My thoughts and prayers are with all of you living with the threat of Hurricane Sandy. Whether evacuating or staying put, please use caution and care.
I do not know where I first saw this, but it has helped me greatly in many difficult times.
God hath not promised
skies always blue,
flower-strewn pathways
all our lives through;
God hath not promised
sun without rain,
day without sorrow,
peace without pain.
But God hath promised
strength for the day,
rest for the labor,
light for the way,
Grace for the trials,
help from above,
unfailing sympathy,
undying love...
Be safe. Be well. God Bless!
Monday, October 29, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Contest Change
Just a heads up for those of you interested in submitting an entry for the Children's Writer YA Short Story Writing Contest. I just logged on to read the fine print on submission details and noticed a change. Entries now must be received by November 16, 2012, rather than October 31.
So, press on if you are still writing and wanting to submit.
So, press on if you are still writing and wanting to submit.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Overcoming Fear
Jon Bard, Managing Editor for Children's Book Insider, has a guest post on the Write to Done blog about writers overcoming their doubt and fear. It is a great read and very informative. You can find it here:
Happy reading!
Monday, October 8, 2012
Overload
I was getting back to MARGIN by Richard A. Swenson this morning as it was a beautiful morning, and I wanted to sit on my deck a bit before getting to work on my current WIP. The chapter I was reading dealt with overload and exceeding our limits or "threshold." Swenson states that overload occurs whenever "the requirements upon us exceed that which we are able to bear."
He talked of all the burdens placed upon us in this day and age such as, "one more option, one more commitment, one more expectation, one more purchase, one more debt, one more change, one more job, one more decision."
The more things we add lead us to exceed our threshold and, thereby, result in "disorganization and frustration." This is certainly obvious in my life--one need only note the length of time since my last post. Swenson argues that it is not the "details" which are the problem but rather the "exceeding" which results in overload.
This certainly seems to be true. Any one thing, or few things, can be manageable in and of themselves but, all thrown together, can result in the overwhelming feeling of "Calgon, take me away!"
What I read this morning coupled with the lovely Fall weather today helped me put it all in perspective and take one thing at a time. We'll see what tomorrow brings, but for today, at least, I was successful at editing my ms and preparing it for submission which is what I wanted to accomplish.
Are you managing the "details" or becoming overwhelmed by "overload?" Please share your story and what works for you.
He talked of all the burdens placed upon us in this day and age such as, "one more option, one more commitment, one more expectation, one more purchase, one more debt, one more change, one more job, one more decision."
The more things we add lead us to exceed our threshold and, thereby, result in "disorganization and frustration." This is certainly obvious in my life--one need only note the length of time since my last post. Swenson argues that it is not the "details" which are the problem but rather the "exceeding" which results in overload.
This certainly seems to be true. Any one thing, or few things, can be manageable in and of themselves but, all thrown together, can result in the overwhelming feeling of "Calgon, take me away!"
What I read this morning coupled with the lovely Fall weather today helped me put it all in perspective and take one thing at a time. We'll see what tomorrow brings, but for today, at least, I was successful at editing my ms and preparing it for submission which is what I wanted to accomplish.
Are you managing the "details" or becoming overwhelmed by "overload?" Please share your story and what works for you.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Mondays
I received the following in an email this morning. I am unsure who originally said it, and there was not a direct reference to anyone; however, it really hit home. I had been laying in bed this morning trying to organize my brain and figure out what needed to be accomplished as I have a lot of meetings and things to do today--which I dislike on a Monday as it seems to be a great day to get back into the writing groove after a busy weekend with kids home all day and various sporting events. So, I was getting a little irritated about my day and then saw this in an email and had to chuckle. I thought I'd share it in case any of you started your day today in similar fashion.
So far today I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped, I haven’t lost my temper, I haven’t criticized or moaned. I haven’t been snappy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or over indulgent. I’m very thankful for that. But in a few minutes, I’m going to get out of bed. And from then on I’m probably going to need a lot more help!
It must have been just what I needed as the start of my bad attitude changed immediately. I hope you are all having a wonderful start to your new week as well.
Happy writing!
So far today I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped, I haven’t lost my temper, I haven’t criticized or moaned. I haven’t been snappy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or over indulgent. I’m very thankful for that. But in a few minutes, I’m going to get out of bed. And from then on I’m probably going to need a lot more help!
It must have been just what I needed as the start of my bad attitude changed immediately. I hope you are all having a wonderful start to your new week as well.
Happy writing!
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Children's Writer Contest
There is a new Children's Writer YA short story contest for teens, ages 13-14. The deadline is October 31, 2012. Click on the following link for more information: http://www.childrenswriter.com/.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Read Widely
This morning, I was reading PAGE AFTER PAGE by Heather Sellers. She was talking about needing to read widely as a writer. It was like confirmation for me. I LOVE to read, maybe even more than I love to write. I'll read almost anything and could lounge for days in my bed with just books for company. I've often felt badly about always wanting to read rather than do something else, something more productive. When I read Ms. Sellers' words, it was like an affirmation.
She says, "You can't get too far off track as a writer if you are reading. In fact, I don't know any successful writers who don't read. Writers read. Reading completes the gesture. Reading is what we do."
Well, there you go...couldn't have said it better myself. I'll now feel more productive in my writing life when I am reading. Thank you, Ms. Sellers!
She says, "You can't get too far off track as a writer if you are reading. In fact, I don't know any successful writers who don't read. Writers read. Reading completes the gesture. Reading is what we do."
Well, there you go...couldn't have said it better myself. I'll now feel more productive in my writing life when I am reading. Thank you, Ms. Sellers!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)