Now that some holiday dust has settled, let me ask you something: Did you send fewer Christmas cards this year than last? Did you receive fewer?
Maybe it’s the writer in me, but I’m one of what appears to be a rare-and-vanishing-breed of old-fashioned souls who starts banging out a family Christmas letter each year just after Thanksgiving. Sometimes before. December without an annual family newsletter is like peanut butter without jelly, Aspen slopes without snow, Lucy without Ethel… Well. You get the idea.
Do you write letters anymore, even around the holidays? How many people read your letters? While I’m clunking merrily away on the keyboard, I’m fully aware that my year-end wrap-up of family news, vacation photos, sports events and special occasions will most likely be speed-read by a select few and ignored by most. How come? Here are a few possibilities:
“Never mistake motion for action” – Ernest Hemingway
If you’ve been at the writing trade for longer than twenty minutes or so, you’ve probably noticed the “desperate doodlers.” These are the writer wannabees who are so desperate to break into print that they’ll pitch their work to anyone and everyone, even paying a third party to get “published.” Those who continuously stoop to submitting anything, anywhere, with little to no regard to a publisher’s reputation, accessibility or integrity aren’t Real Writers so much as they are Desper-Doodles. They’re dying to pad their scanty resumes with “publishing credits” from any Tom, Dick, or Harry that comes along and says “I’ll take that.” (This can actually hurt you in the long run if you make it a habit.)
Heads Up
A word of clarity here: In the publishing world, “small” or “independent” doesn’t necessarily mean poor quality or ill repute. Just because a publisher or literary outlet isn’t a household name doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a boiler-plate, fly-by-night outfit. But it might. So heads up: “Come one, come all” publishers who prey on inexperienced novice writers are a dime a dozen. They’ll publish anything and everything, usually for a fee, regardless or quality or merit. Some of these “publishers” make a living at predating on hapless souls who are willing to sell their firstborn for a chance to see their name in lights.
Look before you leap. You may get your work “published” with some of these “snake oil” publishers, but good luck on finding anyone who’ll actually buy your book – let alone fall in as a loyal reader.
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Have you had an experience with a publishing “snake oil salesman?”
What is “free speech”? If you’re a writer, you’ve doubtless come across the concept. What does it mean? How does it look? Act? Behave?
For some, “free speech” means “we all have the right to an opinion and to voice that opinion.” Nobody can tell anyone “what they can and can’t say.” No constraints. No boundaries. Anything goes. Period.
Get Lost, Cookie?
Example: I came across a political blog the other day that contained profanity and some tasteless content, IMHO. What was said wasn’t an issue; it was how it was said. The blog owner asked readers to comment, share links, etc. Out of respect for my readers, I politely suggested that I’d be happy to do so if the language could be cleaned up. Wrapped in the Bill of Rights and “free speech,” the response was basically, “Get lost, cookie.”
So I did.
When Is “Free Speech” Not?
Realizing that people have a right to disagree and disagree passionately on a variety of topics, I wondered at what point, if any, is “free speech” not free? Is there a point where it becomes costly?
Tossing that out to others recently, the question generated quite a discussion – and many different views and nuances. Here’s some feedback. “Free speech” may not be “free” when it:
Compromises your integrity.
Violates your standards.
Is intentionally offensive.
Your choice of words or writing style is so abrasive that your point gets lost in the flames.
All semblance of responsibility and professionalism are jettisoned.
Is used to excuse limited vocabulary or lazy writing.
Costs you readers.
Someone also pointed out that “free speech” is not an absolute right. “You can’t yell ‘Fire!’ in a crowded theater,” he said.
In America, we hold the Bill of Rights dear. The right to free speech, including the right to disagree, is held dear. And they should be. But are writers held to a higher standard? When? Does that depend on context? Audience? Or something else?
Where do “free speech” and responsibility intersect? Or do they? Does it matter?
Anyway, that post talks about re-charging the ‘ole creative batteries and caring for your heart. About slowing down long enough to drink in some beauty. Share grace. Rekindle your sense of awe and wonder and delight. I offered some suggestions.
So writer, how are you caring for your craft by caring for your heart today?
