It is a typical spring day in Oregon. A little liquid sunshine mixed with the real thing. But, that is what makes our state so green and beautiful. Spring is actually my favorite season of the year, as it is so full of new beginnings. Everywhere you look, trees and early plants are flowering and a sense of expectancy is in the air.
There is an elk herd that graces us with their presence from time to time. They are phenomenal creatures, large and majestic. Though we lost many members of the herd this last fall, there are several young ones to take their place and it is a pleasure to see them eat in the field behind our house. Our dog is totally unimpressed by them, not even deigning to acknowledge their very existence. Not a woof, a growl, or even a snort is emitted from her furry lips. Such is our watchdog.
I often find, with the advent of spring, that my pace through life quickens. Whether at work or home, I feel this inexpressible need to accomplish more than usual. Yet, instead, this is a perfect time to slow my pace and look at the world around me.
In the constant rush to accomplish everything we can, every minute of every day, do you stop to take advantage of special moments or enjoy the beauty of your surroundings? The adage “Stop and smell the roses” is not so far from the mark. The rush of “doing” can cause us to miss the moments of “being”. Before we know it, we have truly missed special moments that we might not experience again. Sometimes, things that are so simple can be what is most precious and will last in our memories for a lifetime. The smell of my Grandmother’s hand lotion or the beauty of a clear blue sky against an evergreen mountain ridge comes immediately to my recollection. What memories come to mind for you? I would love to see your comments.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Be Authentic
Besides reading and writing, I LOVE movies! The other day while researching a project, I flipped on the TV and “The Legend of Bagger Vance” starring Will Smith was on HBO. I love the part when he’s talking to Matt Damon’s character “Junuh” about finding his perfect golf swing. His “authentic” swing. This got me thinking, not just about golfing, but writing. Of course.
We all have authors we admire, whose work and writing style pulls us right into their stories and takes us on an adventure. Just as Junuh had to find his authentic swing, we have to find our authentic writing style. The style that is uniquely ours. Not someone else’s. It is important that we be authentic to ourselves, listening to the real voice within us so that what we write about and do in our lives is truly us. Not someone else. Not someone we admire. Our real self. Our authentic self. If we try to write like someone else, we are not writing at our best. It’s essentially a lie to our self. It’s their style, not ours.
We find our unique and authentic self through practice. An older movie that comes to mind is The Glenn Miller Story starring Jimmy Stewart and June Allison. Glenn Miller was a Big Band musician who formed his own band. However, there were a lot of big bands playing during that time, but he needed to establish his own sound in order to distinguish himself as different from other bands and musicians. Through perseverance, he finally found the “sound” that was uniquely his own. This is what we need to do through our writing. Keep at it until we find that unique writing style that is completely our own and distinguishes us from other writers.
Just like good musicians, singers, athletes or other people who are committed, they have each found their niche through hard work and being true to themselves. It’s just like the need to breathe. You just HAVE to. We write because WE have to. Show your true self in your writing. You will write tighter, sharper, better, more authentic work.
We all have authors we admire, whose work and writing style pulls us right into their stories and takes us on an adventure. Just as Junuh had to find his authentic swing, we have to find our authentic writing style. The style that is uniquely ours. Not someone else’s. It is important that we be authentic to ourselves, listening to the real voice within us so that what we write about and do in our lives is truly us. Not someone else. Not someone we admire. Our real self. Our authentic self. If we try to write like someone else, we are not writing at our best. It’s essentially a lie to our self. It’s their style, not ours.
We find our unique and authentic self through practice. An older movie that comes to mind is The Glenn Miller Story starring Jimmy Stewart and June Allison. Glenn Miller was a Big Band musician who formed his own band. However, there were a lot of big bands playing during that time, but he needed to establish his own sound in order to distinguish himself as different from other bands and musicians. Through perseverance, he finally found the “sound” that was uniquely his own. This is what we need to do through our writing. Keep at it until we find that unique writing style that is completely our own and distinguishes us from other writers.
Just like good musicians, singers, athletes or other people who are committed, they have each found their niche through hard work and being true to themselves. It’s just like the need to breathe. You just HAVE to. We write because WE have to. Show your true self in your writing. You will write tighter, sharper, better, more authentic work.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The Journey Is Worth It!
“It’s the journey that’s most important, not the end.” – Chuck Jones, animator and director.
I was channel surfing, last night, and came across the tail-end of a biography on Chuck Jones, the famous animator for Silly Symphonies, Merrie Melodies, and Looney Tunes. I have always been a HUGE fan of these cartoons, and yes, collect them whenever possible. Throughout the segment I caught, he talked about how he would not change the importance of having goals and the journey to attain them. It was not about getting the Academy Awards that he received, though those were great perks and encouragements, but the creative journey that took him there. What wonderful characters and cartoons he participated in creating – Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Yosemite Sam, & Porky Pig, to name a few. Generations have loved and continue to love his work, much like Walt Disney and the legacy that this creative man has left the world or any of the other men and women who followed their passions and creative desires.
If we don’t share our creativity, then the world will miss out on what we have to offer. If these men had not followed their dreams, took the risks, and worked to improve their craft, we would be missing out on their gifts. They didn’t know starting out they would attain the heights they did, but they knew they had to try.
You may not think you have a gift, but if you don’t try, how do you know? If you don’t practice or seek to improve, what might the world be missing out on? I may not be the next J.K. Rowling, but I’m sure going to try. Besides, it’s the journey that counts, and I love a good adventure!
