THE POWER of the PEN

It seems, nowadays, everybody has an opinion about everything! No one keeps it to themselves nor should they be forced to, if they choose to voice it. That's the beauty of the First Amendment. The part of it we seem to forget is: along with a personal opinion comes counterpoints which, if expressed these days, will most likely meet with harsh criticism, even disdain and mockery. What happened to respecting differing views? What happened to the art of listening to opposing sides of an argument and then drawing a conclusion based on facts and common sense?

If I were to answer my own question, I would say that I believe a part of this rudeness comes from a lack of respect for our language and the written word. It's true when they say that the pen is mightier than the sword. Our language is as complex and facile as the people who use it. Nations have fallen because of a few well-placed words. Journalists have been murdered for reporting or lampooning trending topics. Politicians have turned historic events into talking points and the media has bastardized our language to make reality (as they see it) palatable. Celebrities have ridden the tail of a comet to stardom with outrageous gibberish, as though having their face in front of a camera somehow empowers them with knowledge.

I saw a tee-shirt recently that said, I'm a writer. What's your super power? Being a writer is an awesome career choice but with it comes a hefty responsibility. Writers are at the forefront of entertainment, education, news, policy, and world debate, Our thoughts, observations and writings have the ability to persuade and inspire others. It can also be used to coerce, dilute or propagandize. We must never underestimate the power of our pens. Nor should we use them for anything but good.

If you are considering a career in JOURNALISM, take these 5 points to heart:

1     Check sources and facts. Even some of the most brilliant and prolific writers from the New York Times and Rolling Stone Magazine have taken shortcuts. It has cost the conglomerates readership and credibility and writers their jobs.

2     Write passionately not emotionally. Write objectively. Let the story unfold naturally.

3     Don't become a part of the story. If you have a pre-determined idea of what the story's outcome is, then you'll be looking to strengthen your point of view rather than investigate the true story.

4     Trust your gut. If something just doesn't smell right (JDSR) keep digging but use common sense. The last thing you want is to be arrested for harassment or stalking or worse yet, injured.

5     Keep an open line of communication with the editors. They are your best friends for assignments, contacts, and as a sounding board for story ideas.

Good luck with your career and may you pen never run out of ink!

Jo Ann V. Glim is a seasoned veteran of freelance writing and author of the award winning book, "Begotten With Love."  

FIRST PLACE - Biography - Published

Ernie Banks fan? Like my Facebook "Book News" page and see a picture and story from my friend Penny Lane Juhlin (learn our connection to Mr. Cub).

To learn more:
VISIT: www.BEGOTTENtheBook.com
FOLLOW/Like: on Facebook or
AVAILABLE ON: Amazon.com/author/joannglim
BOOK TRAILER on YouTube

WHAT'S IN YOUR BUCKET LIST?

I've accomplished many of the goals and dreams that were squirreled in my bucket list, such as riding in a hot air balloon, but there are many more to fulfill, including a zip line ride in the jungles of Costa Rica.

We all need to remind ourselves of our dreams. If we don't, life will overcome us and we will never complete what we have challenged ourselves to do. I was reminded of this a few weeks ago when I reached inside the "bucket jar to choose a new adventure. My dreams are written on paper shreds the size of a Chinese fortune. I let them swirl through my finger tips before picking one. Some were tattered. Others bent or folded. I never know from year-to-year which I'll choose. To me, that's half the fun but in all honesty, I recognize (by the feel of the paper), some of the goals I'd written. It's like reading marked cards and my fingers quickly passed by some of the more outrageous dares. I made a mental note to type all of them on the same paper stock so next year I can't cheat.

The inside of the pottery jar where these clips of fantasy are housed has rough nubs where the sides meet the bottom and one piece of paper in particular seemed impaled to the bottom. I picked and pulled until it loosened and then brought it to the surface. The paper was yellow with age. The message was: Grow your hair long enough to donate to someone in need of a wig. Someone struggling with a life-altering illness. It had been in there over twenty years!

I've not had long, long hair since I was in the eighth grade. Could I do it? I really wasn't sure anyone would want it. Ground zero is, at the moment, jaw length and if human hair averages 1/2" per month  . . . I'm making a commitment to my mop of hair for 18 months. I've been blessed with good hair. I'm just not gifted with styling it. A feeling of panic began to creep in. What if I grow it and don't want to cut it? What if it looks hideous on me and vanity forces me to cut it? What if it has too much gray in it and they won't take it? 

But then I asked myself the only question that mattered. What if I do it and it makes a difference in someone else's life? Someone who has struggled with more than the occasional tangle or bad hair day. l don't know if Pantene Beautiful Lengths and the American Cancer Society will accept my hair or not because of the interspersed gray (must be less than 5%). I won't know for a while. Is that going to stop me from trying? No. Am I going to go for it? Yes.

If this seems like something you'd like to do, too, visit www.Pantene.com and follow the prompts for Beautiful Lengths to view the rules. I'd love to have your company along the way. Ask your friends to join us. We'll post a journal on here every 8 weeks to see how we're doing. Send me a picture of your hair now and we'll post updates on our progress. I'm hoping to make a donation by Valentine's Day 2016 but more realistically, it'll be that summer. What do you think??? Are you in?

Jo Ann V. Glim is a seasoned veteran of freelance writing and author of the award winning book, "Begotten With Love."  

FIRST PLACE - Biography - Published

To learn more:
VISIT: www.BEGOTTENtheBook.com
FOLLOW/Like: on Facebook or
AVAILABLE ON: Amazon.com/author/joannglim
BOOK TRAILER on YouTube