Non-fiction

A BRAND NEW RESOURCE FOR PUBLIC SPEAKERS

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

A friend of mine has just published a huge book of quotes, jokes, puns, and interesting facts that will prove a terrific resource for public speakers of all genres. Called simply SPEAKER’S GOLDMINE,  the 436-page book has a lot to offer — so much so, in fact, that rather than trying to type out an ad for it myself, I’m posting the book trailer so you can get a close-up look at what it’s all about. I hope it can serve as a help to some of you podcasters, educators, ministers, and motivational and inspirational speakers.

 

SPEAKING AS A WRITER – # 4: YOU ARE A WRITER; YES YOU ARE

| Sandra Pavloff Conner


What an exhilarating experience it is to create something! Our God, of course, is the original Creator, but since He made us in His own image, we are also creative by our very genetic nature. I’ve written about this fact a number of times in the past, including it as an important part of my curriculum Releasing the Creative Writer in You.

Writers, particularly, need to be aware of this facet of their craft. Artists just naturally seem to understand that they have created something unique when they finish a painting or a sculpture. And jewelry makers and woodcrafters recognize the fact. But so often I meet writers who seem to feel that until they have completed an entire novel or at least a large collection of short stories or poems, they have not actually created anything of value. And then many writers feel that until another person has judged their work and labeled it “valuable” – someone such as a publisher or literary agent – then they are still “working” at being “creative.”

But the truth is that the intrinsic value of writing lies in this one potent fact: everyone who writes – once he has written an original piece of any size – has created something that never before existed. That person’s words in that specific form, making that specific statement, having that particular impact, constitute an entity that never existed before it came forth out of that individual. What’s more, it never would have existed – had no chance of ever seeing the light of the world – unless that individual had put it onto paper – or into his computer as the case may be.

Now, it’s true that most of us who write want others to read and appreciate what we’ve written. That’s fine. In fact, it’s a good thing. And the acknowledgment of others has its place in a creator’s life. But the fact is that whether or not anyone else reads what we’ve written – whether or not it ever boasts a publisher’s imprint or spends time on a bookstore shelf – every original piece we write is a unique entity that we have created out of ourselves. I encourage all the students in my creative writing classes to get that point indelibly planted into their minds and souls and to enjoy the power of it as they labor, even on their most frustrating, unfruitful days, to hone and polish their craft.

And just as an afterthought, I’ll add one more point that I tell my students – again and again – until I get it solidly established in each of them: Once an individual has written anything original, he has become a “writer.” I never allow my students to say that they are an aspiring writer, a would-be writer, or a prospective writer. Any individual who has created a piece of literature that never before existed is a writer, pure and simple, and should gladly embrace and acknowledge that fact to himself and to others as well.

SPEAKING AS A WRITER # 2 – I’M COMMITTED TO ‘THE END’

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

Over the past decade, the publishing world has experienced an interesting, but, in my opinion, sad phenomenon. Almost all fiction authors and/or publishing houses have started leaving out the words “The End” on the last page of novels. It’s now become passe, and I guess in some minds, even unsophisticated to write those two iconic little words below the last paragraph of a story.

It’s sad. I’ve been an avid reader all my life. My earliest happy memories involve reading stories and having them read to me, and I started writing my own in elementary school. In fact, I wrote my first full-length play in the 6th grade. I get totally immersed in the books I read. I can pass hours and even go without food — even chocolate and coffee — once I get entrenched in a story. I live the experiences with the characters — laughing with them, crying with them, loving with them, fighting with them — and rejoicing in the final resolution of the climax in their favor. ( I do not read stories where the main character ends up defeated.)

But when I come to the end of those stories, I’m generally so much involved that I need closure in order to let them go and move on. Those two little words — “The End” — have always given me that. Now, many have been the times when I hated to see them come. I didn’t want the story to end, and I would have pushed those words forward for another twenty pages or so at least. But eventually, all good stories have to reach their resolution, and when they do, I’ve always found a quiet acceptance and even a serene pleasure in reading those words. I can’t begin to count the times I’ve leaned back after reading “The End,” closed my eyes, and taken a slow deep breath and relished the fact that all was resolved and every loose end securely tucked away.

