A Book Lover’s Dream

©Illumination Photographics by Selena Lynn Bullock

Spring is in the air and thoughts of love. Well, I’m in love with reading. It’s not a bad thing and many well seasoned writers point out if you’re going to write, you need to read. Read far and wide, not just your writing genre. You can pick up on many good and bad things in reading, which will help you with your writing. Another bit of sound advice, which I need to take, don’t read so much about how to write, just WRITE.

My daughter has found she has a natural affinity for grammar and writing in her college English class. I don’t think it has much to do with any special curriculum used during her years as a homeschooler. I attribute it more to her being raised in a reading filled environment. Books have always been around our home, many childhood trips to libraries and bookstores, bedtimes filled with stories read aloud, and encouraging her to read books of her own choosing.

We’re both still voracious readers, just have very different tastes in books. I love going to the library and stocking up on books. Caregiving responsibilities have increased, so I hadn’t been in a while. I finally got to go(clapping hands and smiling big) and it was great…I think my enthusiasm may have scared the young librarian at the desk. I told my sister it was as good as chocolate or s-e-x.

I checked out a big stack of books I’ve been wanting to get my hands on, as well as a few Mother Earth magazines. I was one HAPPY woman. I won’t bore you with all my books, some are just random ones I have an interest in like gardening and crochet.

Two were writing books : How to Become a Famous Writer Before You’re Dead by Ariel Gore(I don’t want to be famous, but it looked interesting on the flip through. I’ve enjoyed the humor the author uses throughout.) and On Writing : A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King(Love this…though be forewarned he is blunt and there is a bit of cursing if you’re on the prim & proper side. It’d be one of those times to not throw the baby out with the bath water as the saying goes…he offers a lot of good advice). The funny thing is this is the only book by Stephen King I’ve ever read…I don’t do scary.

Two other books were just for my reading enjoyment and have been on my “To Read” list a while. One is Interpreter of Maladies, which is a book of short stories by Jhumpa Lahiri. The other was Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda. I’m enjoying both of these, but have seen in places first hand examples of how too much detail can slow a story down. There are places with just the right amount of description, which make it easy to picture the story in my mind.

On a side note…if libraries make your heart soar, here’s a link with pictures of incredible libraries.

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Simplicity for Writing’s Sake

(Last week I was sick with a very sore throat…only felt like curling up with a good book and doing bare essentials. My voice is back, still trying to kick my writing back into gear. Figured I’d do a post for starters.)

Nice cup of tea and writing

What’s the most important thing a writer needs to do?…WRITE! This can get difficult when so many things get in the way. Any writer can probably list a zillion things which keep them from writing, we’re bombarded with distractions and interruptions on a daily basis. This is LIFE! Many writers will claim, because of all this it’s hard to find time to write.

Now, no one start throwing wads of balled up paper at me…I have TIME…I have time in excess! My problems are procrastinating and getting my head in the right spot.  I’ve become even a more full time caregiver to my spouse. He sleeps many hours a day, due to his health problems, so there’s plenty of uninterrupted writing time. I’m even one of those writers with a job allowing me time to write, though I don’t work many days a month.

The trouble is I feel so overwhelmed at times, it feels as if I’d need a backhoe to start digging my way out. After doing, what I guess you could call some soul searching, I think I’ve happened upon a solution of sorts. I’ve decided I need to start simplifying. It’ll be slow go, but it will feel like I’m getting somewhere and help me to clear my head, so I can write more productively.

