It's Just Straw Paper


By Yvonne Lehman

Several of us go out to eat after church on Sunday. Our number of available women varies. Several who are accustomed to me, hand me the paper coverings from their straws and the rectangles from around the napkins that holds their utensils. I make bows from those papers and give them to the eaters or line them at the end of the table for the waitress.

Some seem to think I’m creative, but I think I’m … let’s not say, bored, but antsy, needing to do more than just sit and listen or talk. Also, I write with the TV on. I need noise in the background. Makes my subconscious get into gear. And my fingers need to be moving.
  
Sunday, there were only three of us. One was new to us and did most of the talking. While she talked, I flattened the paper, folded each side toward the middle, making a loop on each side, leaving two edges hanging down. I placed my index finger inside each loop to fluff it out. Using condensation from my water glass, I wet my finger and thumb, then pressed the middle to secure the bow. Sometimes the sides aren’t even, and I start over. Many times my first effort with the water isn’t wet enough to secure the bow, and the middle pops up. Sometimes the bow is lovely upon first try. Not often, however. Generally, putting that finishing touch with the water takes several attempts. But when Sunday’s bow was finished, I gently placed it toward the center of the booth away from me, so I could satisfactorily observe my creation.

The other two women didn’t notice or comment. To the constant woman, this was commonplace. The new one was intent upon telling her story. I thought about what they did with their papers.

The new woman removed her straw, crumpled the paper, and tossed it toward the center of the table away from her. It lay sprawled in an ungraceful manner. The constant woman rolled her paper around in the palm of her hand until it became a wadded ball. Then she carelessly laid it aside, without any thought to its potential or my needy hands. (I could excuse that since the new woman’s conversation was … revealing. Or one might say … a story idea.)

So, while waiting for my fried salt and peppered catfish and non-salt and peppered non-crispy fried oysters, I looked at my bow that went unnoticed by my companions or the waitress.

Those other straw papers, having been abused or pampered, reminded me of the writing process.

We can have a story idea in our hands—or heads, so to speak. It’s a good idea, but if not given serious thought, it’s crumpled and tossed away.

We can have an idea, hold it for awhile wondering if it’s of any value after all, roll it around in our heads, but become distracted by something of interest at the time and then carelessly lay it aside to be treated like trash.

The serious writer, however, knows that nothing is just a paper idea. Something good can come from this. I must fold and smooth, and when it threatens to come apart, it’s as if cold ice water is applied but eventually it warms, adheres, and settles into being a lovely little symbol of an idea worked into something that’s symbolic of beauty and a piece of art.

Just straw paper?

No! A lesson about life and how we handle situations, even writing a book, article, or devotion.

We might think our story idea is like a flat piece of paper to be crumpled and tossed aside. Or we can take that idea and work with it until it becomes something creative. Sometimes, no one will notice. But there’s satisfaction in creating something from what may seem insignificant. Sometimes, others will notice, laugh, comment, and enjoy the moment.

What are you going to do with your … straw paper?

My assignment for the May conference was to teach workshops on “Ideas” and “Writing for the Moments Series.” Since we can’t meet in person yet, here’s an idea.

Write an article for one of the Moments books. You may do what many have: change lives with what you write. Or, like others, delight with an entertaining incident. Or express what you’ve learned from an experience, or how your faith grew in tying times. This may be your opportunity to be published for the first time.

Here are a few guidelines:

Articles
A story that compliments the theme of each book, such as Christmas Moments. Most are true stories. Some are reflections on the theme or subject of the book. These are written by never-before-published and multi-published authors. We have also used a few short stories, poetry, prayers, and a few by children.

Voice
Author’s natural telling voice. In fiction we’re hounded by the need to show, not tell.  A true story, or your reflection on something, is told. Tell it your way. But be aware of allowing your reader to see the action, feel the emotion.
  • Mary loved everybody. (Too little telling; needs some showing.)
  • Mary sent cards or took food to anyone she knew who was hurting. (Showing.)

Rights
These may be original or previously published if rights have been returned to you. We retain rights after acceptance until publication, then rights automatically return to you.

Word count
However many words are needed to tell your story (from about 500 to 2000+ words). Main point is the content of the story.

Edit
Look for unnecessary words, poor sentence structure, correct punctuation, typos, getting away from theme, inserting too much backstory or explanation.

Payment
Sharing, with the possibility of changing someone’s life, heart, or mind. Authors get one free copy and discount on orders. All royalties go to Samaritan’s Purse, an organization that helps victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through his son, Jesus Christ. www.samaritanspurse.org

Submission guidelines
On the article, include your name, mailing address for your free copy, and email address. I like them in 12-point type, Times New Roman, and sent as an email attachment to yvonnelehman3@gmail.com


*** Accepting NOW! ***

Christmas Stories for 2020 – Santa or Jesus or both

Broken Moments – hearts, lives, relationships, objects, promises, etc. (serious or humorous)

Grandma’s Cookie Jar Moments – most will be about grandmas – others may be warm, cozy stories having the ambience of a stereotypical grandma-type story

Lost Moments – lives, souls, keys, eyeglasses, minds, things found, etc. (serious or humorous)

Can, Sir! Moments – now that we’re going through a pandemic, these may be about the virus (perhaps how you spent Easter while staying home), going through cancer, surviving, caregiving, observations, advice. It also may be about other situations in which you decided, “With God’s help, I can.”

I’d love to hear from you.

***

As a bonus, Yvonne will give away one of the Moments books to the first one who reads this post and sends her an article. Be sure to mention in your email that you’re submitting because of this blog post at www.TheWriteEditing.com.

(Photos courtesy of Yvonne Lehman.)

TWEETABLE

YVONNE LEHMAN is founder, and was director for 25 years, of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and Blue Ridge Novelist Retreat for 12 years. She is a best-selling, award-winning author of 59 novels and compiler and editor of 15 non-fiction books in the Moments Series. She is an acquisitions editor with Iron Stream Media/LPC in the Romance and Women’s Fiction lines. Her latest novel is The Gift (LPC) and recent Moments books are Moments with Billy Graham and Romantic Moments (Grace Publishing).










Comments

  1. I enjoy Yvonne's collections. I am blessed to have stories included. :-)

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    Replies
    1. Me too, Melissa. It's a great opportunity. Blessings! :)

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