I seem to keep coming back to this book--Walking on Alligators. Most likely, it is because it is the only book I am taking time to read at the moment. However, the short meditations are the perfect way to start my day. So, here is a thought for you all as you embark on a new day and new writing week.
"Today, I will sit and listen. I won't mind if the work is slow or stuck. I will believe that the words I am meant to write are on their way to me."
Here's to all of us finding the words needed to have a productive day!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Bylines Writer's Desk Calendar
Do any of you use the Bylines Writer's Desk Calendar? I did so in 2008 and purchased it again for 2009. While it has been extremely helpful to have a calendar specifically for my writing and writing-related activities, the snippets of information gained from the authors' interviews have been awesome. One particularly good one recently was that of Cindy Allen, a writer and pilot who lives in Missouri. In her interview, she talked of sleepwalking through the motions of daily activities and reminding herself to be aware of the present.
She says..."Walking past story ideas happens when the brain is on autopilot. I've found that writing realistic stories begins by disconnecting the autopilot and actively observing life around me."
Reading this created a profound, "duh" moment as Margie Lawson would call it. All too often, it is so easy to get caught up and carried away by life's events and activities rather than paying attention and using them to our advantage. I, for one, am very guilty of switching my writer's hat on and off and not paying attention to the present and all it offers. So, I am going to make a concerted effort to focus on the present and pay attention to the story possibilities around me regardless of which hat I am wearing at the moment--writer, speech path, mom, wife, etc. Here's to the demise of my brain on autopilot! Thank you Cindy Allen and Sylvia Forbes for putting together such a great planner.
She says..."Walking past story ideas happens when the brain is on autopilot. I've found that writing realistic stories begins by disconnecting the autopilot and actively observing life around me."
Reading this created a profound, "duh" moment as Margie Lawson would call it. All too often, it is so easy to get caught up and carried away by life's events and activities rather than paying attention and using them to our advantage. I, for one, am very guilty of switching my writer's hat on and off and not paying attention to the present and all it offers. So, I am going to make a concerted effort to focus on the present and pay attention to the story possibilities around me regardless of which hat I am wearing at the moment--writer, speech path, mom, wife, etc. Here's to the demise of my brain on autopilot! Thank you Cindy Allen and Sylvia Forbes for putting together such a great planner.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Ideas!
I am reminded frequently, especially the older I get, of the importance of writing things down. All too often, I don't have a pen and paper handy and believe, erroneously, my idea is so awesome there is no way I'll forget it. And, all too often, it is just a fleeting and unattainable fragment of my original thought when I do get to that pen and paper. As I was reading my daily meditations this morning in Walking on Alligators, I read the following and had a major aha moment.
"Opportunity just exists in the air for a few minutes. If you don't obey your gut feeling right away, you've lost your chance." Ken Hakuta penned these wise words.
I've resolved to keep handy a pen and paper as ideas do tend to present themselves at annoying and seemingly disorganized times--bath time for the kids, school pick up, middle of the night, mid shower, etc.
Per this passage, "Today, I'll snatch my hunches out of the air and jot them down, however hurriedly. They are part of my capital as a writer."
"Opportunity just exists in the air for a few minutes. If you don't obey your gut feeling right away, you've lost your chance." Ken Hakuta penned these wise words.
I've resolved to keep handy a pen and paper as ideas do tend to present themselves at annoying and seemingly disorganized times--bath time for the kids, school pick up, middle of the night, mid shower, etc.
Per this passage, "Today, I'll snatch my hunches out of the air and jot them down, however hurriedly. They are part of my capital as a writer."
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Be a Writer
Hello again!
It has been quite some time since I've posted a thing here. The usual excuses apply...crazy summer schedule with kid activities, vacations, an ever more chaotic household with three kids home all summer, etc. However, my kids are now in their fourth week back to school, and I'm still procrastinating! As I've been working my way back into the swing of things, I had piles of this and that to accomplish--status checks on submissions, writing books to read, magazine market research, follow up on my PB, research new article ideas gained over the course of the summer. You get the idea...tons of "stuff." But do you see the word "write" anywhere on that to do list? Me neither! So, as I was procrastinating just a little more, I came across this piece of inspiration in Walking on Alligators.
"Today, I won't think about what it's like to 'be a writer.' I will think about what it's like to be writing. And I will write."
As I've said before--and apparently have great trouble implementing--I must just write before anything else. The rest will come later.
Unfortunately, I now have to go pick my kids up from school, so tomorrow it will be!
