FROM THE AUTHOR . . . . . . . . . Dawnelle Jenkins

While writing The Flaming Pen, I taught it on a weekly basis to home schooled students. During the writing process, I asked God for direction and avoided reading other curricula in the subject area; my desire was to produce an original work. The vision behind The Flaming Pen was (and is) to see students, through creativity grounded in the truth of God's Word, improve their writing in the areas of vividness, clarity, and creative expression.

A parallel vision is to see students receive an increased sensitivity toward God and an ability to express it in writing. Witnessing this progress in my students' writing was rewarding.

After teaching Part One, I realized that parents could effectively teach the program. (Part Two will be available by fall 2002.) Using my curriculum and implementing what I had learned through teaching, I produced two manuals, one for the student, the other for the parent/teacher. The lessons are straightforward and parents should feel comfortable teaching them. Parents (whether or not they consider themselves creative writers) are instruments that can draw creativity from their children. The course centers on creative techniques that teach students how to create pictures with words. Because students are encouraged to feed themselves on the Word of God, it can flow back into their writing. Creativity often blossoms when a nurturing atmosphere, blessed with encouraging words, is provided. This truth paves the road for the role of the parent.

Because we have been formed by The Creator, the desire to create is God-given. While learning techniques to enhance the effectiveness of our writing, we can also write creatively for the purpose of honouring God. The following sample from lesson 24 (of The Flaming Pen) is in keeping with this theme: