Anne Lamott wrote:
“Most of us figure out by a certain age–some of us later than others–that life unspools in cycles, some lovely, some painful, but in no predictable order. So you could have lovely, painful, and painful again, which I think we all agree is not fair. You don’t have to like it, and you are always welcome to file a brief with the Complaints Department. But if you’ve been around for a while, you know that much of the time, if you are patient and are paying attention, you will see that God will restore what the locusts have taken away.”

Elmore Leonard’s Ten Rules of Writing

1. Never open a book with weather.
2. Avoid prologues.
3. Never use a verb other than “said” to carry dialogue.
4. Never use an adverb to modify the verb “said” …he admonished gravely.
5. Keep your exclamation points under control. You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of prose.
6. Never use the words “suddenly” or “all hell broke loose.”
7. Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly.
8. Avoid detailed descriptions of characters.
9. Don’t go into great detail describing places and things.
10. Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.

Today, I offer the Artist’s Prayer. The author is unknown, but greatly appreciated.
O Great Creator,
Allow me to be of greater service to you and others.
I offer myself to you as an instrument.
I welcome your guidance and ideas.
I trust that you will lead me.
I trust that it is safe to follow you.
I know you created me with intent.
I ask that you unfold my life, according to your plan.
Please allow my words on paper and in voice to help others.
Help me to believe it is not too late and that I am not too flawed to be healed.
Make me whole.
Help me to create as an act of worship to you.