Branching out with my writing
Even with other active projects [and possibly because they’re growing a little stale], you keep your eyes and ears open.
I was killing time in a department store yesterday and decided there must be something I could conjure up. And I did…
The face-tucking seems a little desperate, I admit, but it was first draft material and, come on, don’t tell me there aren’t some people that evoke that kind of reaction. ;->
***
Got this message in my inbox. I guess it was written well enough to escape the ‘Junk’ folder.
I have believe that these people didn’t bother to hire a proofreader. [Strikes me as a side hustle opportunity for those with a shaky moral compass.]
I better check with my bank to see if they have temporarily suspend my account.
Hey, they’re just notes. But my observation of the uncooperative nature of computers nudged me toward drawing a parallel with some people. Possible subject for a short essay or blog post.
I also like the story possibilities of YouTube alerting a teacher to a student straying a bit from the assigned work.
It’s certainly easy to jot down these ideas in a notebook, but sometimes the alternative tool forces one to rethink key points and make different connections. I also think the digital nature can afford writers/creatives a few options to branch their work toward other projects/products.
In revisiting Seth Godin’s Rules for Working in a Studio, I would say I adhered to the following:
You’ve been given well-conceived rules and guidelines, but still, whether it’s resistance or overwhelm or brain-freeze, you’re getting nowhere.
Fear not…if you can’t get unstuck from 201 Ways to Arouse Your Creativity, well, back in the mud with you!
From yesterday’s Rules for Working in a Studio, you decide to narrow the list, with some variations tailored for your growth.
For example…
‘Make big promises.’ becomes ‘Make big promises…to yourself.’ ‘Keep them.’ logically follows.
And you merge ‘Don’t hide your work.’ with ‘Don’t hide your mistakes’ and ‘You are not your work. Embrace criticism.’ [Challenging, for sure.]
Here are a few more serious items you might consider…courtesy of Seth Godin.
Very recently, a fellow writer, miffed at a sleet-and-traffic infested world, wanted to just throw a blanket over her head.
Instead, she rose above her bah-humbug funk and attended a local Christmas Carol celebration. And loved it.
Bravo! Author Julia Cameron would have given this writer props for–in this case unwittingly–making and keeping her ‘artist date’.
See if you can’t fit a little ‘assigned play’ into your day.
Who can blame you?
Some folks post content about setting goals, about finishing, establishing habits.
And those same shmucks then post suggestions to break habits, to mix things up. And they glorify those times when they procrastinate on their writing.
Who are these people and why are they allowed to publish this drivel? It has to stop!
Maybe tomorrow.
In the meantime, just to add to the confusion, take a look at what Susie Orman Schnall says in Writer’s Digest about balancing work and life. Pay particular attention to tip #4.
Your sacred habits?
Behold the thrill of breaking one.**
Change things up.
Write a letter to the editor.
Write a letter to an editor.
Set the timer for twenty minutes. Race against the clock and generate as many words as you can. [If you need to cheat, list a few topics at the top of the document/sheet of paper, and then set the timer.]
Of course, none of these ideas will send you hurtling through the snow like Truffle here.
Maybe that comes next.
My camera will be ready.
** Those goals you set days ago? They’re not going anywhere. Neither is your discipline.
Word Inventions