I have recently began joining in different on-line writing groups and I have noticed a theme of dissatisfaction running through many of them. There is a sense of frenetic urgency about publishing, as if the stamp of approval from these other people was the only way of being satisfied.
Well, I...I was just about to go off on that one, but its true; we all want to be published. Dang!
So what if it never happens? No fists full of money, no public approval, no TV interviews. Would it still be worthwhile?
For me, writing is fuzzy slippers, jammies and hot cocoa. I'm happy and content. Trying to get published is like wearing your fuzzy slippers and pj's to the front door to get the paper; you open the door and spy your news-wrapped comics lying just beyond reach. You take a step outside and hear the ominious little click as the door closes behind you. You raise your head from the ground, clutching all your hopes in hand, to find yourself standing in front of yard full of well-dressed and intelligent people who can tell, with just one glance, you are not "their sort." Sorry, your books does not fit our needs at this time. Good luck placing it anywhere else.
Sigh.
Does it have to be that way?
Writing is satisfaction that I have never received in any other manner. I've learned things about people that I don't think I would have ever known without spending the time I have writing about it. So, Cheers! Let's celebrate ourselves and our writing. It's wonderful to the only person in the world you have to account to: Yourself.
And there's always another revision.
Winter Moon Rising
Sharp and Bright, like the Truth
Friday, November 4, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
What have I missed?
The little car I have been driving reached a milestone today: it turned over 111,111 miles. I missed it, though. I looked down and it was at 111,114 miles.
Okay, this is not really a big deal. But it started me thinking: What else am I missing because I'm not paying attention? Am I missing important details, as well? Am I glossing over the once-in-a-lifetime experiences that I should be thankfully celebrating?
Time to start being fully present, eyes wide open and brain cells engaged!
Okay, this is not really a big deal. But it started me thinking: What else am I missing because I'm not paying attention? Am I missing important details, as well? Am I glossing over the once-in-a-lifetime experiences that I should be thankfully celebrating?
Time to start being fully present, eyes wide open and brain cells engaged!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Loose Lips
Loose lips, sink ships. That's what they say anyway. What does that even mean, though?
I could understand if they said, loose lips sink relationships, or loose lips sink plans, or even loose lips sink surprise parties. But ships? Where did that ever come from?
I don't have to worry about it. Nobody ever listens to me anyway.
I could understand if they said, loose lips sink relationships, or loose lips sink plans, or even loose lips sink surprise parties. But ships? Where did that ever come from?
I don't have to worry about it. Nobody ever listens to me anyway.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
What do I feel like reading today?
Today I'm reading the second in the Skulldugary Pleasant Series by Derek Landy, Playing With Fire. I love humor. I'm definitely a fan. September 20, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Oil of Joy
In Isaiah 61:2 it speaks of having the “oil of joy.” It’s another of those archaic sayings that sounds cool but it a bit hard for the modern mind to understand. At least mine. I had to sit and think about it for a while.
At the time when this was written, and maybe even now, oil was much more precious than the actual fruit it came from (mostly olives). It is the distillation of the pressing of the fruit. It contains the amino acids and the basic goodness of the fruit, but it can be stored and kept much longer than the fruit.
It is also much harder to get than the fruit. You can’t just go out and pick oil off a tree, you must pick the fruit off just to begin the process. Then it must be picked over, gathered in large amounts, and then pressed. It takes a great deal of fruit to make a small amount of oil.
So in order to have the “oil of joy”, all our living experiences would have to be picked over¸ gathered up, and then pressed by all the trials and troubles and just plain life that it takes to have a good life, and then the oil of joy can be collected.
Lot of work. Well worth it.
At the time when this was written, and maybe even now, oil was much more precious than the actual fruit it came from (mostly olives). It is the distillation of the pressing of the fruit. It contains the amino acids and the basic goodness of the fruit, but it can be stored and kept much longer than the fruit.
It is also much harder to get than the fruit. You can’t just go out and pick oil off a tree, you must pick the fruit off just to begin the process. Then it must be picked over, gathered in large amounts, and then pressed. It takes a great deal of fruit to make a small amount of oil.
So in order to have the “oil of joy”, all our living experiences would have to be picked over¸ gathered up, and then pressed by all the trials and troubles and just plain life that it takes to have a good life, and then the oil of joy can be collected.
Lot of work. Well worth it.
Friday, December 31, 2010
New Year?
Tonight we celebrate New Year's Eve. Tomorrow we will celebrate the start of a NewYear: 2011
To me it seems like the new year shouldn't start until the first day of spring. Tomorrow will be another cold, beautiful winter's day. The same as before. It doesn't seem like the begining, but more of a continuing. Now spring is a start to something new! Alas, I am not in charge. Probably a good thing.
To me it seems like the new year shouldn't start until the first day of spring. Tomorrow will be another cold, beautiful winter's day. The same as before. It doesn't seem like the begining, but more of a continuing. Now spring is a start to something new! Alas, I am not in charge. Probably a good thing.
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