Five Rules for Writing the Perfect Title

 

If you resemble me, titling your work presents grave difficulty at times. You moan and complain then moan some more about the process. Hence, I am writing this essay, which is inappropriate for all audiences. Be warned you read at your own risk.

 

The first and most fundamental step toward effective titles is wooing your flighty muse with appropriate ardor. This is an extremely enjoyable process if done properly. The genius of the muse must be gently coaxed into action. I find that chocolate works wonders, within reason. I do not recommend that you over engorge your palate with chocolate as it can cause serious side effects. Tongue-tied problems are common. Strawberry cheesecake is a captivating device. However, take care that your addictions to this sweet nectar of the gods not forever ruin your eating habits. Wine is an efficient inducement as well when used with utmost care. A very small dose can enervate your work for days to come. Please experiment to find the proper dosage for your system. Do not use a cheap brand of wine for this experiment, as your head will split in two and your brain matter will ooze out on the filthy floor. Never leave your muse unattended for long periods. This can cause horrid consequences. The bad karma derived from such negligence could follow you for indefinite lengths.

 

Secondly, you may find it beneficial to brainstorm. This procedure involves allowing your mind to wander free without restraint. The flow of ideas will energize you and prepare you for studious work. Throughout this process, it is best to avoid editing. You should cast the inner editor out with the refuse on garbage day. You would be best off never to allow it access to you again. This caustic critic can cause irreparable damage to your literary voice, and stymie all attempts at originality.

 

The third step is mind mapping. Here, you place your core idea at the center of a large sheet of paper, butcher paper works very well. Next, you draw lines from your core thought to all the auxiliary thoughts. Each of these is extremely important, with none to be discarded. If you should keep these, you may find each one appropriate for some later work. You must always be equipped for change, only this in all the cosmos is inevitably certain.

 

Fourthly, laugh deep from your hairy belly. Breathe one, two, three, and four. You will want to imagine someone of whom you are fond reading your masterpiece. If this important phase is well done, it will illuminate all flaws for correction. Never underestimate the power of your soul to evoke other persons with clarity. You are the perfect manifestation of God, except on bad hair days, and all Mondays. Therefore, you are ultimately capable of perfection in every endeavor. Commit to excellence and you will ultimately produce it.

 

Lastly, give your precious brainchild to another to read. Please, do not let one opinion end your career as a writer. This would be the height of stupidity, like the ostrich hiding his balding head in the hot sand for long periods. One comes to believe the dinosaurs appeared, then banished in one of those times when the ostrich was lost to the world. Though every word presented to you is valuable, your talent is not in question. No one can take your gift from you and it is tremendously important that you remain on your path. Words can and do change lives for the better. That is your mission, and it is a fabulous challenge, which you must meet valiantly. Remember that what you write may save a life, and thereby effect the history of all beings, forevermore.

 

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

May 13, 2000

 

I hope that you find this piece useful.

 

~Inspirational Writing~

 

I consider Inspirational Writing that word or phrase that grabs the heart,

and touches the soul. This sort of writing moves us to be the best of who we

really are. It gives us wings to soar above the disasters of everyday

living. It contributes to the cosmos that surrounds us. Inspirational

writing illuminates the darkness bringing hope and joy.

 

To be inspired nourishes a connection to creative energy. People generally

accomplish more when living creatively. Inspiration brings clarity, and

clarity defines us. When each of us creates, we touch the depths of being,

and we are whom we choose to be.

 

Belief begets thought, thought begets word, word begets deed; and things

materialize in our worlds. Nothing is without worth.

 

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

© July 25, 2004

 

Why Write?

 

I write because from age three it has been imperative to my personality. I

must do it or become hopelessly ill and evil tempered. My relationships fair

better when I write regularly. Often, my family and friends worry about me

should I neglect writing for long periods.

 

My counselors and psychiatrist explain writing is very prominent as a tool

for my lasting recovery. I want this with tenacity, hence, I write.

 

The pleasure I derive from my work is reason enough alone. Nothing thrills

more than a workable phrase, and compliments boost my low esteem. Writing

balances me; it is my gift to me. Did I not write; I fear I would not long

last in this challenging world. Writing is freedom, without freedom the soul

languishes into a tepid shadow of itself. I want my soul strong, tragedy has

often dogged my steps, and writing gives me a chance of escaping such a quagmire.

 

Educating the young is one of my fondest goals. My writing informs me,

affording me greater flexibility when working with youth. This helps

maintain my devotion to the practice.

 

I love the elderly, writing is an excellent means to reach them, and so I

commit to it habitually. Letters to those I love are treasured and that

gratifies me. Reaching future generations delights me, and is one of our

grandest missions.

 

Money is also a consideration. I hope to one-day support my family and myself via

the written word. Ever since I began writing, when I was three, this

has been one goal. I come closer to realizing it daily.

 

Why do you write? Is it so important what our answers are? I think not. The

vital thing is the process and the work. What it gives us is

consequential. However, it is nice to reap bountiful rewards through

writing.

 

Now, go write yourself, find your reasons for expressing your life through

the written word.

 

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

May 17, 2000

 

An Attitude of Gratitude

 

Do you want to improve your spirits, lift up your heart? Begin counting your blessings and soon you will find the complaints have less meaning.

 

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 reads:

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

 

In following the Lord our attitudes toward worldly things change to more resemble His ideal for us. Especially when we give thanks we find that the things mean less than the fact our Creator bestowed them.

 

I John 2:15-17 exhorts us:

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

 

We find that all we have, all we accomplish, and all our lives are truly in the hands of our loving Father. We can trust in this fact and rejoice knowing He will take care of all our needs.

 

Romans 8:28 says:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose.

 

Resting in the Lord during difficult times is sometimes hard, but if we continue thanking Him for His loving kindness even during trials we gain treasure in faith.

 

Psalm 33:20-22 tells us:

We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You.

 

A sure antidote to feeling sad and pitiable is writing down that for which we are thankful. The exercise may even bring us to sing to the Lord in thanksgiving.

 

Psalm 69:30 reads:

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving.

 

When we are grateful and delight in Jesus’ blessings toward us we suddenly find our hearts lighter, and our lives full of joy. We become more completely aware of the blessings that continually accrue to us.

 

Psalm 37:4 says:

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

 

Finally we should go to God in gratitude so that we may find more reason to accept one another. For nothing more brings us together than a feeling of gratitude and love.

 

I John 3:11

This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

 

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

© June 8, 2001