R. Frederick Riddle's Blog, page 68
June 8, 2015
Did You Know Waldenses?
Peter Waldo was a rich clothier and merchant of Lyons, France. He was also a man of some education.
Just prior to 1160 he came under conviction by three separate events. The first event was a sermon on the life of St. Alexius, the second was his rejection of transubstantiation, and the third was the unexpected death of a friend.
While we may not know all the details it would seem safe to assume that these events turned him away from Catholic doctrine and to the Bible. In any case, his life was thereafter one of encouraging people to live better lives and to turn to the Scriptures to learn about salvation.
When the pope learned of this, he ordered that no person could preach without his permission. Waldo’s bold response was that he would obey God rather than man. In 1184 Waldo was labeled a heretic and excommunicated by Pope Lucius III!
Thus began the Waldenses.
It was the preaching of Waldo and his followers that led to the Inquisition. Pope Innocent III (an ironic title) made certain monks inquisitors with the authority to find and deliver suspected heretics to the magistrates for conviction and sentence.
It was at this time that a priest named Dominic, founder of the Dominican friars, was given unlimited power to seek out heretics. They operated with impunity.
The persecution of the Waldenses lasted for hundreds of years covering the 12th through the 14th centuries.
R. Frederick Riddle
Just prior to 1160 he came under conviction by three separate events. The first event was a sermon on the life of St. Alexius, the second was his rejection of transubstantiation, and the third was the unexpected death of a friend.
While we may not know all the details it would seem safe to assume that these events turned him away from Catholic doctrine and to the Bible. In any case, his life was thereafter one of encouraging people to live better lives and to turn to the Scriptures to learn about salvation.
When the pope learned of this, he ordered that no person could preach without his permission. Waldo’s bold response was that he would obey God rather than man. In 1184 Waldo was labeled a heretic and excommunicated by Pope Lucius III!
Thus began the Waldenses.
It was the preaching of Waldo and his followers that led to the Inquisition. Pope Innocent III (an ironic title) made certain monks inquisitors with the authority to find and deliver suspected heretics to the magistrates for conviction and sentence.
It was at this time that a priest named Dominic, founder of the Dominican friars, was given unlimited power to seek out heretics. They operated with impunity.
The persecution of the Waldenses lasted for hundreds of years covering the 12th through the 14th centuries.
R. Frederick Riddle
May 25, 2015
Did You Know Memorial Day?
While the practice of decorating soldiers' graves with flowers is an ancient custom, soldiers' graves were decorated in the U.S. before and during the American Civil War. It is also known as Decoration Day.
Here is a brief history:
•In 1906 the first Civil War soldier's grave ever decorated was in Warrenton, Virginia, on June 3, 1861, implying the first Memorial Day occurred there.
•There is authentic documentation that women in Savannah, Georgia, decorated Confederate soldiers' graves in 1862.
•In 1863, the cemetery dedication at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was a ceremony of commemoration at the graves of dead soldiers.
•Local historians in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, claim that ladies there decorated soldiers' graves on July 4, 1864.
•The first widely publicized observance of a Memorial Day-type observance after the Civil War was in Charleston, South Carolina, on May 1, 1865 to honor the Union soldiers who were prisoners of war at the Charleston Race Course; at least 257 Union prisoners died there and were hastily buried in unmarked graves.
Nearly ten thousand people, including teachers, missionaries, and black residents of Charleston gathered on May 1 in an organized May Day ceremony which was covered by the New York Tribune and other national papers.
Today this national observance is marked by political speeches, parades, and partying. Many people still practice placing flowers on the graves.
An appropriate verse for this day is Psalm 33:12: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”
While the verse is primarily for Israel, it also applies to America, a country founded on Biblical principles. Men and women have paid the ultimate price for America. These sacrifices have laid the foundation for a free America, where we are free to worship God according to our faith.
But it is good to also remember those who have laid down their lives for the Gospel. Not just in America but throughout the world! Praise the Lord for those men and women who were willing to suffer and die for the faith.
Here is a brief history:
•In 1906 the first Civil War soldier's grave ever decorated was in Warrenton, Virginia, on June 3, 1861, implying the first Memorial Day occurred there.
•There is authentic documentation that women in Savannah, Georgia, decorated Confederate soldiers' graves in 1862.
•In 1863, the cemetery dedication at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was a ceremony of commemoration at the graves of dead soldiers.
•Local historians in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, claim that ladies there decorated soldiers' graves on July 4, 1864.