Those two little words close a story and let me know that it’s all right to let those characters go and move on to the next story — the next adventure — the next romance — the next journey. Yes, I know that any reader of average intelligence is able to figure out that if there is no more text between the covers, then the story has come to an end. But that doesn’t satisfy me at all. Somehow, those two words typed onto the page just make the reading experience complete, and finishing a story without them is not the same. Perhaps I’m the only one who feels that way. I don’t know. It’s not a subject I discuss with other writers — or readers. But it’s something that touches me powerfully enough that I continue to type “The End” at the completion of every novel I write.

And I will continue to do so from now on. The publisher that I have worked with for years is in agreement with me, and, of course, any books that I publish through Amazon or Barnes & Noble don’t require my considering anyone else’s opinion. So whichever publishing route I use I am free to do as I please. And what pleases me is to be able to say to my readers  — in effect — “Well, now, we have come the distance together in this story; thank you for sharing it with me; I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have; we’ve solved the problems for the hero and heroine, and they are satisfied and secure;  I’ve taken great care to leave you in a good place; All is well.”  And I can say all of that with the quintessential conclusion: ‘THE END.’

WEEKLY SMILE FOR 10/28/24

| Sandra Pavloff Conner


Oh, my goodness, it’s been so long since I have had time to participate in Trent’s Weekly Smile — or very much of anything else here on WordPress. I was just thinking about it today and wondering if he is still doing these posts. I was so glad to go into my Reader and find him there right close to the top.

So I took that as a sign that I need to jump in and participate this week. And I really do have something to smile about. It’s my smile.  No pun intended.

No kidding. I had a terrible amount of pain in my left jaw last week — sinuses, teeth, and gums — both top and bottom. Sometimes the pain felt like it was coming from my sinuses, but then it seemed to center around a tooth that had been crowned years ago. 

I called my dentist and asked if he could get me in for an emergency appointment. That was Friday, but he couldn’t work me in until Monday. The pain was so bad, I really prayed for relief — and even called my pastor to pray as well. And the pain did finally leave after just a few hours. Then I dithered about whether I should keep the emergency appointment. I finally decided that, since I was already scheduled to see him, I might as well go ahead.

When my dentist looked things over, he found a cavity at the edge of the crown — on the little bit of tooth that the crown was attached to.  Wow. That’s a bummer. But he was able to drill off that whole crown, fill my tooth, and put on a temporary crown until he could make a new permanent one.

But today — hallelujah! — I got my permanent crown. It looks and feels so good. I can eat normally, and I am smiling wide.  I had been really concerned, because the tooth is the one right beside my eye tooth, so if I had lost it, there would have been a very unsightly empty spot there, and that would have spoiled my smiles completely.

So my weekly smile really is my SMILE.

To join in the fun of Trent’s Weekly Smile, just click the link.

LOST POETRY SITE ~ NEW POETRY SITE

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

This post is mainly for those of you who have also been following me on my poetry site “Poetry by Ahyoka.”  I recently lost access to that site, due to a stupid glitch in the email that I used to create it. WordPress tried to help me get back into it, but all the ways they had available required me to have some kind of information or connections that I don’t have. (Technology: you gotta love it.)  Anyway, after a couple days of trying my best, I finally decided to just let it be. The site is still in existence, since I can’t even delete it without being able to get into it.  But, of course, I can’t post anything on it going forward either. Nor can I respond to any comments or communication.

I considered just forgetting about a separate site for poems. I have several other sites for various purposes — ministry, art, my college writing classes, etc. — but, somehow, it didn’t seem right to shut down the poetry site for good, especially since I had some followers on there who don’t connect with me anywhere else online. So I took a deep breath and plunged back into this technological jungle. I now have a brand new poetry site called “Poems by Ahyoka.” Generally, the poems I post here eventually end up there, but I also sometimes write poetry there that never gets to this space. So if you’ve been one of my followers on the old site —  or you’re just a poetry lover — please come on over to “Poems by Ahyoka,” and join me there as well.

DAILY WRITING PROMPT 1867: WHAT’S THE OPENING SENTENCE TO YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY?

| Sandra Pavloff Conner
Photo Courtesy of Clker.com

If I were to write my autobiography, my opening sentence would have to be the following:

“I have always been a rebel at heart.”

