Ken Gire, in his book The Reflective Life, described the plentiful options we have before us to fill our plates, our days (I'm adding a few and updating to reflect opportunities present in 2007): Vehicles to transport us wherever we want, even off-road, with audio technology and reading material--iPods, books on CD, podcasts--to keep the ride from getting … [Read more...]
Adventures in Literary Outings: Encounters with Haven Kimmel, Author of A Girl Named Zippy
In 2007 I attended a colloquium at which Haven Kimmel, author of several books including a favorite of mine called A Girl Named Zippy, was the keynote speaker. It's been years since I read Zippy. Not long before I was heading to the colloquium, I happened across a post at Shalee's Diner reviewing it. The timing was fun, and I was glad she … [Read more...]
Creative Methods for Capturing Family Stories
At my brother’s urging, I signed up with StoryCorps to interview my mom back in 2007. My brother interviewed Dad. The idea of StoryCorps is to collect the stories of everyday people and save them for posterity. Here’s how they explained their vision: StoryCorps is modeled—in spirit and in scope—after the Works Progress Administration (WPA) of … [Read more...]
What are Your Five Fat Files?
Janel Messenger published a post entitled "The Anti-Boredom Life," in which she talked about modeling a life of curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, turning off the TV and assigning chores. After reading her post, I was ready to take the kids on a breezy bike ride, run in the woods or veg out in a hammock watching clouds. She also included some practical suggestions for … [Read more...]
Life. Parenting. Writing. Perspective. (Writing in the Midst of Motherhood)
I remember settling sideways in a black, plastic chair to sit across from a new client. I was developing my freelance corporate writing career simultaneous to incubating my first baby. My client, a land developer, stared doubtfully at the tent-like awning—er, maternity blouse—brushing the edge of the table. I tried tucking my "bump" under the table, but that didn't work. … [Read more...]
Writers: Never, Never, Never Give Up
Here’s a writing nugget. My friend Ellen passed it along to me. I may not have the wording exactly right, but someone once told her, “It’s not talent that determines a writer's success; it’s perseverance.” To succeed, you must persevere. J.K. Rowling, Agatha Christie and Hunter S. Thompson received their share of rejection letters. According to Lulu, "Stephen King … [Read more...]
Grow as a Writer: Live Life, Take Risks, and Waterski
Fifteen years ago, I sat in a breakout session at a writers' conference listening to an author talk about the writing process. Experience Life The thing I remember most was this: "The best advice I can give you to help you grow as a writer is to experience life." What? We came to hear about queries and proposals. We wanted to learn how she organized submissions … [Read more...]
I'm a Midwestern Blogger: Sensible as a Wool Hat
Ever since I discovered Scott Russell Sanders a few years ago and read some of his books that extol the virtues of firmly planting oneself in a physical, geographical place, I've been thinking about my place: the Midwest.The suburban Midwest, no less.I've always wanted to try living elsewhere, to escape for a time, to see what it's like away from the mild, vanilla … [Read more...]
55 Million Messages in Bottles (formerly "Message in a Bottle")
For reasons I don't comprehend, a post at my old Blogger blog entitled "Message in a Bottle" has gotten a lot of hits. Lots of Police fans out there, perhaps...or maybe Sting cruises the 'Net now-and-then searching for references to old song titles. Wow. Gives me goose bumps just imagining him landing on my blog. (Dreamy sigh.) Sorry. Where was I? Oh, yes, regarding … [Read more...]
Autodidact Ann
Until I stumbled across Mental Multivitamin's blog ("Read. Think. Learn." Oh, how I love that tagline), I never really used the word "autodidact." Given how many books I've read over the years, I must have seen the word several times. It felt familiar. I'd sounded it out at some point in my literary life. But I'd never used the word or even thought about what it means. I'd … [Read more...]
Writing and Motherhood–what are we up to, part 4?
This "series" reminded me of yet another excerpt on the topic. This time, from Barbara Kingsolver's High Tide in Tucson (affiliate link). I also long for more time of my own, and silence. My jaw drops when I hear of the rituals some authors use to put themselves in the so-called mood to write: William Gass confesses to spending a couple of hours every morning … [Read more...]
Writing in the Midst of Motherhood, Pt. 3
I skipped posting the third part of this series on Sunday because with it being the Sabbath and all, I didn't want to link you to this totally secular article at Salon.com, of all places. The author of the article, Dayna Macy, is a writer who is exploring whether or not she should have a child. "I have postponed motherhood in order to get my writing life moving," she … [Read more...]
Writing in the Midst of Motherhood, Pt. 2 (I didn't know I started a series)
While writing yesterday's post, I remembered this quote from A Circle of Quiet, by the thoughtful and sometimes controversial Madeleine L'Engle. The various pressures of twentieth-century living have made it almost impossible for the young mother with pre-school children to have any solitude. During the long drag of years before our youngest child went to school, my love … [Read more...]
Writing in the Midst of Motherhood
I'm just finishing up Writing from the Center, a collection of essays from Scott Russell Sanders. In the chapter from which the book takes its title, Sanders seeks "to know where authentic writing comes from; I would like to know the source of those lines that are worth keeping, the writing that brings some clarity and beauty into the confusion of our lives." (p. … [Read more...]
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