When you think of the old cliche "footloose and fancy free," what thoughts come to your mind? I think of childhood, a time in life that is carefree and not overburdened with responsibility, or matured from the experience of simply living life. Even being young and in college seems to fit well into that category, doesn't it? When, for many, it meant your biggest concern was whether or not you still had a can of spaghetti o's left in the cupboard for your dinner, and how you were going to cram a semester's worth of notes into your brain for the the final coming up in two days. I'm now almost thirty two years old and I really think there's something to be said for that old cliche.
I've lived life. It hasn't been filled with tragedy, nor has it been terrible. I am thankful, in fact, for every experience I've been through-good or bad. That's why I enjoy a style of writing that I like to think of as "footloose and fancy free." Many of you know of it as free writing.
The thing that's so neat about free writing is that there are absolutely no hard and fast rules. This is a time that you do not pay attention to spelling, grammar, or even punctuation. That would detract from the exercise. The idea is to get down as much on paper as you possibly can, and if you are monkeying around with details, it distracts you from your thoughts, and it's your very thoughts that make this such a useful exercise.
Sit down down with your keyboard or pen and paper and simply begin to write. It's an opportunity for you to sit down and write about anything and everything that happens to pop into your head. If it makes sense, that's great! If it doesn't, that's great too, but it's a excellent activity to begin your daily writing habits with, or if you are suffering from a bout of writer's block.
This is also a very useful exercise if you are writing on something specific. If you free write everything you can possibly think about pertaining to that topic you will find that it will help you narrow down what your thoughts and opinions are on that subject and may even help you to put a better focus on your paper.
Of course, you do not have to write about a specific topic. Remember, there are no rules. If you haven't any ideas, just write whatever is popping into your head. We are never void of thoughts. Something will come to you, I guarantee it!
Try it! You may be amazed of how many ideas may come to mind for your next big article when you are footloose and fancy free writing!
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
God's Gifts
Hello! I have missed you all so much, but am now officially back. I will get back to my "writing blogs" very soon, but first I thought you might like an update of what's been going on in my life during the last month.
We had a lovely and relaxing camping trip. I didn't think I would really be able to relax with thoughts of cleaning, packing, unpacking, and lifting heavy objects looming over my head. Amazingly enough I was still able to. I used the time away as an opportunity to push all my trivial responsibilities out of my mind. I say trivial responsibilities because the important ones never leave. I am always a wife and mother and I wouldn't change that for the world. Sure we all need breaks or solitary time once in a while, but being with my family in a relaxing setting was very enjoyable. Family is one of my favorite God given gifts!
This year's camping trip was very healing for me because last year's trip was filled with pain and anxiety. Right before we went camping we learned that the baby I was carrying no longer had a heartbeat. The doctors insisted I wait ten days to repeat the sonogram just to be sure there was no mistake. It was the hardest ten days of my life, hopeful that maybe everything was going to be ok, but knowing in my heart the reality of the situation. Camping was a good distraction, but a heavy cloud hung over my head the entire time.
When we got back from that trip the inevitable happened. I had a D&C and my period of recovery and healing began. I spent this last year learning more about myself and what's really important in life, and strengthening my relationship with God. He taught me a lesson about patience. He taught me that things happen for a reason, and they also occur in His time because His timing is truly perfect--even when we don't understand why. Life lessons are also gifts from God. We grow from them and can use them to help others through similar experiences. A good friend of mind also experienced a miscarriage this year and I was able to help her through my experience.
We came back from this year's vacation and immediately delved into the hard work of moving our little family and home. It's been stressful but fun and exciting at the same time. We set up our new household and were very satisfied with it all. Nick and I, as well as Chloe would take a bedroom upstairs, while Danielle chose the basement. In the next few months Nick plans to finish off a room down there for her, while I finally got to have an office with the remaining bedroom upstairs. The office room is a small room actually, but I didn't care. It would be a separate place for me to do my writing and other projects that needed completed.
Well, as for that office, God had other plans. It will become the new nursery. Very conveniently located next to Mama and Dada's bedroom! Yes, we are having a baby! I hope and pray for a happy ending this time, but I certainly don't plan to spend the next nine months worrying about it. I am going to enjoy every single moment--the fatigue, hunger, sickness, aches and pains and all! The neat thing is that last year while I was camping I grieved the loss of a little life I would never meet. This year while camping, I unknowingly had a new life growing within me! Yet another gift from God. He sure does work in wonderful and mysterious ways, doesn't he?
Thank you for coming back to visit me! I look forward to catching up on all of your blogs! It's been a long time and I can't wait to see what I've missed!
Have a wonderful day!
We had a lovely and relaxing camping trip. I didn't think I would really be able to relax with thoughts of cleaning, packing, unpacking, and lifting heavy objects looming over my head. Amazingly enough I was still able to. I used the time away as an opportunity to push all my trivial responsibilities out of my mind. I say trivial responsibilities because the important ones never leave. I am always a wife and mother and I wouldn't change that for the world. Sure we all need breaks or solitary time once in a while, but being with my family in a relaxing setting was very enjoyable. Family is one of my favorite God given gifts!
This year's camping trip was very healing for me because last year's trip was filled with pain and anxiety. Right before we went camping we learned that the baby I was carrying no longer had a heartbeat. The doctors insisted I wait ten days to repeat the sonogram just to be sure there was no mistake. It was the hardest ten days of my life, hopeful that maybe everything was going to be ok, but knowing in my heart the reality of the situation. Camping was a good distraction, but a heavy cloud hung over my head the entire time.
When we got back from that trip the inevitable happened. I had a D&C and my period of recovery and healing began. I spent this last year learning more about myself and what's really important in life, and strengthening my relationship with God. He taught me a lesson about patience. He taught me that things happen for a reason, and they also occur in His time because His timing is truly perfect--even when we don't understand why. Life lessons are also gifts from God. We grow from them and can use them to help others through similar experiences. A good friend of mind also experienced a miscarriage this year and I was able to help her through my experience.
We came back from this year's vacation and immediately delved into the hard work of moving our little family and home. It's been stressful but fun and exciting at the same time. We set up our new household and were very satisfied with it all. Nick and I, as well as Chloe would take a bedroom upstairs, while Danielle chose the basement. In the next few months Nick plans to finish off a room down there for her, while I finally got to have an office with the remaining bedroom upstairs. The office room is a small room actually, but I didn't care. It would be a separate place for me to do my writing and other projects that needed completed.
Well, as for that office, God had other plans. It will become the new nursery. Very conveniently located next to Mama and Dada's bedroom! Yes, we are having a baby! I hope and pray for a happy ending this time, but I certainly don't plan to spend the next nine months worrying about it. I am going to enjoy every single moment--the fatigue, hunger, sickness, aches and pains and all! The neat thing is that last year while I was camping I grieved the loss of a little life I would never meet. This year while camping, I unknowingly had a new life growing within me! Yet another gift from God. He sure does work in wonderful and mysterious ways, doesn't he?
Thank you for coming back to visit me! I look forward to catching up on all of your blogs! It's been a long time and I can't wait to see what I've missed!