•The first widely publicized observance of a Memorial Day-type observance after the Civil War was in Charleston, South Carolina, on May 1, 1865 to honor the Union soldiers who were prisoners of war at the Charleston Race Course; at least 257 Union prisoners died there and were hastily buried in unmarked graves.
Nearly ten thousand people, including teachers, missionaries, and black residents of Charleston gathered on May 1 in an organized May Day ceremony which was covered by the New York Tribune and other national papers.
Today this national observance is marked by political speeches, parades, and partying. Many people still practice placing flowers on the graves.
An appropriate verse for this day is Psalm 33:12: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”
While the verse is primarily for Israel, it also applies to America, a country founded on Biblical principles. Men and women have paid the ultimate price for America. These sacrifices have laid the foundation for a free America, where we are free to worship God according to our faith.
But it is good to also remember those who have laid down their lives for the Gospel. Not just in America but throughout the world! Praise the Lord for those men and women who were willing to suffer and die for the faith.
May 11, 2015
Did You Know About Mayflower Compact?
Most Americans have probably heard about the Mayflower Compact but have you read it? Lately?
One hundred and fifty six years before our first Independence Day a group of people traveled the ocean blue to a land they knew little about. When they landed the first order of business was to write and consent to a contract they called the Mayflower Compact!
This compact is an important part of our history and heritage. For those people who claim our country was never founded on Christian principles this is a very important document.
For instance: The compact starts out, “In the name of God.” It goes on to make statements like, “for the glory of God,” “advancement of the Christian faith,” and “in the presence of God.” This is strong evidence of their Christian faith and outlook.
These pilgrims knew persecution. They had originally left England and made a home in the Netherlands. Even there their liberties were restricted. But the call of America became strong in their hearts and minds causing them to make the very risky sea trip back to England.
They had a hard time getting underway because their ship, the Speedwell, kept leaking. Eventually the concept of two ships traveling together shrunk to just one, the Mayflower. The trip is a story in itself, but suffice it to say it was dangerous for all concerned! But it is important to remember they came primarily seeking religious freedom not new financial opportunities.
More important, the Mayflower Compact is one of the founding documents of our country. The United States, in concept, began with the pilgrims. It wouldn’t be until the 18th century (1776) that the United States Constitution would be forged into the document we now have. But the idea of a people dedicated to God began with the pilgrims!
I believe the Mayflower Compact is rarely discussed today primarily because of its Christian nature. While it may not have any legal standing in the courts, it should be a definite reference point in our education. In fact it should be taught, as it once was, to our children.
One hundred and fifty six years before our first Independence Day a group of people traveled the ocean blue to a land they knew little about. When they landed the first order of business was to write and consent to a contract they called the Mayflower Compact!
This compact is an important part of our history and heritage. For those people who claim our country was never founded on Christian principles this is a very important document.
For instance: The compact starts out, “In the name of God.” It goes on to make statements like, “for the glory of God,” “advancement of the Christian faith,” and “in the presence of God.” This is strong evidence of their Christian faith and outlook.
These pilgrims knew persecution. They had originally left England and made a home in the Netherlands. Even there their liberties were restricted. But the call of America became strong in their hearts and minds causing them to make the very risky sea trip back to England.
They had a hard time getting underway because their ship, the Speedwell, kept leaking. Eventually the concept of two ships traveling together shrunk to just one, the Mayflower. The trip is a story in itself, but suffice it to say it was dangerous for all concerned! But it is important to remember they came primarily seeking religious freedom not new financial opportunities.
More important, the Mayflower Compact is one of the founding documents of our country. The United States, in concept, began with the pilgrims. It wouldn’t be until the 18th century (1776) that the United States Constitution would be forged into the document we now have. But the idea of a people dedicated to God began with the pilgrims!
I believe the Mayflower Compact is rarely discussed today primarily because of its Christian nature. While it may not have any legal standing in the courts, it should be a definite reference point in our education. In fact it should be taught, as it once was, to our children.
May 7, 2015
Work Schedule - Part Two
Hello from SW Florida where the temperature is 87 degrees and humid.
This week I am busy multitasking. I’ve been working on three non-fiction books, an upcoming email campaign, and a special project for a friend. All in all, I’ve been very busy. But busy is good. It sure beats the alternative!.
I just got home from helping my friend. Writing this blog is my first priority in most situations. But this was different.