Enjoy your day!
I was channel surfing, last night, and came across the tail-end of a biography on Chuck Jones, the famous animator for Silly Symphonies, Merrie Melodies, and Looney Tunes. I have always been a HUGE fan of these cartoons, and yes, collect them whenever possible. Throughout the segment I caught, he talked about how he would not change the importance of having goals and the journey to attain them. It was not about getting the Academy Awards that he received, though those were great perks and encouragements, but the creative journey that took him there. What wonderful characters and cartoons he participated in creating – Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Yosemite Sam, & Porky Pig, to name a few. Generations have loved and continue to love his work, much like Walt Disney and the legacy that this creative man has left the world or any of the other men and women who followed their passions and creative desires.
If we don’t share our creativity, then the world will miss out on what we have to offer. If these men had not followed their dreams, took the risks, and worked to improve their craft, we would be missing out on their gifts. They didn’t know starting out they would attain the heights they did, but they knew they had to try.
You may not think you have a gift, but if you don’t try, how do you know? If you don’t practice or seek to improve, what might the world be missing out on? I may not be the next J.K. Rowling, but I’m sure going to try. Besides, it’s the journey that counts, and I love a good adventure!
Enjoy your day!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Wow! People Are Amazing
I started this blog on recommendation from many writers as a way to advance my writing skills as well as get possible exposure to veteran writers, editors and publishers. The other purpose of this blog is to share information that I have come across that has helped me grow. I believe in the importance of sharing knowledge, not hoarding it from others. The more information is shared, the better we all become.
As a woman writer, and even just as a writer, period, I have loved receiving my emails from WOW! Women on Writing or visiting their website at http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/. They consistently introduce new writers, authors, publishers and editors. This site has been pivotal for introducing me to large numbers of other informative writing websites and blogs with the same focus as I have – to share information and improve my skills as a writer and person. Even if you are not a writer, there are many people through this site who share their passions, whether it is for cooking, children with disabilities, or many other areas of interest. I am consistently impressed by what other people are doing to improve the world around them. Check it out. You may be impressed, too. And if you have a story, submit it in their contests. Their contests are a great way to improve the quality of your writing skills.
Enjoy your day!
As a woman writer, and even just as a writer, period, I have loved receiving my emails from WOW! Women on Writing or visiting their website at http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/. They consistently introduce new writers, authors, publishers and editors. This site has been pivotal for introducing me to large numbers of other informative writing websites and blogs with the same focus as I have – to share information and improve my skills as a writer and person. Even if you are not a writer, there are many people through this site who share their passions, whether it is for cooking, children with disabilities, or many other areas of interest. I am consistently impressed by what other people are doing to improve the world around them. Check it out. You may be impressed, too. And if you have a story, submit it in their contests. Their contests are a great way to improve the quality of your writing skills.
Enjoy your day!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Welcome!
I have loved to write since my hand grasped its first primary pencil. The act of putting words to paper fascinated me. As my young hand became more adept, the written words began to flow as though by magic. Though the content was as immature as I was, I relished the process and creativity of putting my thoughts, ideas and dreams on paper.
Supporting this has been my lifelong love of books. Few things are more wonderful than being transported into a different world as you move through the pages of a book. Growing up, my favorite place was a library. Shelves upon shelves of knowledge, lives, stories, fantasies, and dreams were lined up ready for someone to open the pages and enter in. My young, fertile mind happily dove into these amazing realms.
Life interrupted my enthusiastic writing for a time. Raising two gorgeous daughters is a full time occupation, as those of you with children will likely agree. Though they are out on their own, they still lean heavily on "Mom" for support. Just because they are 26 and 27 doesn't mean they let me get far.
My husband and I live out in the countryside of Oregon, away from the noise and issues of city life, and we love it. We give thanks for it daily. We still work full time, commuting daily to our jobs, but the peace and tranquility of our new home has enabled me to return to my first passion. My husband has also taken advantage of our location to follow his passion - fishing!
Through these posts, I would like to share with you some thoughts, introduce you to fellow writing friends, and links to interesting sites. It will be an adventure.
I hope, as we make this journey together, you will also find the desire to make time for yourself. Give thanks for even the little things in life, for when we do, it is incredible how those little things multiply and become big. So, here we go!
Supporting this has been my lifelong love of books. Few things are more wonderful than being transported into a different world as you move through the pages of a book. Growing up, my favorite place was a library. Shelves upon shelves of knowledge, lives, stories, fantasies, and dreams were lined up ready for someone to open the pages and enter in. My young, fertile mind happily dove into these amazing realms.
Life interrupted my enthusiastic writing for a time. Raising two gorgeous daughters is a full time occupation, as those of you with children will likely agree. Though they are out on their own, they still lean heavily on "Mom" for support. Just because they are 26 and 27 doesn't mean they let me get far.
My husband and I live out in the countryside of Oregon, away from the noise and issues of city life, and we love it. We give thanks for it daily. We still work full time, commuting daily to our jobs, but the peace and tranquility of our new home has enabled me to return to my first passion. My husband has also taken advantage of our location to follow his passion - fishing!
Through these posts, I would like to share with you some thoughts, introduce you to fellow writing friends, and links to interesting sites. It will be an adventure.
I hope, as we make this journey together, you will also find the desire to make time for yourself. Give thanks for even the little things in life, for when we do, it is incredible how those little things multiply and become big. So, here we go!
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