Have a wonderful day!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Time Off
I apologize to all of you, my dear friends in the blogosphere, for my recent absence. For the last month life has just been crazy, but I am happy to say it has been a good crazy.
Most of you know that I began the month of June with a rather large writing project. My new client wanted me to write a fifty page book on parenting in two weeks! Of course, that was only the rough draft, and then I had another week to tighten it up, and fix what needed to be fixed. It was a wonderful project and I am truly blessed to say my client was fantastic! He liked my writing, was very reasonable, and has asked me to work on future projects with him, as well. Mission accomplished there.
Last Friday, Nick and I bought our first home. Of course, anyone who has ever moved knows what work it is and how time consuming it also is. We bought a lovely little ranch home in a nice neighborhood within the community we already live in. We really like the fact that it's right outside of town, but close enough to still be able to run our children to school events or run to the store to grab a gallon of milk without having to drive for miles (yes there are many homes out in the boonies where I live here in PA).
This weekend, we leave for vacation. Because we just bought a home, we are trying to keep expenses down so we are camping for a week (as opposed to the trip to Disney that we had planned earlier this spring). Honestly, I think I would rather camp. Florida is going to be sweltering hot and the lines at Disney are very long. Camping will be more of a leisurely experience with a lot fo relaxing and lots and lots of reading (YES!). We will need the relaxation because when we get back it's more packing, cleaning, and cleaning and unpacking!
So for now, my dear friends, I am leaving you. I plan to only be gone for about three weeks. Long enough to go on vacation, and get settled in our new home. I hope you will not give up on me, and come back in a few weeks. I will keep you posted and let you know when I am back for good again.
Until then, take care and I hope you all have a fantastic July!
Most of you know that I began the month of June with a rather large writing project. My new client wanted me to write a fifty page book on parenting in two weeks! Of course, that was only the rough draft, and then I had another week to tighten it up, and fix what needed to be fixed. It was a wonderful project and I am truly blessed to say my client was fantastic! He liked my writing, was very reasonable, and has asked me to work on future projects with him, as well. Mission accomplished there.
Last Friday, Nick and I bought our first home. Of course, anyone who has ever moved knows what work it is and how time consuming it also is. We bought a lovely little ranch home in a nice neighborhood within the community we already live in. We really like the fact that it's right outside of town, but close enough to still be able to run our children to school events or run to the store to grab a gallon of milk without having to drive for miles (yes there are many homes out in the boonies where I live here in PA).
This weekend, we leave for vacation. Because we just bought a home, we are trying to keep expenses down so we are camping for a week (as opposed to the trip to Disney that we had planned earlier this spring). Honestly, I think I would rather camp. Florida is going to be sweltering hot and the lines at Disney are very long. Camping will be more of a leisurely experience with a lot fo relaxing and lots and lots of reading (YES!). We will need the relaxation because when we get back it's more packing, cleaning, and cleaning and unpacking!
So for now, my dear friends, I am leaving you. I plan to only be gone for about three weeks. Long enough to go on vacation, and get settled in our new home. I hope you will not give up on me, and come back in a few weeks. I will keep you posted and let you know when I am back for good again.
Until then, take care and I hope you all have a fantastic July!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
What do Your Dreams Look Like?
Blogging is wonderful for so many reasons and one of my favorites is that you get to meet amazing people! Mihaela Lica (Mig) is one of those people to me. She is every bit as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside - her dream to protect children and the steps she and her partner have taken to do so is a prime example of her beauty.
Mig is a very talented writer. She uses those talents in her business, but she also uses her gift with words to fight for what's right and to build people up. She has built me up with her encouraging words!
What you might not know about Mig is that she is also an artist. On June 6, she began "Unleashing dreams" on her blog. She takes your pictures and enhances them so that you may see your heart as she does.
Mig, you have truly unleashed my dreams through your vision of my heart! Thank you!
Mig is a very talented writer. She uses those talents in her business, but she also uses her gift with words to fight for what's right and to build people up. She has built me up with her encouraging words!
What you might not know about Mig is that she is also an artist. On June 6, she began "Unleashing dreams" on her blog. She takes your pictures and enhances them so that you may see your heart as she does.
Mig, you have truly unleashed my dreams through your vision of my heart! Thank you!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Help Keep Our Children Safe!
A few weeks ago, Mihaela Lica at eWritings - Online Public Relations participated in a meme in which she was to republish one of her favorite posts from the past. It was the same meme that I participated in last week, but my repost was not so valuable. The subject Mig republished was so important that I decided to dedicate a post to it myself. It was not a post about writing, or marketing, or online public relations. It was about something far more significant. It was about her dream of protecting our children, and all the children of the world from internet pornography.
In her repost she talks about an amazing project--Blogger Power: Safeguard the Web for Our Children. The project was begun by Mihaela Lica and Jon Harmon at Force for Good. In their own words, "this is a common sense request to all the “adult site” webmasters: password-protected login on porn sites for all the explicit materials, no more “free clips”, “free tours”, “free pics” without login!"
Here's Blogger Power's "common sense request" to safeguard our children:
To truly understand the seriousness of this issue, take a few minutes to read "An Open Letter to Bloggers Around the World: Help Make the Web Safer for Children."
I love children. I love their innocence and I truly care about their safety. I am proudly supporting this cause. It only took a few minutes of my time. I encourage you to do the same--for the sake of all our children.
God Bless and good night!
In her repost she talks about an amazing project--Blogger Power: Safeguard the Web for Our Children. The project was begun by Mihaela Lica and Jon Harmon at Force for Good. In their own words, "this is a common sense request to all the “adult site” webmasters: password-protected login on porn sites for all the explicit materials, no more “free clips”, “free tours”, “free pics” without login!"
Here's Blogger Power's "common sense request" to safeguard our children:
Please require a password-protected login before allowing even free access to explicit adult content. We understand that selling porn is your business and we respect your right to make a legal living. But understand our legitimate concerns and work with us. You already have the “warning adult content” on your websites. Yet kids, who are not legal customers of your product, ignore the warning. So to prevent them from having direct access to explicit images, texts and sounds, the simplest way is to have a password-protected login. No more “free tours” before a visitor supplies basic information.
To truly understand the seriousness of this issue, take a few minutes to read "An Open Letter to Bloggers Around the World: Help Make the Web Safer for Children."
I love children. I love their innocence and I truly care about their safety. I am proudly supporting this cause. It only took a few minutes of my time. I encourage you to do the same--for the sake of all our children.
God Bless and good night!
A Fun Meme
I have been tagged for a meme by Sylvia over at Sylvia's Insight. In this meme, I am to list seven random facts about myself, and then, of course, tag others. So here goes:
(1) Strawberry shortcake is my absolute favorite dessert - but it must be topped with cool whip (preferably homemade)!
(2) I enjoy scrap booking, even though I don't do it as much as I would like to.
(3) I love music!
(4) I love to sing - I'm always singing with the radio!
(5) As a child, I walked on stilts that stood ten feet in the air.
(6) I love babies, children and animals!
(7) I love God!
There you have it, seven random facts about me! Now I'd like to tag Kathy, Laura, and Lillie because they are three beautiful women that I would like to know more about!
