Since I can remember I have kept a diary. I think I was in the fourth grade when Grandma Patton sent me a diary for Christmas as well as a pen. I could write whatever was on my mind. Whether it was that I hated my mom for something I probably got in trouble for or that she wouldn't let me do whatever I wanted. If I'd only known then what I know now. I promised myself I'd never be like my mom, yet the honest truth is all kids can't stand their parents as kids but so appreciate all they have done … [Read more...]
Day 99: Writing Your Own Corner
I love this. Most of us only know the areas where we have lived or been surrounded by. For an Army brat they are constantly being moved around the country and sometimes even living in different countries. For another they may have lived in the same small town their entire life. Another might have been raised in the foster care system constantly being moved from one home to another. Think about it. We are all so different. No two people have lived the exact same life. Yes, many people have … [Read more...]
Day 98: Ideas in Limos and Planes
I love this quote in the book: "You can’t just dance or paint or write or sculpt. Those are just verbs. You need a tangible idea to get you going. The idea, however minuscule, is what turns the verb into a noun." —TWYLA THARP Think about that. As a writer, no matter how small the idea might be, we're able to turn that into a full length book. We can get ideas from any where. A little over two years ago I was told I needed to add fiction elements to my daughters book. The problem was I … [Read more...]
Day 97: Clear Language
When we write do we want to be vague or do we want to be as clear as possible? I hope your answer was the latter. When we write we should want to be as clear and straight forward so there is no confusion on the part of the reader. The clarity of our story needs to not make sense only in our heads but also the reader. If we didn't have readers there would be no need to write a story in the first place. This morning my niece and her friend that stayed the night were upstairs in her room … [Read more...]
Day 96: The Things We Keep
In life as each day goes by we create memories. For the most part most of those memories aren't that important so we forget about them. But the important ones sometimes feel like they embed themselves into our brains. When my daughter died I knew I couldn't go back and live in the house where all I had surrounding me were memories of her. Pictures on the wall. Her silly cups. Her food. Her bedroom. I was a stay at home mom of a child with severe autism whose life completely revolved around my … [Read more...]
Day 95: Five Things Writers Can Learn from Dogs
I love the list from the book as these can be applied to not only writers, but so many things people do in life. 1. Be tenacious and curious about everything. Don't be afraid to try and do new things. See where they take you. Who knows, maybe you'll like it. 2. Abandon yourself to joy on occasion. Don't be afraid to allow yourself to be happy. It's okay to give into the joyous side of life. 3. At all times, follow what you love. Have you ever known someone who said, "Man, I hate to … [Read more...]
Day 94: Lighting Candles
Or better said having a ritual that works for you with whatever you do. I talked about habits yesterday. They can take time to form. Whereas rituals are things you do when you do something on a regular basis. For example, when I write I sit in my big comfy-cozy rocker-recliner. I put the footrest up. I have my college ruled binder paper plus my PhD .7mm lead mechanical pencil. The TV is off and no music is playing in the background. The only noises around me are the one talking to me in my … [Read more...]
Day 93: Habits of Writers
I've always heard that in order to form a habit it takes 30 days of doing whatever it is everyday to make it one. For me this has never been easy. For example, remembering to take my medication. Trying to get into the habit of taking it every night at bedtime was so hard and it took me a lot longer than 30 days to do it in. Then I had to start remembering to take some in the morning. It has been several months and I still don't remember to take it everyday, although I am a whole lot better about … [Read more...]
Day 92: Rituals of Discipline
Discipline. Does it come natural for everyone or just for some while others have to work at it? I think it's the latter two. For me, discipline hasn't always been easy. I'd love to be like one of those people who set out to do something and they always do it. They don't allow distractions to get in their way. However, I tend to get bored with things too easily. I can focus on something for a couple of months but then I get distracted and stop. I need something new to keep my attention. I … [Read more...]
Day 91: Naming Names
In life we have all been given a name at birth, typically by our parents. My name, Kristena, is a rather common name in the way it is pronounced. The most common spelling is Christina, with Kristina in a close second. But then you have my spelling. When you first saw my name did you catch that it had an 'e' in it? If you're like most you didn't. That's normal. Whereas the spelling of my name some might say is abnormal. To me that doesn't sound right. I like to think of the spelling as … [Read more...]
