Choose to Write

In my reading quest, I recently started reading PAGE AFTER PAGE by Heather Sellers. Early in the book, she discusses the importance of choice. She says one can make that choice and needs to do so.

In Ms. Sellars words, "You pick. That's all you have to do. You have to pick. And then support that choice with every fiber of your being--aka stop complaining."

Sounds simple, doesn't it? Just choose. Choose to write. Put writing first (or don't but accept that without complaint) and make time. Just do it.

This month, I am choosing to read in hopes it will incite my creativity to finish the current projects on which I am working. What are you choosing to do?

Reading Month

I have designated July "reading month." I've been working on a few things and have been spinning my wheels a bit. I took a look at the piles of books and magazines I've accumulated and ignored and decided July, with all the running to and from activities and family vacations, would be a great time to tackle the pile. While we are now several days into July, I've not been as productive in my reading quest as I'd like though have plowed through several magazines in my pile. Many of the books awaiting my perusal include PAGE AFTER PAGE by Heather Sellers, THE SLIPPERY ART OF BOOK REVIEWING by Mayra Calvani and Anne K. Edwards and LIVING WRITE by Kelly L. Stone.

Do you have any other suggestions I should add to my list? I always enjoy hearing what others find helpful so please share if there is a book that has been particularly useful to you.

Thanks and enjoy the remaining days of summer.

Independence Day

Happy 4th of July!

Celebrate your independence in all walks of life. Enjoy your day and remember those who fought for our independence.

Use Your Mind

"It is not enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well."

Wise words by Rene Descartes. I found this so inspiring this morning when I read it. Very often, a good mind is wasted for one reason or another. Other times, one cultivates his/her mind to the fullest potential. This morning, reading the above noted words, I re-affirmed my commitment (despite the summer mush brain I seem to currently have going on!) to use my mind and use it well. Can you commit to the same?

Inspiration

I was sitting in the orthodontist's office this morning waiting for my kids to finish their appointments. I started reading a great book called SECRETS OF SERENITY: TIMELESS WISDOM TO SOOTHE THE SOUL. There were many wonderful snippets of inspiration, but here are a couple I found especially notable.

"Life is not always what one wants it to be, but to make the best of it as it is, is the only way of being happpy." Jennie Churchill (English Editor & Playwright)

"Life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced." Soren Kierkegaard (Danish Philosopher)

The second struck me particularly because, as writers, it is that reality we experience which gives us a solid foundation on which to create stories, characters and plot lines. It is often too easy to look at the path of life as problematic, especially in difficult times, but thinking of it as a reality to be experienced on the path to happiness seems very serene and inspiring to me.

Experience your life's reality and use it to create a masterpiece. Happy writing!

Websites

While reading the May/June 2011 issue of Writer's Digest recently, I came across a list of best websites for writers. For those of you who do not subscribe (though I strongly suggest you do) to Writer's Digest, I wanted to pass along a few of the most noteworthy in my opinion in case you haven't stumbled across them yet.

agentquery.com is reportedly a great place to find an agent.
allfreelancewriting.com/writers-markets is a directory of paying freelance markets.
fundsforwriters.com has tons of great information.
marketlist.com has hundreds of market listings.
editorialanonymous.blogspot.com gives great advice on real submissions.
scbwi.org is a must for writers which even has great info for nonmembers.

Go to WritersDigest.com for subscription (and a bunch of other valuable) information.

Editorial Staff Changes

Here is a great site full of information regarding editorial staff changes that Harold Underdown compiles from various sources. If you have not seen this before or recently, you may want to check it out. I found some very helpful information.

http://www.underdown.org/chchange.htm