Back in the saddle again

This is nothing new to you... literally.  I almost want to apologize to you in advance for two things:

1.  This is probably going to suck.
2.  I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to write about.

I have found myself researching, analyzing, and dreaming about inspiration.  I have a pinterest board for this subject and even spent an hour at work this morning trying to find it on The Pioneer Woman (she is my hero, you know).  I have finally come to the conclusion that writing takes practice (duh) and consistency (sigh).  It doesn't always have to be great, and sometimes even the bad stuff can teach you something.  The trick is to just get it out there.

My problem is now that the Pen on Fire exercises are done, I feel a little lost - like I don't know where to begin again. .

And then I found this picture.  I don't know where this will take me, and quite frankly, I don't care right now.  I just want to give all of us something to hang on to for inspiration. I know I still have something good to say... maybe, but mostly I just don't want this to end.  I need a new direction and maybe a new template.  

Maybe.  

So, stick with me, and I can assure you that there will be more consistency, but I can't promise it'll be good. I guess that will just come with the practice.  

Nike would say Just do It.  

My mom would say This too shall pass.

The skaters would say Make it happen.  

I'll just say thank you for reading :)

Green with envy

Set your timer: Write about someone you admire/envy. There's a fine line between admiration and envy... does it spur you on or stop you from writing?
It's funny, because I have both kinds of people like this in my life. There are definitely people I envy, mostly because of their lifestyle, and it's not the kind of feeling I like to carry with me. Resentment comes to mind, and that is never a good feeling. It completely stops me from any kind of growth or creativity, and usually has everything to do with money. It's silly really. Being around these people too much will leave me with the worst case of ungratefulness, and everyone suffers then. Be very leery of people like this.
Then there are the people I know (or have websites I adore) who truly, completely, 100% inspire me to stay true to course. For instance, I was waiting on a customer today and asked about her husband who recently took on a new job. "He couldn't be happier," she said. "It's all come full circle and he is living his dream right now." We can go both ways with this. We can either be happy for him and begin to wonder what that "dream job" would be for us, or we can wallow in our own misery and never change a thing. I literally thought about her comment all the way home, and couldn't wait to write about it tonight.
Yes, I chose wisely.
There are other places I go for the inspiration. My favorite spots are The Pioneer Woman or I Heart Organizing (you can find the links on the right side of my page). Both of these women have created a HUGE following just by blogging what they love. It seems they never rest, or watch tv, or have a bad day, and when they do, I giggle knowing we're really all the same. Even if they haven't posted, I usually check in daily and have 'liked' them on Facebook to stay updated. They are my online heroes.
Sometimes surrounding yourself with people who lift you up can be just a click away. Look around you for those you admire, and try to figure out how you can a little bit of them into your own life. You'll be amazed how much better it feels than resentment.
Although, there is also something to be said for the occasional case of Turrets.
Have a fabulous week, my friends!!

Voice and Style

Set your timer:  write and read a piece using your own voice and style.  Then try to rewrite that same piece using another author's voice.  Note the differences.

I can't even begin to tell you how much I dislike this one.  This might be the first time it feels like homework to me.  And you know what?  I don't think I'm going to do this.

And here is my reasoning.

I believe I have the current voice of every author I ever loved and read over and over again. My first book alone reads so much like Janet Evanovich, she might even think she wrote it.  I had just discovered her after Blake was born and she single-handedly helped me get through postpartum depression with books 1-7.  I had never read anyone with characters that outrageously funny, and because of her, I tried to create a book with a funny lead character who knew she was in over her head the whole time.  It was hands-down my favorite writing experience of all times.  I would literally laugh while I was writing my own scenes, and deep down, I sincerely miss Julie Stratten.

Through my Harry Potter phase I tried to write a young-adult book about a skater who was so talented, but struggled through out the year.  It may as well be called Harriet Potter goes skating. 

And don't even get me started on the self-help phase. 

I'm not kidding.  These days I find myself sounding like Lisa Scottoline and Ree Drummond.  I'm genuinely not trying to copy them, but I just feel like their words become a part of me, and what I love reading becomes a part of who I am.  It just does. 

So, Barbara, I cannot turn this exercise in completed.  I am a work in progress, and while I think I do have my own voice, it's because of authors like you that I have found it.  If you happen to be one of those writers that I have adored, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  It has been a pleasure reading and writing with you...

Friday Reads

Today is one of those days I wish it were raining.  I wish the rink would lose power so I didn't have to go in.  I wish there were something that would prevent me from a normal daily activity, so I could just sit home and read.

I mean, it is Friday right?

And I literally have a stack to read this weekend.  I love stacks.  I've been in kind of a reading funk from my Get Lucky high last weekend and couldn't really get into anything this week, but not for lack of trying.  So last night, in honor of my beloved Harry Potter, I picked up book 7 to refresh my memory... again, before next week.  That is what I will start with.

Then, it's as if the stars lined up, clouds parted, and the Universe aligned itself by sending two emails notifying me of books waiting at the library.  Needless to say, when I'm done with Harry (I'll never really be done with Harry), I will be spending the rest of the weekend with my other favorite person:  Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman.

I put both books, The Pioneer Woman Cooks and Black Heels to Tractor Wheels on hold earlier this week thinking it would be weeks before I got them.  As luck would have it, they're in today and I will get them before work because Jess loves her as much as I do. 

Yes, Jeff is out of town again.


I hope you all have a fabulous weekend and enjoy the sunshine!  You can find me on the deck reading.