Archive for October, 2011

Oct 15

october angst

It’s been a long time since I felt relaxed enough to spend my time writing on my personal projects. I’m reading for me with minimal distraction, as testing for my 2nd grade class is done. Grades are recorded. So for a little while, my weekends and evenings are part my own.

I say part my own because there will be times (like today) when I will spend a few hours on organizing work for the students, visiting the library, recording last grades. And, my church and family responsibilities have a portion of my time. The balance is my free time, to spend wildly if I choose.

My Big Plans. There is my short story I’m writing which I’m working to finish; a non-fiction book a friend wrote that I’ll finish reading tonight; and more to read in my book study book (Kingdom without Borders) that I will be reading from, shortly.

organization skills put to the test

Monday I start my second job, my day job. It will take up the bulk of my days leaving me only travel time to get to my afternoon job. I’m compelled to be very organized, certainly more than I have been lately. It will be a welcome challenge, as I look forward to applying my skills to getting everything done.

Things seem to be well in hand for work with the children. But the work of fun is another story. For a few months now I’ve been writing successfully using yWriter software. I’ve managed to nearly finish two stories — they’ll likely be done the end of this month. Reading is manageable in bursts most often. But I set aside time daily now to read a little. So, it’s all coming together.

nanowrimo – am i in or no?

Even with my fine organizational skills, the cool software, and a story idea in the wings, I’m not sure it will be enough to get through NaNoWriMo. I’ve tried a few times, but never seem to get through before I let the rest of my life take over. Prior to November, I get all excited and pumped up with anticipation only to fizzle out in the middle (or even earlier).

This year, I likely won’t commit until the last week of October. And that’s really okay since I’m fleshing out a story plot in a grid (I read about that practice somewhere and I like it). Once the plot written and saved, I can use it whenever — next month or next year.

If I participate in NaNoWriMo this November, I’ll likely keep my progress updated at Shari’s Telling Stories. You can visit me there, to see my progress – or lack of. Either way, I’ll be reading around the web to see all the writer camaraderie.

Are you writing a novel this year for NaNoWriMo? Do you know about National Novel Writing Month? Find out about the project here, http://www.nanowrimo.org/, then decide if you want to put your writing acumen to the challenge of 50K words in 30 days.

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Oct 03

10 things that inspire me

It’s easy to inspire me! Mostly because I’m always open to having my socks knocked off me. Television, shows and commercials; movies with great story lines. The Internet that puts so much at my fingertips—literally.

1. people pursuing passions

I’m connected with two networks related to writing and arts. It is really inspiring to see writers pursuing their passions. I read liner notes in albums for the gems they sometimes hold about the album artist. One of my Nina Simone albums had her story in it. I was as sad to lose that as I was about some of the books I lost in the wake of post Katrina and Rita clean-up.

2. the brilliance of children

It’s not about how smart they may be. What moves me is the luminous shimmer the new people exude. It’s the glow of promise, hope for our future, and the endless possibilities of how we might get there.

3. possibility

I wonder how it is some of us never lose the inner child, or manage to find a measure of it. However it happens, I’m grateful that it’s possible.

I could almost weep for the life I might have known had I kept hold of the child in me; or found her sooner. I won’t cry though. I have more of her in me than I once thought. Instead, I take joy even at this advanced hour. After all, it really is all good— Besides, I’m not dead yet.

inspirations all around

4. dancing

When I watch people dance, it makes me happy, excited. It’s a pleasure to watch dancer’s move in ways that I could never. I would love to dance, but I haven’t the aptitude (really haven’t the aptitude), and I haven’t the body with a bad hip. I am humbled by the works that dancers do. Gregory Hines and Savion Glover can make my heart race. I never had the opportunity to see Gregory Hines dance live. And I’m sure if I had, there would have been tears. I believe that because the liturgical dancers at my church can move me that much.

5. photography

Composition can be poetic. I have lost myself in a great cloud scene or the soulful eyes of an elderly man helped to deposit his first ballot after Apartheid. A beautiful flower or a solitary bird in his solitude. Images can open my mind to more than what is before me. They are my conduits to alternate interpretations the image itself and life all around me. Being open to, and a practitioner of silliness, facilitates this laudable transcending ability.

6. music

I love to listen to great rhythms, beats that get make my heart pound, melodies that open my mind. Jazz is in my library. Some of my favorites I return to repeatedly include Lyle Mays, Fictionary; Joe Sample, Ashes to Ashes; Spyro Gyra, Love and Other Obsessions; and Hubert Laws, My Time will Come; and Ellis Marsallis, Whistle Stop are a few that keep me and serve to transport me.

7. writing

During work writing, my focus is on the message and the best way to get it across to the client’s audience. Even when I’m totally engaged, there are times errant creative ideas will come to me. If it’s timely I may even be able to spare a moment to capture an idea on paper or recorder to have it for later use.

8. poetry

It amazes me what people are able to create in poetic expression. The canvas is paper, the inks the colors of experiences, the deft poet paints the picture of what happens to, around, through him. There is room in his writing for me and my experiences and what I bring to the table. I’m inspired by the ability of a poet to tell a poignant story of a thing he knows, and how I am opened to so much more just by reading it.

9. generosity of others

There is so much I can’t do for myself sometimes. It frustrates me when self-reliance is simply not an option. I’m learning to give in to help from others. It’s humbling and empowering and amazing to be able to receive help and understand that it is not diminishing me but just a hand.

There’s something to be said for the grand gestures of kindness and humanity around the world, the ones that make the news and 60 Minutes. But the kindness of a friend to a friend is as large if it is unknown to many.

10. nature, trees

I love trees. I can’t name them I’m sorry to say, but I have a profound respect for the majesty of trees. Big and small, many or just one. I can get caught up just watching a tree, tracing the grooves and cracks with my eyes and hands; leaning against a tree, feeling it’s solidness support my back. I could go on, but you get the picture.

 

This list is by no means exhaustive since I spend a lot of time enjoying the little things in life. Many things inspire me. I was the child that would be caught staring out the window in school; the one who could lie on the ground for long periods of time, to watch ants go about their business. Today play is still important to me, as well as spending time with trees, even though I don’t have as much time for them. These things inspire me to do more, some days even just to continue.

What inspires you in your life? Remember that inspiration is everywhere; you can receive it from all sources, as long as you remain open to it.

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