Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Back from the dead no longer science fiction?

Did you know that birth rates around the world are down? Yet population is rising. This is due to our ability (and obsessive need) to prolong life.  Many of the strides we've made to prolong life are wonderful, but are we taking it too far when there is talk of bringing people back from the dead?

On the Today Show this morning (http://todayhealth.today.com/_news/2013/02/26/17101996-god-held-me-coming-back-from-the-brink-of-death-is-possible-says-doctor?lite), there was a guest author/scientist who is taking part in the discussion about bringing people back after they die.

Unlike a sci-fi movie, the return to life must occur within 8 hours after a person is considered a corpse (this is new knowledge). They (scientists) are working on how to do this without brain damage or any damage to the person, and they seem to have it nearly figured out. It's a matter of making the process available world wide (or even hospital wide). Depending on what city and hospital you end up in, you may or may not be brought back if you die.

How do you feel about this? I'm torn.

Having a loved one die is beyond painful, and I can imagine the urge to bring them back, but I'm torn as to how good of an idea this is. Maybe it depends on what killed them? Hmmm. I can't say. But ultimately, I suppose my Christan faith reminds me that no matter what we do or don't do, if God wants us to go home to him, there will be no fighting it. And if he wants to allow us to stay longer, he'll let that happen, too, via doctors or whatever means. So we may as well do everything in our power to save loved ones and ourselves (as is our instinct). That's how we should live anyway, right? Do everything "in our power" to accomplish whatever (even life) and let God take over where our own power falls short.

Keeping this in mind, the next time you see a family with more than the accepted 2 kids, smile instead of sneering (yes, I've heard many times of people sneering at families). From what I've read in many different sources, they are NOT the problem with population, in fact we need them to help balance the age demographic of our population. Right now we are headed to being top heavy with seniors (we may already be there, I'm not quite up-to-date). We need the young ones to refresh the world! ;)

The above statements are my interpretation and opinion. You are encouraged to share yours.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Outlines: love them or hate them?

I recently read an article about novelists and outlines. Some writers can't imagine trying to piece together a story without a tight, involved outline, and others wing it all the way. I fall somewhere in between precise and winging it. I think.

I begin with an idea for a story and a very rough idea of characters and setting, then put that "on paper". That's where I start, but once I begin the actual writing, I back-fill the outline. I let the story and characters develop as I go, then make notes on the outline rather than the other way around. It works for me.

It's best not to be too rigid about the writing process, allowing imagination to sculpt. But with that said, I also believe each writer must do what feels most comfortable to them and what works. What I've learned most recently is that there are no rules to how we create our stories, only suggestions. Don't box yourself in with rules, even if you created them. Be open to change your process as you go, as you learn and grow.

The creative mind needs wiggle-room and a safe place to experiment. This has not been an easy lesson for me (I'm a rule-follower!), but I'm getting it now and it feels fantastic. With my second novel, I'm feeling the exhilarating freedom of . . . well . . . freedom. And I love it! Rules have their place, but that place is not in the creative process.

So follow your own creative path and enjoy the process guilt free!

Here is a link to an article on advantages and disadvantages of writing:
http://www.dailywritingtips.com/to-outline-or-not-to-outline-that-is-the-question/

Link on how to write an outline:
http://www.wikihow.com/Write-an-Outline