A Year with C. S. Lewis - Makes a Great Gift

C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) was not a preacher or theologian, but his writing on Christianity are still read by millions. His Chronicles of Narnia is still popular with children (and adults) worldwide. He was a professor of English literature and an atheist for some time. Once he was converted to Christianity, he wrote extensively about his faith.

I've read some of his books like Mere Christianity or Screwtape Letters, but I found it hard to absorb what he was trying to say. I found that I could better understand him by reading short portions at a time rather than reading straight through a book.

That's why I love A Year with C. S. Lewis: Daily Readings from His Classic Works, edited by Patricia S. Klein. Each day's selection contains an excerpt from one of his "signature classics." Why bite off more than you can chew when you can just have a little taste and go back for more when you're ready?

I took a year to read through my copy, and I've given it as a gift to others. It makes a good Christmas gift. There's an index at the end listing sources by book and by day so that you will be able to find each selection in the original book if you should want to read further on that topic.

Reading List for Writers, Continued

This is the remainder of the reading list that I distributed in my workshops at Kentucky Christian Writers Conference 2007.

Grammar and Style

The Associated Press Stylebook, Basic Books, 2006, for newspapers, newsletters, flyers. Online at http://www.apstylebook.com/.

The Chicago Manual of Style, University of Chicago Press, 2003. Also online http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html.

The Christian Writer's Manual of Style, Zondervan, 2004.

Macmillan Teach Yourself Grammar and Style, Pamela R. Hahn, Dennis E. Hensley, 2000.

Polishing the "PUGS" (Punctuation, Usage, Grammar and Spelling), Kathy Ide, 2005. Highly recommended by Cecil Murphey, www.kathyide.com.


Devotional Reading

Committed But Flawed, Cecil Murphey, AMG Publishers, 2004.

Write His Answer, Marlene Bagnull, ACW Press, 2001.

How to Keep a Spiritual Journal: A Guide to Journal Keeping for Inner Growth and Personal Discovery, Ron Klug, Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, 2002.


Magazines and Newsletters (Print)

Christian Communicator and Advanced Christian Writer, http://watkins.gospelcom.net/americanchristianwriters/index.htm

Cross and Quill, http://www.cwfi-online.org/crossquill.html

The Writer, http://www.writermag.com/wrt/default.aspx

Writers Digest, http://www.writersdigest.com/

Reading and Resources List for Writers

Recently I posted a link for my reading list to the resources page on my Web site, www.writingontarget.com. I'm re-organizing my site, and I will take the list down, so I'm posting it here. This list was prepared for my workshops at Kentucky Christian Writers Conference this past June. One workshop was based on my e-book, A Business Approach to Marketing Your Work, and the other was on beginning article writing.

Some of the books on this list are classics, must-haves for writers looking to get published. Others are just my favorites. I've put some additional comments in red font within this list.

Writing: Magazine writers must have #1 and/or #3.

1. Effective Magazine Writing: Let your Words Reach the World, Roger C. Palms, Shaw, 2000.
2. Just Write! Susan Titus Osborne, ACW Press, 2000. http://www.christiancommunicator.com/.
3. Writing for Magazines: A Beginner's Guide, Cheryl Sloan Wray, McGraw-Hill, revised 2004.
4. Writer's Digest Handbook Of Magazine Article Writing, Michelle Ruberg, ed., WD Books, 2004.
5. How to Write What You Love and Make a Living at It, Dennis E. Hensley, Shaw/Waterbrook, 2000.
6. The Little Handbook to Perfecting the Art of Christian Writing, Leonard G. Goss & Don M. Aycock, Broadman and Holman, Nashville, 2006.
7. Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within, Natalie Goldberg, Shamhala Publications, 1996.

Marketing: If you're serious about writing for the Christian market, Sally Stuart's guide is a must. John Vonhof's book is the best I've seen on marketing your books.

1. Christian Writers' Market Guide 2007: The Essential Reference Tool for the Christian Writer, Sally Stuart, ed. See her site www.stuartmarket.com for this and other resources.
2. Writer's Market 2007, Writers Digest Books, published annually in regular and deluxe edition (includes subscription to www.writersmarket.com). Some libraries have it.
3. Selling Your Book: The No Nonsense, Step-By-Step Marketing & Promotion Workbook, John Vonhof, Footwork Publications, 2004.
4. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Marketing Basics, Sarah White, MacMillan General Reference/Alpha Books, Madison, WI, 1997.
5. Marketing for Dummies, C. Smith and Alexander Hiam, John Wiley & Sons, UK, 2006.
6. Guerrilla Marketing for Writers: 100 Weapons to Help You Sell Your Work, Conrad Levinson, Rick Frishman and Michael Larson, Writers Digest Books, New York, 2000.

More from my reading list in the next post. Subscribe to this blog so that you'll be notified when it's posted.

Healthy Aging, A Lifelong Guide

Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, you are getting older by the minute! All of us are aging, and everyone should be concerned about the quality of his or her personal aging process. We've all heard that cliché "aging gracefully." To me, it means I'm getting older, it's inevitable and irreversible, so I should be content with wrinkles, gray hair, and bodily infirmities. Like most other Baby Boomers, I'm not ready for the rocking chair.