(1) Strawberry shortcake is my absolute favorite dessert - but it must be topped with cool whip (preferably homemade)!
(2) I enjoy scrap booking, even though I don't do it as much as I would like to.
(3) I love music!
(4) I love to sing - I'm always singing with the radio!
(5) As a child, I walked on stilts that stood ten feet in the air.
(6) I love babies, children and animals!
(7) I love God!
There you have it, seven random facts about me! Now I'd like to tag Kathy, Laura, and Lillie because they are three beautiful women that I would like to know more about!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
What's so Great About Essays?
I love blogging! It's such a treat to sit down and write whatever I feel like without having to adhere to specific writing rules. I can write about one thing in one style today, and write about something completely different in a totally unique style the next. There is a freedom in it that is much like writing an essay--another form of writing that I've always enjoyed.
For me, writing essays has always been more fun than work. In fact, in high school and college, while many people were griping about essay tests, I was giddy inside with excitement. I knew I had a much better chance at scoring more points with an essay than I could by testing other ways. It almost always meant an A. Send that essay test my way!
Besides the opportunity to excel academically as a student, I enjoy essay writing for other reasons. For me, essays are a fun way to express my own opinion. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not always outwardly opinionated and I don't get all worked up if someone has a different opinion than me, but sometimes it's just nice to express what I think. Nobody thinks exactly as I do and that's a beautiful thing. Essays are an expression of individuality.
I also really love how much I learn when I write an essay. I learn about the world around me, but I also learn more about who I am, what I love, and how I think and feel about important things. Sometimes it's learning about specific topics, and sometimes it's about things like love, equality, and being the best person I can be, but always it's about learning.
Another thing that's really neat about essays is how you can take any topic and make it interesting--I think that's the human element in this sort of writing. Take foot fungus for instance. It isn't exactly a topic of great interest to most people, but once it's connected to another human being in an interesting way, then it's fun to read. "How my high school friend started a foot fungus epidemic," might be pretty funny! You can easily incorporate foot fungus facts into a story like that, and keep your reader's attention.
Whether it's personal experience or human emotion that makes an essay interesting, it's about feeling connected. I like feeling connected with people, and I like the idea that someone is feeling connected to me because of something that I've written. So if you haven't already, try getting connected and write an essay to share with the world!
For me, writing essays has always been more fun than work. In fact, in high school and college, while many people were griping about essay tests, I was giddy inside with excitement. I knew I had a much better chance at scoring more points with an essay than I could by testing other ways. It almost always meant an A. Send that essay test my way!
Besides the opportunity to excel academically as a student, I enjoy essay writing for other reasons. For me, essays are a fun way to express my own opinion. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not always outwardly opinionated and I don't get all worked up if someone has a different opinion than me, but sometimes it's just nice to express what I think. Nobody thinks exactly as I do and that's a beautiful thing. Essays are an expression of individuality.
I also really love how much I learn when I write an essay. I learn about the world around me, but I also learn more about who I am, what I love, and how I think and feel about important things. Sometimes it's learning about specific topics, and sometimes it's about things like love, equality, and being the best person I can be, but always it's about learning.
Another thing that's really neat about essays is how you can take any topic and make it interesting--I think that's the human element in this sort of writing. Take foot fungus for instance. It isn't exactly a topic of great interest to most people, but once it's connected to another human being in an interesting way, then it's fun to read. "How my high school friend started a foot fungus epidemic," might be pretty funny! You can easily incorporate foot fungus facts into a story like that, and keep your reader's attention.
Whether it's personal experience or human emotion that makes an essay interesting, it's about feeling connected. I like feeling connected with people, and I like the idea that someone is feeling connected to me because of something that I've written. So if you haven't already, try getting connected and write an essay to share with the world!
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
The Recycling Meme - Be a Better Writer: Avoid These Common Mistakes
Mihaeal Lica of eWritings - Online Public Relations tagged me with this fun Meme in which I get to recycle an older post, and then tag others to do the same. It was hard to choose which to repost. I love the older posts that were written before I redesigned this blog specifically for writers. They are so personal and are a great enjoyment for me to read, but since most of you are writers, I thought I would repost something that might be useful to you. So here you go. Enjoy!
In my last blog I discussed the difference between proofreading and editing—both very important elements of writing. Understanding the difference is great, but what can you look for that goes beyond the basics of punctuation?
Incorrect word usage is something that often grabs my attention when I am reading an article. When words are used improperly, the writer automatically loses credibility. You must be vigilant about choosing the correct words and using them in the correct context.
As a writer, you must thoughtfully choose the words you use—whether it’s for a short story, poetry, or writing a cover letter. The following examples are some of the most common mistakes that I see, but should be avoided at all costs.
(1) Anxious vs. eager - I see this mistake all the time. Anyone who has ever had anxiety knows that there is an extreme difference between being anxious and eager. If you are looking forward to meeting your favorite author, you would not say, "I am anxious to meet Stephen King." Instead you would be eager to meet him--unless you are afraid he might act out a gruesome scene from one of his books. Then you might be anxious.
(2) Center on vs. revolve around – Often writers will combine the two and instead write “center around.” Well, you can’t be in the center and around at the same time. I might say that I want you to center your attention on my blog right now.
(3) Concerted effort - one person cannot make a concert but he can make a concentrated effort.
(4) Accept vs. except – accept means to take, and except means to leave out. Try to remember that the “x” in except means to exclude. Please accept my advice on word usage--except when I make mistakes!
(5) Criterion vs. criteria - Some words with Latin or Greek roots have plural forms that end in “a.” These words are commonly mistaken for singular words. Remember you have one criterion and many criteria.
(6) A lot vs. alot – ok, so this one is very basic and not really about meaning, but I see it misused so often, I think it’s worth mentioning. Remember that “a lot” is always two words—not one. But you can allot a job to a friend.
I hope these suggestions will help you when working on your writing project—whatever it may be. Choose your words carefully, and remember it’s the simple things that add up to make you an expert in the writing world.
I am tagging Sylvia, Harmony, and Betsy. Have fun ladies!
Be a Better Writer: Avoid These Common Mistakes
In my last blog I discussed the difference between proofreading and editing—both very important elements of writing. Understanding the difference is great, but what can you look for that goes beyond the basics of punctuation?
Incorrect word usage is something that often grabs my attention when I am reading an article. When words are used improperly, the writer automatically loses credibility. You must be vigilant about choosing the correct words and using them in the correct context.
As a writer, you must thoughtfully choose the words you use—whether it’s for a short story, poetry, or writing a cover letter. The following examples are some of the most common mistakes that I see, but should be avoided at all costs.
(1) Anxious vs. eager - I see this mistake all the time. Anyone who has ever had anxiety knows that there is an extreme difference between being anxious and eager. If you are looking forward to meeting your favorite author, you would not say, "I am anxious to meet Stephen King." Instead you would be eager to meet him--unless you are afraid he might act out a gruesome scene from one of his books. Then you might be anxious.
(2) Center on vs. revolve around – Often writers will combine the two and instead write “center around.” Well, you can’t be in the center and around at the same time. I might say that I want you to center your attention on my blog right now.
