Have you seen this Nook ad?
I rarely watch television, but I happened to turn it on today just as this commercial aired. I confess it made me misty.
Whether you love print books or you read with a Kindle, an iPad or a Nook, the sentiment is identifiable for any reader.
Let's chat.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Which inspires you more?
I read a thought-provoking post over at Rachelle Gardner's blog this morning and it got me to wondering about how we read as writers.
The first part of my musings had to do with becoming a writer.
Over the years, I've read so many authors say it was one of those wall-tossed books that inspired them to write and prove they could "do better."
For me, it was an article I read aeons ago about how Rosemary Rogers and Shirlee Busbee got their starts writing that inspired me. I was in a hotel room on a business trip and leafing through a magazine. The article was something like You Too Can Be a Writer.
Honestly, that was the first time it occurred to me that I could. Me write a book like all those amazing authors? No WAY!
All these years later, I still haven't convinced myself I can, but I love trying.
So which inspires you more as a writer - an amazingly well-written book or one you want to toss at the wall?
The first part of my musings had to do with becoming a writer.
Over the years, I've read so many authors say it was one of those wall-tossed books that inspired them to write and prove they could "do better."
For me, it was an article I read aeons ago about how Rosemary Rogers and Shirlee Busbee got their starts writing that inspired me. I was in a hotel room on a business trip and leafing through a magazine. The article was something like You Too Can Be a Writer.
Honestly, that was the first time it occurred to me that I could. Me write a book like all those amazing authors? No WAY!
All these years later, I still haven't convinced myself I can, but I love trying.
So which inspires you more as a writer - an amazingly well-written book or one you want to toss at the wall?
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Good Friday
I read an inspiring reflection this morning.*
Yes, there is much suffering in the Passion of Jesus - repeated beatings, the crowning of thorns, the carrying of the cross, the pounding of the nails in his flesh, the hanging on the cross. But most of all there is much love. Instead of merely feeling sorry for Jesus, let us accept the challenge to follow his way of loving - a way that inevitably includes the cross. Then we will have yet another reason to call today Good Friday.
I leave you with these two videos of songs by Matt Maher. His music does things to my heart.
*From Toward Glory - Lent in the light of Easter
Sister Melanie Svoboda, S.N.D
Yes, there is much suffering in the Passion of Jesus - repeated beatings, the crowning of thorns, the carrying of the cross, the pounding of the nails in his flesh, the hanging on the cross. But most of all there is much love. Instead of merely feeling sorry for Jesus, let us accept the challenge to follow his way of loving - a way that inevitably includes the cross. Then we will have yet another reason to call today Good Friday.
Jesus, I thank you for your great love. Help me to imitate your selfless way of loving - even when it includes the cross.
I leave you with these two videos of songs by Matt Maher. His music does things to my heart.
*From Toward Glory - Lent in the light of Easter
Sister Melanie Svoboda, S.N.D
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Of Genesis and Joy and Black Beans
A few weeks ago, on March 25th, I vicariously enjoyed the excitement of all the writers receiving calls about the Golden Heart and RITA contest. Even though I hadn't entered a manuscript, I felt the same tingling nerves and jittery anticipation as people awaited calls. I shared the joy of those who got calls and felt the pain of those whose phone didn't ring. I've been on both sides and know the feelings well.
Fast forward to this week. Or maybe rewind to the end of February. It's been a long time since I entered anything in a contest, but back in February, I made the decision to submit an entry to ACFW's Genesis contest. It was a risk, a leap of faith to seek feedback for a new direction I'm taking in my writing. I didn't have high expectations, just hope.
I was brave enough to hit send, but a total coward about the results so I purposely didn't pay attention to the date when the semi-finalists would be announced. No pressure, no expectations, right?
Wrong!
Two days ago I was reading something on the ACFW website and noticed that semi-finalists were due to be announced this week.
I really didn't want to know that.
Good news - Thursday was so busy that I forgot all about it,
Bad news - I woke up this morning and remembered.
But then a funny thing happened. I was sitting reading a Lenten meditation this morning and the message was all about not needing approval from others. Timely reminder, I told myself. This is my clue not to be disappointed when I don't get a call today.
Um, sure.
I need to pray more for help with that!
Today was another busy day at school, but I have to admit, every once in a while I'd glance at my phone to see if maybe, by some impossibly remote chance, I'd gotten a call.
Nope. Nada. Zilch.
