Archive for 2011

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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Posted in 10 Things...

Jul 19

“we’re all us real goddam firefighters now”

I’m excited this week! I have no time to be writing, but there is little else I can do before I move. So, I write.

software: yWriter

Once when I was planning to write for NANOWRMO, I searched for different things that people were doing to make the writing task easily. I came across yWriter. It got my attention enough for me to download it. That was a few years ago.

working out the setup

In the first week of July, I opened yWriter because I wanted to try something different as my latest story was getting longer. I found that the application is not nearly as simple as using WordPerfect (my default app) or Word. I actually had to go to the online manual to get started right. It was thrilling!

The quick start guide gave me enough information to learn how to set up chapters and scenes. (I don’t know how to delete chapters, but I’ll figure that out too.)

First, I set up the skeleton for my novel, the chapters and scenes. It was really easy once I knew what to look for. Then I uploaded my story, 7,272 words, chapter by chapter into yWriter. That was July 4th, fitting since it allowed me to declare my independence from the bulky use of word processing for novels.

what i learned about yWriter

  • It can read my writing back to me
  • It has a publishing function that will format the text for reading online
  • Timeline view lets you see your story as notes, like sticky notes
  • Drag and drop works in the timeline view
  • I can’t delete chapters yet
  • It offers many ways to notate my story for ideas that pop up

rolling along

Today I have 28,570 and the only reason I slowed up was because I had a move in the midst of everything.

Ideas are coming and I focus on how to get it said, not the mechanics. And an interesting thing is happening.

I’m dreaming of my characters’ stories. The story’s in my system. Two weeks ago, after writing the ending until after 05:00, the backstory for one character came to me before 08:00. It was too soon to put my contacts back in. So, I wrote it on my legal pad, two pages front and back.

Last night, I did a quick read-through (I know I shouldn’t have). I was amazed at how much the backstory tied things together. Things I hadn’t thought consciously of, but were burned into my brain from the story. It’s actually fun.

peace of mind

I have no worries about how I will move my content around if need be, just like the yWriter developer says. I just focus on the writing, knowing the revising will be infinitely easier.

Word processors make writing very easy when compared with typewriters. But, when it comes to larger documents, it can be fairly cumbersome. When I am writing, I don’t feel the need to change order a lot but it does happen. yWriter has some excellent tools to make moving content really easy. One is a drag and drop capacity for scenes between chapters.

The other I’ve found so far is the storyboard tool. It looks like notes on lines. And I can slide these boxes to different chapters and different characters for POV.

about the story

This story I’m discussing is my first fan fiction. I’m hoping to submit it to The Chamber, the fan fiction site I blogged about it on Telling Stories.

It’s the first long story, novella length now, that I can actually see myself finishing. Part of that does have to do with not having to worry with the mechanics either during or after, since yWriter automates so much.

about the title

I got the quote from “Roxanne” 1987. After successfully fighting their first real fire, the character, Andy (played by Michael J. Pollard), made the proclamation. It’s my proclamation since I’ve actually satisfactorily advanced on my story and can see an end to it — for the first time.

 

I’m happy with this application but I will keep my eyes out for other writing tools. I may try a paid one, to see what I might be missing. Please share any suggestions you may have for tools you like or have heard about.

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Posted in Producitivity

May 06

10 things i’d like to learn

I’ve been thinking about this post for a little while. I’ve come up with a mix of things I want to know better and things new to me. What stalled me is that I had a revelation: I have been fortunate to be able to pursue many of the things that interest me.

Here’s the thing though, I learn many of the things I use, enough to get the job done. Really though, that’s not enough for me. I’d prefer to get more detailed about the things I use already. You know, nothing like knowing a little theory to be able to work my way out of a corner.

Anyway, following is what my list looks like today.

10 things i’d like to learn and know better

  1. PHP: I use it for includes on my static websites. However, I want to harness more of the language’s power to get the most out of it
  2. MySQL: Same as with PHP. Database software is really powerful and a very versatile tool to catalog data such as articles, images, audio and so very much more. I would like to learn enough to be able to troubleshoot background glitches when database stuff goes wrong
  3. Forms validation: The code geek in me just wants to know the mechanics of effective forms validation skills
  4. Video editing: I have edited a few things with my Sony Vegas software. There’s a lot more power that I haven’t used yet.
  5. Simple animation: Cartoons are really cool and making my own would be a lot of fun. I think it would be really cool to animate some of my creative writing stories.
  6. Play the guitar: I’ve iffed at it a few times. I didn’t get far either time, but I think I’d do better now because…just because.
  7. Paint and draw: I can scrawl just as good as the next 10-year-old. I just want to do more. It’s more a matter of practicing so that I can make things come out of my hand that walk through my imagination.
  8. Sew my own clothes: When I was a very young, maybe in grade school, my paternal grandmother showed me how to cut a pattern for a shirt and a denim jumper, to line the cuffs and cover buttons with material like the shirt. Mostly what I remember about that was the great feelings I had. The times we spent laying out, cutting and pinning patterns is part of the blurs of childhood memories that remind me of the warm carefree times.
  9. Make paper: I read an article on making paper at home and it was really interesting. One day, I would like to try it out. Since I’m always writing on stuff, I think it would be pretty cool to make my own
  10. Glass blowing: I’ve only seen it on television and it’s amazing to watch. When I watched it, I thought about the molecules, fluid, hot, that can be pushed, blown, stretched, and shaped. Then cooled into a solid that can’t bend only break. There’s something really moving about that.