(3) Concerted effort - one person cannot make a concert but he can make a concentrated effort.
(4) Accept vs. except – accept means to take, and except means to leave out. Try to remember that the “x” in except means to exclude. Please accept my advice on word usage--except when I make mistakes!
(5) Criterion vs. criteria - Some words with Latin or Greek roots have plural forms that end in “a.” These words are commonly mistaken for singular words. Remember you have one criterion and many criteria.
(6) A lot vs. alot – ok, so this one is very basic and not really about meaning, but I see it misused so often, I think it’s worth mentioning. Remember that “a lot” is always two words—not one. But you can allot a job to a friend.
I hope these suggestions will help you when working on your writing project—whatever it may be. Choose your words carefully, and remember it’s the simple things that add up to make you an expert in the writing world.
I am tagging Sylvia, Harmony, and Betsy. Have fun ladies!
Friday, June 01, 2007
Sometimes Life Takes Over
I apologize for my recent absence and lack of new posts. I'm just not accustomed to writing 50 page books in two weeks. My writing is usually much more relaxed with deadlines not usually quite so tight - although I realize that many of you are probably writing at least close to that amount in one or two weeks - if not more. Hmm...well, I'll find the balance.
My writing, on the other hand, usually consists of visiting all my favorite blogs (two or three times a day), leaving comments on the ones that particularly move me - whether it's to tears, laughter, or otherwise. I check my email. I move on to a writing project, but I'd be willing to bet that most of you know how much time the whole blogging thing and email can consume. So then I write for a while and it isn't long before I get distracted by something else. The internet is productivity's best friend or worst enemy.
I am almost done with my book now. It's been a fun project for me and I've learned a lot from it. Perhaps the most important lesson is that when it comes right down to it, I really can balance my family with writing quite successfully. In fact, with more to do, I've even found that I've managed to keep up on my household chores much more successfully than when I'm not as busy. I've just switched things up a bit. For example, instead of doing my laundry at the end of the day, I do it first thing in the morning. Then it's done and it's one less thing I have to do before getting my kiddos to bed at night.
Anyway, I will try and give you all a couple worth while posts this week, as well as in the weeks to come. Bear with me, though because we are possibly going to be buying a new home in the next few weeks. Then life will be really hectic again. For tonight though, in anticipation of the craziness that may soon be coming, I'm going to go enjoy a good book!
Enjoy your evening!
My writing, on the other hand, usually consists of visiting all my favorite blogs (two or three times a day), leaving comments on the ones that particularly move me - whether it's to tears, laughter, or otherwise. I check my email. I move on to a writing project, but I'd be willing to bet that most of you know how much time the whole blogging thing and email can consume. So then I write for a while and it isn't long before I get distracted by something else. The internet is productivity's best friend or worst enemy.
I am almost done with my book now. It's been a fun project for me and I've learned a lot from it. Perhaps the most important lesson is that when it comes right down to it, I really can balance my family with writing quite successfully. In fact, with more to do, I've even found that I've managed to keep up on my household chores much more successfully than when I'm not as busy. I've just switched things up a bit. For example, instead of doing my laundry at the end of the day, I do it first thing in the morning. Then it's done and it's one less thing I have to do before getting my kiddos to bed at night.
Anyway, I will try and give you all a couple worth while posts this week, as well as in the weeks to come. Bear with me, though because we are possibly going to be buying a new home in the next few weeks. Then life will be really hectic again. For tonight though, in anticipation of the craziness that may soon be coming, I'm going to go enjoy a good book!
Enjoy your evening!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
You Know You're a Writer When...
This past weekend I came to the realization that either I am a crazy person or I am just a normal writer. Here is a list that might determine if you are a writer.
You know you're a writer when:
(1) You go to bed and you dream about your writing projects or all the potential articles you can write.
(2) You are constantly thinking about your next article, journal entry, or blog post.
(3) You frequently find yourself scrounging for any piece of paper, napkin, or envelope to write your ideas down before you forget them.
(4) You find those scraps of paper, napkins, or envelopes everywhere - in your glove box, your purse, on your desk, in your junk drawer...you get the point!
(5) When every little thing your children, spouse, or dog does is a potential story or article being developed in your mind.
(6) When you go to deliver the water bill and find notes written on the envelope. You quickly scribble the notes on another scrap, shrug your shoulders, and deliver the bill!
Based on my very own set of standards, perhaps I am a writer after all. What are some of your "You know you're a writer when..." standards?
You know you're a writer when:
(1) You go to bed and you dream about your writing projects or all the potential articles you can write.
(2) You are constantly thinking about your next article, journal entry, or blog post.
(3) You frequently find yourself scrounging for any piece of paper, napkin, or envelope to write your ideas down before you forget them.
(4) You find those scraps of paper, napkins, or envelopes everywhere - in your glove box, your purse, on your desk, in your junk drawer...you get the point!
(5) When every little thing your children, spouse, or dog does is a potential story or article being developed in your mind.
(6) When you go to deliver the water bill and find notes written on the envelope. You quickly scribble the notes on another scrap, shrug your shoulders, and deliver the bill!
Based on my very own set of standards, perhaps I am a writer after all. What are some of your "You know you're a writer when..." standards?
Thursday, May 24, 2007
When it Rains it Pours!
It's been a very busy week for me - mostly good busy though. I just landed a job writing a 50 page eBook on parenting for a new client. I am so hopped up about this assignment because parenting is a topic I enjoy writing about. The only catch is that he wants the first draft done in two weeks. I can do this, right? Sure I can. I mean really, how many ten page papers did I procrastinate writing in college until the last minute - like the day before? Don't worry, I'm not procrastinating now. I'm almost twenty pages into it and the writing is coming along quite smoothly.
Of course, the very morning I clinched this assignment, I got another one writing an article for a client I've had since December. She's absolutely great so of course there's no question that I'll do it for her.
But why is it when these wonderful things happen, little obstacles seem to try and get in our way? All this writing and suddenly my computer decides to start misbehaving. Is she afraid that I am going to store too much on her hard drive, or that I'm just going to be running her way too much in this 80 degree weather we've been having? No. The adapter cord has some broken wires in it and needs replaced. If I don't hold it just so, the computer shuts right down with barely any notice - because, of course, the battery won't hold a charge either. LOL. Well, I got clever and rigged the cord up in the back so that I don't have to type one-handed. It would be pretty hard to write a fifty page book with one hand, you know. The new cord and battery should be arriving in the mail any day now!
Did I mention that when it rains it pours? I've been experiencing some very annoying technical problems with my internet service provider. It seems to work fine in the evening, but during the day it disconnects me off and on all day long. That's frustrating when I am trying to get some research done. I prefer to do my writing in the earlier hours of the day, when my mind is fresh and alert. Who knows what I might write while half asleep.
Oh well, it all goes with the territory, doesn't it? I'm not complaining, just mildly annoyed and very thankful to have gotten such a great writing job!
Of course, the very morning I clinched this assignment, I got another one writing an article for a client I've had since December. She's absolutely great so of course there's no question that I'll do it for her.