If you’re running around at warp speed, may I make a suggestion – and offer an example? Take a few moments to slow down and enjoy this cool video by The Piano Guys, (It’s even better if you know the lyrics.)
Be refreshed.
Then share with a friend who could use a boost. Tell us who you shared it with in the comments section. You might also let us know how you care for your craft by caring for your heart:
As mentioned last time, if you’re a writer, chances are you’re also a reader. So let me ask: have you seen the list of Books Everyone Should Read that’s floating around Facebook? Did you read it?
I did. IMHO, several of the titles were questionable and many books that should’ve been included weren’t. So I came up with my own list: Books to Grow By.
Classic, contemporary, and just for fun titles are included, plus some surprises. (Note: With apologies to high school English teachers everywhere, I simply cannot abide ‘stream of consciousness’ prose a la Faulkner, which is one reason The Sound and the Fury isn’t included. Ditto Wuthering Heights and The Great Gatsby.) You’ll also find evidence of my conviction that some of the finest literature ever written can be found in the Children’s Section. Selections appear in alpha order by title.
“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot…reading is the creative center of a writer’s life…you cannot hope to sweep someone else away by the force of your writing until it has been done to you.” – Stephen King
38 in 10 Thirty-eight in ten. It wasn’t easy. But it was fun!
My local library wraps up its annual Adult Winter Reading Program today The program began in January and ran for ten weeks. My goal? To read and/or listen to 40 books during that time frame. I came within a cat’s whisker of reaching it.
“How in the world did you manage 38 books in ten weeks?” you ask. “Where’d you find the time?”
Truth? I didn’t “find” the time. I made it. Yep, it’s amazing what you can accomplish if you bring a book to the dentist or doc’s office. Read at red lights. While standing in line at the post office or grocery check-out. Hibernate in the library. Listen to a book on CD while doing dishes. Double as a Himalayan hermit.
Why Is That?
The best writers I know are also voracious readers. Why is that? Check out some of the links below to find out.
What were the best books I read/listened to in the last ten weeks? Answer: It depends. Mostly on which day you ask. Those that were particularly memorable, in no particular order, include:
“By taking out your heart, the Enemy takes out you, and you are essential to the Story.”
– John Eldredge, Waking the Dead
Does 100 mph with your hair on fire seem slow? Like when you’re used to flaming down the road at 120?
I hit the brakes the other day, stepping down from one of those 120 mph, hair-on-fire, all-consuming, calendar-cramming, adrenaline-rushing responsibilities. Among other things, I suddenly realized my favorite season, autumn, skidded onto and off the calendar while I wasn’t looking. Buried in meetings, agendas, conference calls, planning, coordinating, meetings, schedules, and more meetings, I missed it. And I don’t want to miss it again.
Looking back, I’d gotten so used to careening around at warp speed, I couldn’t remember what a fire extinguisher looks like, let alone how to use one. I didn’t realize how fried I really was until I exited the kitchen. Throttled down. Left the race track. Traded Mario Andretti for Giacomo Puccini. Like:
Swiss Cheese in Death Valley
Since then I’ve learned the value of saying “No.” Of not hitting the after-burners. Not immediately diving into more up-to-my-eyeballs responsibilities. To be deliberate about rehydrating my heart, which was starting to resemble unrefrigerated Swiss cheese in Death Valley. In August.
Short Answer and Chances
Why take time to brake, switch gears, power down? Short answer: Because I’m more productive and effective when I’m running on a full tank instead of fumes. I’m better able to serve others when I’m not burnt out myself.
Are you?
If you’re a writer, chances are good you’re also a reader. Tell me now, isn’t there something soothing and settling about immersing yourself in a good book? Something delicious and delightful about being lost in a good story? (Okay. It may not be quite as good as getting lost in an Olympic-sized swimming pool of Hershey’s with almonds, but you get the idea.)
The Picture
Know what? Drinking in the wonder and richness of the written word on a regular basis again, my Sahara-dried out heart is gaining new strength. Becoming more supple. Fresh. Joyous. Elastic.
Sun sets seem more vibrant. Cinnamon spice more fragrant. Quilts are downier. Music more moving. Even brussel sprouts taste better. Friends say they see signs of actual brain activity. The fam says…. well. Never mind what the fam says.
