The Help -- Great Movie

We saw The Help today. It was a great movie. It was about a young white woman in Jackson, Mississippi, an aspiring writer, who got an assignment to write a book about “the help,” the black housekeepers in the white upper-class households. She interviewed the help and included their stories in the book. It was actually quite a courageous thing for these women to do. The movie was based on a novel, but I could just imagine these women telling their stories and the young writer sharing them in her book. The movie ends with one of the housekeepers inspired to write.

We all have stories to tell and we all have ears to listen. Sometimes it takes courage, sometimes just time to tell those stories. Listening takes time, patience, love, kindness. Both are rewarding.

I checked out the website for The Help and found a writing contest there. It says, “In The Help, a group of women risk everything to tell their stories. Through the process of storytelling they become empowered and, in turn, inspire and empower others. In the spirit of these bold characters, The Help Social Action Campaign wants you to share your stories. Our favorites will have the chance to win great prizes!” The deadline is September 5. Check it out at takepart.com/TheHelp

Healthy Dieting

So many people around me have been talking and writing about eating right and losing weight. Or maybe because I’m trying hard to eat right and exercise I’m just noticing it again. I lost 24 pounds a few years ago, but gradually gained about 10 pounds the last several months. I’m determined to eat right and exercise and get back to that ideal weight. I feel better there and look better. Mostly because I feel better. With arthritis in my back, hips, knee and ankle I can’t afford to carry around extra weight. I’ll report in later.

Christmas Article Accepted

I just received word that my article, “The Abandoned Christmas Tree,” and my gingerbread cookie recipe were accepted to be published in an anthology of Christmas stories. Edited by Donna Goodrich, it will be published before Christmas in 2012 by Hidden Book Press.

Donna Goodrich is the author of 22 books and over 700 articles, poems, short stories, devotionals and book reviews. Her latest book is A Step in the Write Direction: The Complete How-to Book for Christian Writer. Her website has a wealth of information for writers. Check it out: The Writer's Friend