I’m not giving up blogging, I’m too attached, but I am trying to reduce some of the other clutter in my life. It’s a reevaluation of sorts. These are some of the steps I’m going to take in an attempt to simplify life :

• Unsubscribe from email newsletters no longer applicable or useful in my life(example-no longer homeschool, but still get homeschool newsletters)
• Unfollow some blogs I’m just not so interested in or find helpful
• Limit time spent on facebook—considering taking a facebook break for a few days as well as unfriending a few groups and people that post so much it’s overwhelming to sort through
• Limit time spent on pinterest—this is a stress reducer for me—usually good with my time, just need to continue
• Try not to have internet up if writing on computer unless : 1. need for reference–sometimes use Dictionary.com to look up words I’m not sure about; or 2. to listen to my favorite YouTube playlist while I write–Soothing Music

I’m going to head to the kitchen for a hot cup of herbal tea, hit the play button on my favorite music CD, and sit at the kitchen table writing with pen and paper.  Have you thought of ways you can free up your mind and your life, so you can write or write more effectively? Happy writing…

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Snowy Inspiration

Right now I’m sitting at the computer and enjoying the view of snow falling through the kitchen windows. It’s absolutely beautiful. The flakes are smaller, but not long ago, the biggest fluffiest snowflakes I’ve ever seen were falling. It’s been such a great day…including getting to eat a bowl of snow cream!

Snowy Woods

Light Shining Through

What does this have to do with writing? Nothing…other than I have found my way out of the writing impasse I was at, which I refuse to call writer’s block. I had plenty to write about. I was just not in the mood and was being resistant to writing.

The truth comes out when I write and sometimes I just plain and simply don’t want to face it. It’s not always pretty and at times downright painful. Instead, I’ll do absolutely anything to put off writing. I’ve been baking, cooking, crocheting…anything except writing. (On the plus side…I can make a really good loaf of homemade bread from scratch now. )

Snow Covered Benches

The past several days have been wonderful writing days. It feels incredible to be able to really write again. It began with writing in my journal. Who knows, maybe I worked through something in it. Journals are great for processing stuff. No matter how I got there, I did. I’m back to working on personal essays and writing poetry.

I’ve been so inspired, I just wanted to share and thought I’d share some inspiration with you too. Here are some pictures of the snow I took from around the yard…just enjoy or get creative and write something. I have nothing fancy set up for you to leave your links on(maybe one day I’ll figure out Mr. Linky), but you are welcome to leave a link in your comment below if you’d like. Happy writing… : )

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Letting Go

* This is a poem I wrote from the prompting post over at dverse Poets Pub on the art of letting go. *

Let live and let be
Easy enough motto it seems
Letting go is much harder
Yet, I’ve let go of so many things …
Love drifted away
Floating on a sea of tears
Bright lives faded to dim
Those I once held so dear
Motherhood snuck away in a blink
Daughter turned woman
In less time than you’d think
Life like the leaves
Swirling away in the wind
Took dreams and hopes
Thought would never end
I’ve let go of so many things
Releasing freely, unable to hold
Bending to natural forces
Learning to let go
A most difficult lesson
Trial by fire it quite seems
Letting go without losing myself
Forgetting how to dream
An ember escaped the ashes
Kindling to ignite my heart
Letting go doesn’t mean
Letting everything depart

Dandelion wind (Photo credit: @Doug88888)

Writing What You Know

There is much to be said for the saying, “Write what you know”. If we’re writing about things we know about, those are likely to be the things we are passionate about, hence it will probably be  better writing and very interesting reading . As a reader, I love reading something I can tell the writer has a lot of passion for, so it works. It’s not boring writing.

I’ve been thinking about this some lately. There are many things I think I’m overlooking. I’m missing the mark and not writing about the things sitting in front of my face that I truly “know” about. I love to cook, especially baking and I crochet a lot. I enjoy blogging. I use herbs and aromatherapy every single day. I’m a caregiver for a family member.

Those are just a few of the things I can list that I do on a normal basis. What I need to do is think what I can do with that list? Well, having a sick spouse, too much time on my hands, and a bit of depression is not always conducive to thinking clearly. Given enough time, however, I am sorting myself ought of the fog I’ve been in and coming up with ideas. (Knowing you can’t just do nothing forever can also give you a swift kick in the pants for incentive.)

This week I have begun to write more, which I’ve desperately been needing to do. I’ve had some days I wasted away my time with online social media, like pinterest . My time online has not been a total loss though, as I’ve discovered some great recipes to try out and found many places I could possibly write guest blog posts. I’ve even applied to a couple of writing jobs found at FWJ(Freelance Writing Jobs).