But why is it when these wonderful things happen, little obstacles seem to try and get in our way? All this writing and suddenly my computer decides to start misbehaving. Is she afraid that I am going to store too much on her hard drive, or that I'm just going to be running her way too much in this 80 degree weather we've been having? No. The adapter cord has some broken wires in it and needs replaced. If I don't hold it just so, the computer shuts right down with barely any notice - because, of course, the battery won't hold a charge either. LOL. Well, I got clever and rigged the cord up in the back so that I don't have to type one-handed. It would be pretty hard to write a fifty page book with one hand, you know. The new cord and battery should be arriving in the mail any day now!
Did I mention that when it rains it pours? I've been experiencing some very annoying technical problems with my internet service provider. It seems to work fine in the evening, but during the day it disconnects me off and on all day long. That's frustrating when I am trying to get some research done. I prefer to do my writing in the earlier hours of the day, when my mind is fresh and alert. Who knows what I might write while half asleep.
Oh well, it all goes with the territory, doesn't it? I'm not complaining, just mildly annoyed and very thankful to have gotten such a great writing job!
Monday, May 21, 2007
Meme Catch Up
I've been a bit behind on my memes. I've been tagged by Mihaela Lica of eWriting - Online Public Relations (I know, it's been a while, hasn't it, Mig?), and Laura Spencer of Writing Thoughts, only a week behind here, that's not too bad, is it?
Mihaela Lica's tag is about my goals, dreams, and ideals. This is relatively simple.
My goals are as follows:
(1) Publish two articles in a national magazine by January 2008.
(2) To become successful enough with my writing to be able stay home with my children until they are grown.
(3) Build up a steady clientèle for my freelance writing business.
(4) Write a novel.
(5) Submit more of my work to writing contests - you gotta play to win, you know!
(6) Find the perfect balance between writing and parenting.
Dreams and ideals are great. They motivate us to keep on doing what we do and they give us hope, but to be honest with you my professional dreams and ideals really fall in together with my goals. They mingle together as one. I really struggle to separate them.
As for my personal life, I am a simple person with simple wants and desires. I dream of having one more baby, and of growing old with my best friend - my husband. I want nothing more than to be able to watch my girls grow up and dance, and play sports, or do whatever they want with their lives. I want to be there cheering them on. I want to enjoy grandchildren and all the beautiful gifts God has given us in life.
Laura Spencer asked me about productivity and why I blog.
I left a comment in Laura's blog some time ago about why I blog. I'm just going to cheat a little bit and reproduce that comment. For me, my blog is an opportunity to share whatever I feel like sharing at a particular moment with a community of fellow bloggers. It is a place to help others, as well as find support and feedback from people who care and have opinions of their own.
My blog is a very intimate and creative expression of who I am. I want to share it with all my family and loved ones who care to know who I really am. I express myself on a much more candid level than I ever do in real life. My blog is about what I am most passionate about in life. For more on why I blog see my post Am I Talking to You?
Three Productivity Tips
(1) Get good at multitasking. Work on dinner and laundry at the same time. Clean your bathroom while your little ones bathe. Find little things that you can combine to save time and make more room for your writing.
(2) Put your laptop at the table when your older children are doing their homework. This way, you can both work on writing projects while being right there to help your children if they have questions.
(3) Pamper yourself. You deserve it! We are writers, mothers, wives, friends, daughters - we are many things to many people, and we work hard at all those roles. Don't get so bogged down in your writing goals that you aren't taking time to do the little things you enjoy in your life. It will truly make writing that much more enjoyable for you.
Mihaela Lica's tag is about my goals, dreams, and ideals. This is relatively simple.
My goals are as follows:
(1) Publish two articles in a national magazine by January 2008.
(2) To become successful enough with my writing to be able stay home with my children until they are grown.
(3) Build up a steady clientèle for my freelance writing business.
(4) Write a novel.
(5) Submit more of my work to writing contests - you gotta play to win, you know!
(6) Find the perfect balance between writing and parenting.
Dreams and ideals are great. They motivate us to keep on doing what we do and they give us hope, but to be honest with you my professional dreams and ideals really fall in together with my goals. They mingle together as one. I really struggle to separate them.
As for my personal life, I am a simple person with simple wants and desires. I dream of having one more baby, and of growing old with my best friend - my husband. I want nothing more than to be able to watch my girls grow up and dance, and play sports, or do whatever they want with their lives. I want to be there cheering them on. I want to enjoy grandchildren and all the beautiful gifts God has given us in life.
Laura Spencer asked me about productivity and why I blog.
I left a comment in Laura's blog some time ago about why I blog. I'm just going to cheat a little bit and reproduce that comment. For me, my blog is an opportunity to share whatever I feel like sharing at a particular moment with a community of fellow bloggers. It is a place to help others, as well as find support and feedback from people who care and have opinions of their own.
My blog is a very intimate and creative expression of who I am. I want to share it with all my family and loved ones who care to know who I really am. I express myself on a much more candid level than I ever do in real life. My blog is about what I am most passionate about in life. For more on why I blog see my post Am I Talking to You?
Three Productivity Tips
(1) Get good at multitasking. Work on dinner and laundry at the same time. Clean your bathroom while your little ones bathe. Find little things that you can combine to save time and make more room for your writing.
(2) Put your laptop at the table when your older children are doing their homework. This way, you can both work on writing projects while being right there to help your children if they have questions.
(3) Pamper yourself. You deserve it! We are writers, mothers, wives, friends, daughters - we are many things to many people, and we work hard at all those roles. Don't get so bogged down in your writing goals that you aren't taking time to do the little things you enjoy in your life. It will truly make writing that much more enjoyable for you.
Gotta Love Our Readers
Laura Spencer of Writing Thoughts featured Getting it Write for You in her "Of Note" section on her blog this weekend. She had nothing but wonderful things to say about my series on reading as well as my post about avoiding repetition in writing. I was honored to have such a lovely write up by a writer I respect so much. Thank you, Laura.
I would also like to thank everyone else who has linked me up to their blog recently. I really appreciate the "link love" (as Matt Keegan so affectionately puts it), but most importantly, I am happy that others are finding this blog useful and encouraging in some way.
It's been great having more visitors, and reading insightful comments from all of you.
My next post will be a catch up on the memes I'm so far behind on.
Thank you all again! Have a wonderful Monday - hopefully yours is a sunny as mine!
I would also like to thank everyone else who has linked me up to their blog recently. I really appreciate the "link love" (as Matt Keegan so affectionately puts it), but most importantly, I am happy that others are finding this blog useful and encouraging in some way.
It's been great having more visitors, and reading insightful comments from all of you.
My next post will be a catch up on the memes I'm so far behind on.
Thank you all again! Have a wonderful Monday - hopefully yours is a sunny as mine!
Friday, May 18, 2007
One More Post on Reading
Thank you to everyone who contributed more reasons to read! It's exciting to see how many people have such a deep love for words on a page! Your comments were great fun to receive! I am including your reasons, as well as a few extras in another list.
Reasons one through four on this post were contributed by Mihaela Lica from eWritings - Online Public Relations.