Recently, I came across a book entitled Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Guide to Your Well-Being by Andrew Weil, MD. His recommendations for healthy aging are nothing new really. Exercise, eat right, and avoid or manage stress. But, the unique thing about this doctor is that he advises us to embrace aging, to stop denying that it exists. Aging isn't reversible, although some think it can be done. He says it's a waste of time and resources try to look younger when we should be concentrating our efforts on caring for our physical, mental and spiritual health.

Dr. Weil is just one of many health professionals who believes in wellness, preserving your health with proper diet and exercise. Weil's brand of wellness includes spiritual health, too. The book gets very technical sometimes, but he provides a list that he calls "A Twelve Point Program for Healthy Aging," which summarizes the approach.

Just do it. The Nike slogan captures the attitude that everyone should have toward exercise. For years, the fitness experts have told us that, for heart health, we need to exercise for 30 minutes at least three times a week. Some people prefer to work out in fitness centers like Health Quest or Curves because they provide equipment and counseling for people wanting to get into shape. Many churches have gyms for members to use for organized sports or for walking. Local parks provide tracks for walking or running outdoors.

Of course, physical wellness includes adequate rest and sleep along with a healthy diet. Weil has diet recommendations in the book along with pointers on food supplements and vitamins. Weil also has a Web site for additional information (www.healthyaging.com).

As we age, our mental capacities don't have to decline if we exercise our minds and take care of our bodies. A recent CNN health report cited a study that showed physical exercise and losing weight can improve your memory. Weil also says that remaining active physically and socially keeps your brain in shape. Keeping your "social and intellectual connections" is emphasized in the book. The seniors I've interviewed at the senior center all said that the games and crafts exercise their minds and bodies, while the social events help them stay connected.

Learning how to deal with stress is also necessary for healthy aging. A friend of mine once said, "You never get rid of stress. You just have different kinds at different times." One of the techniques Weil recommends is deep breathing and relaxation. I learned from my piano teacher to take slow, deep breaths when I felt nervous before performing. It worked then, and it works now. Something about deep breathing helps you relax.

Supposedly, with age comes wisdom, peace, and prosperity. Mark Twain said sometimes age just shows up by itself. Maybe that's because we are so occupied with worrying about aging that we don't appreciate the positive aspects. Dr. Weil says we should use aging as a stimulus for spiritual awakening and growth. Many older people become more active in the church, while others seem to be energized by new creative interests like music, art, and writing.

"Old age" is a time of sharing and giving back. The popularity of scrapbooking and journaling is, I think, an indicator that people are becoming more aware of a need to preserve their history. There is a renewed interest in spiritual autobiography, too. Weil says these activities help you deal with aging and realize the value of being an "elder."

Aging isn't for sissies, and it's not just for old folks, either. Since you're aging anyway, and everyone knows it, you might as well get out of denial and spend your energy controlling the quality of your life as you age. Check your library or bookstore for Healthy Aging. And don't forget to check with your doctor before embarking on your healthy aging plan.

Quote of Note: "There is a fountain of youth: It is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” Sophia Loren

My Reading List for Writers

http://www.writingontarget.com/writers'_resources.htm

Since I haven't had much time to read this summer, much less write reviews, I'd like to share a reading list I compiled for my beginning writers' classes at Kentucky Christian Writers Conference last June. The whole list is on my Web site above. While you're there, click around and see the rest of my site.

My Dog Skip by Willie Morris

Why would somebody my age want to read a book about a kid and his dog? It all started with a reading list from a workshop in creative non-fiction. Then, my friend who knew I had two Jack Russell terriers recommended I see the movie version. So, I pulled out my trusty, rusty Blockbuster card and rented the video one weekend. It was a wonderful movie. See this link for more information: http://www.randomhouse.com/vintage/screen/books/skip.html.

I bought a used paperback version of the book, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. However, as often happens, the movie version is "enhanced" so that the story has a few extra twists and turns. I'd say, read the book first. Then be sure to see the movie, too. One reviewer said that My Dog Skip should be on the same shelf with The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. I tend to agree, and that's high praise. Whether you love dogs or not, you'll enjoy this heart-warming story.

The book is available on Amazon.com.

So is the DVD.
My Dog Skip (Keepcase)

If you live near me, I'll lend you my copy of the book.

Where Do I Get My Books?

Recently, in my marketing class at KY Christian Writers Conference, I passed out a a reading list for writers. Since then, I have posted the list on my Web site. From the home page, click on Writers Resources to find the list.

http://www.writingontarget.com

In reading groups, the subject always comes up: "Where do you find all these books?" I always check my public library when I'm looking for a specific book. We have an online catalog, so I don't even have to get out to check it. Sometimes I find them at http://www.half.ebay.com/ or at http://www.abebooks.com/. Many times, the shipping costs more than the book, but it's still a bargain compared to full price plus tax at a book store or on Amazon.