Fitting In [Book Blogrimage Day 10/30]

What's up! Still working out my outline. Taking a painful amount of time to give it a clear direction. ​

Today's Excerpt:​

My motives are often wrapped up in trying to fit or trying to stand out. It sounds paradoxical, but seems natural to me. Picking out an outfit in the morning, or finding the right comment for a Facebook post, I’m looking to be unique and original. A couple hours later, when I see my friends a wearing the same t-shirt, I’m looking to see how I can get one. We often want to stand out, but sometimes you don’t. It’s embarrassing to be the only one dressed up for a costume party. Four months ago, my wife took me to a Zombie costume party, and we were the only couple dressed like Zombies. In college, I asked a professor out on a date to a costume party. She agreed, dressed as hideously as possible, and cried because nobody else wore a costume. We want to fit in, but when nobody notices us, we want to stand out.

For those you unfamiliar with this BLOGRIMAGE journey, click here.​

What I'm Writing About [Book Blogrimage 9/30]

Now that I'm not as rushed with writing 5 pages a day, I'm taking more time to shape the story. Like I showed yesterday, I'm using the storyboarding advice from the Pixar guy. Using that structure, even though it's been used for thousands of years, I think will help me tell a captivating story.​

I am writing this book because God has done an amazing work in my life. From the stage and preaching I've shared my story and people's lives have been changed. Scripture says that we overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. This book is the word of my testimony and I believe it will help people overcome. In my story, I will deal with themes like fitting in, rejection, selfishness and redemption. I know it will connect with people. The story must be told. Plus, growing up as a Sri Lankan in Minnesota has led to incredible tales of unique juxtaposition. If this book isn't read by a large audience, at least my kids will know the beginnings of their spiritual heritage. ​

For those you unfamiliar with this BLOGRIMAGE journey, click here.​

Pixar Storylining [Book Blogrimage 8/30]

This Blogrimage must be modified. Since I've been traveling for conferences and speaking engagements, writing 5 pages is possible, but entirely draining. I am modifying my book writing Blogrimage to working on my Book everyday instead of writing 5 pages. 

If you are discouraged in your own BLOGRIMAGE, don't quit! Just adjust and continue making progress. This whole community centers around adventure, progress and moving forward with desires and callings. Even if you have to adjust to a slower pace, you're still doing something amazing that you had no part of before starting the BLOGRIMAGE. Keep up the good work even if you have to adjust. ​

Today, I worked on re-outlining my book. At the Seeds conference, a man named Matthew Luhn spoke on creating storylines. He is super credible because is the story artist for Pixar! He's written things like, Finding Nemo, Up and Toy Story. Those stories all have incredible story plots and characters centering around redemption. I thought his advice would be perfect for writing my story. ​

So I am working on shaping my story by focusing on these things:​

• Character Flaws
• Premises
• Beginning, Middle and End
• Inciting Incidents
• Exposition
• Progressive Complications
• Crisis
• Resolution

Hopefully this will me write a more gripping and compelling story. ​

For those you unfamiliar with this BLOGRIMAGE journey, click here.​

Uncomfortable Situations [Book Blogrimage 7/30]

I'm not sure this will make the book, but i wrote it anyways. ​

Writing when you don't feel like anything is good must be a critical skill for non genius feeling people to write books. ​

Yikes. ​

Today's Excerpt:​

A person in control of his or her uncomfortable situations can use it as an advantage. For example, If I grab friend’s leg and cling on to it as a little child would, it’s usually shocking at first, but then it goes through a few transitions. If I am confident while grabbing the leg, the circumstance transitions from shocking to uncomfortable. The person says, “What are you doing? Why are you holding my leg?” and if you are friends and keeping holding the leg, the next response might be, “very funny. Now let Go.” Meanwhile, someone else watching from afar, sees everything and is quite amused by the entire scenario. Once the far away person is scene laughing, the person I am holding starts laughing and so do I. The circumstance is so uncomfortable it has become entertaining. And being in control of the situation lets a person get away with actions otherwise unacceptable. 

​For those you unfamiliar with this BLOGRIMAGE journey, click here.​

Jamaicans call me Steve [Book Blogrimage 6/30]

Pulled into my driveway 10 minutes ago after driving to Michigan from Tulsa. It's good to be in my own bed! 

As I've been writing, I'm clarifying the story I want to tell. I'm re-outlining everything and feel like I have greater focus. One key to inspiration in writing is knowing what the bigger picture is. Writing just to write a certain amount of pages is unmotivating. Writing to tell the greater story, at least gives energy by way of purpose and destiny. ​Know where you're going and you have more to offer. 

Today's Excerpt:

People all the time asked me what race I am. Unintentionally, I’d misinform people by telling them I’m American-Indian.  First of all, this is deception because I am not American-Indian. My parents were both born and raised in Sri Lanka. My skin is brown so most people think that I am Indian, and I guess I bought that. Before dot not feather became a distinction for South Asian Indians verses First nation American Indians, I adopted the fact that I was American Indian even though that wasn’t true. Another interesting fact during these confusing times is that I was called, “Ben” until I was 13. My full name is Pradeepan Jeevamanoharan Seevaratnam, but my family calls me, “Theban” for short. My American friends heard my family calling me by this pet name. However, they really only heard, “Ben.” For most of my childhood, friends called me, “Ben,” and for whatever reason, my father’s Jamaican’s friends called me “Steven.”

Seeds Conference Over! [BOOK BLOGRIMAGE DAY 5/30]

The Seeds conference is complete! My mind is expanded. I learned a ton, wept over stories of mission, and learned practical DIY tips. In conclusion, I'm beyond tired. After each day of learning so much, Amreitha and I spent great quality time with our dear friends, Symon and Princess Hajjarr. They have incredible perspective and insight into love, messy faith, and orthodoxy. ​

Today I wrote more about the spirit of adventure, but I'm not sure it will make it in my book. It's not something that fits with the overall story I want to tell, but I'm trying not to filter myself too much. So, I wrote it anyways. ​

TODAY'S EXCERPT:​

​One summer I tried to create a bicycle propelled helicopter made out of plywood. I slaved in my garage to carve out dumb gears that never worked. Using wd40, tape and glue, I attached those gears to my Haro Bmx bike. Nobody supported my cause. Everybody thought I was an idiot. Having no experience or knowledge and engineering, I thought that my bicycle would fly. If only I pedaled hard enough, the wooden gears, connected to 4 foot plywood propellers would spin fast enough until I’d ascend form the suburban sidewalks and fly anywhere I wanted to go.  Perhaps I’d see the Eiffel tower or maybe Arby’s.​

Please provide me feedback. It helps me so much. ​

For those you unfamiliar with this BLOGRIMAGE journey, click here.​