Write Anyway

Because it’s the weekend and because I haven’t had such a good laugh in a long time.

Have a great weekend.

Thank goodness it’s Friday. It’s been a long week and I am definitely ready for the weekend, even if I am going to have to do some overtime work getting prepped for NaNo and NaBlo posts on this site and others in November.

Today is the traditional Friday free write. Five minutes, no going back and editing until the five minutes is up, and that’s about it.

Yesterday I listed thirteen things I feel passionate about, including my husband. Today I’m going to put up the email I sent to a friend of mine a few months before I got married. I think this is a good example of the passion I have for him.

Happy Friday!

(more…)

Happy Friday!

Don’t you just love Fridays? They’re a bit different for me since I started working at home, but I like them nonetheless.

I’m going to try a little something different for today’s prompt.

Writers are good writers if they can engage all the senses. Thus, writers should learn to pay attention to the world with all their senses and been inspired that way.

These are a few pictures I like especially because of the colors. The challenge for you is to write about one or more of the pictures. Whatever they inspire you to write about.

Have fun!

Wrapping up this week of writing about Independence, I think we’ve made some progress. Monday, we started by free writing on the subject of Independence. Tuesday, explored some of the connotations and synonyms associated with independence. Wednesday, we explored some personal memories using independence as a theme. And Thursday, we considered the price of independence.

This has been a good week of writing. Have a great holiday week next week, and though I’ll technically be on vacation, I’ll write anyway. I hope you will, too.

TGIF, independence, week in review, writing, write anyway

We’ve covered a lot of ground this week – again – or at least I have and I’m feeling pretty good about my writing and where it is going (even though I’m exhausted). I hope the same for you.

A quick review:

Monday got us back in the saddle by making a list of reasons why I love blogging. The first on the list, of course, is all the people I’ve had opportunity to meet through this blog over the past few months and through my personal blog which is almost three years old.

Tuesday I wrote about the number two item on my list, which is learning. I’ve learned a lot about websites, blogs – if you must, by jumping in and just trying it. I’ve also had a lot of great examples to learn from, too.

Wednesday got us over the hump by getting back to basics, which for me is the actual writing. And while I struggle with the process sometimes, it does help to have a deadline hanging over my head. It keeps the creativity flowing, at least.

Thursday discussed the virtually endless variety of topics, even within a structured theme blog like this one. On that same line of thinking, I have to say this “theme” stuff makes for a good plan for the week – and if you know me – nothing makes me happier than a good plan.

Thanks again, Jennifer, for the tag – even though a week long series of posts probably wasn’t what you were thinking of when you tagged me, it was therapeutic for me to look closely at what I do and why. I hope you and anyone else out there reading did the same and had a similar experience.

So think, read – and even when it seems impossible or too difficult – remember to write anyway. I’ll be back in the saddle next week with a new theme and some writing ideas that will get you (and me) writing. Have a great weekend.

TGIF, week in review, why blog?, writing, write anyway, tag

Using the theme of “fathers” this week was a good idea (pats self on back, wrenches arm, curses self). It worked for me, anyway. I hope it worked for you, too.

One of the comments from Thursday’s post (Hi Jennifer!) asked why I write and suggested I post five reasons why I love blogging. Sounds like my theme for next week is “in the can” as they say. Cool!

Have a great weekend, ok? Send some love to your Father - or to a father-esque person in your life. And remember to write anyway!

TGIF, week in review, fathers, comments, writing, write anyway

Looking back over this week’s writing, I was all over the place. Very. But I did get some good writing done and stretched a bit regarding topics and genres – which I think is all a part of the growing and writing process.

Monday, stimulated by something other than Diet Coke in my cup, had to do with coffee. A quote helped inspire writing on Tuesday. While listening to the radio on the road Wednesday, a piece on poetry took my writing an entirely different way. And Thursday, influenced by the craziness that is my life, I asked about scheduling time for writing. So even if this week was chaotic, it was still productive and can be stamped “good” and filed away for reference.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend. Remember to Write Anyway, and I’ll be Back in the Saddle bright and early Monday morning.

TGIF, week in review, writing, write anyway

While this week was not as “thematic” as last week, I think we made some good progress, don’t you? Starting Tuesday (since Monday was a holiday) we jumped right in with a prompt and wrote about someplace we’d rather be. Wednesday used a tip from the “choose your own adventure” books. And Thursday, I went begging for comments. (Sorry – just needed some validation.) People out in www land are busy and writing all kinds of great things.