Anyway, I didn’t realize how much I missed reading, writing, and all things bookish until they came back, long-lost loves welcoming me home
Books loved anyone who opened them, they gave you security and friendship and didn’t ask for anything in return; they never went away, never, never, not even when you treated them badly.”
– Cornelia Funke, Inkheart
Has the Creative Well Run Dry?
So writer, let me ask: Are you burnt out to a crackly crisp? Running around at 120 mph with your hair on fire? Thinking it all depends on you? Has the creative well run dry?
A suggestion: slow down. (The world won’t stop revolving. Trust me on this one.) Trade Andretti for Puccini. Or whatever resonates beauty, joy, gratitude and grace to your soul. For me, it’s books, reading, writing, and soaring arias. For others it might be walks on the beach. Starlight. Bubble baths. Playing catch with the kids. Calling up grandma or gramps. Rock-climbing. A fully loaded supreme pizza. Getting a cat. (Nobody’s perfect.)
The point is, take time to care for your heart. And be intentional about it.
This may seem counter-intuitive to some. Even selfish. In truth, it’s one of the best things you can do not only for yourself, but for others. Particularly if you’re a writer. There’s not much inspiration in charcoal.
Now if I could just figure out what to do with this singed hair.
Mount Rainier
Do you know a writer who’s worn out, fried to a crackly crisp? Share this post with them and give them a boost.
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Catch us next time for Books to Grow By: How Many Have you Read?
I just spent a morning deep-sixing, round-filing and de-cluttering my desk, bulletin board, filing cabinet and blog. I also thinned out my InBox from 3,000+ messages to 329. Yesss!
Uninteresting, irrelevant links that have been hanging around since the 12th of Never? Gone! Pages that no one’s visited since the Ark made landfall? Outta here! Categories, media, polls and pics that are as fresh as last week’s headlines? Goodbye!
Talk about a breath of fresh air.
De-cluttering the Dead Wood
I hadn’t realized just how cluttered my desk, blog and brain really were until I de-cluttered the dead wood. (I meant to get to this the first week in January. Now you know why I gave up ‘New Year Resolutions’ for Lent. And New Year’s.)
Several writers I talk to have truckloads of works in progress at any given moment. They may have a children’s story, a poetry collection, an inspirational piece and a few news articles all going at the same time. Maybe more. Others are juggling memoirs, feature stories, a detective/mystery series and cranking out newsletters in their ‘spare time’ – both minutes.
I admire these folks. The ones that can keep eighty zillion writing projects in the air, like spinning plates, all at the same time without dropping something. Like themselves. On their heads.
Not One of Them
Know what? I’m not one of them.
I found that while my reading and writing interests vary widely – anything from Tennyson, Dickens and Dostoevsky to Richard Paul Evans, Anna Quindlen, Jane Austen and Charles Schulz – I have to narrow my focus and concentrate on a few writing projects at a time or else.
“Or else what?” you ask.
Crashing Plates?
Or else… I don’t complete any of them. Sure, I may dash out a chapter or two here. Polish some dialogue there. Re-work a pesky characterization or rewrite an entire plot. But when I have more plates spinning than I can realistically focus on, my focus becomes splintered. Diluted. Wandering. I lose concentration and energy. And plates crash.
I feel better about myself and my writing when I actually finish one thing, publish or submit, rather than working on a bunch of different things, losing steam, jumping into something else and doing the same thing all over again. That doesn’t mean I don’t put something aside from time to time to let the ‘ole creative batteries re-charge. I do. But I still have to discipline myself to return to that set-aside project, hit it fresh, and actually make progress toward publication – rather than endless revisions – as the ultimate goal.
Are you with me?
So, here’s another non-New Year’s Resolution. I will raise my right hand and repeat after me: Focus. Focus. Focus. Prioritize. Instead of puttering around on umpty-jillion different projects at once and never really finishing one, I will work on the most pressing project – the one I’m most passionate about – first. Then I’ll pursue the rest in descending order according to priority.
In other words, I’m telling myself, “Self, you will complete that Mountain memoir and that summer in Texas story by this time next year even if it means raiding your private Hershey’s stash and keeping it under lock and key until then.”
If that’s not incentive, what is?
Now if I could just remember where I stashed the Priority List.