I am still in recovery from my heart attack which means that I tire easily. This in itself forces me to be flexible and get creative. When my friend asked me to set aside time this week I immediately checked my calendar. There was something on virtually every day. So what did I do?
I immediately sat down and reworked my schedule. Some things of lesser importance were outright removed, others were moved to another time or day. This freed up my day and I was able to help my friend and still have time to work on other projects.
Sounds simplistic and it is. But only because I already had a set of priorities in place. I simply check the list and organize my day accordingly. What is this list? Glad you asked.
My priority list is short. Part of my morning devotions involves recording my priorities. I allow for two, but can write three. No more than three. There are many things I need to do, but I only have two or three that are high priority: The special project and this blog. Everything else falls afterward and may not get done today.
It’s all about your mind frame. If you can’t adjust to the sudden changes of life you might get frustrated. Frustration leads to bad temper and mistakes, both of which can cause greater tension and frustration!
Because I had a flexible schedule I was able to help my friend and get great piece of mind. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to be flexible. Don’t get hung up on your to-do list. Have priorities and recognize that not everything is going to get done.
Follow this simple plan and your days will be less frustrating!
This week I am busy multitasking. I’ve been working on three non-fiction books, an upcoming email campaign, and a special project for a friend. All in all, I’ve been very busy. But busy is good. It sure beats the alternative!.
I just got home from helping my friend. Writing this blog is my first priority in most situations. But this was different.
I am still in recovery from my heart attack which means that I tire easily. This in itself forces me to be flexible and get creative. When my friend asked me to set aside time this week I immediately checked my calendar. There was something on virtually every day. So what did I do?
I immediately sat down and reworked my schedule. Some things of lesser importance were outright removed, others were moved to another time or day. This freed up my day and I was able to help my friend and still have time to work on other projects.
Sounds simplistic and it is. But only because I already had a set of priorities in place. I simply check the list and organize my day accordingly. What is this list? Glad you asked.
My priority list is short. Part of my morning devotions involves recording my priorities. I allow for two, but can write three. No more than three. There are many things I need to do, but I only have two or three that are high priority: The special project and this blog. Everything else falls afterward and may not get done today.
It’s all about your mind frame. If you can’t adjust to the sudden changes of life you might get frustrated. Frustration leads to bad temper and mistakes, both of which can cause greater tension and frustration!
Because I had a flexible schedule I was able to help my friend and get great piece of mind. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to be flexible. Don’t get hung up on your to-do list. Have priorities and recognize that not everything is going to get done.
Follow this simple plan and your days will be less frustrating!
April 22, 2015
Your Work Schedule
This is an open week where I get to write on any subject. I decided to use an article I wrote for my upcoming newsletter T&R News & Views.
Here it is:
One of the big enemies of authors is time. If we're not careful we let it get away from us. All of a sudden we find ourselves backed up and over-burdened.
The obvious answer to this problem is Time Management or simply Scheduling your time. The typical solution is a recommendation to impose upon yourself a tight schedule with every working hour mapped out in advance for every day.
But is this the best solution?
I would be foolish to say it doesn't work. The success of that method is attested to by hundreds and thousands of people. But I believe there is a better solution.
I have found such tight scheduling to be frustrating. In the daily world that I live in life gets in the way. For that reason I practice what I call Flexible Scheduling. Something you may be practicing unknowingly.
How does Flexible Scheduling differ from Traditional Scheduling?
Well, as mentioned above, Traditional Scheduling tends to be tight and, I might add, unforgiving. Flexible Scheduling makes use of priorities.For example, let's say that I am scheduled to work on the newsletter from 2:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Wednesday. But suddenly another priority intrudes.
This priority may be a customer needing help on his/her order. Customer relations is number one at T&R, so I would turn my attention to the customer. That's probably true with either system.
But what if the intrusion was by an inspiring thought for one of my novels?
In the old system I might write down a brief note about the thought and continue with the newsletter. But under the Flexible system I might pause and weigh the value of the new insight. It's altogether possible that I will set the newsletter temporarily aside and work on the novel. In other words, priority takes precedence over schedule.
That intrusion could also be an event, place or person. The key is to determine what is more important to you! Sometimes I can set priorities in advance; other times I must do so as the occasion demands. This may sound pretty basic (and it is), but the truth is we can let our schedules rule our lives.
The examples I just gave are pretty simple. But sometimes the conflicts are far more serious. Our job is to determine what is most important, preferably in advance. But we must always remain alert to the sudden need to change.