Another good week of writing, all told. I’ll be back in the saddle on Monday. See you then – and remember to write anyway!

TGIF, week in review, writing, write anyway

Despite my not planning it this way, the week ended up with a “sounds/silence” theme and it seemed to go pretty well. On Monday, sounds in nature were a source of inspiration. Tuesday went in a strange direction with sounds and UFO’s. Wednesday came back to earth with the sounds of home. And yesterday, Thursday, we worked with silence – or the lack of it.

We had a good week. Well, at least I did and I hope you did too. Take the weekend off – and since Monday is a holiday in the States, I’ll be taking Monday off, too. Have a good one – and remember to Write Anyway.

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TGIF, writing, sounds, week in review, write anyway

Despite the week from aich-eeee-double hockey sticks I’ve had, I actually got a lot of writing done. I guess there is something to say about working under pressure or the more you have to do the more you get done – or something like that. Regardless, we covered a lot of ground: free writing on mothers, weather, lilacs, and memories. Random, but still a lot of ground.

I hope you have a fantastic weekend – and make sure you write anyway!

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TGIF, writing under pressure, writing, write anyway, week in review

The writing prompt from yesterday (borrowed from Writers Digest):

After returning from work, you walk into your house and notice an item that wasn’t there when you left in the morning. What room were you in, what was the item and how did it get there? (500 words or fewer – to start)

Here is my response:

Work was hell. Too much to do and not enough hours to get it done. My mind was still “at work” when I walked in the door, saw the disaster that was my living room. Couch cushions all over the floor; blankets and pillows strewn from one end of the room to the other; stuffed animals and children’s toys dropped randomly; plates and cups stacked precariously on the end table, coffee table; dirty floors; shoes tumbled in a heap on the rug by the door. I could not help myself. I sighed loudly, disgusted, exhausted, and tired of it all.

Glancing toward the window, I noticed something red out of the corner of my eye and I stopped dead still and stared. I saw a single red rose in a crystal vase balanced carefully on the window sill – and in that quick image, the cluttered room melted from view. I saw tender petals, love and peace. I could not help myself. I smiled. (159 words – 12 minutes)

Have a great weekend! And remember to write anyway.

I have been beyond busy the past two weeks, which has really put me in a strange place with my writing. On one hand, I have many ideas: notes scribbled on napkins and stuffed in folders or pockets of my computer case, half-started drafts clutter up my computer desktop. On the other hand, my schedule is booked solid with meetings, projects that HAVE to be done for work, and the typical tug-of-war between all I do for my job and all I should be doing for family, house and home.

Regardless, I am encouraged at the direction my writing is going. And when I think about it, I would rather be busy, inspired, and writing than bored, blocked, and frustrated.

How are you doing?

(Have a great weekend – and remember to write anyway.)

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TGIF, writing, ideas, inspired, busy, write anyway

Man, oh man, I am so glad today is Friday. After being gone all week at a conference in Pensacola and trying to keep up with work and writing “remotely,” I’m all in. The experience was a good one, and I am glad I went, but I need a week to catch up with myself.

In your writing, do you ever get to the point where you look around at everything you need to do for family, for a job or for whatever, and shut down? I have reached that point and I am more than a little overwhelmed with it all. There just is not enough time! If you come up with a way to go without sleep – or if you discover a way to stretch 24 hours into 36, let me know.

Write anyway, ok? I will and I will be back in the saddle Monday. See you then.

TGIF, write anyway, writing, overwhelmed, week in review

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To say that this week has been difficult is an understatement like I have never known. So while I will be struggling through all this writers block and packing/traveling to a conference on the opposite end of the country this weekend, you take some well-deserved time off. Ok?

I’ll be back in the writing saddle next week (provided connectivity is not an issue). Have a great weekend.

TGIF, write anyway, writers block, week in review

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I don’t think I’m going to take the weekend off, this week.

Ok – now that you’ve picked yourself up from the floor…I KNOW! Strange! However, working through some serious writer’s block this week has me all inspired and excited about working on a project I have been futzing around with since October. Once the momentum gets rolling, I tend to roll with it, just as a gambler will with a lucky streak. You just do. (Might not hurt that it is Friday the 13th…or maybe it will. I don’t put much to luck.)

Looking back over the week, though, we did accomplish a lot. So if you decide to take a break from writing, you earned it. If not, keep the momentum going and write anyway!

TGIF, week in review, writing, momentum, luck, write anyway

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