Just a thought
No Comments »1st November, 2006; Category: Just a Thought
Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog’s face, he gets mad
at you, but when you take him for a car ride; he sticks his head out the
window?
Many years ago we had a dog like that. When driving in the Flinders Ranges in northern South Australia our dog would insist on leaning out of the window. When a rabbit or kangaroo was seen there was frenetic excitement, much yapping and squirming and we had to make sure our dog couldn’t get out of the window.
Must write a story about that one day.
Just a thought
No Comments »1st November, 2006; Category: Just a Thought
There are many things in the world that are worth pondering over.
Sayings like this one:
How is it that we can put someone on the moon before we thought it a great idea to put wheels on luggage?
Having been overseas recently for the first time (see Trevor’s Travels) I now realise the importance of this simple invention.
Especially in huge airports.
Heavy problem.
Simple solution.
Just a thought: the trouble with work
“The trouble with work is that…. it’s so daily.”
Before retiring from teaching a few years ago, I too was burdened down with the daily grind of work. Yes, it is daily. It is a burden. It is a grind. For the vast majority of people there is no choice. It is necessary for survival. Granted, many people love their work. That’s great – enjoy it if that describes you.
The thing I like about writing and blogging is the freedom one enjoys. If I want to write for ten hours one day and then take the next one off, I can. If I need to water the garden or go for a walk, I can. If I want to read the paper, do the crossword, read a novel or just watch the roses growing, I can.
There is a danger in all that freedom, however. Productivity can fluctuate wildly, according to one’s mood, feelings or the interruptions of others. A writer’s life needs to have a certain amount of discipline if it is to be productive and successful.
In my case, I set definite goals for the year, the month, the week, and each day. If I need to give a little slack one day I know I can give a little extra effort the next day and catch up. I set goals for the number of posts I write on my blogs, how many words I write and how many hours of writing I want to achieve. This helps me keep accountable to my harshest boss of all – myself.
Remember –
- read every day
- write every day
- take time for yourself every day
Good writing.
Just a thought
“Be yourself… no-one else is better qualified.”
Frank J. Giblin II
Writing courses, books and the speakers at writers’ workshops and seminars often promote the idea of “finding your voice”. What exactly does that mean? How do you find your voice through your writing?
I believe that it comes in two ways:
- Frequent and constant practice in the art of writing.
- Being yourself, that is, letting the “real you” speak.
There is no substitute for frequent, daily if possible, writing practice. Write, write, write – anything, everything and with great enthusiasm and passion until writing becomes second nature, it becomes a part of you.
I read many years ago about a young writer approached Ray Bradbury (I think – it might have been Asimov) and asked for advice about becoming a writer. His reply, “Go and write a million words, and then we’ll talk about how to be a writer.” His point; practise writing – write, write, write – and then you’ll be ready to be a writer.
New writers expect instant success. You have to do the hard yards first. An athlete doesn’t expect an Olympic Gold Medal the first time he pulls on the running shoes, so why do writers expect their first piece of writing to be a blockbuster?
As you write, write, write you will develop a writing style that is just you. Nobody else can write just like you. That’s your voice. Don’t pretend to be anyone else. It will sound false and it will certainly turn off your readers. On occasions, I have tried to write in a certain style copying writers I admire. It doesn’t work. It sounded pretentious, insincere and downright stupid.
Be yourself – and you will find your writer’s voice.
Oh – by the way – I’m well on my way to completing my second million words!
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This one is from another blog called Books and Writing:
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Just a thought
“I would be unstoppable – if I could just get started.”
I’m having a terrible day.
I feel foul.
Tired, lethargic, irritable, unable to concentrate, nauseous – and they are my good points. Procrastination has me beaten. I’ve written very little today. Even decided to have a half hour nap – that lasted ninety minutes – and I still feel terrible.
You get that. Especially in the early stages of dealing with diabetes. I was diagnosed a few months ago. My readings have been progressively dropping since a doubling of the medication a few weeks ago, but today they have skyrocketed and for no apparent reason. Nothing has changed. Nothing I can put my finger on.
There are times in every writer’s life that bleak, desert times of non-productivity occur. I have them from time to time. Some experience the dreaded “writer’s block”, others from severe depression or some other malady. Not pleasant, not useful and certainly not happy times.
Procrastination is another monster. I’ve written about that and similar problems here and here. Maintaining a regular rhythm and momentum as a writer is important but there are times when you need “time out” to recharge the batteries. I had one of those days yesterday. I thought the relaxation would be just what I needed after a very busy full-on and productive week. I was wrong and the frustrating thing is that I don’t know why today has been so bad.
I should be relieved that I at least finished writing this article, even if a few other things didn’t get done.
There’s always tomorrow.
And then, when I do get started, I might well be quite unstoppable.
I live in hope.
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