Here’s a list of a few possible writing projects I need to be working on :

* Guest blog posts (possible topics – crochet, sewing, craft projects, nursing, caregiving)
* Ebook about caregiving
* Local magazines – submit recipes
* Craft magazines – could get creative and write a pattern for original crochet creations

If you are in a writing rut or just starting out, maybe a good place to begin is make a list or a couple of lists. I’m a list nut! One list is a list of every topic you know something about and your talents. This will give you ideas for writing. The next list is just start a list of everyplace you find you may be able to find homes for your writing, then get writing.

I haven’t figured out a good method to organize the information yet, but I do like to print out writer’s or submission guidelines for those places I’m interested in submitting my work too. For now, I keep them in a basket with a cloth liner. Maybe I need to look at some kind of notebook system. If you have a way that works for you, please share and if I get it figured out, I’ll do the same.

Any thoughts or ideas welcome…

Happy writing…

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Time Fading Away

*This is something I wrote based on a word prompt on Inspiration Monday over at the Be Kind Rewrite blog. *

English: Fading light at Glanvilles Wootton A watery gateway on the footpath from Harbins farm to Pulham catches the last of the evening light coming through the trees. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Bodies age, weaken, and are degraded by multiple diseases. Merely part of the natural life process, everyone says. This is where we are and why he sleeps so much more. This is why life is so still and there is so much loneliness. There is no return to the past and no future, only the present.  The present brings no gifts, only further decline and fading.

Death feels ominously near, but may not come for years and this unmoving world will continue to seem endless. Wishing not to hasten death, but wishing for more certainty or just the ability to understand.  Wishing people did not persist in asking the simple question, “Are you okay?”. It’s not such a simple question. It feels as if they want a false answer, one I am not able to give. The truth, “No, I’m not okay.” I want to ask, “How could I be?”. It’s often easier for a lie to slip past my lips and say, “I’m fine”.

Sadness from not knowing seeps in and takes over. Tears constantly feel near flowing, but never come. Things needing done are in abundant supply and calling out. Yet I sit here and think, but not really truly think. Present, but not really. Attempting to turn to endless distractions in an effort for a less painful facade. Daylight is fading, seems the morning was not long ago.

The time thief has crept in and stolen the day. This one as the one before. This has gone on for far too long. I must awaken, before my life winds down. I must remember how to live life before the time thief vanishes away with my days. There exists so many uncertainties in life, but some things are certain, the number of our days is not known and we must live life before it fades away.

New Beginnings

*This is a short bit of a story I wrote for a word prompt on Inspiration Monday over at the Be Kind Rewrite blog. *

Carolyn opened the door, walked in, and looked around. The walls were bare, but she loved the peaceful pastel blue walls and the natural light shining in through the sheer lace curtains. The curtains had been the only thing she had put in the house yet.

The small rental house was her house. It was an idea taking quite a bit to get used to and still made her a little nervous. She had never lived on her own, which was scary enough. The part that made her the most nervous was the possibility her ex-husband Tom may find out where she lived.

She pushed the thought aside. She knew where thinking like that would wind up. It’s probably why the house was still empty, even though she had owned it for a month already. Yes, finances were an issue, but the fear was the bigger issue holding her back.

She turned around and strode back out to the truck. She grabbed the white wooden rocking chair out of the truck bed and carried it in. Carefully she placed it in the corner and sat down. The chair was one of the only pieces of furniture she had been able to get out of storage without Tom noticing.

The chair held many memories. It was the chair her mother had fixed up for her as a baby shower present years ago. It was the chair she had rocked her daughter in so many times, when she was younger. Her daughter was now a young woman herself. The chair she had always hung onto despite Tom’s urgings to get rid of it.

Now, she was sitting in her chair in her house. It was a strange feeling, but one she could get used to. She and Tom had been married so many years, but she remembered how often Tom would tell her, “This house is my damn house”. She had been wishing for peace for so long, but it never came. She closed her eyes, rocked back, and thought, “This is how it starts”.

