IWSG: Inspiration and Freedom

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IWSG: a place where writers and friends share woes or hugs.

Welcome to mine!

 Thank you, IWSG co-hosts for the July 5: PJ Colando, Kim Lajevardi, Gwen Gardner, Pat Garcia, and Natalie Aguirre!

Here is July's optional question - 99% of my story ideas come from dreams. Where do yours predominantly come from?

JoshuaWoroniecki@Pixabay.com

My daughter shares the same avenue for her story-writing as the author of this month's question. As for me, all my stories are borne from inspiration imagined by scenarios from snippets of movie scenes, someone giving a talk, a person's appearance, an emotion that creeps up on me, an old building--anything... Sometimes my brain will compile an entire scene or image, and I build the story around that.

On another note, July is Independence month! Celebration for independence comes to us in many ways. Life has taken a crazy but good turn for me, and I find myself with a new set of wings that are taking me higher than before.

Andrew@Pexels.com

Sometimes we recognize what holds us back, and it takes special power to cut that part out despite the painful process.

I've noticed a trend in my writing: everyone therein fights for freedom in one way or another, it's fascinating.

One story that stands out is Awaken: A Love Story, where Daemos is thrown into the thick of ugly and finds N'reena recognizes it for what it is. Running away together isn't easy, but there's no turning back...

Please celebrate with us how freedom must be won against the dark secrets that rule their society!

What about you? How does your inspiration visit you? Do you have the original ideas that sparked a best-seller? In what ways are you celebrating Independence Day if at all?

In Honor of all Pioneers

This post is in h0nor of those who have suffered, endured and died for their cause. It is also in commemoration for the pioneers who settled Utah July 24, 1847.

It would be foolish for me to say that not every believer in his/her own setting of religion had not suffered some kind of persecution.

Christ and His followers: Crucifixion of Christ. *The twelve apostles were martyred.

Joan of Arc: (1412) She followed the visions from God, directing her to reclaim her homeland from English domination. She was captured, sold to the English, tried by an ecclesiastical court, and burned at the stake. She was only nineteen years old!

Martin Luther: (1483) He was appalled to see that church officials felt they could escape purgatory by grand purchases in the name of God. He translated the bible from Latin into the language the people used, so that they could study on their own. He was excommunicated by the pope and condemned as an outlaw by the emperor.

John Knox: (1505)Lost his old faith when he studied the church fathers' (Jerome and Augustine) teachings of the ancient faith. He was considered a heretic and was made prisoner of the French and condemned to the galleys as a slave chained to an oar.

Joseph Smith, Jr.: (1805) Believed that the original church established of Christ in its entirety had been lost and refused to join any religion. He was imprisoned, tarred and feathered, and chased from his home.

Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, Choctaw nations and many others: (1831)"Native Americans suffered from exposure, disease, and starvation while en route to their destinations, and many died, including 4,000 of the 15,000 relocated Cherokee." (quote found here) I would have to say because of the lands the settlers wanted, not respecting the current residences as deserving human beings. Again, because of their beliefs.

Even though the Declaration of Independence granted freedom of religion in the States, it didn't end persecution of those who desired to follow their own hearts.

Just as the believers I mentioned above, the members of the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints suffered. Their homes burnt. Many murdered. Scriptures desecrated.

They were driven city to city until they fled far into the west, settling into what we know as the State of Utah.

Many died along the way, burying their children in the cruel wild. Many arrived orphans, too.
Though they endured their own Trail of Tears, they finally were able to root and grow, free to follow their beliefs.

I truly admire any and all who can stand for justice, honor and freedom.

What has your journey been like to fight oppression of those regarding your beliefs?

*updated information

(photo found here)