Making A Writer's Life

So last night at the WIFYR mingle at The King's English (I love you, The King's English), Claudia Mills and I had a conversation that inspired me. (Not unusual to have that type of conversation with Claudia. She IS inspiring.) Here's what we decided.

1. While publishing is very nice, of course, you can have a satisfying writer's life w/o it. You can go on writing retreats with writer friends. You can join and enjoy critique groups. You can host a reading. In other words, you can introduce those parts of a writer's life you think would be fun into your own life.

2. And speaking of fun, what's the point if it isn't? There are published authors (with a LOT of titles even) who can still grumble with great bitterness, "Look at everything I've done and what did it get me?" Where's the joy in that?

Let's have fun, you guys.

One year ago today . . .

. . . we thought Ken was having a heart attack. He spent a day and a night and a day in the hospital. But look at him now! Still standing!

We spent today celebrating with balloon bouquets and dinner at Hires. (I had a Mountain "H." In case you're interested.)

Love you, Ken.

SURVIVED!

but type like crap

thanks for happy wishes today

Christmas books

The first year we were married, Ken gave me a Christmas picture book as a gift and I've been collecting ever since. I have to say this year hasn't been super strong on the holiday story front. I finally came home today with THE CHRISTMAS MAGIC by Lauren Thompson with pictures by Jon J. Muth.

It's a quiet book--frankly, I'm not sure kids will love it. But I think the language is lovely: "Every year, just when the nights re longest and the stars shine brightest, Santa feels a tingling in his whiskers. Then he knows that the Christmas magic will soon be here. . . " Muth's blue-hued paintings are a visual treat. So I'm happy with my selection. On Christmas Eve I'll have everyone write a message on the end papers (a la yearbook style) and all will be well.

And now on to food! My daughter-in-law had a fabulous Christmas tea party at her house yesterday with fancy china and an excellent spread. There were scones, cookies, strawberries, and a perfect quiche. Talk about Christmas magic!

Happy Birthday, Randi!

You know how I try to keep this blog about writing. Also food. BUT! I have to divert here for a moment.

Almost three summers ago, my two oldest boys grew up and got themselves married to a pair of extremely awesome girls whom I could NOT adore more. One of them has a birthday today, and I just wanted to give her a big shoutout with the following list:

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT RANDI
1. She has a great laugh
2. She's a dynamite school teacher
3. She's put my son in touch with his outdoorsy self
4. She has a flair for interior design
5. She's a good dog mama to her pug Leila
6. She's always game for new experiences
7. She taught me how to crochet a scarf
8. She's a wonderful daughter, sister, friend, daughter-in-law, aunt and wife
9. She has excellent taste in earrings
10. The world is a nicer place because she's in it

everthing is fine . . .

to borrow a line from our cute ann dee ellis.

so i now have a plate and seven screws in my wrist. like i always say go big or go home. not that i ever say that. but dude. i will be setting off alarms at airports for the rest of my freakin' life. how cool is that.

okay. i'm slower at writing with one left finger than i am at texting. but whatever. i've got lots and lots of time.

here's what happened. kathy and i were running down j street so we can be all fit and healthy and extremely awesome old ladies. except i stepped on a loose stone and pitched forward amd kind of rolled downhill in a very unawesome old lady way. i won't lie. it hurt. but i figured my wrist was just sprained and i wouldn't let kathy go get her car. we walked home. i called my brother the docor who has apparently forgiven me for turning the garden hose on him when i was four and he was two and trapped in an outdoor playpen--anyway he's always way happy to attend to our family's little emergencies. so q drove me out to bountiful with the emergency brake on where i gotsome x-rays and the news about the surgery.

so there you have it. really everthing is good. i have dr pepper and freaks and geeks to watch. my kids and girls are being great amd i appreciate your kind posts.

Those Brits

Am reading THE ANGLO FILES: A FIELD GUIDE TO THE BRITISH by Sarah Lyall (American journalist, married to a Brit and residing in England). It's pretty much hysterical. I especially enjoyed the chapter on parliamentary (mis)behavior. Favorite story? When an MP showed up to a session without combing his hair first, everyone howled like werewolves when he took the floor. Can you imagine that happening here in the States? Government might be more FUN if it did.

Word of warning. Anyone who has spent any time in the UK knows that the Brits swear more casually, frequently and robustly than we do here. And you will see that reflected in the book. So. If you're squeamish, give the book a miss.

And a very happy birthday was had by moi

I woke up to snow--not exactly the kind of weather I would have ordered up for my birthday. But still. I had a fabulous day, filled with small pleasures. Here's a list of stuff I did.
1. Walked with Kathy long before sunrise
2. Ate tons of her chocolate marshmallow brownies
3. Drove Quinton to school and bought McDonald's for him on the way
4. Drove Geoffrey to school and bought Mcdonald's for him on the way
5. Made both boys give me hefty bites of their hash browns
6. Wore my (real) diamond earrings
7. Sprayed myself with perfume
8. Listened to Led Zeppelin, AD/DC, and Tom Jones
9. Danced in the kitchen
10. Ate more of Kathy's brownies
11. Visited with family and friends
12. Read birthday cards, e-mails and messages on my facebook wall
13. Ate Indian food with my mom
14. Ate cupcakes with my mom
15. Cut myself a hyacinth for sniffing purposes and stuck it in a tiny vase
16. Made dinner--steak, baked potatoes, steamed aspergas
17. Read funny bits to my brother Jim out of ANGLO FILES
18. Played cards
19. Danced some more (thanks for indulging me, Q!)
20. Watched an episode of MY NAME IS EARL
21. Watched Leno

What a great day!

Louise on Alzheimer's

You want an example of good writing? Visit Louise's blog and read her post on Alzheimer's. Here's the address: http://fivecrows.blogspot.com.

Meanwhile I cooked a lasagne for my mother's birthday. People ate. People raved. Alec's dog did stunts, and we all clapped. Tres gratifying!

Overcoming Writer's Block: Tip Number One

Last week when I was at the Orem Public Library talking about my new book (that would be THE LOSER'S GUIDE TO LIFE AND LOVE) with a group of young readers, one of the kids asked if I "believe in Writer's Block."

ME: You mean I have a choice? I can NOT believe in Writer's Block?

Turns out that a previous visiting author passed along the observation that Writer's Block isn't real--it's just a figment of our imagination, don't you know.

Well, I told the group that I not only believe in Writer's Block, I experience it on a really, really sadly regular basis--which is why I'm happy to pass along tips (free of charge!) for powering through Writer's Block. The lovely Shannon Hale (one of my favorite authors and human beings) says that the fear of not being good enough is the greatest cause of Writer's Block. So how do you get past your fear as a writer? You give yourself permission to write a wretched first draft while exercising a little faith that you can make it better.

More tips to follow . . .