12/29/2014
Finding the time to read and write is proving to be challenging. I knew it would be. Creating a writing space & organizing everything in my life - a smooth existence- is my goal this week. I am off until 1/4/2015. On that day I convert to 12 hour shifts, so I want to find a rhythm. A way of life that is who I am. I want to walk & be in a good place, a creative place. For years I have expended huge amounts of energy trying to keep everything from tumbling out of control- it turned me into a mean, hard person. And I'm really not that hard & "Comrade Hilda" as I've appeared. It is a shock to my kids. They've only known me as the stern one, as the serious one. I have always been the rule maker in our family. But I was never really like that. I was always the rebel in my family, the wild one. I wasn't wild- I was carefree, a hippie really. And I would have stayed that way, but I couldn't. I couldn't because I married a man that was truly & without a doubt- a wild man. I made taming him, domesticating him my full time job. In the end the only thing broken was me. A good broken- a broken that got me back to me. So here I am- I am a writer.
I am currently reading two books and listening to a third on my phone. I love all of them. The best is one that did not make the list of books on the craft of writing "non-fiction". Writing for Story -by Jon Franklin is exactly what I needed. He gives you two true short stories he won the Pulitzer Prize for. They have all the elements of great short stories but are even better. I was immediately drawn in & loved both stories. They are used throughout the remaining book to illustrate the craft of 'story". It is a page-turner & definitely will go on my list. The second book is Monday, Monday by Elizabeth Crook, a historical fiction writer from Texas. It is set in Austin, Texas in 1966 at UT Austin, where a student turned sniper & killed 16 students & wounded 32 others. It ends up as a romance & deals with the aftermath of random violence on the surviving victims. So far it is really a great read. I am listening to a book called Big, Little Lies by Liane Moriatry. It is about bullying, I think lol. I am not actually writing anything though:(.
Today is Tuesday and like you I'm making time to write. I woke up at 6:30AM and continued my 40 day journey of creative writing. I was on a good roll until the 5 year old grandbaby woke up. Had to stop and love on her. I'm still writing about the "pot belly" stove in that back bed room I spent so much time in when I was growing up. I think I will write an article about growing up in rural Alabama in the late fifties and early sixties. I'm going to stop writing for now to make home made hash browns for the baby. I too am reading multiple books. Most are self help. Trying to prepare myself for future business and professional opportunities in the writing world. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting Brenda:) Your article sounds great- maybe it will lead to a Memoir or a collection of true short stories! I believe God has great things in store for us both.
ReplyDeleteI do too. I'm off to start on my goals. I tried earlier until I heard someone yell "granny" I need you in here. Maybe I will have a few minutes to think.
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