Story Matters

Your Story Matters presents a dynamic and spiritually formative process for understanding and redeeming the past in order to live well in the present and into the future. Leslie Leyland Fields has used and taught this practical and inspiring writing process for decades, helping people from all walks of life to access memory and sift through the truth of their stories. This is not just a book for writers. Each one of us has a story, and understanding God's work in our stories is a vital part of our faith. Through the spiritual practice of writing, we can "remember" his acts among us, "declare his glory among the nations," and pass on to others what we have witnessed of God in this life: the mysterious, the tragic, the miraculous, the ordinary. With a companion video curriculum from RightNow Media, this is a "why not" book as opposed to a "how to" book. Leslie asks each of us an important question: "Why not learn to tell your story, in the context of the grander story of God?"

When we read a nonfiction text, what is the difference between one that keeps us interested and one that merely informs? Especially when the topic may be a bit, well, dry? The difference is narrative. The writer who threads a story throughout her text - using the tools of human connection, of narrative - is the writer who brings information to life. The argument she makes is compelling and real, because we care about the story within her story. This writer understands the power of narrative. In Story Matters, Liz Prather provides activities, lessons, exercises, mentor texts, and student samples to help teens learn to seamlessly weave narrative into their nonfiction writing. She provides concrete ideas for using the tools and techniques of narrative, including: - finding stories within any topic - using characters - creating tension - exploring structure - selecting details - crafting words and sentences. Give Liz's ideas a try and watch your students' writing rise to new levels. Because story matters.

'Like a best friend giving you essential advice. I can’t wait to give this to every writer I know.' Candice Carty-Williams Why do stories matter? I tell stories to make sense of the world as I see it. The world I have lived and experienced, read about and heard about, and what I want it to be. I tell stories to make sense of myself. Nikesh Shukla, author, writing mentor and bestselling editor of The Good Immigrant, knows better than most the power that every unique voice has to create change. Whether it's a novel, personal essay, non-fiction work or short story – or even just the formless desire to write something – Your Story Matters will hone your skill and help you along the way. This book includes exercises and prompts that will develop your idea, no matter what genre you're writing in. It is practical, to the point and focused on letting you figure out what you want to write, how you want to write and why this is the best use of your voice. Accessible and thought-provoking, Your Story Matters will inspire you to keep thinking about writing, even when you don't have the time to put pen to paper.

A 40-day faith journey to awaken your soul, guide you to peace, and embrace the person God made you to be. WHISPERS OF REST a detox for your soul, a peaceful journey inward to the comfort that a deeper awareness of God's love provides. This 40-day devotional guide and journal will refresh your spiritual life, enhance your every day, and help you experience transformational joy. Uplifting words of scripture, devotions on themes of identity, calling, and intimacy, and prompts for prayer and journaling, offer a soul-soothing break from your hectic routine to help you experience a greater connection with God. Includes: 40 "Whispers of Rest" from Scripture40 Relevant DevotionsPrayerful Journaling Prompts and Writing SpacePeaceful Prayers for the HeartOne-Word Prayer Anchors for Each Day.

Your story is bigger than you know. From its tiniest details to its most dramatic events, your story is a sacred gift, worthy of attention. But how do you find and tell that story? In this practical, liberating guide based on her thirty years of writing and teaching, Leslie Leyland Fields will lead you step by step in exploring your past and shaping your memories into vivid, compelling stories. With writing exercises to help you dive deeper into your story, you’ll discover new spiritual truths, reclaim the past, share hope, and pass on your own extraordinary legacy. Understanding God’s work in our stories is a vital part of our faith. Not just a book for writers, this practical and inspiring book teaches us how to sift through our experiences to find the places we have witnessed God in our journey: the mysterious, the tragic, the miraculous, and the ordinary. Find even more inspiration and guidance with Your Story for His Glory, a companion video curriculum—available online or in DVD format. “Leslie was not only my first writing mentor—she continues to mentor me with the way she lives her life and shapes it into an unforgettable story that gives hope and gives God the glory.” —Ann Voskamp, New York Times bestselling author “Leslie has a deep commitment to writing life-giving words. This book promises to prompt the best out of storytellers and creatives.” —Max Lucado, New York Times bestselling author “Personal and profound, inspirational and practical, God-focused and with its feet firmly placed on the ground, this is a necessary and beautiful book for anyone and everyone.” —Brett Lott, New York Times bestselling author, director of MFA program at the College of Charleston

A hilarious how-to on creative writing that makes the writing process fun for aspiring middle-school authors. For fans of Writing Radar by Jack Gantos. Interested in writing but don't know how to get started? Love reading and want to know more about how stories are created? Like ridiculous tales about troublesome sisters, peanut butter and steamrollers? Look no further! Esteemed writer Richard Scrimger is here to answer all your burning questions about writing: whether about plot, character, structure, story hooks or commas. (Actually, don't ask him about commas, it's not that kind of book.) Using clever (so he thinks) analogies, (sort of) brilliant examples and funny (well . . .) anecdotes, he will give you (truly) useful tools to start you on your way as a writer. And if that's not enough, comic illustrations by D. McFadzean are the pepperoni on the writing pizza! (That will make sense once you read the book.) So come, read this book and start your writing journey!

Stories that Matter One Incredible God How could a pair of blue stilettos change someone else's story? Why would that story even matter? Everyone has a story.... the beautician at the beauty salon.... the homeless pregnant woman found sleeping in the park.... a pharmaceutical sales rep that appears as if her life is perfect.... the successful owner of a local waterline company.... or even a shallow-faced teen ravaged by the effects of drugs.... All of them have stories.... ....stories that matter. Inside this book there are countless real stories. Your faith will be encouraged as you read about how God speaks by sending butterflies after a night of sorrow, through catching fish, a timely delivery and the faith it took to build a ministry for those who didn't think their stories mattered. Join the courage of many that have found where their Hope Joy Peace and Freedom truly come from. After reading these amazing stories you will be encouraged and uplifted knowing that God hears and answers prayer. He desires to become the Author of your story as well ....because your story matters. Tammie Price is the founder and president of A Place for Us, Ministries Inc. After finding herself pregnant out of wedlock, married, and then going through a heart wrenching divorce, she never imagined her story would matter and could be used for good. When she found the "Lover of her soul" through a real relationship with Jesus Christ, it became the turning point in her life. He became her everything; He would heal her brokenness and call a community to join in her efforts to reach out to the broken. A Place for Us Ministries was founded in April 2001.

“Compelling . . . . Even those who know the details of Trump’s impeachment will find it chilling to hear them related by one of the event’s chief figures. . . . The story of an ordinary man placed in extraordinary circumstances who did the right thing.” — New York Times Book Review “Vindman reminds us of what genuine patriotism can look like. . . . Vindman’s regional knowledge allows him to unpack the reasons that so many Democrats thought Trump’s phone conversation should be the basis of the nation’s third presidential impeachment. In meticulous fashion, he details the stunning number of high-ranking officials—such as Gordon Sondland, U.S. ambassador to the European Union—who were in on the game.” — Washington Post “An important book from a true patriot whose oath to the Constitution could not allow him to look away.” — Kirkus Reviews "Compelling." — Christian Science Monitor