Autumn arrived last night, lugging its trappings of hot chocolate, soft wooly sweaters, bright orange pumpkins, and bold hues of copper, amber, gold, and candlelight red. Autumn is not timid like the spring but bursts forth with brisk winds, rustling leaves, crisp mornings, and harvest moons. Autumn ushers in a season of closure as we …
Author Archives: Renee Srch
For Writers: Show, Don’t Tell
Technique #1: Create mental images for the reader E.g.: It rained last Tuesday. Few people showed up to the baseball game – this sounds like a report or newspaper column, doesn’t it? Instead, create a mental image: The baseball stadium was sparsely filled last Tuesday. The handful that showed up huddled under their umbrellas. Technique …
Writing is a lonely job
One of the hazards of being a writer is the potential for devoting more time to our own mental creations than to actual people. Thus our isolation is largely of our own making. We run the risk of losing that vital connection with our readers on a personal level; the very audience to whom we write becomes just that – an audience rather than flesh and blood readers.
A French Christmas
The town square is crowded this morning. Despite the frigid temperature, scores of French men and women brave the bitter cold and the relentless, bone-chilling drizzle typical of Parisian winters, to wander through the open-air market, in search of the freshest, tastiest food for tonight’s sumptuous feast. The French are, undoubtedly, the finest culinary …
Setbacks
Excerpt from my devotional, A Year in God’s Classroom; Daily Devotions for Autism and Special-Needs Families (soon to be released). “Ever since I came to Pharaoh as your spokesman, he has been even more brutal to your people. And you have done nothing to rescue them!“ Exodus 5:23 (NLT) Setbacks are the sudden hindrances …
Halloween Social Story
Halloween can be a frightening time of year for many children, especially those who are very young or those who have sensory issues. Many children on the autism spectrum need to get ready ahead of time. This social story is designed to help prepare children to understand what they might see and hear on Halloween. …
5 TIPS FOR A SAFE AND SENSORY-FRIENDLY 4TH OF JULY
Whether you are going out or watching from the comfort of your own home, Independence Day can be very stressful for you and your child, especially if he or she is on the autism spectrum. Sensory issues, safety concerns and lack of preparation can often spoil what is intended to be a celebration of our …
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The Seed
Within every child there lies a seed Though tiny, it is rich with potential and purpose Inside that seed is the promise of life This is God’s gift of Grace. Though unseen through human eyes We know the seed exists For God creates us in His image This is the fruit of Faith. As we …
Knitting Lessons
Knitting Lessons is a short story I wrote for a contest a couple years ago. I thought I would share it with you. Hope you enjoy it! Knitting Lessons Dashing across the front yard, I ran up our neighbor’s porch stairs and knocked on her door. Mrs. Nelson had come home from the hospital …
When Love and Hate Colide
When Love and Hate Collide In this world, there are two voices; The voice of hate and the voice of love. I choose love, For love casts out fear. In this world, there are two mindsets; Incite violence or inspire peace. I choose peace, For peace is worth far more than gold. In this world, …