Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • On Being a Writer
      • Media Kit
  • Speaking
    • Book Ann as a Guest on Your Show
  • Podcast
  • Courses
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Work With Me

October 4, 2011 18 Comments

Curiosity Journal: Oct. 5, 2011

Each Wednesday I’m recording a Curiosity Journal to recap the past week. Tag words are: reading, playing, learning, reacting and writing.

:::

Some of you have mentioned that you’re keeping a Curiosity Journal, as well. Leave your link in the comments so that we can visit and enjoy your weekly review.

Reading

Packing for last week’s trip to Laity Lodge required some consideration on my part over what Bible to take. The One-Year Bible is convenient for my devotional reading, but inconvenient for looking up passages or doing any kind of study.I decided to tuck my green NIV 1984 Bible into my carry-on. After takeoff, the plane rose above the airport, the farm fields and the long lines of interstate until it slipped through the cloud cover and emerged on the top side, leveling out to cruise just above. We could look down and see billowy texture, like a vast plush rug.Once the plane arrived at cruising altitude, I pulled out my NIV and flipped to Psalm 68, the next passage I was to read. I stopped on verse four.

Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds—his name is the LORD—and rejoice before him. (emphasis mine)

And again, in verses 32-33:

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth,sing praise to the Lord,Selahto him who rides the ancient skies above,who thunders with mighty voice. (emphasis mine)

Playing

Dan King glows.And I pose for pictures with Tina of spaghettipie, who snapped the two shots of Dan King and his glow sticks.

Learning

In a workshop focusing on creative nonfiction, Greg Wolfe told us, “Flannery O’Connor said that for a scene to really come alive, it needs to include at least three senses.” I scribbled the quote into my spiral-bound notebook and cringed, knowing I rarely offer more than a few visual details.Later, as we were talking about someone’s manuscript that was rich with description, I referenced Greg’s quote, saying, “This piece surely has three or more senses engaged, because she drew me in immediately and held me in that scene. It was alive.”Greg nodded and lifted his hand to pantomime holding an artist’s brush. Then he swished it in the air, “One, two, three. You’re there.”

Reacting

An e-mail inbox doesn’t stay empty long enough.Also, retreats don’t last long enough.

Writing

I need to grade papers today. Just because I slipped away to Texas for a week doesn’t release me from obligations at home. I assigned a persuasive essay to my students. Now I finish composing comments and assigning letter grades.I need a bumper sticker that reads,I’d rather be writing.

:::

Credits: Dan King glow stick photos by Tina Howard. Photo of Ann and Tina by Kathy Robbins. Question mark and cloud photos copyright 2011 by Ann Kroeker.

  • There’s always more to come: subscribe to Ann Kroeker by e-mail
  • Want to slow down in our fast-paced world? Check out Not So Fast.
  • “Like” me on Facebook.
  • Follow me on Twitter.
  • Filed Under: Curiosity Journal

    Comments

    1. Megan Willome says

      October 5, 2011 at 8:50 am

      Oh, I would SO buy that bumper sticker!

      Your hug–that first one–was one of the best I’ve ever received.

      Reply
      • annkroeker says

        October 5, 2011 at 10:19 am

        Wish I could give you another one right now. Just a little cyberhug is all I can offer: {squeezy hug}

        And that bumper sticker? Looky what I found:
        http://www.cafepress.com/+rather_be_writing_license_plate_frame,49382671

        Reply
    2. Jennifer@GDWJ says

      October 5, 2011 at 12:16 pm

      I got goosebumps — or rather GOD bumps — when I saw those cloud pictures paired with your Bible verses. Stunning.

      And I just now noticed that I didn’t do my em-dashes correctly here in the comment box. 🙂

      Reply
      • annkroeker says

        October 5, 2011 at 12:27 pm

        On the next flight from Dallas to San Antonio, no clouds. None on the way home, either. Only at the moment I was reading that passage.

        Reply
    3. Sandra Heska King says

      October 5, 2011 at 5:00 pm

      Oh, those clouds and that scripture–He who rides the clouds. Wow!