Lady Macleod at Braveheart-does-the-Maghreb contributed number five on the list.
Julia Temlyn of Temlyn Writing and Lillie Ammann of A Writer's Words, An Editor's Eye both seem to agree that getting lost in books is one of the most pleasurable experiences in the world.
Eight More Good Reasons to Read:
(1) It gives you better understanding of the world.
(2) It shows you new worlds too.
(3) You see how the impossible becomes possible...
(4) You make new friends (the writers and their heroes)
(5) Reading makes you laugh, cry, feel inspired, mad, or want to visit the locale. Evoking emotion is great because it has the potential to bring about change in undesirable situations. If you read about something that makes you angry, like child abuse, for example, then perhaps you might just get angry enough, or sad enough, or inspired enough to do something about it. That's awesome!
(6) Reading keeps our memories sharp.
(7) It helps us to retain information easier.
(8) It boosts general knowledge and decreases the chances of retaining
misinformation.
Looking for more on reading? Visit Sylvia C.'s Soaring With Sylvia. It's a fun site where you will find her children's poetry, book reviews and fun information about reading.
I hope everyone has an amazing weekend!
Reasons one through four on this post were contributed by Mihaela Lica from eWritings - Online Public Relations.
Lady Macleod at Braveheart-does-the-Maghreb contributed number five on the list.
Julia Temlyn of Temlyn Writing and Lillie Ammann of A Writer's Words, An Editor's Eye both seem to agree that getting lost in books is one of the most pleasurable experiences in the world.
Eight More Good Reasons to Read:
(1) It gives you better understanding of the world.
(2) It shows you new worlds too.
(3) You see how the impossible becomes possible...
(4) You make new friends (the writers and their heroes)
(5) Reading makes you laugh, cry, feel inspired, mad, or want to visit the locale. Evoking emotion is great because it has the potential to bring about change in undesirable situations. If you read about something that makes you angry, like child abuse, for example, then perhaps you might just get angry enough, or sad enough, or inspired enough to do something about it. That's awesome!
(6) Reading keeps our memories sharp.
(7) It helps us to retain information easier.
(8) It boosts general knowledge and decreases the chances of retaining
misinformation.
Looking for more on reading? Visit Sylvia C.'s Soaring With Sylvia. It's a fun site where you will find her children's poetry, book reviews and fun information about reading.
I hope everyone has an amazing weekend!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
15 Great Reasons to Read More!
Why Read?
(1) It sets a great example for your children.
(2) Reading is a free education.
(3) You can learn how to operate "things" (advanced technology has made this very important.
(4) It's a great escape.
(5) It makes you a better writer.
(6) You will recognize poor writing easier.
(7) It improves your vocabulary.
(8) You can learn a lot about yourself.
(9) You can learn a lot about others.
(10) It improves your reading skills.
(11) It improves language and communication skills.
(12) Reading makes you more successful.
(13) It's interesting!
(14) It's adventurous!
(15) Because it is fun!
What are some reasons you read?
Click here to check out my last post on reading.
(1) It sets a great example for your children.
(2) Reading is a free education.
(3) You can learn how to operate "things" (advanced technology has made this very important.
(4) It's a great escape.
(5) It makes you a better writer.
(6) You will recognize poor writing easier.
(7) It improves your vocabulary.
(8) You can learn a lot about yourself.
(9) You can learn a lot about others.
(10) It improves your reading skills.
(11) It improves language and communication skills.
(12) Reading makes you more successful.
(13) It's interesting!
(14) It's adventurous!
(15) Because it is fun!
What are some reasons you read?
Click here to check out my last post on reading.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
The Technorati Favorites Train
Thanks to Harmony from Writer in the Making for tagging me for this meme. Here are the instructions:
Technorati Train Meme Participants
***Start Copying Here:***
Here are the rules:
1) Write a short introduction paragraph about what how you found the list and include a link to the blog that referred you to the list.
2) COPY the Rules and ENTIRE List below and post it to your blog. To avoid duplicate content and increase the amount of keywords your site can accessible for, go ahead and change the titles of the blog. Just don’t change the links of the blog.
3) Take “My New Faves” and move them into the “The Original Faves” list.
4) Add 3 Blogs that you’ve just added to your Technorati Favorites to the “My New Faves” section. Remember to also add the “Fave Me” link next to your new blogs (i.e. http://technorati.com/faves?sub=addfavbtn&add=http://www.yourfavesdomain.com)
5) Add Everyone on this list to your Technorati Favorites List by clicking on “Fave the Site.” Those who want good kharma will fave you back. If not, you will for sure get the benefits of faves from the bloggers who continue this list after you.
My New Faves
Sylvia's Insight - Fave the Site
eWritings - Online Public Relations - Fave the Site
A Writer's Words, An Editor's Eye - Fave the Site
The Original List
April Aragam _ Fave the Site
JM Writing and Editing Services - Fave the Site
Getting it Right for You - Fave the Site
Life in the Fast Lane - Fave the site
Mike’s Money Making Rants & Raves - Fave the Site
Casual Keystrokes - Fave the Site
Freelance Writing Journey - Fave the Site
Writer in the Making - Fave the Site
Grow Your Writing Business - Fave the Site
Quartz Mountain - Fave the Site
Prime Advertising Blog - Fave the Site
Dawud Miracle - Fave the Site
Gary Lee - Fave the Site *
Dosh Dosh - Fave the Site
Nate Whitehill - Fave the Site
Jeff Kee - Fave the Site
Scribble on the Wall - Fave the Site
Jimi Morrisons Head - Fave the Site
Jon Lee - Fave the Site
Samanathon - Fave the Site
Eat Drink & Be Merry - Fave the Site
The Man of Silver - Fave the Site
Hannes Johnson - Fave the Site
My Dandelion Patch - Fave the Site
Nathan Drach - Fave the Site
SiteLogic - Fave the Site
Julies Journal - Fave the Site
Tea & Slippers - Fave the Site
The Thinking Blog - Fave the Site
Pencil Thin - Fave the Site
Essential Keystrokes - Fave the Site
Mom Gadget - Fave the Site
Engaging the Disquiet - Fave the Site
Monk at Work - Fave the Site
Converstations - Fave the Site
The Kiss Business Too - Fave the Site
HomeMom3 - Fave the Site
**End Copying Here**
Technorati Train Meme Participants
***Start Copying Here:***
Here are the rules:
1) Write a short introduction paragraph about what how you found the list and include a link to the blog that referred you to the list.
2) COPY the Rules and ENTIRE List below and post it to your blog. To avoid duplicate content and increase the amount of keywords your site can accessible for, go ahead and change the titles of the blog. Just don’t change the links of the blog.
3) Take “My New Faves” and move them into the “The Original Faves” list.
4) Add 3 Blogs that you’ve just added to your Technorati Favorites to the “My New Faves” section. Remember to also add the “Fave Me” link next to your new blogs (i.e. http://technorati.com/faves?sub=addfavbtn&add=http://www.yourfavesdomain.com)
5) Add Everyone on this list to your Technorati Favorites List by clicking on “Fave the Site.” Those who want good kharma will fave you back. If not, you will for sure get the benefits of faves from the bloggers who continue this list after you.
