Symbols Language System Media Kit
Al Thornton
Contact Information
Author Bio
Headshot
Front cover
Book synopsis
Link to purchase
Book content and reviews
Interview topics and questions
Speaker one sheet
5 Fun Facts You Don’t Know About Me
Author Bio
Two-line bio (175 characters)
I’m a writer. I write. It doesn’t just come naturally. It is what I do. And I produced my own finances spreadsheet system. You can find my materials at https://www.7ddd.info/.
Short Bio (100 words)
I’m a writer. I write. I’ve been mad at God when He gave me info belatedly, forcing me to rewrite. I’ve delayed some projects and God has nudged me along. Mostly I just DO IT! I write. Theology, commentaries, Bible-teaching novels- I write. Writing is hard. Frustrating. Fun. It is my hobby. I write. And I produced my own finances spreadsheet system. The Symbols Language System was hard to write. I finally had to tell God there is no sense writing if there are no readers. So now I do a little promoting. You can find my materials at https://www.7ddd.info/.
Medium bio (397 words)
I’m a writer. I write. I’ve been mad at God when He gave me info belatedly, forcing me to rewrite. I’ve delayed some projects and God has nudged me along. Mostly I just DO IT! Theology, commentaries, Bible-teaching novels- I write. Writing is hard. Frustrating. Fun. It is my hobby. I write.
I often write when I do daily Bible study.
The Symbols Language System was hard to write. It is the by-product of learning Greek and Hebrew. Not only was the book hard to write, the symbols took a lot of time and effort to create and put in the book.
I also developed my own finance spreadsheet. For three years my rent exceeded my income. I set up a spreadsheet so I’d know how fast spending was expanding a loan. I added a budget section. Then I asked: If I have already spent this much this month, how much can I spend on whatever and still have enough for the remaining bills? I needed a Predictive money system. 4 years went by. Predictive Money Control is the result. And the super simple Predictive Money Tracker if you don't desire the bigger program. I promise it is affordable. I understand poor. And, yes, God nudged me to get this done, too.
For textbooks I spend all day, weeks on end, writing to the point of exhaustion (when I must take a few days off. I can’t think straight). The Symbols Language System took at least a year.
Novels are fun. Most fun is when I can write characters into a corner, and have to stop because I don’t know how they are going to get out. The next day I know how they get out, and into another bind.
Somewhere along the line you have to quit writing and start promoting. God kept giving me writing projects. Finally, I said, “God, I’m not writing any more books until the ones I’ve written are being read.” A year and a book later… What can I say? I’m a writer. I wrote- as I set up a website and a Substack. I won’t talk about the …, well, the book I just started…. And the improved finances spreadsheet. At 7ddd.info you can find Bible teaching novels, Greek based commentaries, theology, the grammar, journals. Why, Noah’s Mouse even snuck in here somehow.
You can find my materials at https://www.7ddd.info/.
Long bio (598 words)
I’m a writer. I write. It’s just- me.
I’ve been mad at God when He gave me info belatedly, forcing me to rewrite parts of books. I’ve delayed on some projects and God has had to nudge me along. Mostly I just DO IT! I write.
Theology, commentaries, Bible-teaching novels- I write. Writing is hard. Frustrating. Fun. It is my hobby. I write.
The Symbols Language System was hard to write. It is the by-product of learning Greek and Hebrew. The symbols also took a lot of time and effort to create and put in the book. I created this unique symbols-based grammar because my forgetter works so well. It was a nine-month project.
I also developed my own finance spreadsheet. For three years my rent exceeded my income. I set up a spreadsheet so I’d know how fast spending was expanding a loan. I added a budget section. Then I asked: If I have already spent this much this month, how much can I spend on whatever and still have enough for the remaining bills? Predictive Money Control is the result. And the super simple Predictive Money Tracker if you don't desire the bigger program. I promise it is affordable. I understand poor. And, yes, God nudged me to get this done.
I get excited. I don’t want to forget what God has shown me. That’s why I started writing- my forgetter works too well.