If we have a flexible schedule and a flexible mind frame, we can remove a lot of stress from our lives. And that is a good thing!
Here it is:
One of the big enemies of authors is time. If we're not careful we let it get away from us. All of a sudden we find ourselves backed up and over-burdened.
The obvious answer to this problem is Time Management or simply Scheduling your time. The typical solution is a recommendation to impose upon yourself a tight schedule with every working hour mapped out in advance for every day.
But is this the best solution?
I would be foolish to say it doesn't work. The success of that method is attested to by hundreds and thousands of people. But I believe there is a better solution.
I have found such tight scheduling to be frustrating. In the daily world that I live in life gets in the way. For that reason I practice what I call Flexible Scheduling. Something you may be practicing unknowingly.
How does Flexible Scheduling differ from Traditional Scheduling?
Well, as mentioned above, Traditional Scheduling tends to be tight and, I might add, unforgiving. Flexible Scheduling makes use of priorities.For example, let's say that I am scheduled to work on the newsletter from 2:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Wednesday. But suddenly another priority intrudes.
This priority may be a customer needing help on his/her order. Customer relations is number one at T&R, so I would turn my attention to the customer. That's probably true with either system.
But what if the intrusion was by an inspiring thought for one of my novels?
In the old system I might write down a brief note about the thought and continue with the newsletter. But under the Flexible system I might pause and weigh the value of the new insight. It's altogether possible that I will set the newsletter temporarily aside and work on the novel. In other words, priority takes precedence over schedule.
That intrusion could also be an event, place or person. The key is to determine what is more important to you! Sometimes I can set priorities in advance; other times I must do so as the occasion demands. This may sound pretty basic (and it is), but the truth is we can let our schedules rule our lives.
The examples I just gave are pretty simple. But sometimes the conflicts are far more serious. Our job is to determine what is most important, preferably in advance. But we must always remain alert to the sudden need to change.
If we have a flexible schedule and a flexible mind frame, we can remove a lot of stress from our lives. And that is a good thing!
April 21, 2015
Helpful Site for April
THIS MONTH'S helpful site concerns a site I was completely unaware of until earlier this month. I am sure you are all aware of email servers such as Aweber, iContact, Constant Contact, and Vertical Response.
All of these are well-known and highly rated services costing anywhere from $14.95 and up.
But I recently learned of another reliable service that I could not resist. I actually came across the name as I was viewing Mark Dawson’s video on Facebook Advertising.
Being it was new to me I investigated MailChimp. What a pleasant surprise. Whereas once before I had a newsletter that cost $19 a month to publish they offer free publication with subscriptions up to 2000! That is amazing!
Obviously, I signed up. A big reason was curiosity. What could you get for free?
After signing up I began experimenting and found the following:
1.ability to select from numerous themes
2.ability to import pictures
3.ability to include links
4.ability to upload pictures
5.ability to create and manage mail campaigns
6.ability to track mailings
The list goes on but you get the point. You get a very strong email package with up to 2000 subscribers, all for free!
But this program is more than just emailing newsletters. It is about sending out emails and tracking them. It is about building mailing lists for newsletters and other marketing purposes. Ultimately it is about selling books!
I am excited about this. Why? Because with my wife soon-to-be debut as a novelist and my continuation as a writer this is the perfect time for me to re-enter editing of a newsletter.
This new newsletter will be entirely different than my previous one. That was geared to informing people about the failures of evolution and the growing evidence supporting creation. But the new newsletter will focus on the writer providing helpful tips, ideas, and advice.
To be able to do this for free for the first 2000 subscribers is awesome. Once I pass 2000 I will upgrade. In other words, if you are looking for a powerful email program that will fit nicely within your budget MailChimp may be just your cup of tea. (And I do not get any consideration or benefit from making this recommendation.)
But whether you are a new or experienced author you should consider using newsletters to build name recognition and sales explosion. In a future article I will write about Facebook ads and their relationship to building your email lists.
All of these are well-known and highly rated services costing anywhere from $14.95 and up.
But I recently learned of another reliable service that I could not resist. I actually came across the name as I was viewing Mark Dawson’s video on Facebook Advertising.
Being it was new to me I investigated MailChimp. What a pleasant surprise. Whereas once before I had a newsletter that cost $19 a month to publish they offer free publication with subscriptions up to 2000! That is amazing!
Obviously, I signed up. A big reason was curiosity. What could you get for free?