Now, I know that sounds as though I have been a trouble-maker all my life. I haven’t been — honestly. And basically, I tend to follow rules of orderly and peaceful living. But I have always had a serious problem following any rules that don’t make sense — or that are unfair. I realize that judging whether something makes sense or is fair can be a very subjective act. And personal opinion can play a part. But when I come face-to-face with any rules that cause me to back up or bristle a little, I stop and carefully consider them. I honestly try to see them from various angles and points of view. But if, after that consideration, the rules still seem to be senseless — or even stupid — or they seem to take advantage of certain people or put them in an awkward or extremely difficult position — I balk at obeying those rules.

I have been known to fight huge companies — sometimes for months — over rules and regulations that are unjust or that cause customers or clients to have to go our to their way and do extra work in order to use those companies’ services. Phone companies, grocery store chains, and department store chains are a few of the types of organizations I have taken on. I do the same with civic organizations that take unfair advantage of local citizens or mistreat them in some way.

Unfortunately, as I get older, I desire less and less confrontation. There was a time when I gladly made my stand against all rules and regulations that I felt were wrong, but over the past decade, I find that I tend to wait a bit and think things over before I jump into the fray. I guess I’m learning to choose my battles a little more than I did in my younger years. Sometimes now I just sigh and comply — but only sometimes. I do still stand up and fight for things that are really crucial or that can affect a very large number of people. And, even when I don’t take up the fight, I am still rebelling in my heart. So — yes — I think one of the most accurate ways I could begin my autobiography would be acknowledging that I have always been a rebel.

But that’s all the details I’m going to cover. I think I’ll save all the rest of them for that autobiography — you know — the one that prompted this article — the one I will most likely never sit down and write. 🙂 🙂 🙂

DAILY PROMPT 2146 — WHAT COULD YOU DO LESS OF?

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

photo courtesy of Rawpixel @pixabay.com

 I did not have to think about this one for any length of time at all. The one thing that I could definitely do less of is eating sweets.  I love, love, love, love, LOVE candy, cookies, cakes, and pies. I just can’t seem to get enough of them.   And the fact that they are a major comfort food group for me adds to the problem.  I’m stressed just thinking about how I need to cut down my eating of these goodies. Oh, well … maybe if I eat me some chocolate, it will help me get over the stress …..

DAILY PROMPT 2138 – FAVORITE THINGS TO WEAR

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

 

The prompt asked about TWO favorite things to wear. But that doesn’t really make sense, because it doesn’t clarify whether it’s talking about upper garments, lower garments, coats, shoes, hair accessories, or a dozen other categories. So I had to do some thinking about this one. 

However, I did realize pretty quickly that all my “favorite” things to wear have one or two things in common. First of all, they are all COMFORTABLE.  I spelled that with capital letters because it is my primary decision maker. I used to be willing to be uncomfortable in order to be “in fashion” or to wear something that I thought was particularly flattering or would catch the “right person’s” eye.  Nowadays, I am much more sensible. I cater to my own comfort.

So in the category of favorites I have to include a powder blue sweatshirt, which is cozy and comfy, a red Christmas top  (also soft and comfy)  with lovely sculptured silver Christmas trees on the front — a gift from my sister — a necklace that is simply the name Jesus written in script, with a short silver chain.

The second thing many of my favorites have in common is that they have sentimental or nostalgic significance. And that’s why I have a pair of black flats and a pair of tan flats that are reminiscent of some I wore as a teenager. I loved that style, and when they came back into the stores a few years ago, I grabbed up a couple pair and always enjoy wearing them.

So, there you have it. Are there other things I could include on the list? Certainly. But these are enough to answer the question.  So  now if you’ll excuse me, I will just go slip into something comfortable.  🙂

DAILY WRITING PROMPT 2090 — WHAT PRINCIPLES DEFINE HOW YOU LIVE?

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

photo courtesy of Romek @ pixabay.com

I’d probably say that the principles I try to base my life on are found in three main statements:

1:  Galatians 2:20 says, “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ lives in me.”  I try, as much as I can, to act, react, and speak the way I believe Jesus would in my place. I don’t always manage it successfully, but my efforts are sincere.