My New Faves
Sylvia's Insight - Fave the Site
eWritings - Online Public Relations - Fave the Site
A Writer's Words, An Editor's Eye - Fave the Site
The Original List
April Aragam _ Fave the Site
JM Writing and Editing Services - Fave the Site
Getting it Right for You - Fave the Site
Life in the Fast Lane - Fave the site
Mike’s Money Making Rants & Raves - Fave the Site
Casual Keystrokes - Fave the Site
Freelance Writing Journey - Fave the Site
Writer in the Making - Fave the Site
Grow Your Writing Business - Fave the Site
Quartz Mountain - Fave the Site
Prime Advertising Blog - Fave the Site
Dawud Miracle - Fave the Site
Gary Lee - Fave the Site *
Dosh Dosh - Fave the Site
Nate Whitehill - Fave the Site
Jeff Kee - Fave the Site
Scribble on the Wall - Fave the Site
Jimi Morrisons Head - Fave the Site
Jon Lee - Fave the Site
Samanathon - Fave the Site
Eat Drink & Be Merry - Fave the Site
The Man of Silver - Fave the Site
Hannes Johnson - Fave the Site
My Dandelion Patch - Fave the Site
Nathan Drach - Fave the Site
SiteLogic - Fave the Site
Julies Journal - Fave the Site
Tea & Slippers - Fave the Site
The Thinking Blog - Fave the Site
Pencil Thin - Fave the Site
Essential Keystrokes - Fave the Site
Mom Gadget - Fave the Site
Engaging the Disquiet - Fave the Site
Monk at Work - Fave the Site
Converstations - Fave the Site
The Kiss Business Too - Fave the Site
HomeMom3 - Fave the Site
**End Copying Here**
Monday, May 14, 2007
Read to Your Sons and Daughters
The more that you read,
the more things you will know.
The more that you learn,
the more places you'll go.
~Dr. Seuss
I grew up in the country. We lived several miles out of town and my family was very introverted. They did not go to church and they socialized very little with others. You could pretty much count on getting groceries on Saturday mornings and that was the "big" weekly outing. Strange, I know, but something great came out of that isolation for me: the love of reading.
My mother never read to me, but always encouraged me to go read when I was bored on long hot summer days. As a child, I set up house with the Boxcar Children, played with the Bobsy Twins, and had great adventures on a deserted island with The Swiss Family Robinson. I could go anywhere I wanted and it was unbelievable. Once I learned about the wondrous places I could go, I was reading without prompting.
As an adult, I get to enjoy those same books, and many others, with my children. There is truly not a more important activity that you can share with them. I began reading to my eleven-year-old daughter when she was a baby. She learned so much so fast. By the time she was two she was speaking clearly and in full sentences. People would stop me and comment about her great vocabulary and how much she knew for such a young child. Reading to your children develops language.
Children are filled with the wonder of life. They are naturally inquisitive, and everything they see is fresh and new and amazing. Reading to your children allows a very natural way for you to teach your children about the world around them. Danielle knew about bugs and reptiles, flowers and farm animals, herbivores and carnivores. She knew so much and I was the lucky lady that got to teach her all of that. Wow! There isn't a better feeling.
For Danielle and me, reading was also a very special time we got to share together every single night before bedtime. It was the part of her nighttime ritual that calmed her for bed. It was special, and we both looked forward to it - good thing because I know I would never have been able to wiggle out of it. It really made us closer, which I am sure will benefit us in the tumultuous years of adolescence. As she got older and learned how to read on her own, she read to me, or we would take turns. It still isn't unusual for her to grab one of her favorite fairy tales for me to read to her.
We now have bookshelves packed full of books. When I look at them I see our past. I see mother-daughter bonding, laughing, and learning together. I see a piece of her childhood that I wouldn't trade for anything else in the world, and for all the things I've done wrong as a mother I know in my heart that reading is the one thing I got right for sure. Now I get to share the same thing with my little Chloe. Thank God for reading!
Have a fantastic day!
the more things you will know.
The more that you learn,
the more places you'll go.
~Dr. Seuss
I grew up in the country. We lived several miles out of town and my family was very introverted. They did not go to church and they socialized very little with others. You could pretty much count on getting groceries on Saturday mornings and that was the "big" weekly outing. Strange, I know, but something great came out of that isolation for me: the love of reading.
My mother never read to me, but always encouraged me to go read when I was bored on long hot summer days. As a child, I set up house with the Boxcar Children, played with the Bobsy Twins, and had great adventures on a deserted island with The Swiss Family Robinson. I could go anywhere I wanted and it was unbelievable. Once I learned about the wondrous places I could go, I was reading without prompting.
As an adult, I get to enjoy those same books, and many others, with my children. There is truly not a more important activity that you can share with them. I began reading to my eleven-year-old daughter when she was a baby. She learned so much so fast. By the time she was two she was speaking clearly and in full sentences. People would stop me and comment about her great vocabulary and how much she knew for such a young child. Reading to your children develops language.
Children are filled with the wonder of life. They are naturally inquisitive, and everything they see is fresh and new and amazing. Reading to your children allows a very natural way for you to teach your children about the world around them. Danielle knew about bugs and reptiles, flowers and farm animals, herbivores and carnivores. She knew so much and I was the lucky lady that got to teach her all of that. Wow! There isn't a better feeling.
For Danielle and me, reading was also a very special time we got to share together every single night before bedtime. It was the part of her nighttime ritual that calmed her for bed. It was special, and we both looked forward to it - good thing because I know I would never have been able to wiggle out of it. It really made us closer, which I am sure will benefit us in the tumultuous years of adolescence. As she got older and learned how to read on her own, she read to me, or we would take turns. It still isn't unusual for her to grab one of her favorite fairy tales for me to read to her.
We now have bookshelves packed full of books. When I look at them I see our past. I see mother-daughter bonding, laughing, and learning together. I see a piece of her childhood that I wouldn't trade for anything else in the world, and for all the things I've done wrong as a mother I know in my heart that reading is the one thing I got right for sure. Now I get to share the same thing with my little Chloe. Thank God for reading!
Have a fantastic day!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Yippee!!!
I just finished my short story for the 76th Annual Writer's Digest competition! I am excited and even relieved just to have accomplished another writing goal. I don't enjoy things hanging over my head. I wish I could share it with all of you!
Now to give it the final edit, print it out, and send it off. But that will be tomorrow!
Have a wonderful night!
Now to give it the final edit, print it out, and send it off. But that will be tomorrow!
Have a wonderful night!
Friday, May 04, 2007
Three Tips to Avoid Repetition in Your Writing
It's true that we all have different styles of writing and editing. I have never been able to sit down and write something start to finish. Whether that's good or not, I do not know, but it's what works for me. I write the first paragraph, stop, reread, edit, then go back to writing.
Last week I spent many hours working on my short story for the 76th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition, and as I edited, I was reminded of the importance of avoiding repetition in writing. Of course, there are always cases where it is used in order to help your writing flow and make sense, or to emphasize a point. In those cases it's important to come up with new and unique ways of saying what you want to say. That's part of the creative element of writing.
