The Bookshop on the Corner
“The Bookshop on the Corner” by Jenny Colgan was a delight to read. The characters made you laugh, cry, and everything in between. The descriptive details allowed you to travel to the many destinations throughout the book. As a fictional novel, I was inspired to go after a dream of my own after learning the courage Nina had to take what seemed like a disaster and instead, make a new life of beautiful possibilities.
If you are looking for the perfect book to curl up under a blanket with a cup of tea on a rainy day, this is it! Let me know what you think!Distractions Gather
Winds blew across the field creating an arctic chill that pierced the body like an ice pick. The storm clouds gathered, forming funnels of rain that were about to let go and cover the earth. People were desperately rushing to finish their chores before the storm grew more intense.
Chloe’s mama cried out searching for her daughter. She was forever trying to find her youngest who seemed insistent on following everything but the rules.
Little Chloe had chased after the great-winged bird, completely unaware of the dangers that surrounded her. She had been studying wingspans in her science class and was fascinated with the large birds of prey. Distracted by her own imagination, the winds grew stronger and the rain began to pelt Chloe’s coat until she realized she had wandered far from the safety of her four walls.
Distractions plague our society each and every day. There are instances where a distraction from work or negativity can be a much needed respite. On the other hand, they can lead to perpetual procrastination. The key is to be keenly aware of your surroundings so you aren’t caught in a storm unprotected.
What is your greatest distraction in any given day?
Rambling Rendition
Oh no, not again…another story read by Mr. Mulligan. He rambles like an old classic car out for a Sunday drive that ends up getting nowhere. Sitting in his classroom makes going to the dentist something to achieve. Why, oh why can’t anyone teach this guy how to make a story interesting?
Just as we were drifting off to sleep to the monotonous dribble of Mr. Mulligan’s rendition of “The Canterbury Tales”, a knock at the door jolted us upright in our chairs.
A young girl slowly pushed the door open. Her stature caused us to assume she was dropped off at the wrong school, and she was lost. But then she began to speak…
“Mr. Mulligan, with all due respect, sir, you need some color in your story.”
We sat dumbstruck at the audacity this mere child was exhibiting towards our teacher. Not that we disagreed at all with her response, but none of us had the nerve. So we sat mesmerized as she attempted to explain the crucial elements of good storytelling.
“The heart is where stories resonate. If we begin by imagining ourselves in the story we are reading or even writing, our characters will become believable. Descriptions of our settings will transport readers to another place or time. Struggles and resolutions will create emotions deep within the minds of the listener as they find themselves being pulled into the center of a story.”
Elements such as inflection, gestures, and pausing will create dramatic connection to a listening audience. Powerful characterization and foreshadowing of conflict will hold a readers’ attention. The key is to get your listener/reader involved within the context of the story. Once they are hooked, there will be no chance that they will fall asleep like the students in Mr. Mulligan’s literature class.
What is one thing that keeps you turning the pages of a book?
Unopened Treasure
“As she wrapped her fragile fingers around the sateen ribbon, Molly wished she had paid more attention when grandma shared about fear and how it sometimes kept good things hidden. Molly reminisced about all the treasures in the attic at her grandma’s house. It was one of her favorite places to visit because it seemed to hold so many secrets that grandma only shared with Molly.
Holding the box in her hands, she dreamed of what the anonymous gift giver might have placed within this tiny package. But Molly’s fear of the unknown seemed to envelop every fiber of her being as she studied the intricate, sapphire blue wrapping. Did she dare open the present? Who would have sent her a gift? With tears dripping down her cheek, she desperately wished she could ask her grandma one more time about fear.
Tomorrow was another day. As for now, she would set the pretty box on her shelf and wonder about its contents as she drifted off to sleep. But the gift would remain unopened.”The unknown can often leave us feeling frozen in time. When feeling in control seems elusive, we can allow fear to get the best of us. Fear is a common, powerful emotion that plays on our heart strings, but it does not come from God. (II Timothy 1:7 “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control”)
What is a fear in your life that tries to steal your joy?
A Soldier’s Refuge
Melvin closed his eyes as he tried to recall the details. His family was desperately seeking to hear his wartime stories before they were lost, which seemed almost daily with his dementia stealing his once sharp mind.
“The attic stairs creaked as you carefully placed your feet on each narrow step. The tiny closet doors were the perfect hiding place should one hear footsteps of the enemy. The mortar was chipping away from between the stacked stone of the exterior wall. Sometimes we would write down our true feelings of the war and place the notes in the crevices not knowing if they’d ever be found. The fireplace chimney leaned as if wondering which side of the country to support. Brother against brother…both believing in their reason for freedom.”The last few words had been muffled and slurred as Melvin drifted into sleep once more. Oftentimes we wondered when the pain of remembrance would make sleep permanent. But for now our family was thankful to add a few more scattered thoughts to the heritage album.
Dementia and Alzheimers begin to fragment the mind. So much history will be lost if we do not record the memories these individuals have trouble recalling. The details may be few but the rich stories that lie buried need to be transcribed so future generations can know and understand and most importantly, appreciate our ancestors and the lives they led.
What details of your life would you want to leave behind for future generations?