2.In all my work as a writer, artist, and teacher, I follow this dictum:  Perfection is not a requirement in my life, but excellence is mandatory.

3. This third bit of advice I got from my canine friends, and it seems a valid way to conduct myself most of the time:  Wag more; bark less.

DAILY WRITING PROMPT 2025 – WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO CARRY WITH YOU ALL THE TIME?

| Sandra Pavloff Conner
photo courtesy of Engin Akyurt @ pixabay.com

MY CUP OF COFFEE.

Now some folks out there may think I’m joking. And maybe I’m being just a little light-hearted about the prompt. I suppose I would have to say that my purse with some kind of money and my drivers license would be at the very top of the list.  But right after that comes my cup of coffee — no kidding.  If I’m home, it’s in a pretty cup — often one with my own original artwork on it. And if I’m not home, it’s in a travel cup that I can stick into any microwave for a warm-up. You might say a good hot cup of coffee is my version of a security blanket. 🙂

DAILY PROMPT 2020 – LIST 30 THINGS THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

 

Wow! 30 Things That Make Me Happy!

I could probably list 30 things and then make sub-categories under each one. But I’ll try to stay within the limits of the assignment. Okay, here goes:

  1. Knowing Jesus Christ
  2. Teaching God’s Word
  3. Praying with and for others and helping them receive from the Lord
  4. Writing – fiction, non-fiction, & poetry
  5. Creating Book Covers
  6. Drinking Coffee
  7. Visiting with friends — especially when we drink coffee at the same time. 🙂
  8. Eating chocolate
  9. Eating bacon
  10. Eating mashed potatoes
  11. Christmas — decorating, gift buying, family get-to-gethers — everything
  12. Sunrises
  13. Sunsets
  14. Spending time at the ocean
  15. Spending time in the Smoky Mountains
  16. Painting & Sketching — watercolor, acrylics, ink
  17. Painting birds in particular — my imaginative versions of birds
  18. The stars when they seem bright & close
  19. Playing music – mainly keyboard
  20. Teaching writing
  21. Teaching people how to use and be comfortable with computers & the Internet
  22. Reading Miss Read books
  23. Reading A Redbird Christmas — over and over
  24. Reading The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series
  25. Reading a Good Cozy Mystery
  26. Playing with dogs
  27. Singing — mostly privately as worship
  28. Dancing
  29. Autumn — especially the whole month of October
  30. Remembering all the blessed times I’ve had with loved ones

This exercise has been fun. It really refreshes the soul to sit and think about things that make us happy.  I probably need to do this at least once a week.

HEALING SCHOOL VIDEO CLASSES – SEGMENT 1

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

 This video is the first in a series of 23, which cover the course titled “Biblical Pathways to Health & Wholeness,” taught by Sandra Pavloff Conner in 2021. It includes several foundational principles required to receive anything from the Lord by faith. It explains in detail 9 specific pathways prescribed by God’s Word to receive physical healing from the Lord, through the finished work of Jesus Christ. The course also covers several common hindrances to receiving healing from the Lord and ways to avoid or remove those hindrances.

The course is part of Sandra Conner’s Healing School curriculum, which she teaches in both public and private venues throughout the year. This particular series of videos was offered to students at a local college in 2021, and listeners may hear a reference to that college occasionally. Please don’t let that interfere with your receiving the truths presented here.

The original course also included study sheets that offered more information on the subject being taught. If listeners on this channel would like copies of those study sheets, they may contact Sandra Conner at the e-mail address below, and she will gladly e-mail free copies to you. Please use this e-mail: radicalaboutjesus@gmail.com.

Listeners can also find the entire playlist on this channel by clicking on “Playlists” in the navigation bar.

DAILY PROMPT # 1961 — if you had to change your name

| Sandra Pavloff Conner
Daily writing prompt
If you had to change your name, what would your new name be?
View all responses

 

If I had to change my name, I would choose a name from my Cherokee heritage: Ahyoka. The name means “Bringer of Happiness” or “She Brings Happiness.” Actually, I already use the name for my artwork, because I want all of my art to bring happiness, peace, and rest to the people who view it. I sign all my paintings and sketches as “Ahyoka/SC,” and I also use the name in the title of my poetry website: “Poetry By Ahyoka.”