There's an old saying that goes like this: In order to start your journey we must first know where we are going. For example, in order for Keith and I to know the exact route we will take to get to Alaska when we start our journey, we must first know exactly where we are going. So in this case, first things first, we know we are going to Anchorage. From there we can plot our long course, making our stops along the way until we make our destination. I think there are many times in life where we … [Read more...]
Day 28: In the Company of Animals
Our pets are more than just animals. They are our family. We treat them as one of our kids. We worry for them if they become sick. We grieve for them if they die. For someone who might live by themselves, a dog or a cat or even both for that matter, can give them the peace of mind and comfort they seek. Looking back to the time right after Mari died, I knew I couldn't go and live back in the same house we had been living in. Keith didn't understand it. We'd only lived there for six months since … [Read more...]
Day 27: Fruitcakes and Discipline
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. — ARISTOTLE Think about that quote for a minute. How thought-provoking is that? Discipline. I will be the first to admit I struggle with discipline almost on a daily basis. Don't get me wrong. If I am focused on an in particular goal, I am 100% committed to that current goal. It's when I start to get the least bit bored that I find myself no longer disciplined and I move away from what I'm doing. And to be honest, it's … [Read more...]
The End of One Full Month
Wow, it's hard to believe it's already the end of February. I remember sitting and watching the movie Julie and Julia and thinking what a brilliant idea Julie had to go through Julia Child's cookbook in one year and then write about it on a blog. I wanted to do something like that but something more me. Mari's website would be perfect only I didn't have any idea how or what to do it on. At the beginning of the year I went on a search for doing a word a day to write on. The only problem is there … [Read more...]
Day 26: The Trampoline as a Metaphor
Life sometimes can totally surprise us in the most unexpected ways. For instance, a big trampoline. How in the world is a trampoline possibly related to writing? Before I read today's except on the phrase above, I was stumped. Then I started to read how scared to death the woman was by "what looked like a big lake of black water." She said, "I’m here to tell you that it is impossible to be calm and dignified on a trampoline. It is also impossible to feel safe on one. I crawled onto [it] and … [Read more...]
Day 25: Failing Better
"Fail. Fail again. Fail better." This is a quote by Samuel Beckett. And here is another one by Thomas Edison: “I didn’t fail one thousand times. The lightbulb was an invention with one thousand steps.” I think we hear many times throughout our lifetime how it doesn't matter how many times we fail as long as we keep on trying. If we stop at the 999,999th time, it might have been that millionth time that could have been the one to work. For me, I've been constantly learning about writing both … [Read more...]
Day 24: Writing While Drooled Upon
Really, this just means to not let anything get in the way of your writing. I know I could have what seems like a million and one things to keep me from writing. To be honest, I think I let many excuses get in the way of my writing. If I was more disciplined I think I could find the time I need. But, for whatever reason, I can't seem to find the motivation within myself to become disciplined. It's almost like it's a vicious cycle. Then one day while getting ready to start walking on my … [Read more...]
Day 23: What Writer’s Do
Man, it is really interesting, yet not surprising, how different we all are when it comes to how we wrote. I just read about a guy who literally sets his alarm for 4am, wakes up in the dark and doesn't turning a light, puts his computer on his lap making sure his monitor is a black screen, writes for a few hours, goes back to bed, and then wakes back up at 8:30am to edit what he wrote. I couldn't imagine doing all that. As it is, I'm not a morning person. The night hours are when I shine. … [Read more...]
Day 22: A Writer’s Lifestyle
I don't think there's a cookie cutter lifestyle to apply to all writers. It would be like saying all stay-at-home moms are great cooks or fantastic at keeping their homes spotlessly clean. With that said, I do think when we're wrapped up in a story we're writing we could allow it to take over our life if we were to let it. Writing seems to come to me in waves. When I'm hot and in the zone, so to speak, all I want to do is write. I don't want to watch TV or movies. I don't want to do any of my … [Read more...]
Day 21: Finding the Spotlight
Own your story. Whether it's fictional, a memoir, or even your own life, just own it. My story, or my life, makes me who I am today. I was abused as a child in all the ways I think there are, to include abandonment (talk about leaving yourself exposed) from my dad, my mom, and even my grandparents through the emotional side. Please don't. Get me wrong. I loved both my grandparents, both of which are now in heaven, and my mom and dad. My mom raised us on her own and she did the best she … [Read more...]
