT TOO , MISSY.
ReplyDeleteYou are Davealynn not Dahvalynn.
Learn something new each day.
I am TEENA btw.
Kathryn - I like your take on passion related to a threat, and your example of the Quaker woman is perfect. No, I don't personally know Shane, but I know of him. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Olivia. Don't you just love God's timing in our lives?
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Sharee. Don't give up on those stories that speak to you. Thanks for dropping in!
ReplyDeleteSo true, Missy. It's often about commitment over feeling, yet at the bottom of that commitment lies the passion.
ReplyDeleteHi, Mary. I'm loving your calf pics on Facebook! Such sweeties.
ReplyDeleteSo CatMom - how do I get Annie and Oakley to go THROUGH their newly installed kitty door? I've led that horse to water and it ain't drinkin'. Blue, our heeler, tries his darndest to get through, but the girls aren't having it. Sigh. Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteMary, I saw that pic early this morning. You have trained your Cowboy well - he pauses to photograph!
ReplyDeleteNo worries, Missy. It all works out!
ReplyDeleteHa, Tina. I mean Teena. We've all suffered with our names, haven't we! My son Jake was Jake the snake - now he's Jake-at-State Farm. Our daughter Amanda was Panda Bear. There's just no picking a name that can't be ridiculed. Pays to smile!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDavalynn, I loved your post. And I love what you shared about passion for our stories and writing and how essential it is to have this. I've grappled with having passion in a time of discouragement. It's hard to maintain perspective at times. But, I suspect if I can hold onto the passion for the story, this will go a long ways in helping me pull through discouraging times. :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Jeanne - good to see you here. I'll preach to the choir now: draw into His presence. He will give you the passion for your stories, or the story to go with the passion He has for you. Our bottom line as inspirational authors is to not only inspire others toward Him, but to hide in His presence ourselves. Thanks so much for commenting. My wager is we are all 'there' at some time or another.
ReplyDeleteIn answer to your kitty door question, try luring with catnip, LOL.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but as you already know I'm sure, if a cat doesn't want to do something, she/he won't do it! I hope Annie and Oakley (love those names!) will give in and decide to humor you by going through the door. ;)
Thank you CatMom. I haven't tried the brew, but I'll be sure to get some!
ReplyDeleteMay I just say that one of the reasons I like to visit Seekerville is the free-spirit use of exclamation points. I can use as many as I want to and no one complains! More than one per manuscript! It's wonderful! Must be the passionate folks here.
ReplyDeleteApparently I am not passionate enough about my writing because I don't have the drive to work on it no matter what. I hope Speedbo beginning tomorrow will help me get back into it and find that passion again.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in the drawing.
Davalyn, you've noticed our love of exclamation marks! They abound in Seekerville! :) Especially in my comments!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your transparency, Sandy. I hope Speedbo helps you. Or maybe you just need a new story. Sometimes that does it for me.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debby!!!
ReplyDeleteDavalyn, that's so true about a new story. Sometimes that is the kick in the head (or the pants!) we need to get the brain firing again!
ReplyDeleteYes, Ruthy. I've ended up hating a project because I worked on it for so long. Changing venue, so to speak, was the ticket for me. New blood, new passion.
ReplyDeleteDavalyn, I love the cover of The Cowboy's Bride Collection. Fantastic group of authors! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for being such a terrific hostess today, Davalynn. We appreciate that you took the time out of your busy schedule to post and to interact with our Villagers.
ReplyDeleteHappy RELEASE DAY for tomorrow to you!!!
Hang in there, Jeanne T. You are talking to a group of women who got their first rejections when many of our Villagers were still in high school. Selling took time and lots of chocolate. Many of us are grandmas now. There's some sobering thoughts for you.
ReplyDeleteTen years with this blog. We sort of made it around the block a few times, lol. That's an understatement.
Okay, I guess it's only nine years with the blog. But our personal loop started in 2005. That's ..cough, cough going on eleven years.
ReplyDeleteMYRA SAID: "SO, JULIE, IF I WERE TO TYPE AN ENTIRE MANUSCRIPT IN ALL CAPS, WOULD THAT COUNT AS PASSION IN THE STORY???? I THINK I HAVE BEEN GOING ABOUT THIS WRITING THING ALL WRONG!!!! ;-D
ReplyDeleteLOL ... I think you have been ... you LITTLE BRAT!! ;)
HUGS,
Julie
Davalyn,
ReplyDeleteThanks for such a great post! Your definition of passion is excellent: "Passion is that which stirs our hearts to do what reason says cannot be done." Passion motivates us to do our best - whatever we're doing.
Pam - thank you. I've so enjoyed working with you on other projects and getting to know you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading, Edwina. I appreciate your comment.
ReplyDeleteTina - I love visiting the village! Thank you for having me, for bringing the coffee and croissants, and for offering laughter and encouragement to everyone that participates. Blessings to you all as you pursue your passions.
ReplyDeleteThanks you Tina and everyone for this Speedbo. I'm using it to complete my new website and I've got to tell you how great it's going today. I'm tracking my results and knocking a lot of writing and research off the To Do's. One moment to share: All of a sudden I realized my plans for media and a very creative blog approach for reaching teens are real when writing my press release for an upcoming event. Tingles. (the good kind).
ReplyDeleteSandy, wishing you inspiring moments and new fuel for the passion of writing.
Mary, congratulations on the new calves! I loved your post last year where, in the comments, I think you had to leave to deliver one. Always think it would be a great plot twist.
Best to everyone!
Oops looks like I posted this in the wrong area (above) but I love the passion you put into this blog and for reminding us to be true to our calling, which is such a privilege and honor to bring heart-warming, adventure-filled (for me) and meaningful stories together, whatever genre in which we write.
ReplyDeleteSometimes other women ask me how I've kept going through fires and other challenges, and it's that passion and faith that keeps the train moving. Thanks again Davalyn!
I'm thankful for all of you passionate Christian authors! Many times a character will inspire me to inspect my own life and make positive changes.
ReplyDeleteI would really enjoy some summertime right about now, that book looks delightful! Thank you for sharing!
I had to laugh about getting off the internet if you want to do well at SpeedBo! It's my downfall. I'll have to do better. I've got the passion, but the discipline not so much.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth - thank you for stopping by, and for "keeping on." Evidently, it's the passion that propels you!
ReplyDeleteBeth - what a great approach: to inspect your own life and make positive changes all because a character inspired you. Wow! What an incentive for authors!
ReplyDeleteHa! Hang in there, Cara. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDelete