A Note Re: Our Inner Editor

"Don't reinforce its power by listening to empty words. If the voice says, 'You are boring,' and you listen to it and stop your hand from writing, that reinforces and give credence to your editor. That voice knows that the term boring will stop you dead in your tracks, so you'll hear yourself saying that a lot about your writing. Hear 'You are boring' as distant white laundry flapping in the breeze. Eventually it will dry up and someone miles away will fold it and take it in. Meanwhile you will continue to write."

Writing Down the Bones, Natalie Goldberg

5 more days of the homeology art sale

10 more days of #nerdlution

Once the winter holiday events begin, minutes, hours, and even days of normal life can evaporate from the December calendar.  It takes focused attention to pace oneself and avoid getting lost in the hoopla.  Lucky for this Creative, the last month of 2013 was rather low key, and with that, I was afforded a few joyful surprises.  For starters, from writing to arting to projects around the home or yard and meeting with friends to chat about their creative endeavors, the past six weeks or so have been an artistic time.  And what a breath of fresh air it's been to spend time recharging the batteries!  Leading the charge, however accidental, was the #nerdlution revolution that I joined. Found on Twitter, I arrived at the resolution party a few days late, but tardiness didn't deter me from going for it.  I made my list of things I wanted to implement into my life until January 20 and I began.

Here's my list as of a few days ago:

As you can see, it hasn't been possible for me to add in or complete each component every day.  But because I wanted to make an effort, no matter how small, I ended up getting pretty inventive.  Especially with numbers 1 and 4.  Standing and watching the birds in the birdbath for a few minutes on a busy day counted for #1, and though the end of the year is always a charitable time for our family, I found giving random words of kudos or compliments or giving moments of my time (sometimes to myself) just as fulfilling as gifting tangible donations.  On other fronts, like with 3, 5, and 7, I've had lulls where I would run out of ideas or lack energy to make them happen before the clock chimed midnight.  But I still went to bed happy I'd had an awareness that they existed as intentions at all.

In the end, the whole #nerdlution ordeal has become rather personal, which is the reason I haven't been writing blog posts about it, as I committed to early on.  I just needed it to be mine for awhile.  And once this shift happened, my list became a much more serious change agent.  Item 2 (read for an hour) took precedent.  Books and reading morphed into the reliable stand-by research tool.  Along with being influenced by friends' fiction recommendations, the 2013 Nerdy Book Awards, and my own To Read list, I dove into art and writing and business books, and even checked out a towering pile of picture books to inspire the creative spirit.

So, here we are.  With ten days left of the challenge, I'm eye-ball deep in new priorities and attitudes and energy.  Not only is the nerdlution list embedded in my daily doings and nightly gratitudes, but I found what matters to me, in this moment, and am using what matters as my guide.  You know, one of my favorite quotes is Praise the bridge that carried you over (George Colman) and before I sign off, I want to thank the idea-makers behind #nerdlution and also the supporters.  Thank you for the insightful and fun ride.  I wish all those who joined in, read along, or did private resolution ceremonies continued successes. 

Here's to a brilliant 2014 for one and all!

nerdlution check in

So this is my first nerdlution check in and I'm happy to report that my first week of implementing change (see list below) went pretty well.  It allowed me to mix things up and think outside my box.  I found it most difficult to keep up with 3 and 7 while the easiest were 1 and 2.  I most enjoyed finding new ways to complete 4, 5, and 6, and because the goal is to accomplish these things daily, I found lots of overlap between these three.  Somedays I fell short on completing them all and I surprised myself at how easily I let it go.  The most important thing I've re-learned is that even small efforts make a big difference.  And I have to comment on the #nerdlution Twitterverse community...a constant source of inspiration.  I wish all the participants the highest good as they move along the trail!

If you want to get in on the action, click here to see where it all started.

1  

get out in nature

2 

read for one hour

3  

spend one hour in art studio

4  

give something away

5  

do one scary thing that moves me toward my writing dream

6  

move - mind, body, or spirit

7 

focus wholly & completely on whatever project is in front of me

joining the #nerdlution revolution

As a Nerdy Book Club member, I'm often inspired by blog posts or tweets put out by the members or facilitators.  I laugh, I learn, I add books to my To Read list.  But the truth is I can't keep up with all the wonderful posts and twitter comments daily, so I try once a week to go through and read several at a time.  And today I finally got to Colby Sharp's post from December 2.  A rapid linkage began.  

Here's the path I followed...

