I know when I start leaving car doors open, I’m experiencing extreme overload. Several times, over the past several weeks, my neighbors have discovered the same scene: [Read more...]
the map of my mind (hold on, kids)
January 11, 2010 By
I’ve always wanted to vlog, so here’s my first stab at it. In this video, I discuss the creative process and how I got started on my journey of writing a book.
If you don’t see the video player, you can click here to watch it.
back to basics
January 3, 2010 By
I haven’t forgotten I owe you an update on MyMeWriMo. I’m not attempting to tease you. There will be no grand reveal: Surprise! I wrote a whole book in one month, and I’m searching for an agent now!
Not. But I did make progress and have some interesting revelations to share. I’ll get to that later this week.
First, I want to reassess why I’m even here, posting regular updates on this blog, in the first place. I relaunched the blog in May, with the tag line “under the MAC,” to document my journey as a writer and my quest to write a book. I wanted to blog with a purpose– to reveal my authentic voice, the many layers that make up the writer and woman. I also aspired to be mildly entertaining and to show you the ”real me” without making you gag from TMI.
As I dug deeper and deeper into my story, I knew I would encounter periods of creative flow and periods of stagnation. I would confront my angels and my demons. This blog is where I would share some of what of learned, my lessons and my insights, with you.
And, I think for the most part, I’ve done that.
I dance between my inner and my outer world… my desire to perform… my desire to look within. It’s all about balance… caring for mind, body and spirit. It’s about learning to feel whole, living this life to the full, with a sense of meaning and purpose.
So in the new year, I’ve reconnected with my commitment to the blog, to the book and to you, my dear readers and friends. I thank you for joining me on my journey, drawing your own conclusions/inspiration/entertainment from my hopefully not-so-random musings.
Do you have a vision for the new year? Share them with me! I’m not scared to pull out my pom poms and do a little cheer.
Harriet was on to something…
August 20, 2009 By
I have fond memories of going to the grocery store with my grandmother. While she browsed Doscher’s, I’d slip next door to the Book Bag. I’d sit on the floor and read Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary books, and wait for MeMa to come back to get me. Then I’d smile sweetly and convince her to buy me something.
It seems odd she allowed me to go to another store by myself. But this was back when people still smoked in the car with the windows rolled up, and riding shotgun meant standing up in the front seat. Did seat belts even exist back then?
ANYWAY– on one of those trips to the Book Bag, I discovered Harriet the Spy. That sneaky little sleuth helped inspire the writer I am today. Soon, I had my own notebook and pen and I was jotting down notes about everything I saw. I convinced my best friend Meg to join me on my mission, and we carved our spy names, Victoria Brewington (Meg) and Veronica Bates (me) into one of the piers at Folly Beach.
Harriet taught me I could write any time, any place. I didn’t need to schedule it. My ability to create was not dependent upon finding a coffee shop with free Wi-Fi.
I have fantasies of what the writing life looks like, and it always involves visions of me pounding away at the keyboard for hours, uninterrupted, in a room with burning candles, free flowing lattes and light jazz music playing in the background. My muse would REALLY REALLY love that.
Instead, I’m writing this while standing up at the kitchen counter. It’s before dawn, my baby just did something very offensive in his diaper, and my coffee cup is empty.
In the midst the mess, Harriet has come back to me, reminding me that some of my best writing is unveiled in the rough draft, when I’m able to hold the pen in my hand and scribble ideas, sentences and pieces of story on the page. She reminded me to let go of my perfectionism and do what I love to do.
So Harriet, thank you. Now would you do me another favor and change Blake’s diaper?
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Are books becoming the new 8-track?
June 14, 2009 By
Today, I was flipping through a Real Simple magazine and saw a full-page ad for Kindle, a wireless device available from Amazon that allows you to download books, magazines and newspapers. It’s sort of like an iPod for your reading material.
I get it. The Kindle seems really cool. I understand why some people would love it. And I’m not saying that I would never, ever, ever buy one for myself…
But…
Am I the only one out there to who prefers to hold a book in her hands? I want to feel the pages between my fingers. I dog-ear, underline, flip ahead and flip back. I can see where I am in the story, where I’ve been and how far I have left to go. I’m obviously aware that blogging allows me to publish my writing in an instant (so awesome) but many times, I start with pen and paper… I have to step away from the keyboard and computer screen to get in the creative flow and allow the muse to take shape.
I am not anti-technology. I’m a big fan of finding new ways to save time, energy and space. But the Kindle makes me wonder what’s to come. I remember feeling a hint of sadness when Millennium Music in downtown Charleston closed. They’re now doing business as an online store. No more standing in the aisles wearing a set of huge headphones, listening to CD’s and contemplating the purchase of the acoustic version of Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill. So sad.
Are bookstores the next to go? I understand times change. I no longer sit on the floor of the neighborhood Book Bag browsing through Judy Blume books. Instead, I sip on a latte and cozy up in a comfy chair at Barnes & Noble.
I buy books online, too. And if I had a Kindle, I could download my purchase in about a minute. But, really, I don’t mind waiting a couple days for the hard copies to arrive. When I hear the delivery truck, I rush to the door. I tear open the cardboard packaging like it’s Christmas morning.
I’ll never forget the day I stood in line holding a stack of books written by Sue Monk Kidd, happily waiting for her to scrawl her signature across the front pages. I wonder what she would do if someone said, “Hey Sue, would you sign my Kindle?” I imagine she’d ask if anyone had a Sharpie. But it’s not the same.
I commented to my husband, “What’s next? Wall art and famous paintings rotating on giant plasma TVs?” He told me Bill Gates has something like that.
Am I a member of a dying breed? Am I becoming one of those people who will say, “Back in my day we had BOOKS! You young people don’t know what you’re missing!”
Speak to me, friends.
Oh, one more thing– coming up this Tuesday (Wednesday if you get updates via email)– my conversation with author Katherine Center. You’ll love her insights on finding the beauty in life’s imperfections. Stay tuned!
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