Be a Wordsmith

 

Some very dear friends gave me this sign as a gift this past Christmas. I thought many of you would enjoy it and relate. Truer words have never been written, for an author anyway. 

The idea that the act of writing is to "share part of your soul with the world" really resonated with me. This is, ultimately, what we all try to do as writers. This is the heart of any story. Our hearts speaking to our readers' hearts and inciting some type of response. But, it is so scary! There is so much emotion wrapped up in this thought. Fear of the unknown. Fear of not being good enough. Fear a reader may hate what you write and say so publicly.  Writing is scary. Or, rather, putting yourself "out there" as a published author is scary. But I liked what this sign said about comparing yourself only to the writer you were yesterday. Be you, whomever that may be. I am working hard on this and seem to be in a bit of a dry spell, but I will press on. Butt in chair as, "first drafts don't have to be perfect, they just have to be written."

I would love to hear what drives your need to write and how you conquer the scary moments and create magic with your words.

Mission Complete

 

30 ideas in 30 days...check! Thank you, Tara Lazar, for the month of inspiration and growth. I am looking forward to exploring my ideas and seeing where they lead.

Storm of Ideas

Ideas, ideas, everywhere. Find them here, find them there.

As I am doing the Storystorm challenge this month and striving to come up with 30 ideas in 31 days, I've been thinking a lot about ideas and trying to notice everything around me regardless of where I am and what I am doing. I realized today that this is no different than usual. I am just being far better at writing down my ideas before they escape me than I am in other times of the year. I find myself making notes in my phone or asking someone to text me a thought if I don't have a way to write it down or make a note in my phone. It seems to be working thus far.

I've proven to myself time and time again, regardless of what I think at that given moment, I am incapable of remembering the idea later regardless of how good I think it is. Ideas are but a flitting thought in and out for me most times. I usually do think I will remember the idea or the spin I think would be fun to explore but rarely do if not noted. Therefore, I am going to make a concerted effort to continue to make physical notes of any ideas that pop up throughout the year, not just in January, regardless of when and where they hit. 

I don't know about you, but it does seem, more often than not, the times the best ideas hit are those with the least chance of having a pen or phone to jot them down...in the shower, while driving, etc. I end up talking to myself, repeating over and over whatever thought popped into my head, until such time as I can write it down. Guessing there are many that notice and giggle at me talking to myself, but such is life.

How about you? Where do you find your best ideas? Don't forget to notice everything and everyone around you. One never knows what will pop into the mind when allowed.

Happy idea generating and writing to you!

Welcome to 2022

 

Happy New Year to you and yours! May 2022 bring much happiness, good health and well-being. Wishing you peace and prosperity, today and always. Cheers to a new year filled with fresh possibilities, both big and small. Find your passion and purpose and have your best year yet!

StoryStorm 2022

 

Looking forward to a new year of Tara Lazar's annual STORYSTORM challenge in January. 30 picture book ideas in 31 days...game on! If you haven't participated yet, I highly recommend you give it a shot. It is a great way to kick off the new writing year. 

You can find more information here, https://taralazar.com/.

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas. May peace and joy be with you always. Enjoy time spent with family and friends. Be well and God Bless!

Tis the Season

 

'Twas the week of Christmas
and all through the house,
all people were stirring
and flitting about.
 

Mom was cooking
and baking
and wrapping.
 

Dad was sweeping
and dusting
and fire building.

The children were snooping
and playing
and movie watching.
 

The house was ready,
the goodies baked.
Cards were played,
and meals made.
 

Soon it will be time to sleep and await
Santa and his reindeer
on this Christmas Eve.
 

Wishing you all wonderful time
spent with family and friends,
good health and well-being, now and
in the new year ahead.
 

Merry Christmas to all,
and to all a good night!