After signing up I began experimenting and found the following:
1.ability to select from numerous themes
2.ability to import pictures
3.ability to include links
4.ability to upload pictures
5.ability to create and manage mail campaigns
6.ability to track mailings
The list goes on but you get the point. You get a very strong email package with up to 2000 subscribers, all for free!
But this program is more than just emailing newsletters. It is about sending out emails and tracking them. It is about building mailing lists for newsletters and other marketing purposes. Ultimately it is about selling books!
I am excited about this. Why? Because with my wife soon-to-be debut as a novelist and my continuation as a writer this is the perfect time for me to re-enter editing of a newsletter.
This new newsletter will be entirely different than my previous one. That was geared to informing people about the failures of evolution and the growing evidence supporting creation. But the new newsletter will focus on the writer providing helpful tips, ideas, and advice.
To be able to do this for free for the first 2000 subscribers is awesome. Once I pass 2000 I will upgrade. In other words, if you are looking for a powerful email program that will fit nicely within your budget MailChimp may be just your cup of tea. (And I do not get any consideration or benefit from making this recommendation.)
But whether you are a new or experienced author you should consider using newsletters to build name recognition and sales explosion. In a future article I will write about Facebook ads and their relationship to building your email lists.
April 18, 2015
Writing Tip: Your Work Place
This week’s blog is about writing tips. This tip is pretty basic but needs to be considered: Your Work Place.
You may wonder why I am writing about your work place. It’s really simple: It is because how well you write is often influenced by your comfort. And your comfort is directly influenced by your work environment.
Is there a set work environment for authors? No. Each author has different needs. However, there are some common characteristics that need to be considered. For example, Are you using a desk, a table, or a lap for your writing station? Another question is do you have easy access to writing aids, such as books, pen, paper, computer, etc.? And what about posture?
These are basics, so that is were I will start.
YOUR WRITING SURFACE
I have seen a number of people sitting on their couch with legs drawn up and their laptop resting on their lap. This may be comfortable, but it is not good for the computer. Unless the computer is sitting on a lap desk the computer can suffer. It needs to sit flat. Why? Because the breathing vents are underneath and if they are blocked the computer can overheat.
So if you decide to have our laptop on your lap, make sure you have a flat surface between the laptop and your lap.
As for me, I use a computer table. I originally bought it for a desktop, but converted it to laptop use (I leave front leaf up). My wife has a computer desk, but sometimes uses our kitchen table.
Whatever your choice make sure the computer can breathe properly.
And don't forget your posture!
I tend to slouch and have to correct myself. Slouching may seems comfortable, but it makes a person tire easily. So I have come to realize that I am most productive when my comfort is controlled.
Most recommendations I have come across suggest that a person should sit upright with both feet on the floor. You may not want to do that, but just remember that you can get too comfortable.
YOUR OFFICE SETUP
Ideally you should have a separate workspace from the rest of the house. This can be a built-in office or one that you set up.
In our home I set up an office making use of bookcases. The backs are outward into the living room providing places for pictures. The shelves face inward providing me with easy to get books, reference material, and more. Everything I need is located in that space.
Ideally you probably should have it away from the TV, but that may not be possible. So you compromised and turn the TV off or you shut it out. Since I like a little background noise I just close my ears and work on my story.
YOUR OFFICE FURNITURE
Office furniture can be kind of sticky. Go with what makes you happy, but please give some thought to your comfort, your privacy, and your productivity.
Everybody has a different idea of what makes the ideal furniture. In addition there costs involved. So choose wisely and don't break the bank.
You may wonder why I am writing about your work place. It’s really simple: It is because how well you write is often influenced by your comfort. And your comfort is directly influenced by your work environment.
Is there a set work environment for authors? No. Each author has different needs. However, there are some common characteristics that need to be considered. For example, Are you using a desk, a table, or a lap for your writing station? Another question is do you have easy access to writing aids, such as books, pen, paper, computer, etc.? And what about posture?
These are basics, so that is were I will start.
YOUR WRITING SURFACE
I have seen a number of people sitting on their couch with legs drawn up and their laptop resting on their lap. This may be comfortable, but it is not good for the computer. Unless the computer is sitting on a lap desk the computer can suffer. It needs to sit flat. Why? Because the breathing vents are underneath and if they are blocked the computer can overheat.
So if you decide to have our laptop on your lap, make sure you have a flat surface between the laptop and your lap.
As for me, I use a computer table. I originally bought it for a desktop, but converted it to laptop use (I leave front leaf up). My wife has a computer desk, but sometimes uses our kitchen table.