For some books I spend all day, weeks on end, writing to the point of exhaustion (when I must take a few days off. I can’t think straight). The Symbols Language System took at least a year.
Novels are fun. Most fun is when I write characters into a corner, and have to stop because I don’t know how they are getting out. By the next day I know how they get out, and into another corner they go. I experience the cliffhanger before you do! I don’t outline in advance.
I like to teach Bible by means of novels. I even make novels to teach concepts for some of the books / journals with concepts that are hard to grasp.
I learned Greek so I could write in depth. So... I’m the dumbbell that spent 3,000 hours in 1 John in the Greek.
It is really important to be willing to change your theology. God has things to teach, but if you aren’t willing to change, you will miss much that He has to teach.
I get angry about people stealing God’s glory.
Somewhere along the line you have to quit writing and start promoting. God kept giving me writing projects. Finally, I said, “God, I’m not writing any more books until the ones I’ve written are being read.” A year and a book later… What can I say? I’m a writer. I wrote- as I set up a website and a Substack. I won’t talk about the …, well, the book I just started…. I have Bible teaching novels, Greek based commentaries, theology, a grammar, journals. Noah’s Mouse even snuck in here somehow.
I create my own book covers. Graphic arts is fun. If I wasn’t writing books I would spend more time with graphic arts.
I write a blog. A podcast is coming. And videos. I am learning ways to make my materials known.
I’ve been a conservative Christian for over 50 years.
I am a loner. I can be alone and not be lonely. Which is a good thing since writing is not a group project, at least not for me.
You can find my materials at https://www.7ddd.info/.
Book Synopsis
2 line summary(188 characters)
Ever try to learn the grammar of 3 languages? English, Greek, Hebrew. I started using symbols for review. The result: The Symbols Language System. You can get it at https://www.7ddd.info/.
Short (68 words)
Ever try to learn the grammar of 2 extra languages? English, Greek, Hebrew. Pages and pages and books of explanations made learning and reviewing hard. My forgetter works very well. So I started drawing symbols for the concepts. They are so much easier to work with and review. The result: The Symbols Language System for English. If this will help you, you can get a copy at https://www.7ddd.info/.
Medium (438 words)
Ever try to learn the grammar of 2 extra languages? English, Greek, Hebrew. Pages and pages and books of explanations made learning and reviewing hard. My forgetter works very well. So I started drawing symbols for the concepts. So much easier to work with and review.
Introducing: The Symbols Language System: a symbol-based grammar system. I used English, Greek, and Hebrew concepts to develop it. While this material focuses on English, it adapts to other languages.
It is visually based. You can SEE the layout of sentences.
It made remembering grammar easier for me. I am convinced it will help kids learn grammar better- both faster and more thoroughly. It can help kids catch up. It can help with ESL. It can help with homeschooling. Take a quick peek. See what you think:
Take a quick peek. See what you think:
Symbols show grammar concepts:
- subject
- transitive verb
- object
Which is easier to understand?
Tom jumped
Tom was hit
Tom hit the ball
Subject Transitive verb Object
Tom jumped
Tom was hit
Subject Intransitive verb
Subject Passive verb
Tom hit the ball
You have never even seen the symbols before, and you are probably already saying, “Oh, I get it!”
Try this:
For: God created mankind the word order in 3 languages will be:
God created mankind
God mankind created
Created God mankind
You just compared a sentence in 3 languages using symbols. You see the grammar.
Variations within a language are easier to deal with, and to SEE.
Variations between languages are easier to deal with, and to SEE.
Complicated structures become more easily analyzed symbols.
Each type of grammar (noun, verb, pronoun) gets its own unique symbol. Variations of each type are indicated by variations in the main symbol. Short definitions go with each of the symbols.
Do not memorize all the symbols. Learn some basic ones, and look up the rest as needed.
This can be adapted for school kids, ESL, Bible translation, business (international included), remedial work, and college students. Multiple languages. Multiple countries.
