Inspiration – Page 30 – Word Inventions

Writers Horoscope August 28: Today, beware of overanalysis.

The dreaded ‘hypercritical eye’–set to 500x zoom–has popped in for a visit.

Second-guessing your every paragraph. Questioning your every sentence. Dissecting your every word.

Before you know it, your moments of genius fade into…

blurry text

Reach for the keyboard and pound out a quick 500 words, no matter the topic–though I might suggest a cathartic rant at your inner critic.

There’s nothing as satisfying as thumbing your nose at that loathesome toad [figuratively, of course. Not easy to type with one hand otherwise occupied.]. With apologies to all members of the Bufo bufo classification…

What’s on my bookshelf? The Wizard of Ads

Here is the first of an occasional wordinventions feature, What’s on my bookshelf?
I hope you like it.

Today: Marketing consultant Roy Williams’ The Wizard of Ads from the trilogy by the same name.

Quote: “Intellect is to be cherished. Please don’t think I’m trying to diminish it. I’m merely urging you to give intuition the credit it deserves. I hope to give you the courage to follow your heart. Sometimes the thing that makes the least sense is exactly the right thing to do.” [page 182]

I like this work because it places just as much emphasis on people skills and life’s intangibles as it does on effective writing.

What’s on my bookshelf? The Wizard of Ads

Here is the first of an occasional wordinventions feature, What’s on my bookshelf?
I hope you like it.

Today: Marketing consultant Roy Williams’ The Wizard of Ads from the trilogy by the same name.

I like this work because it places just as much emphasis on people skills and life’s intangibles as it does on effective writing.

Writers Horoscope August 27: Your reclusiveness serves no one.

gratisography cat looking out mail slot dont be a shut in

Get outside and see the world.
You have a pad and paper. And a camera, fergawdsakes.
The weather is too nice for you to breathe indoor air.

And who knows what draft-worthy stuff you might find as you cruise the neighborhood…

mulkey ave bear yay summer

©copyright Tim Haag

Cat photo courtesy of http://gratisography.com/

Writers Horoscope August 26: Today seek help.

No, not that kind. [Your sanity is not in question.**]

You realize you’re better at ideation and first drafting on paper.

But someone has to digitize that brilliance.

Time for…a virtual assistant.

gorilla hands on keyboard virtual assistant - Edited

Always wise to check references, however.

**…yet.

Photo courtesy of http://gratisography.com/

Writers Horoscope August 25 : Today, you’ll have your eyes on a different prize.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

And you will pay for it.

Three pounds later, 2000 words in arrears, you will resolve to turn it around tomorrow.

gratisography-faux superhero ready to take on the day determination

You will need twice the willpower to atone for your sins–a day of watercress/kale smoothies and 4000 words [you might as well riff on your day of decadence].

But hey, it was fun while it lasted, right?

Photo courtesy of http://gratisography.com/

Writers Horoscope August 24: Rejection? Make it work for you.

Your friend woke up to three ‘Thanks, but no thanks.’ emails last Friday.

gratisography-head-in drainpipe

A pity.

You could be next.

You could give up. Or you could…

unleash your trusty PaperMate… [Adding sound effects is perfectly acceptable.]
scrawl out an angry, primed-for-the-trashcan “You don’t know what you’re missing!” tirade…
move on with your novel about a thoughtless, talentless book editor who encounters a gauntlet of starving homicidal writers.

Your choice.

Writers Horoscope August 23 : Run your own race. Find your own pace.**

gratisography lying in threshed field

Sure, others will push past you and achieve more notable success.

Look at it this way [yes, it’s Chapter Umpteen in ‘find the positives’.]: You may never have to confront that damnable ‘impostor syndrome’ that creeps up on some folks. And if you keep lip-diddling your way through your one book, you won’t face that fearsome ‘sophomore slump’.

** Yes, sentence 2 was redundant, but I fell victim to the rhyme. So sue me.

Photo courtesy of http://gratisography.com/

Writers Horoscope August 22: The work of others calls your name. Stay original.

Go ahead…

bellingham statue 1

Take a quick peek.

bellingham statue up closer

Not bad, huh…

It might be just what you need to freshen up that lifeless essay on your daily struggles.

Tsk, tsk, tsk…stealing from an inanimate object.

Shame on you.

Writers Horoscope August 21: Prepare to be exploited.

Your desperation attracts jackals.

jackal-2595360_1280

You wanted an editor for your easy chapter book. First quote to come in: $1500.
Say what?
Exhibit patience. Not your strong suit.
Lower quotes are on the way.
Time for you to be the exploiter.**

**Even if you follow up on a $500 offer, and don’t like the results, find another editor with a reasonable rate. Result: Detailed feedback from two editors and you’re still out hundreds less than if you’d jumped at that first profiteer.