Have you ever thought you were something, and found out differently?
Recently I was told of a Christian writers’ group where they discuss how to get published, how to write books, where to search for publishers, grammar, style and everything else a writer loves to learn about.
There were two groups: a beginners group and an advanced group. Well, of course, because I was a 13-year veteran of the writing world I naturally thought I would join the advanced group. So, I filled out the application and waited to be invited.
Not!
When I received a rejection notice in my e-mail, I just about died. WHAT? They won’t let me in the advanced group? Who do they think they are? Instead, they had invited me to join the beginners group.
After taking total offense to the notion that I wasn’t good enough to be a part of the advanced writing group, I decided to join the beginners group, convincing myself I would be such a great encouragement to other fledgling writers. I joined and was accepted, and began to receive daily e-mails about topics – the moderator would post a question and everyone was expected to answer.
When I began scanning through the postings, I soon figured out why I wasn’t accepted into the advanced group – I didn’t even know as much as the beginners group! They discussed passive voice, argued the definition of literary fiction and offered tips on how to get rid of unnecessary words.
Since joining this group, I’ve not only learned a ton, I’ve also learned how much I didn’t know. Some of these writers in this group have published books or are working on books. They’ve been to writing conferences, are searching for publishers, asking how to find the right editor and each of them has a blog.
I’m glad I’m a part of this group; they are teaching me a lot. And about the only thing I have to offer them is the knowledge of where milk comes from.
And now I realize who I’m not!
Let’s open the mailbag this week:
Just a quick note and a pat on the back for your last two “Truth from the Trenches” articles. Hurrah for people like you who have the grit to uplift young people and let your readers know that our young people are the greatest resource on this Planet Earth.
I firmly believe that we as parents and teachers fail to challenge our children to think and work out of the box. Technology and all of its goodies have our young people’s attention, but good ole hard work and problem-solving thinking is still the best teacher, and then mix hands-on experience into their education and we have a WINNER.
So, let’s not settle for mediocrity and let’s challenge these young adults to strive for their best and to always keep in mind we are to be servants of the Lord. Our Creator has given each of us talents and gifts and we are to use them for His purpose and glory. The problem is our educational systems want the young people to only think of themselves and to do their own thing and this will bring them success and happiness. BUNK!
We in education really have missed the true meaning of helping young people; if all we can do is train them to do their own thing, but the world is giving this message to our younger society each day in advertisements on television and the Web: It is alright to be average or below as long as we are happy!
I know from firsthand experience, if you give me a student in a band uniform, an FFA Jacket or an athletic uniform, with the right teacher, advisor or coach, we’ll make winners who know and can face life in the future. (Farm Kids Are By Far The Best Example of This Type of Education!) In my opinion agriculture kids are a cut above the rest.
-Duane Knisely, Ohio Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication. |