Not quite a bucket list, but these subjects are things that keep me busy learning. The first 5 are to help me in the work I do. The last 5 are on my list to entertain me. In life there must be a balance, so this actually worked out better than I’d planned.

Confession: My balance is skewed towards pleasure. All the things on my list are things I really enjoy. I can (and often do) get lost in working at my computer.

What’s on your list of things to learn or know better?

Up next: 10 things that inspire me.

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Posted in 10 Things...

Mar 30

10 things i’m happy about

I want to write through ‘10 Things…’ for a bit. It’s my journal exercise right now focused on attending to the small moments. Today I thought about 10 things I’m happy about, to express more than fleeting gratitude for successes that happen on the fly.

Sometimes life moves so fast until you can run right over the small important moments—without even drawing out all the inspiration.

impetus for 10 things i’m happy about

Lately, I’ve had a lot to do and not a lot of time. I’d tick off a task, maybe smile about it if it was new or particularly difficult, and move to the next thing—which is a good thing. But, appreciating the small accomplishments helps in two ways:

  1. It reinforces you’re on the right track which can carry me forward from one project, one milestone, one task to the next
  2. It requires that you slow down to reflect, and assess, and doesn’t that help with clarity—no wallowing or fixating involved

So today, I decided to reflect on things my little successes that kept me moving forward. Some were so fleeting until I almost forgot them.  Some were realizations I made.

All that to say, these are my recent 10 things I’m happy about:

  1. Manually fixed my blog I broke (and fast too—sort of)
  2. Prepared my CSS print file for article pages
  3. Learned that my websites actually are helping me
  4. Worked out best Sony Vegas settings to render clear screen capture videos
  5. Deleted arcane drafts from blogs, stored them out of the way
  6. Singing out loud (gotta be alone for that) can still make me feel better
  7. Felt the deep sense of release that comes with hearty laughter
  8. Accepted that I need more sleep (now to make it happen)
  9. Trusted, in a difficult moment, that trying times are impermanent
  10. Studying the construct of my faith, I find I still have it

Gratitude is the order of every day, for success or failure and what I learn from each. Think about the things you’re happy about, and slow down a moment to appreciate them. And let them propel you forward.

Up next in my ’10 things…’ mini series, “10 things i’d like to learn”

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Posted in Just Writing Through

Feb 13

fight the power no more

It became clear to me recently that I cannot fully separate myself from my Fear. It was likely always clear, only now I’m accepting it too. My stifling companion on my life journey. Fear. Champion excuse maker for not writing or not [WHATEVER GOES HERE].

lots to say but i can’t

The glaring truth, (that forced me to accept it), is that when I don’t write it’s not because I have nothing to say. In fact, I have lots to say; and it seems like even more is present during my can’t write times. At any given moment, there are a plethora of ideas, machinations that spark ideas, sprung up from reading, listening, watching, thinking, doing, imagining. A staggering amount of fodder for any writing purposes that engage me. And from what I’ve read on She Writes and around the web, I’m not alone in this oxymoronic predicament.

My hesitation is not simply a matter of being unable to pick what I want to write about or to do, either. My hesitation to pluck out an idea and act on it is spawned from doubt morphed into Fear: of rejection, of acceptance, of failure, of success. It’s a whirling, swirling mass of gases, liquids and some solids that knock around in my skull rather painfully at times. And, try as I might to dispel the Fear, it stands its ground. Sometimes I think I’ve gotten it all gone from my life, from whatever work I’m doing. Shortly into the calm, I learn respite is not release. I learn Fear only laid dormant, waiting for the quietest, busiest time to step up and make some damned noise about why I shouldn’t do whatever is on my mind to do.

fear and muse

Fear is not totally my enemy, though. I know this. Fear, dressed as caution, can keep me from making a huge fool of myself. And isn’t minimizing foolishness a good thing? Sometimes? I’ve been thinking about this, trying to focus on appreciating the good that is inherent in proper Fear. And it came to me…

Operating from the baseline truth, that Fear is valuable, I have a new game plan. We won’t fight. It’s not reverse psychology or flat out running away. I’m simply standing my ground, squaring off with my scary adversary using love power, to make Fear my bitch. This year I’m embracing my Fear. Making it another hero, the antithetical protagonist to my moody Muse. I’m pitting them against each other and filling my pen with the blood they draw.

I see interesting times ahead, and I’m taking notes.

Such is the shape of things today. And I’m going with it. What do you do to capitalize on dispositional changes in your life?

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Posted in Creativity

Feb 02

my weekend in never-never land

One great morning last month, my brother called to invite me to babysit my niece and nephew. Quickly, I switched gears and rushed my activities Friday morning because it’s important to have a little fun. Morning was for work search. I had to skip tweeting for the most part, and instant messaging with my friends and family.

Unfortunately for me, I had an excruciating, nauseating migraine headache. You know the ones that wring the life out of you, when you’re forced to close your eyes, and clenching your teeth hurts? That’s what I was having.

After meds and an hour-long nap, I felt much better. I woke in time to get a few things done before I had to leave. I was just finishing up when my brother and niece came to pick me up. And it was on.

( Read more )

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Posted in Creativity

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