2020

When He Desires More Mountains

Journal

Dear Friend,

The train halted at the base of a mountain–no, a mountain range. My second draft for Book B is still a first draft. I planned to rewrite it. . . again; howbeit, I understand it is deemed necessary.

The Conductor pressed a new idea pressed in my mind. It is substantially higher than my craft level. Albeit it be impossible, He will help me. Does He truly desire me to write this? To be certain, I wait upon Him.


Very Sincerely Yours,
Clarissa Choo-Choo Train



~

Clarissa Choo is a vessel used for Christ’s glory. Although she has lived in four countries, Heaven is her only Home. She desires to sow His seeds and to serve third culture kids, teens, and writers. Besides writing, she loves to wash dishes, chop ingredients into smithereens, and record hymns on her piano. Peek into her Christian TCK Email Ministry or read more posts.

A Craft

Poetry

I am scribbled on paper or typed on a processor.

I begin unkept and plain,

Raw and unsightly.

Although I’m comprised of numerous parts,

My whole is greater than my individuals.

If I were practiced by a patient, persevering hand,

I will show you another world,

Another eyes, another thought,

Another emotion, another heart,

Another struggle, another change.

I stitched my messages into the background,

Subtle, yet forthright;

They are intimate and dear.

And if you look closer,

They reflect the Creator’s hand.

I am a Craft.



~

Clarissa Choo is a vessel used for Christ’s glory. Although she has lived in four countries, Heaven is her only Home. She desires to sow His seeds and to serve third culture kids, teens, and writers. Besides writing, she loves to wash dishes, chop ingredients into smithereens, and record hymns on her piano. Peek into her Christian TCK Email Ministry or read more posts.

My First Rewriting of Book B

Journal

Dear Friend,

Thus, I started rewriting Book B.


“Why didn’t you work on Book A first?” you may ask.

After reading through my first drafts of both books, I knew how and what the story of Book B will shape itself into. This did not occur to Book A. Instead of forcing myself to rewrite Book A, I left it as it is. It lacked theme and its story felt forced. An experienced author advised me that if I were in this situation, the best action to do is to leave it. Days will go by and my mind will change. Perhaps, the Conductor has not yet taught me the aspect(s) I needed for Book A.

I opened a blank word processor in my laptop, typed the title and stared at the white canvas for the next several minutes. I knew the opening scene, yet I had no idea what my first word or sentence would be. My mind was both filled and blank, a paradox, that is.


Very Sincerely Yours,
Clarissa Choo-Choo Train



~

Clarissa Choo is a vessel used for Christ’s glory. Although she has lived in four countries, Heaven is her only Home. She desires to sow His seeds and to serve third culture kids, teens, and writers. Besides writing, she loves to wash dishes, chop ingredients into smithereens, and record hymns on her piano. Peek into her Christian TCK Email Ministry or read more posts.

Dear Friend, the Aftermath

Journal

from reading my first drafts was unsightly, yet my eyes sparkled. Instead of reading everything within a few days, I trudged through it, taking me more than a week. No, I was not reading it slowly. I read it quickly, yes, to have a plane’s view of it. Reading them was terrible, but dreaming of the possibilities of what if was not.

I am excited to rewrite, but first things first, second things second, third things third and fourth things fourth; I have to complete two outlines of the first drafts, draw out timelines, write down the possibilities into the drafts and perhaps, create two new outlines. Hmmm. . . Maybe without the new outlines.

Update: The Conductor has other plans.


Very Sincerely Yours,
Clarissa Choo-Choo Train



~

Clarissa Choo is a vessel used for Christ’s glory. Although she has lived in four countries, Heaven is her only Home. She desires to sow His seeds and to serve third culture kids, teens, and writers. Besides writing, she loves to wash dishes, chop ingredients into smithereens, and record hymns on her piano. Peek into her Christian TCK Email Ministry or read more posts.

And Another Challenge Commences

Journal

Dear Friend,

Today, I started the process for the second draft. This meant reading through drafts of Books A and B, writing down changes on my hard copies and rewriting everything on a blank word processor.


Very Sincerely Yours,
Clarissa Choo-Choo Train



~

Clarissa Choo is a vessel used for Christ’s glory. Although she has lived in four countries, Heaven is her only Home. She desires to sow His seeds and to serve third culture kids, teens, and writers. Besides writing, she loves to wash dishes, chop ingredients into smithereens, and record hymns on her piano. Peek into her Christian TCK Email Ministry or read more posts.