Best First Lines and Chapters_the Novel

Image at right is from Wikipedia -- "Dostoevsky's notes for chapter 5 of The Brothers Karamazov"_note the planning and detail!

HAPPY NEW YEAR GREETINGS!

Jean Purcell

Twitter @opinaripeople
Opine eStore and Book Cafe
Twitter @OpineBooksCafe

"May THIS DAY OF THE NEW YEAR be a day of thanks continuing for you!"

"In the beginning, God..." of Genesis 1 is the best first line ever. That is the first expression of the written Truth of God. It is not intended as a writing lesson. Most of the world knows that divine beginning because of its inspired expression and its meanings, from scientific mysteries to the Creator's plan for all of heaven and earth contained in the first and following chapters of Genesis.    

We do non-scriptural writing, yet we aim to write as succinctly as those who wrote the inspired scriptures. Also, we learn from each other. We are readers, too, and highly critical. 
Is there a novel, for example, by a little-known author that drew you in due to an
intriguing first line or chapter? 

Like a new gate someone discovers and stands, deciding whether or not to enter (who will be there? what will be the tone of the place? will it be worth the time?), a novel's first chapter must invite, even draw, the reader to enter. The author  and everyone helping the book in publication want readers to decide, and quickly, to enter the story. Therefore, hints whether soft of jolting of the lives, experiences, meanings, and insights must appear at the gate of the first lines of the first chapter, and all the way through to the satisfying end.

First impressions count in writing. 

Happy, Harmonious New Year 2012 to you! 

Jean Purcell
Opine eStore and Book Cafe

Copyright (c) 2011 Author Support blog

Blessed Christmas Eve!

Blessed Christmas Eve to You and Yours. Those who went into the temple or synagogue to worship and to pray on that day long ago, soon learned that the world had been changed by the God they trusted. Among them perhaps were Peter, James, and John, and the other disciples that became the apostles of the Lord and Among them perhaps was Paul, the persecutor of the church who became another aposble of Christ.

How great are the works of God. His works of grace are still being made ready every evening and morning!

Blessed Christmas Eve

"Taste and See": Free Book Chapters in One Book/Smashwords

Jean Purcell
Opine eStore and Book Cafe
Twitter @opinaripeople

Author and writing mentor Lorilyn Roberts founded a creative and efficient marketing network for Christian authors a few years ago. She continues to innovate through a recent advance for Christian authors and readers. Taste and See serves up chapters from selected new books. Maybe you'd like to taste samples from any of the many choices. Free copies are available until December 31 through Smashwords.  

   All reviewers quoted below* gave five-star rating (out of five). “Published by" represents the company, organization, or individual reviewer. * From recent Announcement/Press Release.  sent to me by e-mail via Constant Contact (logo above). Here is a link to the Taste and See cover.

What a few reviewers have said about Taste and See:   
 

*A savory array of great works. One will find a savory array of great works, or powerful messages, riveting stories and profound insights...all included in Taste and See....Published 8 days ago by Inspirational Books

*A library in one book As a contributor to Taste and See I'm excited to be part of this compilation. What a wonderful way to introduce readers to new authors and their works... Published 13 days ago by K Payne

*A Smorgasbord of Delight! Taste and See is truly a smorgasbord for the reader. There is something for everyone here, including Fiction, self help, devotionals, and even poetr... Published 14 days ago by Tracy Krauss

*Taste and See is a banquet of the soul-"Taste and See" is an innovative way to discover if you will like a new book, all in one place. From children's literature to adult suspense, history, humor, you name it. Read more Published 15 days ago by Sally Franz

*Innovative Idea…15 days ago by Theresa Franklin

*Savor the Taste and See... Whet your appetite! This is a lovely little book, filled with first chapter vignettes written by an assortment of talented authors, all with a common goal of bringing the joy of Christ... Published 15 days ago by Sherrill S. Cannon

*If you hunger for God - you'll love this book! Taste and See, A Sampling of First Chapters by the John 3:16 Marketing Network Authors is a wonderful way to preview a variety of Christian authors and their books...Published 15 days ago by God Mission Possible

That’s the review taste here. And here's the link for Press Page for Taste and See. The above review parts are from Taste and See site/press page e-mail sent to me via Constant Contact. 

I'm downloading my free copy of Taste and See today!

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Accurate Prayer Times of Servants and Prophets

Image via Wikipedia-Rebecca at the Well

When is the accurate time 

to pray?

I treasure the books of the Torah and the prayer times of the prophet Moses. I treasure the story of Abraham's servant praying for divine help to fulfill a duty; his assignment was to identify God's choice for Abraham's son's wife-to-be. Recently taking a look at prayer in Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, thanks to BibleGateway on-line, I found specific verses about accurate times and reasons to pray. 

The accurate time to pray is when asked to help.

Numbers 11:2 - When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the LORD and the fire died down. Numbers 11:1-3 (in Context) 

The accurate time to pray is when others need intercession before God. 

Numbers 21:7 -The people came to Moses and said, We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us. So Moses prayed for the people. Numbers 21:6-8 (in Context) 

The accurate time to pray is when there is a duty to perform.

Genesis 24:45-a servant of Isaac's household:

Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out, with her jar on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water, and I said to her, 'Please give me a drink.'

The accurate time to pray is after a meeting with a powerful person or persons.

Exodus 10:18 

Moses then left Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD. 

Exodus 10:17-19 (in Context) 

The accurate time to pray is anytime.

Deuteronomy 4:7
What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them 

the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?

How shall we pray accurately? Abraham's servant prayed "from his heart." Surely that pleases God. Jesus began by thanking God outside Lazarus's tomb. He thanked God for hearing and answering prayer. Jesus taught disciples where, how, and what to pray:

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

   But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

    And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

   Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

   This, then, is how you should pray:

  

  "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

   your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

    Give us today our daily bread.

    Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

    And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."

   

 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

    But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

The teaching of Jesus recorded in Matthew 6: 5-14

Jean Purcell
Opine eStore and Book Cafe