Whatever your choice make sure the computer can breathe properly.
And don't forget your posture!
I tend to slouch and have to correct myself. Slouching may seems comfortable, but it makes a person tire easily. So I have come to realize that I am most productive when my comfort is controlled.
Most recommendations I have come across suggest that a person should sit upright with both feet on the floor. You may not want to do that, but just remember that you can get too comfortable.
YOUR OFFICE SETUP
Ideally you should have a separate workspace from the rest of the house. This can be a built-in office or one that you set up.
In our home I set up an office making use of bookcases. The backs are outward into the living room providing places for pictures. The shelves face inward providing me with easy to get books, reference material, and more. Everything I need is located in that space.
Ideally you probably should have it away from the TV, but that may not be possible. So you compromised and turn the TV off or you shut it out. Since I like a little background noise I just close my ears and work on my story.
YOUR OFFICE FURNITURE
Office furniture can be kind of sticky. Go with what makes you happy, but please give some thought to your comfort, your privacy, and your productivity.
Everybody has a different idea of what makes the ideal furniture. In addition there costs involved. So choose wisely and don't break the bank.
March 25, 2015
Review of The China Pandemic
Rating: 2.5 Stars
I read this novel on three levels: Plot, character development, and language. Here is how it went:
1) Plot
I thought the plot was good. It kept me reading, wondering how things would work out. I don’t know if such a biological weapon as featured in The China Pandemic really exists. But I found the idea believable. The individual acts of courage also strengthened the story.
As a Christian and Bible believer I know that this is not how the world will end, but from a purely secular view it was certainly believable.
I was caught up in the struggle for survival, the imminent threat faced by the Preppers, and the overall mystery. If I was rating the story only on plot I would give it 3.5 stars.
2) Character Development
The author missed the mark on this issue. Each character, especially Graham and Dalton, could have been further developed. As a reader I felt left out of their inner most thoughts and feelings.
Yes, the author told us what they thought and felt, but I never really identified with those thoughts and feelings. Why? Rarely were we allowed to hear their thoughts, let alone how they felt.
The simple inclusion of italicized thoughts would have opened that window and would have allow the author freedom to go deeper into their thoughts. We could have participated in their thoughts, feelings, and reactions to the various threats they faced.
Part of this was due to not listening to their thoughts. We were consistently told what they were thinking and how they were feeling. If we could have participated, if we could have had more interaction with the characters (at least Graham, Tala, and Dalton) the overall story would have been strengthened.
In future books I would recommend using italics to highlight their thoughts, but I fear I am too late as the author already appears to have written the sequel and other books.
Again, if I was rating the book solely on Character Development I would give it a 3 Star rating.
3) Language
This was a killer.
I have never liked swearing in a book. It is unnatural, even jarring. Sure, some people talk like that, but that is a poor excuse to include such language in a story. The truth is that you can convey emotion without such words.
If the character must swear, leave it to the imagination of the reader. Even the old-fashioned *** is preferable to reading the actual swear words.
I was opposed to such language as a child and a young adult and when I received Christ as my Savior my opposition increased. And, the truth be told, having your characters swear does not make them more believable.
In almost every case the swear words could have been replaced with milder words that conveyed the same thoughts or emotions. For me swearing detracts from the story and earns a rating of 1.
Taken together (3.5+3+1=7.5) and divided by 3 you get a rating of 2.5. I wish I could have rated it higher, but the language was a real killer. I could never recommend it to others nor will I read the sequels.
I read this novel on three levels: Plot, character development, and language. Here is how it went:
1) Plot
I thought the plot was good. It kept me reading, wondering how things would work out. I don’t know if such a biological weapon as featured in The China Pandemic really exists. But I found the idea believable. The individual acts of courage also strengthened the story.
As a Christian and Bible believer I know that this is not how the world will end, but from a purely secular view it was certainly believable.
I was caught up in the struggle for survival, the imminent threat faced by the Preppers, and the overall mystery. If I was rating the story only on plot I would give it 3.5 stars.
2) Character Development
The author missed the mark on this issue. Each character, especially Graham and Dalton, could have been further developed. As a reader I felt left out of their inner most thoughts and feelings.
Yes, the author told us what they thought and felt, but I never really identified with those thoughts and feelings. Why? Rarely were we allowed to hear their thoughts, let alone how they felt.
The simple inclusion of italicized thoughts would have opened that window and would have allow the author freedom to go deeper into their thoughts. We could have participated in their thoughts, feelings, and reactions to the various threats they faced.
