Monday, August 30, 2010

Being a Writer

I just purchased and started reading Kelly L. Stone's LIVING WRITE: THE SECRET TO INVITING YOUR CRAFT INTO YOUR DAILY LIFE. I was on the first page when I found myself inspired and reaching for my highlighter! I went back this morning to re-read what I've highlighted thus far and felt it pertinent to share. As I sit here thinking about a few things that need to get finished around the house and my much needed exercise which I haven't gotten around to yet, her words had particular impact.

"To be a writer, you simply have to write. Just as you don't agonize over when you will have time to shower in the morning because taking a daily shower is a habit, a writer doesn't agonize over how the one page will get written because it's a habit. It's a given. It's part of the daily schedule."

I'm very much looking forward to reading this book and gaining the help I need in making writing a daily habit. How do you do it? If you feel inspired, please leave a comment about what works for you.

Happy writing and habit forming!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Imagination

Today, my kids went back to school leaving me with more time to dedicate to my writing. I am not starting work again until tomorrow and left today to get organized here at home and write. As I was reading my daily morning meditation in WALKING ON ALLIGATORS, I realized I need to always be open to what is happening around me and stop looking at my writing time as only a definitive period of time. I get so caught up in saying I will dedicate 8-2 to writing today and then attempt to flip that writer switch off and Mommy switch back on.

Today's meditation provided a quote from Norman Mailer:

"There's no clear boundary between experience and imagination. Who knows what glimpses of reality we pick up unconsciously, telepathically."

It finishes with a terrific thought...

"Today, I'll stir my imagination and experience together, and await the extra flash of insight that this mixture attracts."

Today, and always, I am going to stay open to those ideas, thoughts and memories floating around out there in my brain and environment regardless of whether they present during my "writer time" or my "mommy time" and see what comes of it.

Here's to a new school year and a newfound dedication to time well spent in the writing realm!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Historical Fiction Writing Contest

I was just reading Jan Field's ICL Writers eNews. She mentioned a contest I wanted to pass along to all of you who write historical fiction. See below...

7. Historical Fiction Writing Contest
http://www.thechildrenswriter.com/ad028
Historical Fiction for Young Adults can win you cash!
First Place: $500
Second Place: $250
Third Place: $100
Create a story that is historical but relevant to contemporary readers, show your research with a bibliography.
Word Count: Up to $1500
Fee: Free for Children's Writer Newsletter (the print newsletter) subscribers. For everyone else, the fee is $15 which entitles you to an 8-month subscription to the Children's Writer at no extra cost.
Entry must be received by October 30, 2010

For those of you that do not subscribe to Children's Writer Newsletter, I highly recommend it. It is always full of great information. Thanks for the info, Jan!

Monday, August 16, 2010

"Happiness is a journey, not a destination"

I seem to be in the mode of quoting things I read lately. Here is another I found particularly inspiring.

"For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin-real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one." Souza

Isn't this great? There are always obstacles in the way of writing; life gets in the way of writing. But the journey through these obstacles that are life is what gives us the life experiences from which to create our writing. So, be happy; be productive; live life to the fullest and embrace those obstacles. Use them to your advantage!

Monday, August 9, 2010

Irish Blessing

While this particular blessing is not specific to writing, I thought as I read it this morning that what it wishes for each of us sets the stage for serenity and peace which, in turn, allow us to create the writing we strive to produce. So, today and always, I wish for you...

May you always be blessed
with walls for the wind,
a roof for the rain,
a warm cup of tea by the fire,
laughter to cheer you,
those you love near you,
and all that your
heart might desire.

(Irish Blessing)

Happy life and writing to all of you!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Nurture Your Writing

For those of you that have followed my summer posts about little time and a lot of activities, you know I've made a goal of spending at least 15 minutes a day writing. Well, lately, though I've spent my alloted 15 minutes on something, it has been rather unproductive. I seem to be shuffling my to-do piles around, organizing my work area, spending time at the library, trying to catch up on some reading and A LITTLE writing here and there--all in fits and spurts. One thing I try to start each day with is a meditation from Walking on Alligators. Today, I read a passage about pruning the things in life that "create a logjam in your time." I wanted to share the final meditation with you as it helped put in perspective for me how I am thinking about all of these things that must be done but which prevent me from doing what I need and want to do--write.

"Today, I'll discard my assumptions of what I 'have to keep up with.' I'll start taking careful note of which activities are compatible with productive writing for me."

The key word here, for me, is productive. It all goes back to that elusive balance we all try to find in life. Join me in pruning the weeds and creating the beautiful flowers of our writing gardens!