The old star

This Christmas I realized something. When I was decorating my tree, it dawned on me that I have been putting the same star on my tree, every year, for 52 years! I can still remember when it was purchased. I was a young newlywed of 5 months and had just confirmed that I was expecting our first baby. To celebrate, we went out and bought the most beautiful star we could find. Every year, as I add the star on top of the tree, I remember.

There are other memories that have attached themselves to the star, like for instance, the year we had a fire and the tips of the star melted and bent slightly. It still worked and looked beautiful, but carried the memory after that.

Some of the brilliant gems that adorn the star, and glow so wonderfully, have faded over time, and I’ve had to replace a few of them. Each year the star becomes more beautiful because of added memories. The year our kittens climbed the tree and knocked it over, the star lost its lights and I had to finagle replacement lights. All the grandchildren who have sat beneath the star as it shone down on our Christmases have heard the stories of past memories.

Where does an old star go after so many years? It’s not a priceless heirloom or a treasured painting. It’s just an old star, which has been kept alive, year after year, waiting for its place of honor, on top of the Christmas tree.  There is one more memory that is part of the stars legacy. A reminder of the bright star that shone over Bethlehem on the night the Savior was born, a symbol and reminder of hope and honor that adorns our tree each year. It also signifies the enduring qualities of steadfastness and the tenacity to be true to our beliefs.

I think my old star will always be hanging somewhere on a tree at Christmas, preserved as an heirloom and remembered always for what it symbolizes, as it waits inside a box for the next year, so that it can once again reign supreme.   
 

Young and talented new writers of the future…

When I was asked to do a writing presentation at a Fireside recently, I was so impressed with the young and talented new writers in attendance who represent the writers of the future. Their stories and poems were poignant, beautiful and insightful, and their intelligent use of expressive words was profound. I was suddenly excited to imagine their forthcoming literary accomplishments and endeavors and hope that I impressed upon them the importance of listening to their inner voice and sharing their heartfelt messages with others in the most uplifting way.

A writer can get lost in the joy of experiencing those moments of sharing thoughts and insights of their passions. It creates a happiness inside that’s hard to compare, a companionship within that consumes and comforts. The reflection of ones feelings can be echoed endlessly throughout all time, touching the lives of many, by simply writing them down.

The great power of script was coined in a phrase from English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton in his play, Richelieu; Or The Conspiracy, written in 1839:

True, This! —Beneath the rule of men entirely great
The pen is mightier than the sword. Behold
The arch-enchanters wand! — itself is nothing! —But taking sorcery from the master-hand
To paralyze the Cæsars, and to strike the loud earth breathless! — Take away the sword —
States can be saved without it!

The idea of communication surpassing violence in efficacy will always be debated, but the veracity has been proven repeatedly.  Those who feel the inclination to pick up the pen and make a difference are truly inspired to reach a higher level. I look forward to enjoying the acquiescent gift of their endeavors.  © 2014 Linda Gatewood

Writing the last book, Autumn Hush, of the four-book Winter Secret Series

Writing the last book, Autumn Hush, of the four-book Winter Secret Series, was bittersweet because I was writing the ending of the story that has been unfolding for several years. So often, I’ve compared writing a book and getting it published to the blessing of carrying a baby for nine months and then giving birth. Now that the series if finished, I’ll miss its presence in my mind and the daily challenge of solving the story and its many mysteries. I’ll miss the characters that developed throughout the sequences and am happy that I was able to end the series in such a satisfying way. Those of you, who have been reading since book number one, will be glad that you followed until the end because the last book is the best!  If you haven’t started to read the Winter Secret Series yet, you are in for a treat! For a brief overview of each book, check out my website, www.lindagatewoodbooks.com or find them online. www.amazon.com/author/lindagatewood By the way, I’ve started a new book called Timely Moment.  It is a romantic suspense, that you’ll love, but it won’t be part of a series, the whole story will be in one book. I’ll keep you posted about the story line.  © 2014 Linda Gatewood

Winter Secret, Spring Promise, Summer Truth (Pictured below)  and Autumn Hush

 

Review for Summer Truth

You'll enjoy reading this editorial review from Cizette for my new book, Summer Truth:

"I congratulate you for weaving together another compelling and exciting adventure that is filled with so much mystery, action, and drama with just the right mix of pain, loss, tragedy and triumph.  I was on edge from the beginning until the end.  The richness of your imagery lends greatly to the plot and the development of each of the characters has placed an almost picture in my mind, as if these people were real and breathing.  Kudos on another well executed book after your Winter Secret and Spring Promise.  I haven’t been this entertained in a long time. 

• Imagery is rich.  I could smell, taste, and feel every part of every scene in your story. 
  
  
• The characters you developed really brought more personality to the story in general.  They were very real people and I could even relate to some of the traits that you gave each one of them.
  
  
• The flow of the story is just amazing.  I haven’t read anything in recent history that is as compelling and as exciting as what you have put together here.  Hands down one of the best stories I have read in recent memory.

You’ve done a great job putting this together and it is truly an entertaining story from the start to the very finish.  I can’t wait to read the fourth book of your series."               
© 2014 Linda Gatewood

If you want to write, you should...

Ever since you were a child, have you always liked to write things down, for instance, events in your life, struggles with everyday things, your feelings about the world around you? Were you a person who kept a diary when young, and later, a journal? Was writing always a part of your life? If so, you might be ready to take the next step and share your inner thoughts with those around you, thoughts that may influence them in unexpected ways. You might be ready to write an article or a short story or even a book.

Writing a single book or a saga that comprises a collection of several books might seem foolhardy for a beginner, and yet, what better opportunity to increase the formidable provocation of triumph that can dance in front of ambition and propel you forward. If you set your standards high, you might achieve the most.

When you write fiction, you control the flow of the narrative and dictate the outcome. You learn to love the challenge of script and the constant test to form a correct sentence or paragraph. To voice an opinion inside a story by choosing the right words, and hide a moral even deeper in the verses grouped across the page, with hope it will blossom within a readers’ subconscious. Weaving a story that captures an audience is extremely satisfying, and will constantly task your mind to try harder, dig deeper, go further and search out for the answers that belong. Your imagination can take you anywhere: somewhere peaceful or exciting, exotic or mundane; wherever you want to go, and taking others with you is the ultimate adventure.

When you write non-fiction, especially a personal biography, you control the flow of your own life and dictate the outcome of your very own real story, a story that began when you were born and waits to be written. Your personal opinions and depths of feelings are shared to inspire others and touch their lives. The offer burns deep inside your heart and tentatively reaches out attempting to express and say what no other could, like a voice within waiting to be articulated.

Begin to share your ideas and thoughts whenever an opportunity arises. Improve your skills by practice and repetition, delve deep to express what’s in your heart. Writing might be your passion and could bring much happiness to you and others.

My advice to you: If you want to write – you should!
 © 2014 Linda Gatewood