New discoveries:
11 pronouns
Actually, I saw hints of two more pronouns that I didn’t list. There comes a time when a person has to move on.
pullovers and pushovers
As I worked on the meaning of the Hebrew word often translated “and” I realized that often what was happening was the word was pulling or pushing one concept over another. It was showing the contextual relationship between words and/or phrases. This turned out to be something bigger than I initially expected when I discovered the idea.
Available at: https://www.7ddd.info/
Long (555 words)
Ever try to learn the grammar of 2 extra languages? English, Greek, Hebrew. Pages and pages and books of explanations made learning and reviewing hard. My forgetter works very well. So I started drawing symbols for the concepts. So much easier to work with and review.
Introducing: The Symbols Language System: a symbol-based grammar system. I used English, Greek, and Hebrew concepts to develop it. While this material focuses on English, it adapts to other languages.
It is visually based. You can SEE the layout of sentences.
It made remembering grammar easier for me. I am convinced it will help kids learn grammar better- both faster and more thoroughly. It can help kids catch up. It can help with ESL. It can help with homeschooling. Take a quick peek. See what you think:
Take a quick peek. See what you think:
Symbols show grammar concepts:
- subject
- transitive verb
- object
Which is easier to understand?
Tom jumped
Tom was hit
Tom hit the ball
Subject Transitive verb Object
Tom jumped
Tom was hit
Subject Intransitive verb
Subject Passive verb
Tom hit the ball
You have never even seen the symbols before, and you are probably already saying, “Oh, I get it!”
Try this:
For: God created mankind the word order in 3 languages will be:
God created mankind
God mankind created
Created God mankind
You just compared a sentence in 3 languages using symbols. You see the grammar.
Variations within a language are easier to deal with, and to SEE.
Variations between languages are easier to deal with, and to SEE.
Complicated structures become more easily analyzed symbols.
Each type of grammar (noun, verb, pronoun) gets its own unique symbol. Variations of each type are indicated by variations in the main symbol. Short definitions go with each of the symbols.
Do not memorize all the symbols. Learn some basic ones, and look up the rest as needed.
This can be adapted for school kids, ESL, Bible translation, business (international included), remedial work, and college students. Multiple languages. Multiple countries.
New discoveries:
11 pronouns
Actually, I saw hints of two more pronouns that I didn’t list. There comes a time when a person has to move on.
pullovers and pushovers
As I worked on the meaning of the Hebrew word often translated “and” I realized that often what was happening was the word was pulling or pushing one concept over another. It was showing the contextual relationship between words and/or phrases. This turned out to be something bigger than I initially expected when I discovered the idea.
Why I developed SLS
I was working with Greek, Hebrew, and of course English as I wrote Bible-centered materials. That meant keeping track of the grammars of 3 languages. That was a bit much.
What is available
People can download a PDF with everything I put together. It is not a finished product, and is not meant to be. Teachers can select what they need and ignoring the rest.
The PDF is the underlying material that can be turned into books (by grades and groups (ESL), workbooks, videos, novels to teach concepts, teacher manuals, games, seminars, TV, novels (to teach concepts), interlanguage (grammar of different languages put side by side for comparison), style manual (business, government, legal...)
Available at: https://www.7ddd.info/
Book Points of Interest:
The symbols are the star of the book.
There are new language concepts- the pushover and pullover.
New descriptive definitions for the “subject” and “object” of the sentence make it easier to know what these words are.
The symbol system was developed using the grammars of three languages. It can fit probably any language.
11 pronouns are listed. This doubles the number normally taught.
The Symbols Language System should be quite useful for ESL learning.
Links to Purchase
Author website: https://www.7ddd.info/
I guaranteefinances aren’t a problem if you want this. There is a zero-cash option.
Interview Questions
Q. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
A. When I found myself writing. I was in my earliy thirties by then.
Q. What inspired the idea for your book?
A. Each book was motivated by God. The novel, Satan’s Goals, is the surprising one to me. I had no idea I would ever write anything like it- and it was done in 2 months (minus some revisions later).
Q. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
A. For in-depth books I write till I almost literally can’t see straight. I write for days and days and end up not able to concentrate and have to take several days off. And I regret that because there is writing to do! God made me a writer and write I do. This book was an exception to that. It didn’t take a year to write so I didn’t get to that stage before I finished it.
