Hero Status

My friend, who is also working on NaNoWriMo, was telling me about his story, and talked about a character being chastised for preaching platitudes and "big gestures", when doing good needs to be in the everyday and small things. I liked that. A lot.

Because, when you are faithful to do good in the small things, you can be trusted to do good in those times when it is a "big deal". Not only can others trust you, but you can trust yourself, which is important - To not be paralyzed by doubt.

One of my characters revealed that he does not lie. Ever. That's been fun to write, because it demands I creatively craft conflict that is believable; that the character can get out of without lying, where lying would seem natural.

When I put it that way, it doesn't seem that cool. I guess I'm tired.

13,494/50,000

Press on.
-Nas

Thankfulness

Yesterday, a man opened fire in a church in Texas. He killed 26, including children and a pregnant mother. I heard about it from my wife, reading it on her phone while we watched Spiderman, digesting a nice meal of Chinese food, and 'huggling' with my son on the couch. (It's an old word he came up with when he first learned to talk. We still use it. I like it. The word and the huggling, which is really just sitting close and chilling.)

So yeah, I'm thankful. Thankful I wasn't a victim of violence. As Dr. Robert Maurer iterates in his lectures, we often default to complaining and anxiety, rather than thanking our Maker for another day of breath and mobility and opportunity. So, I'm thankful.

We say prayers with the kids every night, and before we do, I ask them what they're thankful for. I also contribute my thanks, as does my wife. Usually from the kids, it's that "I had a good day", which is good. Sometimes, it's more specific, but it doesn't always have to be. However who we're thankful to - That's specific. Our Creator God, Jesus Christ - Not only for the things we have, but for what we don't have. and above all, who we have. Those parishioners in Texas - We'll see what the fallout is in that church and community. If they were indeed believers, faithful and trusting in their Creator God's sovereignty, do not be surprised to hear words of praise, worship and maybe even forgiveness.

And don't be surprised if not all of them share that. We are a broken people, and sorrow can overwhelm. Faith can be shaken. Truth can be obfuscated by actions of evil. But truth does indeed remain. And in some ways, evil shows truth and beauty more clearly, as we often forget truth and beauty until it is betrayed,  mired as we are in our comfort and routine.

So, I want to remain thankful, especially in times of good for me and my family, so that I remember to be thankful when tragedy comes.

I'm thankful I was able to write tonight, and yesterday after the entry.

12,418/50,000

Press on.
-Nas

Flies, the Time

...I mean, I've done stuff. I've been writing, just not here. Clearly.

But that's not the point.

It's NaNoWriMo, and I'm in it to win it. Because time is getting shorter. Because I don't know what else to do that will best use my time and talents to tell truth. Because when I look at my kids, I want them to have this story, at least so they can know more about me.

And because I've waited long enough. I wasn't going to do NaNoWriMo this year. I was afraid to start. But November 1st, I revisited three chapters I'd begun two years ago, and said "now's the time". So it is.

So these won't be much, because I have to write story. Here's the count, because it's a game too:

As of this writing:

10,267/50,000

That's with a considerable head-start at the beginning, mind you.

Here's an excerpt:

“How long have we kept you, waiting until just the right time?  Until you showed us the way.  And even now, as I know what I must do, I fear.  But that is normal, isn’t it?  While I have faith in our mission, I fear the tumult that this means for us…and the whole universe.”

“Are you speaking to me, sir?” The voice came from the cylinder on the table in front of Elder Flynn.  A small circular speaker was mounted in the lower part of its chassis, under the open indentation, and what appeared to be a single “eye” was built on the upper portion.  It moved to look at Elder Flynn. The iris opened slightly as the eye focussed on the old patriarch, adjusting to the light. The robot had no visible limbs of any kind. The whole of its body was colored a faint metallic blue. The only other external feature were four teardrop shaped bumps evenly spaced around the circumference of the robot’s body below the speaker, just above the lower  inverted dome.

“No, my friend.  I was talking to your charge.”  On saying that, Elder Flynn dropped the small object into the indentation.  “It is now your responsibility to take The Link where it leads you.”

“I understand, sir,’ said the cylindrical robot.  “Gulp!”  The upper and lower halves clanged shut over the nested container, closing the object inside.  

Elder Flynn patted the curved dome above the robot’s eye.  “Good boy,” he said.

Press on...
-Nas