First stop:
A Call For #Nerdlution Pictures post by Colby Sharp

Detoured to:
#Nerdlution and So Can You post by Christopher Lehman

Then on to Twitter:
#nerdlution thread

And then back to Colby Sharp's blog for: 
#NerdLution Round 1

So, what can I say?  I'm in.  Why?  Because it came to me when I needed it and I believe resolutions work when one has support. And just look at the #nerdlution community!  Already cheerleading those who've committed to making change. And what is the commitment?  Whatever makes you happy, and the commitment lasts from the day a person joins until January 20, 2014, so the new good habits become embedded and part of one's natural process. Love that.  Below are the things I commit to doing daily for, in my case, 48 days.  I'll also keep a log and every Wednesday I'll post the results of my week, here and on the #nerdlution Twitter tag.

If you join in, let me know so I can cheer you on.  Best wishes to all #nerdlution participants!

rmackwrites' daily #nerdlutions

1  

get out in nature

2 

read for one hour

3  

spend one hour in art studio

4  

give something away

5  

do one scary thing that moves me toward my writing dream

6  

move - mind, body, or spirit

7 

focus wholly & completely on whatever project is in front of me

When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it

Paulo Coelho 

The Alchemist

"...the good news is that creative expression, 

whether that means writing, dancing, 

bird-watching, or cooking, 

can give a person almost everything that 

he or she has been searching for: 

enlivenment, peace, meaning, and the incalculable wealth 

of time spent quietly in beauty."

-Anne Lamott

"Creativity 

can be described 

as letting go 

of certainties."

Gail Sheehy, writer

revision pens

“Begin at the beginning," the King said, very gravely, 

"and go on till you come to the end: then stop.”

~Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Behold the revision pen.  

An excellent marker of progress.

 

Grey for the first full read-through.

Green for the second.  

Then orange for the third.

Sometimes, with so many notes in one color, 

the favorite pen won't make it to the end 

and a (worthy) replacement is called in.

Sometimes nibbled, always worn down to a nub, they remind the writer that stroke by stroke, pen by pen, progress is being made.

And after a dignified performance, the old pen 

is retired (and recycled) and a new pen, 

in a new color, awaits the 

next round...or the next manuscript.

Believe that nothing is too good to be true.

-believe book 
by dan zadra & kobi yamada

read, write, repeat

Interested in children's literature?

Looking for a summer project?

Do you need some inspiration?

Well, whether you're a beginning writer or illustrator or a veteran, why not consider stepping into a new experience or hunkering down for some good old-fashioned learning this summer?  

Maybe dedicating time to reading would free your blocks and open your mind.  Provide you with the feelings and direction you want for the book you plan write.  Reading good books written by good authors is one of the best ways to learn how to write.  To give you ideas for a summer reading list, here are a few randomly selected book lists featuring great children's literature titles:

Picture Books

Middle Grade

Young Adult

Non-fiction

Poetry

Caldecott Winners

And if you need help keeping on track with your reading, consider joining Goodreads, the online personal library where you can record your list, progress, and join book clubs.

Or, maybe it's time you looked into joining a group where you can get feedback on your writing or art.  Consider SCBWI, who has ongoing regional, national, and international events especially geared toward writers and artists who work (or want to work) in the kid lit world.  You could also check out your local library or Indie bookstore, who may run a critique or networking group.

Or, maybe what you need is time and space to write or create?  If you already have a space, but aren't getting much done, consider moving or taking your next, say, five writing or arting sessions and going outside or to another room or, maybe, to the park or out of town.  If you haven't set yourself up with space, even the smallest corner can become a sacred studio.  For ideas on how Creatives set up shop, here are some articles and photo inspiration:

Where We Write

Tips from TeacherWriter

Chicago Tribune's Where Best-sellers Write

Google Photo Library of Best Art Studios

Beyond making space, you must also make time, and besides reading, the only way to improve your writing or art is to write or create more.  Give yourself the gift of time by putting writing or creating on the calendar.  Then when the time comes, you can release guilt, knowing you've planned for this, and  without looking back, hang out that Do Not Disturb sign for thirty minutes, an hour, or an entire weekend afternoon and work.

Whatever steps you take this summer to bring you closer to your writing or art, I wish you well.  The world is made beautiful by those who create, and we're all grateful for your efforts, large or small.

Announcing the addition of an important link for writers.  

Please find Sarah Cloots Editing in the 

Helpful Places column to the left.  

I recommend Sarah with enthusiasm.  

Between her attention to detail and objective editorial feedback, 

she left me room to rewrite my story.  

Sarah can be found at clootsamini.com.  

You can also read her blog leditrice.blogspot.com, 

where she recently helped me celebrate Wildflowers' release.