Part of this was due to not listening to their thoughts. We were consistently told what they were thinking and how they were feeling. If we could have participated, if we could have had more interaction with the characters (at least Graham, Tala, and Dalton) the overall story would have been strengthened.
In future books I would recommend using italics to highlight their thoughts, but I fear I am too late as the author already appears to have written the sequel and other books.
Again, if I was rating the book solely on Character Development I would give it a 3 Star rating.
3) Language
This was a killer.
I have never liked swearing in a book. It is unnatural, even jarring. Sure, some people talk like that, but that is a poor excuse to include such language in a story. The truth is that you can convey emotion without such words.
If the character must swear, leave it to the imagination of the reader. Even the old-fashioned *** is preferable to reading the actual swear words.
I was opposed to such language as a child and a young adult and when I received Christ as my Savior my opposition increased. And, the truth be told, having your characters swear does not make them more believable.
In almost every case the swear words could have been replaced with milder words that conveyed the same thoughts or emotions. For me swearing detracts from the story and earns a rating of 1.
Taken together (3.5+3+1=7.5) and divided by 3 you get a rating of 2.5. I wish I could have rated it higher, but the language was a real killer. I could never recommend it to others nor will I read the sequels.
March 14, 2015
Did You Know About Betsy Ross?
Most everyone knows that Betsy Ross made our first flag, but do you know the rest of the story?
Betsy was the widow of John Ross. Not one to just give up, she had her own business as an upholsterer. It was a struggle just to keep the business going and to provide a living. She apparently not only upholstered furniture but also sewed flags, a fact known to George Washington.
In late May 1776 she was visited by three men: General George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross. She personally knew at least two of them. General Washington attended the same church, Christ Church in Philadelphia, and sat in the next pew.
It was also reported by her daughter that Betsy had embroidered ruffles for his shirt bosoms and cuffs. This friendship and her skill probably played a big role in her becoming our country's first flag maker.
Not much is known as to whether she personally knew Robert Morris, who was possibly the wealthiest citizen in America. But she knew George Ross well, as he was her late husband's uncle.
On that night in May 1776 General Washington and his friends secretly came to Betsy's home. There he showed her a design for a new flag that was to represent the Colonies. This flag included a six-pointed star. Betsy demonstrated to the men how easy a five-pointed star could be made in a single snip.
Betsy Ross's daughter, Rachel Fletcher, testified in 1870, the following: "[The committee] showed her [Betsy Ross] a drawing roughly executed, of the flag as it was proposed to be made by the committee, and that she saw in it some defects in its proportions and the arrangement and shape of the stars. That she said it was square and a flag should be one third longer than its width, that the stars were scattered promiscuously over the field, and she said they should be either in lines or in some adopted form as a circle, or a star, and that the stars were six-pointed in the drawing, and she said they should be five pointed."
Her knowledge, experience, and skill gave us the flag we have learned to love. Instead of a six-pointed star as proposed by the committee, we have five-pointed stars. And the flag is correctly proportioned.
Visit the homepage dedicated to her and you learn: She lost one husband to an explosion at a munitions depot that he was guarding. Her second husband died in a British prison. She survived her third husband, who was sick for many years. She had seven daughters, two of whom died in infancy. She maintained a business through it all.
Some would call her an American hero!
Betsy was the widow of John Ross. Not one to just give up, she had her own business as an upholsterer. It was a struggle just to keep the business going and to provide a living. She apparently not only upholstered furniture but also sewed flags, a fact known to George Washington.
In late May 1776 she was visited by three men: General George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross. She personally knew at least two of them. General Washington attended the same church, Christ Church in Philadelphia, and sat in the next pew.
It was also reported by her daughter that Betsy had embroidered ruffles for his shirt bosoms and cuffs. This friendship and her skill probably played a big role in her becoming our country's first flag maker.
Not much is known as to whether she personally knew Robert Morris, who was possibly the wealthiest citizen in America. But she knew George Ross well, as he was her late husband's uncle.
On that night in May 1776 General Washington and his friends secretly came to Betsy's home. There he showed her a design for a new flag that was to represent the Colonies. This flag included a six-pointed star. Betsy demonstrated to the men how easy a five-pointed star could be made in a single snip.