Avoiding repetition is important primarily for the fluidity of your piece. When you continually repeat, your writing becomes choppy and hard to follow. But most importantly, nobody is going to want to read what you've written. Who really has time to read the same thing over and over? And who really wants to? If you can get creative with your words and phrases, your article will be more interesting for your reader.
Three tips to avoid repetition:
(1) Did you ever read a story or article where the main character's name is used way too much? It breaks down the readability of your piece. When you are using a person's name, try replacing it with pronouns whenever possible. Obviously, you must introduce the character you are talking about, and there are still times it is necessary to use the actual name, but when appropriate use him, her, or he, she etc.
(2) Reread your article out loud, or listen to someone read it to you. Hearing as opposed to reading it inside your head, is helpful for catching those words and phrases that are repetitive. I can't tell you how many times I have read something I wrote to a friend and caught words that repeat.
(3) Your thesaurus is your friend. Don't be afraid or ashamed to pull it out of your bookshelf, or from your Microsoft Word program. Sometimes you may even find a more appropriate word than you were originally going to use. Plus this blessed little book also has the added bonus of widening your vocabulary.
Repetition is a part of writing. We all do it. It's something that we don't think about a whole lot because we are paying attention to proper grammar and sentence structure. But it's there in your rough drafts, and that is where it needs to end! So be on the lookout.
Until next time take care!
Last week I spent many hours working on my short story for the 76th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition, and as I edited, I was reminded of the importance of avoiding repetition in writing. Of course, there are always cases where it is used in order to help your writing flow and make sense, or to emphasize a point. In those cases it's important to come up with new and unique ways of saying what you want to say. That's part of the creative element of writing.
Avoiding repetition is important primarily for the fluidity of your piece. When you continually repeat, your writing becomes choppy and hard to follow. But most importantly, nobody is going to want to read what you've written. Who really has time to read the same thing over and over? And who really wants to? If you can get creative with your words and phrases, your article will be more interesting for your reader.
Three tips to avoid repetition:
(1) Did you ever read a story or article where the main character's name is used way too much? It breaks down the readability of your piece. When you are using a person's name, try replacing it with pronouns whenever possible. Obviously, you must introduce the character you are talking about, and there are still times it is necessary to use the actual name, but when appropriate use him, her, or he, she etc.
(2) Reread your article out loud, or listen to someone read it to you. Hearing as opposed to reading it inside your head, is helpful for catching those words and phrases that are repetitive. I can't tell you how many times I have read something I wrote to a friend and caught words that repeat.
(3) Your thesaurus is your friend. Don't be afraid or ashamed to pull it out of your bookshelf, or from your Microsoft Word program. Sometimes you may even find a more appropriate word than you were originally going to use. Plus this blessed little book also has the added bonus of widening your vocabulary.
Repetition is a part of writing. We all do it. It's something that we don't think about a whole lot because we are paying attention to proper grammar and sentence structure. But it's there in your rough drafts, and that is where it needs to end! So be on the lookout.
Until next time take care!
Thursday, May 03, 2007
A Mother and a Writer
I have had a busy week as a parent and a writing mama. We had the bomb scare, and yes it really was a bomb. Fortunately, it wasn't actually a threat - just a foolish act on the part of a very foolish person. Some guy (low in the intellect department, sorry but it's true) found a pipe bomb, put it in his truck, and brought it with him to ask school officials what it was. I am thankful that it wasn't a crime of hate, but rather stupidity. Somehow that makes me feel better.
Last night, Chloe fell down the basement steps. I spent the most helpless moments of my parenting career watching her tumble down all but two of them. Yuck. Fortunately, all that came of it was a big scare, three hours in the emergency room, and three little stitches on her forehead. It could have been much worse.
These experiences have taught me that there are some things we cannot protect our children from. A hard pill to swallow if you ask me. But as I have said over and over, it's a reminder to cherish today and the time we have with our loved ones. Believe me, if I wasn't before I am now.
As writers what can we get out of circumstances such as these?
To begin with, they are great opportunities to write. They are undeveloped story ideas that have the potential to grow into published works. I already have my query letter in mind from this week's experiences. Not only are they opportunities to come up with stories, but also to grow in our thinking to make our stories so much more flavorful. When Nick was a boy, he knew an old man who lived in his neighborhood. Every time he would see this guy, he would say in his feeble old man voice, "Reach into my bag and grab yourself a gum ball." These little life experiences are the gum balls that make our stories sweeter.
I have also been busy as a writing mama. Other than last night I have been working hard on a short story to enter in the 76th Annual Writer's Digest Writing competition. I am very excited because it is a new step in my writing career. I have never entered any contests other than the essay contest I entered in college. The deadline for this one is May 15 and I am determined to finish it and submit it. I will keep you updated on how that is going.
My copy of Writer Mama How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids by Christina Katz came in the mail a couple days ago. I have read snippets of it in between all the other stuff in my life this week. So far, it's great and I think I am going to learn a lot from it. I plan to write a review when I am done.
I apologize for blogging about so many issues other than writing lately. These events have been monumental and a huge focus in my life. Hopefully, now things will settle down! Regardless, I will be back next week to blog about writing and to give you something useful to apply to your own writing careers.
Until next time enjoy all life has to offer you!
Last night, Chloe fell down the basement steps. I spent the most helpless moments of my parenting career watching her tumble down all but two of them. Yuck. Fortunately, all that came of it was a big scare, three hours in the emergency room, and three little stitches on her forehead. It could have been much worse.
These experiences have taught me that there are some things we cannot protect our children from. A hard pill to swallow if you ask me. But as I have said over and over, it's a reminder to cherish today and the time we have with our loved ones. Believe me, if I wasn't before I am now.
As writers what can we get out of circumstances such as these?
To begin with, they are great opportunities to write. They are undeveloped story ideas that have the potential to grow into published works. I already have my query letter in mind from this week's experiences. Not only are they opportunities to come up with stories, but also to grow in our thinking to make our stories so much more flavorful. When Nick was a boy, he knew an old man who lived in his neighborhood. Every time he would see this guy, he would say in his feeble old man voice, "Reach into my bag and grab yourself a gum ball." These little life experiences are the gum balls that make our stories sweeter.
I have also been busy as a writing mama. Other than last night I have been working hard on a short story to enter in the 76th Annual Writer's Digest Writing competition. I am very excited because it is a new step in my writing career. I have never entered any contests other than the essay contest I entered in college. The deadline for this one is May 15 and I am determined to finish it and submit it. I will keep you updated on how that is going.
My copy of Writer Mama How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids by Christina Katz came in the mail a couple days ago. I have read snippets of it in between all the other stuff in my life this week. So far, it's great and I think I am going to learn a lot from it. I plan to write a review when I am done.
I apologize for blogging about so many issues other than writing lately. These events have been monumental and a huge focus in my life. Hopefully, now things will settle down! Regardless, I will be back next week to blog about writing and to give you something useful to apply to your own writing careers.
Until next time enjoy all life has to offer you!
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