Welcome to my first day.

I called this blog “ won·der, n., v., adj. ,” because wonder in every sense of the word will be the fuel (definitions via Merriam-Webster).

noun:

• a cause of astonishment or admiration
• the quality of exciting amazed admiration
• a rapt attention or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or new to one’s experience
• a feeling of doubt or uncertainty

verb:

• to be in a state of wonder
• to feel surprise
• to feel curiosity or doubt
• to be curious or in doubt about

adjective (wondrous, wonderful):

• exciting amazement or admiration
• effective or efficient far beyond anything previously known or anticipated

I also called it won·der, n., v., adj. because it’s a state I often find myself in. I’ve never managed to be “cool.” I get too enthusiastic, too passionate (positively and negatively), too invested about too many things. The detachment required for true coolness has always eluded me, which is the way I like it. So this blog may find me, now and then, exhibiting excited amazement or admiration. It might find me so surprised or astonished that I feel compelled to share the source with you.

It will definitely find me wondering. One of my favorite moments in my children’s worship stories is the “wondering” portion at the end.

* When the Israelites went through to freedom on dry land, I wonder whether the walls of water on either side were solid, or could you stick your hand through them? (Thanks for a friend for that great question.) I wonder whether you’d try to stick your hand through?

* I wonder when David found out why Samuel anointed him? I wonder if the oil dripped in his eyes? Did it stain his tunic? Did that annoy his mother?

* If Ruth was your friend, I wonder whether you would’ve told her to go with Naomi or would you have told her she was nuts for even considering it?

Wondering like this led to my most recent writing project: an imaginative retelling of the David and Saul story, aimed at middle schoolers (no, it’s not ready for anyone’s eyes yet). It’s fascinating to look at biblical stories and see the people as people, to not just gloss over them to get to the lesson we’re supposed to learn.

But religious stuff isn’t the only topic I’ll be wondering about.

Frankly, I’m wondering whether I’ll ever be a published novelist. To hone my craft in the hopes of reaching that goal, I’m giving myself weekend writing assignments that I’ll post here. To start, I’ll work through the exercises on Barbara Samuel’s Voice Worksheet.

Thank you for sticking with me so far. Hopefully, I’ll see you again.

Spread the word: