Nov 10, 2012 |
I saw the new James Bond movie tonight. SKYFALL. Don’t worry, I won’t give away any spoilers.
Have I told you how hard it is for me to watch movies or television? It has to be an exceptionally good program to distract me from my Writer’s Brain that is always trying to rewrite the scenes.
An even better program is one that inspires me to not write. I can often be found scribbling notes in the dark of the theater, but a great movie keeps my eyes, and thoughts, on the screen.
SKYFALL did just that. Only occasionally did I wish theaters offered a Pause or Rewind option, so I could better indulge my senses.
I found myself striving to be one of those writers. Another Ian Fleming. Or Louisa May Alcott. The kind of writer whose story quality you know just from their name. When was the last time you heard “Bond. James Bond.” and didn’t imagine a tall, suave tuxedoed spy ready to tackle any problem – or person – that came at him? Or do you imagine Sherlock Holmes without his hat and pipe?
It can’t be done.
That’s the type of writer I strive to be. One who perhaps writes in a language a bit more romantic and old-fashioned, who can capture scene and emotion and action with one swift pen stroke. Whose characters are endearing, endangered, and extraordinary.
I desire strongly to capture the essence of the world around me, whether it be filled with steel and glass that shatters on impact, or an endless row of cherry blossom trees that lace the river banks with their delicate pink flowers.
When I’m lost in a setting of modern machine guns in exotic countries or strolling through woods of old…
That’s the type of writer I strive to be.
Jo. Molly Jo.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Oct 5, 2012
- Writing is different than being a Writer.
- Inspiration is everywhere. If you know a Writer, your story will be told. Somehow, somewhere, you will be immortalized in Story.
- To write well, it’s important to read.
- Reading well includes a variety of genres, sources, and methods.
- Social media can definitely be a form of writing.
- Social media can, but shouldn’t, be a distraction.
- Being a Writer includes studying, researching, and daydreaming.
- Writers do not vacation for long periods of time on sandy beaches or in cozy ski lodges.
- Writers dream about vacationing for long periods of time on sandy beaches or in cozy ski lodges.
- There are descriptive words, and then there are fragrant collections of letters that grow together to bring a scent of peace and adventure to the reader.
- A good Writer is a bit arrogant and narcissistic.
- A great Writer will never understand why they are great.
- A great Writer sees their potential more often than recognizing their success.
- Writers dream. Literally.
- And, Writers dream. Figuratively.
- Words are our friends.
- And words can be our worst enemy.
- Being a Writer can include Blogging.
- Some Blogs should never be posted.
- A Writer is only as good as their readers.
- Writers are eavesdroppers.
- Writers are voyeurs.
- Writers are Storytellers.
- Not all stories are written by Writers. Some stories take on a life of their own and write themselves.
- Characters can be unruly children and do what they want regardless of how they are meant to be written.
- Not all people who write are Writers.
- Some Writers learn their craft and do well.
- True Writers are born and share their life with the world.
- Real Writers are nothing without their Cheerleaders.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Oct 4, 2012
Unemployed by Day, Super Writer by … every moment.
It’s hard to explain to others what exactly I do for a living. What that question is really asking is, “How do I earn money?” That’s completely different than what I do for a living.
“I’m a Writer” conjures up romantic images of a carefree, vagrant lifestyle. That’s not at all what I do. I don’t just put out words that come to me then sit under a tree drinking wine. I don’t go on great trips or even eat out all that much. I don’t belong to a Writer’s Group where we share our intimate ideas in a secluded room. Writing ~ my writing ~ is not at all what you see on television.
Writing is not the same as Being a Writer. It’s the “being” part: I live to write. I live for words. I look for stories around every corner, in every shadow, on every smiling face.