      And that photo of you and Tina. L-O-V-E!

      I’d rather be writing than almost anything–except sitting in that canyon or hugging the people sitting in that canyon. And Megan’s right. You give great hugs!

      I so want that license plate frame.

      Reply
      • annkroeker says

        October 5, 2011 at 6:23 pm

        Sandra, you are a delight! Thanks for your note. Missing you, the canyon, the hugs…

        Reply
    4. Hazel I Moon says

      October 6, 2011 at 7:13 pm

      OH NO, back to work so soon! However the visit was worth it and the pleasure of meeting friends again and worshiping and learning together too. My face is green today (envie) 🙂

      Reply
      • annkroeker says

        October 7, 2011 at 9:36 am

        Yes, real life awaited. Immediately. What is it they say, “I hit the ground running?”

        Reply
    5. Linda says

      October 6, 2011 at 8:46 pm

      Perfect pictures for those amazing verses Ann.
      I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed spending time with you. You radiate joy. Thank you so much for all the fun and great conversation and just plain love!

      Reply
      • annkroeker says

        October 7, 2011 at 9:37 am

        Thank you, Linda. I was amazed by the timing, the beauty, the visual.

        And you, too, are full of grace and joy. What a delight to spend time with you!

        Reply
    6. Carolyn says

      October 9, 2011 at 11:39 am

      I love it when somebody can make the Psalms come alive for me. Thank you for that!

      Reply
      • annkroeker says

        October 9, 2011 at 7:24 pm

        Carolyn, thank you for your note. I’m so glad this vivified that passage in some way for you…or, that the Holy Spirit did something more.

        Reply
    7. Kathy Robbins says

      October 9, 2011 at 12:23 pm

      Love the cloud pics with the Psalm. I truly believe that the Holy Bible is a living document. You brought that point across with your pictures and scriptures.
      I also appreciate you sharing the writing pointers. I will incorporate them into my future writing. (Or will try).
      Thanks for the SO.
      Kathy

      Reply
      • annkroeker says

        October 9, 2011 at 7:25 pm

        So glad to hear from you, Kathy. Thank you for writing! Did you learn any writing tips from your session with David Dark that you could share?

        Reply
    8. Monica Sharmanah says

      October 11, 2011 at 4:34 pm

      Oh, yeah. That’s why I always like the window seat.
      And, great shot of you and Tina! And Dan with the glow sticks! 🙂

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Slow Burn « A DIFFERENT STORY says:
      October 7, 2011 at 11:21 am

      […] Ann […]

      Reply
    2. [BLOCKED BY STBV] Curiosity Journal: May 9, 2012 - Ann Kroeker. Writer. says:
      May 9, 2012 at 11:57 am

      […] trying to tap into at least three senses (advice from Gregory Wolfe, which I’ve preserved in another post from last fall, under “learning”). I decided to go ahead and share the little writing exercise on my blog on Monday, as practice […]

      Reply
    3. There and Back Again: Truth - Charity Singleton Craig says:
      March 22, 2016 at 3:23 pm

      […] Lodge. So, go THERE . . . Pat, Sandy, Troy, Diana, Megan, Linda, Nancy, Laura, Kelly, Carolyn, Ann, LL, Bradley and then come back HERE […]

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach

    Providing you with resources and inspiration to be more curious, creative, and productive.

    Ad - SiteGround Web Hosting - Crafted for easy site management. Amazing Speed; Powerful Tools; Top-rated support. Learn more.
    Make Your Sentences Sing: 7 Sentence Openers to Add Music to Your Prose (Mini Course from Ann Kroeker.Teachable.com)
    TWL-100-best-websites-2016-2-300x300

    Archives

    Categories

    Ann Kroeker is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Not every link leads to compensation, but assume that each does.
    © 2006-2022 Ann Kroeker All Rights Reserved

    instagram twitter facebook pinterest

    Landing page graphic and other design elements by Sophie Kroeker.

    Privacy Policy · Copyright © 2023