Can you believe it’s already blog nine for the Glimpses of Light Anthology (GOL) tour? From the first post by Nola, we’ve been treated to unique insights by participating contributors, celebrating this project inspired by the ‘International Year of Light’.
Today I’m taking the baton from author, blogger and lover of life, Mimi Emmanuel. (Don’t you love a good relay? 🙂 ) And I’m going to be reflecting on kaleidoscopes.
For many of us, the word ‘kaleidoscope’ evokes childhood memories of peering into a cylindrical tube to watch patterns of changing colours from light reflected via mirrors, through coloured pieces of glass. The patterns were often exquisite and unique. Turn and look from a slightly different angle, and there would be a completely different combination of colours.
Coincidently (or not 🙂 ), my contribution to GOL was a story titled Kaleidoscope. But you see, this is not at all what I was going to write about today. I had a fun blog about pushing through the 7K barrier all ready to upload (more on that another day), but as I sat down to finalise that post, my thoughts turned to the collective whole that is GOL. And it occurred to me what perfect a description ‘kaleidoscope’ is.
Kaleidoscope (my story that is, not the tube) is different to what I usually write. For a long time it also struggled to find a home. Yet there it is finally in print, nestled between the works of Jo Wanmer and Ellen Carr, enhanced by beautiful gems, being the words of all the other contributors, polished and displayed in such a way they catch and reflect the light in an exquisite combination of colours.
Now, Kaleidoscope’s probably not a story that will knock someone over by its brilliance, but it was fun to create and an entertaining read. Yet, set amongst such a fabulous collation (and many of the works truly are fabulous – you must read them), it brings so much more than it could as a standalone piece. Kaleidoscope has become something far more inspiring. It’s become part of a literary … kaleidoscope. 🙂
But don’t just take my word for it, as Xanthe says in Kaleidoscope, it’s like, ‘Patterns of light revealing the soul. And you, mere mortal, can catch a glimpse of it.’
So mortals, don’t miss your opportunity to purchase your own GOL copy (print or e-book), and more for your friends. All profits go to CBM, bringing sight to the blind.
And if you leave a comment on this blog post (sorry, excludes GOL contributors 🙁 ), you will have a chance to win a paperback copy of my recently released YA novel Replicate, second book in the Integrate trilogy. I’m giving one copy away to a randomly selected ‘commenter’ in celebration of this tour.
But don’t stop reading yet. On the 29th January, you can continue the GOL blog tour trail, with fellow contributor Josephine-Anne Griffiths. 50-something young, Jo’Anne, has relished writing and reading from her childhood. She has a fascinating family history, shares her world with her dream-come-true HoneyBun, and is currently working on fictional memoir Charlie Dreams. Can’t wait to read her post.
Loved your story Adele! Very creative and inspiring. Thanks for writing it!
Thank you, Charis. Appreciate your encouragement. Likewise, I read you story just the other day and thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, I’m having a wonderful time exploring the works included in the GOL anthology. All so unique and yet tied together by the overarching theme. A bit like a bag of mixed lollies, only yummier. 🙂
Great analogy, Adele. Your story was really different from everyone else’s (in a good way), so it was great to see how all of those different styles, genres and messages made up the whole. It was interesting how you mentioned the stories/poems on either side of yours ‘enhanced by beautiful gems’. I hadn’t thought of it that way, but Jenny and I did put a lot of thought into the order of the pieces. We tried to put stories/poems side by side that would complement each other or ‘set off’ a piece (e.g. a serious piece followed by something lighter; a longer story followed by something shorter). Each piece was valuable in its own right, but hopefully even better together, perhaps prompting people to read outside their usual genre as well. Thanks for sharing 🙂
The effort you and Jenny have put into the order is quite apparent, Nola, thank you both. This is definitely an important consideration for bringing out the best in each story or poem. You are right, the variety in one collection is also a bonus. I’m enjoying that aspect very much.
You are so right Adele. The whole GOL is like kaleidoscope – fiction, true stories, things that touch the heart – I am enjoying it so much. Especially to get that glimpse into other people’s lives – their understanding of God and His work in their lives-it makes up a part of the whole picture. Truly a kaleidoscope!
Couldn’t have said it better myself, Pamela. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
What a beautiful analogy, Adele. The book as a whole really is like a multi-faceted kaleidoscope. I enjoyed your story by that title too. What an intriguing premise and very suitable ending.
Thanks, Paula. Pleased you enjoy Horace’s adventures … or perhaps I should say, misadventures. I’m reading a few pieces at a time, as I can fit them in, and there really is something quite special about the entire project. Each author adds their own hues and patterns, highlighting the best in each work. Really looking forward to reading them all.