Happy 1st Blogiversary!!!

I am so excited, it’s been a year since I first started blogging, so it is the blogiversary of CreativityorCrazy. I wasn’t sure blogiversary was even a word, but it can be found in the Urban Dictionary. Blogs come and blogs go, but somehow I’ve managed to continue blogging and have no desire to stop anytime soon. I fell short of posting twice a week, but I can say I managed to post something every month of 2012.

In the beginning I really knew next to nothing about blogging, but have really learned my way around. I now love blogging and the sense of community that comes from blogging. I enjoy reading comments left by readers of this blog(thank you), reading the blog posts of others, and getting to know some of my fellow bloggers a little better. Makes the world not seem such a lonely place.

This blog has turned into something a bit different, not just freelance writing, but a wider variety of writing as I’m trying to find my way. If you’ve been following this blog for a bit, you know I do have a fondness for memoir and personal essays. Writing from real life comes easier to me than fiction, though I will try it on occasion. There will be poetry from time to time as well as I enjoy writing poetry.

The main thing I can say I’ve learned from blogging and writing is do not let the opinions of others deter you from following your heart. My writing highlights of last year were having a poem published and being able to say I wrote a book(which may never go further than being written, but it’s written). Well, going to go do some writing, so happy blogging!

Your thoughts are always welcome…

Fresh Start to 2013

Image of a modern fountain pen writing in cursive script. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here’s hoping 2013 will be a better year. I’m recharged and planning to leave the past in the past. I’m ready to make a fresh start in 2013. This will mean some changes, so please be patient with me.

I will be playing around with my blog a little(already changed the theme today). Just trying some new things out. Will take some time till I get things comfortable and sorted out. It’s like rearranging furniture.

I’m trying to motivate myself as well, so I guess creating some goals are the way to go. I’ve given this some thought. I did try to make sure I have realistic goals, so I don’t set myself up for failure. A big part of being realistic is knowing I have a bit of a chaotic life most of the time. Without further adieu, here are the goals…

Writing Goals for 2013 :
(will be doing more writing than this, but it’s a start)
1. Blog twice a week(continued from 2012-failed last year )

2. Read 2 books per month

3. Complete the 100k in 100 days Challenge(read more about over at Quiller’s Place or 100k in 100 days facebook group)

4. Find and join a local writer’s group

5. Finish poetry book

6. Work on revamping blog a bit

Feel free to share your thoughts and maybe some of your goals for 2013…

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Sweet Treats

Christmas

I have a few treats to share today. My sweetest treat is my first official poem has been published at The Barefoot Review in the Winter 2012 issue. I hope you’ll pop over and read it.

I’ve also been nominated for the Beautiful Blogger award from Vikki over at The View Outside blog. Not doing it properly yet, will try to do catch up, but wanted to take time to say “Thank You”. I know some beautiful bloggers I’d like to nominate too.

Another sweet treat, I discovered yesterday over at the Mere Inkling blog, while reading about personal libraries.  There’s an offer to send off for 10 free letterpress bookmarks, just at the cost of an envelope and SASE. You can find out more about the offer over at Peach Farm Studio. It expires soon, requests have to be there by December 31st.

The last sweet treat is the recipe for my now official favorite treat…decadent chocolate meringues. I have to make more as we ate the first batch. These are really easy to make. I use my kitchen mixer to whip them up as I’ve never had success whipping egg whites by hand. The mixer makes quick work of it.

Put 2 egg whites, 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar, a pinch of salt, and 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract in the mixer bowl. Beat till soft peaks form, then gradually add in 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder and 1/2 cup of sugar, beating till stiff peaks form. May take about 7 or 8 minutes.

Drop by teaspoonfuls on a baking sheet. I try to swirl it around with the spoon and leave it with a nice pretty peak on top. Bake at 225 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. These last a long time and are great for gift giving to the chocolate lovers in your life.

 

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas!!!