Betsy Ross's daughter, Rachel Fletcher, testified in 1870, the following: "[The committee] showed her [Betsy Ross] a drawing roughly executed, of the flag as it was proposed to be made by the committee, and that she saw in it some defects in its proportions and the arrangement and shape of the stars. That she said it was square and a flag should be one third longer than its width, that the stars were scattered promiscuously over the field, and she said they should be either in lines or in some adopted form as a circle, or a star, and that the stars were six-pointed in the drawing, and she said they should be five pointed."
Her knowledge, experience, and skill gave us the flag we have learned to love. Instead of a six-pointed star as proposed by the committee, we have five-pointed stars. And the flag is correctly proportioned.
Visit the homepage dedicated to her and you learn: She lost one husband to an explosion at a munitions depot that he was guarding. Her second husband died in a British prison. She survived her third husband, who was sick for many years. She had seven daughters, two of whom died in infancy. She maintained a business through it all.
Some would call her an American hero!
February 25, 2015
A New Commitment to You
While my computer has been in the shop (computer hospital?) I have been doing some thinking about this blog. I want it to be as informative and as helpful to people as I can make it.
So I came up with a plan. This plan starts with a commitment to offer to you the most helpful and insightful advice I am able to provide.
This plan is basically scheduling certain desirable features, such as:
Week 1: Current Book Project
This takes a look at whatever book I am currently working on. Since I often work on multiple books, this will primarily be concerned with the next book to be published.
Week 2: Did You Know?
This has been a weekly feature, however I am moving it to monthly. This will allow me more research time and reduce the stress of deadlines.
Week 3: Book Review
I plan on reading and reviewing a book a month and publishing my ratings. I plan on reviewing both old and new books - any book that excites my interest.
Week 4: Helpful Sites
During my writing career I have come across many helpful sites. I will be sharing at least one such site each month.
Week 5: Open
When there is a fifth week I will write on any subject I feel appropriate. However I am also open to suggestions from you.
HELPFUL SITES
Since this is the fourth week of February, I am writing on Helpful Sites. The site I have chosen is Bublish.
I discovered Bublish about a year ago and opened my account first as an emerging author and later I upgraded to Authorpreneur. This costs $9.99 per month.
Bublish and Goodreads are almost like twin sisters. They have similar features and, in my opinion, compliment each other. Originally having the basics like Bio, the ability to upload your book, selected excerpts, and Author's Insight, they have added new features. One interesting feature is the ability to write your new book right on their site plus additional tools.
By the way, my experience with their Customer Service has been very good. They not only addressed my concerns, but informed me of future plans. On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the lowest, I would rate them a 4.5.
I recommend this site as it, in my opinion, compliments and adds to your Goodreads experience. You will find it at Bublish.com.
If you would like to see an example of their work, why not click on my page at https://www.bublish.com/author/view/3451.
R. Frederick Riddle
So I came up with a plan. This plan starts with a commitment to offer to you the most helpful and insightful advice I am able to provide.
This plan is basically scheduling certain desirable features, such as:
Week 1: Current Book Project
This takes a look at whatever book I am currently working on. Since I often work on multiple books, this will primarily be concerned with the next book to be published.
Week 2: Did You Know?
This has been a weekly feature, however I am moving it to monthly. This will allow me more research time and reduce the stress of deadlines.
Week 3: Book Review
I plan on reading and reviewing a book a month and publishing my ratings. I plan on reviewing both old and new books - any book that excites my interest.
Week 4: Helpful Sites
During my writing career I have come across many helpful sites. I will be sharing at least one such site each month.
Week 5: Open
When there is a fifth week I will write on any subject I feel appropriate. However I am also open to suggestions from you.
HELPFUL SITES
Since this is the fourth week of February, I am writing on Helpful Sites. The site I have chosen is Bublish.
I discovered Bublish about a year ago and opened my account first as an emerging author and later I upgraded to Authorpreneur. This costs $9.99 per month.
Bublish and Goodreads are almost like twin sisters. They have similar features and, in my opinion, compliment each other. Originally having the basics like Bio, the ability to upload your book, selected excerpts, and Author's Insight, they have added new features. One interesting feature is the ability to write your new book right on their site plus additional tools.
By the way, my experience with their Customer Service has been very good. They not only addressed my concerns, but informed me of future plans. On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the lowest, I would rate them a 4.5.
I recommend this site as it, in my opinion, compliments and adds to your Goodreads experience. You will find it at Bublish.com.
If you would like to see an example of their work, why not click on my page at https://www.bublish.com/author/view/3451.
R. Frederick Riddle