I have two writing quirks with novels. I write novels to explain the concepts of the books with complicated topics, like a theology book. When I do that I pretty much have an outline for the novel before I do anything. Figure out the point of view and the characters and off I go.
If I don’t already have an outline I write without one. I like to write my characters into corners and not have any idea how they will get out. So I can end up with almost daily cliffhangers. I get to enjoy the cliffhangers before my readers do.
Q. What authors do you like to read? What book or books have had a strong influence on you or your writing?
A. When you write all the time there just is no time for reading. The Bible is the big exception to that, of course. However, I did a lot of reading in my earlier years. I used to read theology books. That was fun for me. I’ve been writing so long I don’t remember many of the author names. Larry Richards, Walter C. Kaiser, Martin & Deidre Bobgan, L. S. Chafer.
I also read a lot of novels in earlier years.
Q. What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?
A. Get it done. Expect it to be imperfect. Set it aside for some months then revise.
Next figure out how to promote it. Preferrably right away. Don’t put that off.
But God might just get you going on to the next book instead. In that case the promotion may have to wait. That is what happened to me. I did a lot of research on promoting but never had the time to just get it done. Even after I had a website and a blog I still wasn’t promoting them. God sidetracked me in developing Predictive Money Control. That was a 5 month delay all by itself.
And if at all possible tie you book in to something long-term and big going on in society right now.
And read a lot. That is how you learn to write. You read.
A. I often write during daily Bible study.
A. My Alma Mater no longer exists.
Q. Why did you start using symbols while studying grammar?
A. I was working with the grammar of 3 languages. That can be confusing. And there is a lot of material to forget. My forgetter works very well. Symbols simplified the review process. And they help you see options in the grammar you will miss otherwise.
Q. You must have enjoyed grammar in school.
A. I did not enjoy English grammar in school. Nor did I dislike it. It just wasn’t a focus of mine. But I was good at it.
Q. Do you have any unique ideas other than using symbols in Symbols Language System?
A. I developed new language ideas. Especially as I studied Hebrew grammar. The ideas of what I call pushovers and pullovers came from Hebrew. I found more types of pronouns than the normal 5 or 6 that are taught. And I redefined “subject” and “object” into terms that actually tell us what those are.
Q. How did you develop SLS?
A. How I developed SLS
I started drawing simple pictures to represent various aspects of languages. Over time I improved the pictures and found out they not only make it simpler to analyze sentences, they make it quicker and more thorough. You can easily miss potential meanings when you operate just from memory. And trying to track all the possible grammar meanings of a word using a list of words like “transitive” and “intransitive”- that is quite difficult. But a column of simple pictures you can quickly run your eye over, with short definitions for the pictures you don’t know- that is simpler and quicker and leads to insights you will miss otherwise.
Q. Who can this help?
A. Homeschoolers, English as a second language students, English majors, people needing remedial learning for work.
5 Fun Facts You Don’t Know About Me
I don’t sing. I just learned that different countries have their music instruments set to different keys. I wonder if my ears are set to a key not used in this country.
I had a mechanic once. I didn’t have a car, but I had a mechanic. I discovered his shop while riding a bike past his place. It had a cross on it. I just knew right then he was the mechanic for me. I introduced 3 people to him. One of the people I introduced to him complained because the first three times he took his van to the mechanic the mechanic did the work for free. Good mechanic.
I don’t care about social media. Doesn’t interest me in the least. But I may have to start using it before long so I can tell people about my books.
I had three conflicting cancer diagnoses. And one chemo nurse that told me to wait- new better treatments were on the way. I decided alternative medicine is the way to go.
I read part of a series by J. R. R. Martin. Excellent writing. I will never read another book by him. Evil won. Satan will never win in the end. Read my historical novel, Satan’s Goals, and you will see the truth. I never intended to write that book, and in fact resisted it for a week even as God pushed it. It only took about a week for God to have me writing. It was a quick book to write, and interesting.