I don’t just sit under my laptop and randomly bang away until something mediocre appears. Writing is editing, formulating, brainstorming, organizing, evaluating, reviewing, posting, sharing, scribbling, photographing, reading, researching…
I write in my sleep. I dream story ideas. Every bite of food I take, I find words to describe it. I’m helpless in a movie theatre because I also think how I would have written it differently. I no longer purchase products. I evaluate them. And I’m a sucker for mentally correcting others’ grammar and punctuation.
Recently, I prioritized my writing projects as well as redesigned the Blog. Since I’m a creature who craves stability and scheduling, these are both HUGE deals. Changing the Blog look and layout was a small-but-giant step for me. Prioritizing my projects helped me see which ones are closer to being finished, and which ones are still in the not-really-a-workable-idea-yet stage.
I have a schedule and accountability/progress chart. I’ve set realistic goals. I’m an organized dreamer. I keep a pen and notepad in every room of my house, in my car, and in my purse and backpack. I’m always making notes. Nearly every task I do, I do with the thought of being a Writer.
Housecleaning? Product reviews. How To’s. Short stories about struggling housewives.
Girls’ Night Out? Travel reviews. Fashion photography. And in the right setting where others can be seen and overheard, story idea after story idea after story idea.
Chatting with friends. Preparing a meal. Brushing my teeth. Folding laundry.
I work constantly.
I’ve started to say it to myself. I’ve started to announce to those who ask. I’m not a struggling artist looking for recognition. I recognize it in me.
And that’s where it starts.
Say it loud, and say it proud.
I don’t just write.
I am a Writer.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Aug 9, 2012 |
Yup. I had an interview. A real, in-person, we-think-you-could-benefit-our-business job interview today. [I also had a call to join an insurance team about an hour’s drive from home and work for commission only… had to turn that one down. Darn.]
I had been referred to today’s Real Interviewer through mutual contacts. A year ago, I wouldn’t have considered it: part-time. Small office.
And today, it felt like a perfect fit. Because it’s a nice atmosphere. Because they’ve been in business for over a decade and are still growing. Because any job is better than no job. Because a pay check is still a paycheck. And because every little bit helps.
Whether or not I get the job, I’m glad I went to the interview, which was more of an informal get-to-know-you meeting. Mostly because I don’t get out much these days. Also because it was nice to see new faces. I love meeting people!
The office manager was encouraging. She was excited about the marketing/advertising background I naturally come by on my resume, through my blog and just because I’m a naturally chatty person (go figure!).
But the absolute best moment of this meeting was when she said, “I heard you’re a great writer and want to make sure this job wouldn’t get in the way of those goals.”
Uhm…. NO. I will gladly work for you part time until it turns into full time, and in the meantime I will continue to write and blog and write and cook and write and review and write. You’ll just be helping to pay the bills until the write check comes along.
But thanks for asking.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Aug 3, 2012 |
Writing is what I do best. It doesn’t always show through on my blog (although I want it to!), but I write every day. And when I give it my all, it shows.
But it still doesn’t pay the bills. Yet.
I love that word, yet.
And I know that someday, my writing will have yet another Big Before and After moment. I’m just not there…
Yet.
It’s been over a year since I lost my job, and in my human nature, I tend to get down and negative about the way of the world. I try not to, but hit after hit and sometimes I don’t handle it well.
My friend Wendy sent me this great email a few days ago: “I’m so proud of you and all your hard work while you’re out of work!!” She knows how to look on the bright side of things, and boost my spirits!
So I keep writing. I keep holding on, hoping that things will get better. I know they will. They just haven’t…
Yet.
And then I saw this on Pinterest.
And I applied.
And now I’m waiting.
Waiting to hear if I’m the lucky recipient of a $1,000 Blog Scholarship. I’ve so many ideas for building my blog, if only I had more funding. This could be the start.
And even if I don’t win, I’m glad that I entered. Their questions are thought provoking and helped me to verbalize what I want for my blog and how I intend to accomplish my goals.
If you won $1,000 to start up or maintain a blog, what would you do with it?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
This post is linked up with “What’s the Word?” Wednesdays