Then it was lunch time. Still no call. Now I resigned myself to not making it and deliberately put it out of my mind. Tried to remind myself about not needing the approval of others.
And there I was, standing at the Smartboard, teaching a lesson on fractions, when all of a sudden the phone in my back pocket started ringing. The display was a number I didn't know. Dare I hope???
The kids must have wondered what it was about fractions that suddenly had their teacher grinning like a fool.
Oh the suspense until I had a break and could actually listen to the message.
"Congratulations!" the voice said.
WOW!!!!!!
What a feeling.
Suddenly I was no longer worried about the state of publishing or the many solitary hours spent staring at a screen.
That thrill, that absolute euphoria that comes from knowing that someone has read your work and liked it enough to give a great score, that is an absolutely indescribable joy.
I'm still smiling.
Oh - the black beans part of the title - today is my day over at Healthy Writer.com and the topic is healthy recipes for black beans
Fast forward to this week. Or maybe rewind to the end of February. It's been a long time since I entered anything in a contest, but back in February, I made the decision to submit an entry to ACFW's Genesis contest. It was a risk, a leap of faith to seek feedback for a new direction I'm taking in my writing. I didn't have high expectations, just hope.
I was brave enough to hit send, but a total coward about the results so I purposely didn't pay attention to the date when the semi-finalists would be announced. No pressure, no expectations, right?
Wrong!
Two days ago I was reading something on the ACFW website and noticed that semi-finalists were due to be announced this week.
I really didn't want to know that.
Good news - Thursday was so busy that I forgot all about it,
Bad news - I woke up this morning and remembered.
But then a funny thing happened. I was sitting reading a Lenten meditation this morning and the message was all about not needing approval from others. Timely reminder, I told myself. This is my clue not to be disappointed when I don't get a call today.
Um, sure.
I need to pray more for help with that!
Today was another busy day at school, but I have to admit, every once in a while I'd glance at my phone to see if maybe, by some impossibly remote chance, I'd gotten a call.
Nope. Nada. Zilch.
Then it was lunch time. Still no call. Now I resigned myself to not making it and deliberately put it out of my mind. Tried to remind myself about not needing the approval of others.
And there I was, standing at the Smartboard, teaching a lesson on fractions, when all of a sudden the phone in my back pocket started ringing. The display was a number I didn't know. Dare I hope???
The kids must have wondered what it was about fractions that suddenly had their teacher grinning like a fool.
Oh the suspense until I had a break and could actually listen to the message.
"Congratulations!" the voice said.
WOW!!!!!!
What a feeling.
Suddenly I was no longer worried about the state of publishing or the many solitary hours spent staring at a screen.
That thrill, that absolute euphoria that comes from knowing that someone has read your work and liked it enough to give a great score, that is an absolutely indescribable joy.
I'm still smiling.
Oh - the black beans part of the title - today is my day over at Healthy Writer.com and the topic is healthy recipes for black beans
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Busy Busy Busy and Eating Healthy Food
My apologies for not being a better blogger. School is very busy at the moment and the children deserve my full attention.
However, it's Saturday so it's a Healthy Writer Blog day. Today - the superfood - Avocados.
Hope it's a great day for you!
However, it's Saturday so it's a Healthy Writer Blog day. Today - the superfood - Avocados.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Healthy Writer Day Again and Borders
1st Saturday in March and I'm blogging over at Healthy Writer about great recipes and reasons for eating cabbage!
In other news... I just visited the Borders at 100 Wall Street, probably for the last time since that store is closing. So sad. :(
Over break last week I was cleaning out a cabinet and came across an old writing journal. I had this entry - "June 12, 2003 - Borders opened today."
The entry goes on to wonder about possibly seeing my books on the shelf there. That won't happen now, but that's a minor point. I love the diversity of books at this store; there's such a fabulous selection. I felt very sad shopping there today - such a different feeling from the last time I was there which was the day before the closing was announced.
In other news... I just visited the Borders at 100 Wall Street, probably for the last time since that store is closing. So sad. :(
Over break last week I was cleaning out a cabinet and came across an old writing journal. I had this entry - "June 12, 2003 - Borders opened today."
The entry goes on to wonder about possibly seeing my books on the shelf there. That won't happen now, but that's a minor point. I love the diversity of books at this store; there's such a fabulous selection. I felt very sad shopping there today - such a different feeling from the last time I was there which was the day before the closing was announced.
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