What ‘writing projects’ are you working on that are keeping you from focusing on and finishing your most passionate pursuit? Do you have a writing friend who needs help differentiating between productive creative pursuits and frittering their time away on fluff? Share this post so they can clear out their dead wood, too.
Have you snagged your FREE download of my ebook, Skipping the Tiramisu: Becoming the Writer You Were Born to Be? Yours free when you sign up for my monthly newsletter (also free)!
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Up next: Andretti, Puccini, and 120 MPH With Your Hair on Fire.
What does a “dead day” look like to you? The days that feel flannel gray “dead” to me are usually those I haven’t done what I was born to do: write.
Sometimes my creative juices flow into an editorial, blog post, short story or feature article. Sometimes I write the lead column or bang out a newsletter for a couple non-profits. Or I rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. I’m working on a couple projects right now, including a children’s fantasy, a memoir and a travelogue. I have several irons in the fire.
It’s okay to have a bunch of irons in the fire, the ones I’ve prioritized and am making actual progress on. It’s also okay to enjoy that great review. To bask in some hard-won recognition and rewards. Just don’t stay there and set up camp permanently. Or spend the rest of your writing career looking back over your shoulder.
Do what you were born to do: keep writing.
Look ahead. Move forward. Take the next step. Knock on another door. Look for another opening or opportunity. Grab it. Keep those creative juices flowing rather than flannel-gray.
This may mean stepping outside your comfort zone. Doing something that’s a bit hair-raising for some artsy-introverted types. But you’ll never get anywhere as a writer unless you’re willing to grow, reach out, and stretch a bit.
“What?” you say. “I can’t do that! I don’t even know where to start.” That’s okay. Assess your situation. Think through some of your writing goals. You may find it helpful to sit down and jot out a flow chart of where you are today as a writer, where you want to be next year at this time and some possible routes from Point A to Point B.
The best way to miss a target is to have nothing to aim at.
So aim at something specific and take it one step at a time, like:
Finding a reputable agent to represent your work
Becoming an indie author/self-publishing
Attending writer’s conferences, seminars, classes and finding other opportunities to polish your craft.
Getting a professional graphic artist to design your book cover
Joining a writer’s group and allowing others to critique your work
Opening up a Facebook page to showcase your talent
Enter a writing contest
Hosting a blog tour
Writing a review or sharing a link to another writer’s work
Newton Was Right
Newton was right, write? A body at rest tends to stay at rest, whereas a body in motion tends to stay in motion. So writer, don’t just sit there. Move. Create. Write. You can do it!
Writer, where do you want to be this time next year? How do you plan to get from here to there? Do you have a writer friend who could use some help along the way? Share this post with them.
Grab a FREE copy of my ebook, Skipping the Tiramisu: Becoming the Writer You Were Born to Be, when you subscribe to my monthly-ish newsletter!
It’s a wet, rainy day here on the Peninsula. Rain is slamming the house sideways. The wind is howling like a banshee. (How does a banshee howl, anyway?) It’s a perfect curl-up-with-a-good-book-by-the-fireplace kind of day.
If only we had a fireplace.
Well, even though it’s anything but dry weather around here, one thing we’re not short of is dry wit. In honor of this surfeit, I’m throwing in a shameless plug for my newly released micro Ebook. (It’s not only free, it’s also a quick by-the-fireplace read perfect for a wet, rainy day. First time in downloadable Ebook format. What a deal!) It goes like this:
Have you tried humor writing only to crash and burn? Would your best material outlast the expiration date on a milk carton? If so, do not despair. My newest micro Ebook, Nearly Nine Terrific Tips for Writing Humor, offers clear, concise and user-friendly tips that will have the crankiest curmudgeon laughing in no time!
Download your FREE copy today and do me a quick favor. Post a review or “Like” it on the Smashwords page. Then join the party at Kristine Lowder, Writer. Stop by, leave a comment and be sure to share your own links! For more, visit: Nearly Nine.
Also, for those of you who write memoirs and/or creative non-fiction, check out: Dream of Things. Lots of good stuff here. Worth a look-see.
What writing resources have you found in the last week? Who or what has helped you pursue your calling as a writer? Share in the comments section.
Pages & Paws 