It has been quite some time since I've posted a thing here. The usual excuses apply...crazy summer schedule with kid activities, vacations, an ever more chaotic household with three kids home all summer, etc. However, my kids are now in their fourth week back to school, and I'm still procrastinating! As I've been working my way back into the swing of things, I had piles of this and that to accomplish--status checks on submissions, writing books to read, magazine market research, follow up on my PB, research new article ideas gained over the course of the summer. You get the idea...tons of "stuff." But do you see the word "write" anywhere on that to do list? Me neither! So, as I was procrastinating just a little more, I came across this piece of inspiration in Walking on Alligators.
"Today, I won't think about what it's like to 'be a writer.' I will think about what it's like to be writing. And I will write."
As I've said before--and apparently have great trouble implementing--I must just write before anything else. The rest will come later.
Unfortunately, I now have to go pick my kids up from school, so tomorrow it will be!
Monday, July 27, 2009
HELP!
I've a question I wanted to toss out there to see if any of you have a suggestion. I'm finding very little time to sit and write and am a bit stagnant in the thinking capacity in that regard. I have so many great books I've started a bit of here and there but have not finished any. I'm hoping to stimulate some creativity and get myself back in gear, so I wanted to name a few and see if there are some that have been particularly helpful and/or inspiring to any of you out there.
--The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron
--From Where You Dream, Robert Olen Butler
--Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul, Jack Canfield
--Out of the Dust, Karen Hesse
--How to Write a Children's Book and Get It Published, Barbara Seuling
--Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott
--One Year to a Writing Life, Susan M. Tiberghien
--On Writing, Stephen King
--Writer Mama, Christina Katz
Does anyone care to cast a vote regarding on which book I should first concentrate my efforts? I would appreciate any advice you have to share!
--The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron
--From Where You Dream, Robert Olen Butler
--Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul, Jack Canfield
--Out of the Dust, Karen Hesse
--How to Write a Children's Book and Get It Published, Barbara Seuling
--Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott
--One Year to a Writing Life, Susan M. Tiberghien
--On Writing, Stephen King
--Writer Mama, Christina Katz
Does anyone care to cast a vote regarding on which book I should first concentrate my efforts? I would appreciate any advice you have to share!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Perfectionism
I seem to be harping lately on all these "self-defeating behaviors" as Margie Lawson would call them. I started my day off reading the following quote by Anna Quindlen:
"The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself."
I think this holds true in many areas of life though it is writing to which I am currently applying it. It is so true that one must throw oneself out there and take that risk in order to see where it leads. I've a tough manuscript I am working on currently that is a huge challenge. I'm finding myself stagnant sometimes for fear of not doing it justice. The above quote was helpful this morning--I had a "Duh" moment when I read it, another of Margie's terms. It isn't necessary to be "perfect" to just write. I need to just write. As I tell my daughter, "you can't hit the ball if you don't swing the bat!" Duh! I'm going to step up to the plate and see if I can round the bases. I'm hoping for a home run, but we'll see where it leads. I'm up for the challenge.
As Anne Lamott so aptly puts it in Bird by Bird, "Perfectionism...will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft." At this point, I don't care if my first draft is shitty; I just want to complete my first draft and continue the process of becoming myself.
"The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself."
I think this holds true in many areas of life though it is writing to which I am currently applying it. It is so true that one must throw oneself out there and take that risk in order to see where it leads. I've a tough manuscript I am working on currently that is a huge challenge. I'm finding myself stagnant sometimes for fear of not doing it justice. The above quote was helpful this morning--I had a "Duh" moment when I read it, another of Margie's terms. It isn't necessary to be "perfect" to just write. I need to just write. As I tell my daughter, "you can't hit the ball if you don't swing the bat!" Duh! I'm going to step up to the plate and see if I can round the bases. I'm hoping for a home run, but we'll see where it leads. I'm up for the challenge.
As Anne Lamott so aptly puts it in Bird by Bird, "Perfectionism...will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft." At this point, I don't care if my first draft is shitty; I just want to complete my first draft and continue the process of becoming myself.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy 4th of July
Happy July 4th to all of you!
In these tough times, it is particularly important to celebrate our independence and pray for better times ahead. As Helen Keller said:
"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope or confidence."
I wish you all a future filled with hope, faith, optimism and confidence across the many achievements you hold dear to your hearts.
God Bless!
In these tough times, it is particularly important to celebrate our independence and pray for better times ahead. As Helen Keller said:
"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope or confidence."
I wish you all a future filled with hope, faith, optimism and confidence across the many achievements you hold dear to your hearts.
God Bless!
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