Musings on Writing & Life
There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one’s own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, …
A few short days ago on June 13th, I lost my best friend unexpectedly.
Wilko wasn’t a human, but my 13-year-old mini dachshund, who, up until the night of June 11th, had been bright-eyed and full of life and energy. He grew lethargic and ill and was vomiting. A visit to his vet on June 12th resulted in his receiving subcutaneous fluids, anti-vomiting medication, and a bland diet.
By the next morning, Wilko wasn’t eating or drinking and was very weak. My roommate took him to the local animal hospital where things grew worse and they tried to conduct an ultrasound, but in preparation, lost his tiny heartbeat.
Back in January 2010, my life as a writer took a step in a much more serious direction when I started my first day of graduate school. I had applied and been accepted into the Master of Arts in English program at Mount Mary University (known as Mount Mary College then) and was ready to get my then-current WIP into better shape. By the end of that first semester, I had grown by leaps and bounds and I knew I was where I needed to be. Beyond that semester, I only continued to grow as a writer and as a person. In December 2011, I graduated with one completed novel manuscript and half of a second, multiple short stories, and had been persuaded to apply to one of the top low-residency MFA programs in the country for creative writing (to which I would later be accepted).
I could write volumes about how this specific program changed my life as a writer, how it influenced my writing, and how it helped me develop into the writer I am. My professors, advisors, and peers at MMU have meant so much to me in the years since I left the program and I’m so thankful for the time I spent with all of them. I wouldn’t be where I am or who I am without their friendship and guidance.
Happiness is learning that life is yours to live any way you see fit. It’s discovering that even the smallest of moments count, that the littlest of victories are important. Happiness can be found in the unexpected. In honest compliments from a stranger. In the wholesome giggle of a child. It’s found among the quiet …
Over the years — from high school on, really — I’ve always tried to keep myself organized. The key word there is tried. Whether the need for organization sprouted from the fact that I had a million things going or because of my slight OCD, I’m not sure, but inevitably, my attempts at keeping myself organized would fail.
I bought calendars and planners and even just used lists in various forms, and I did things this way for years. Some of these methods would stick for a month or two at best, while others were basically DOA. I’d waffle between lists and planners and — once smartphones arrived — trying keep everything crammed into the woefully inadequate calendar on whatever phone I was using at the time. Nothing worked like I imagined it would. I wrote day or times down incorrectly or would forget to write anything down at all. Each time I’d try a method for the second, third or fifth time, I’d always end up right back at square one.
Enter the Bullet Journal.
I used to be a proponent of the “write every day no matter what” ideology. I’ve discussed it more than a few times in other posts here. The gist?
“Write every day, even if it’s only a few sentences! Sit down and make yourself write, even if it’s only for ten minutes!”
Writing is an individual pursuit much of the time. Nearly all the time, in fact. As such, you need to be able to tailor your routine to, well, you. Life does and will get in the way of writing. Day jobs, family obligations, social activities and any number of other things demand attention, and it’s impossible to ignore all of those things to write.
Here’s the thing about that: It’s okay.
Over the past two days, I’ve written 8,000 words on my novel-in-progress. Before you think “Oh wow! That’s great!” you should know that those 8,000 words weren’t easy for me to write. In fact, that chunk of words is more than I’ve managed to put out in the past two years combined. The question of “Why?” …
Continue reading “On Writing, Depression & Getting Through the Mess”
Friedrich Nietzsche once said that “without music, life would be a mistake.” I believe there’s a lot of truth in that. Music has done its part in getting me through plenty in life so far. But as important as music may be to my life, it’s just as important to my writing. Every character I’ve …
I’ve been reading WRITERS GONE WILD by Bill Peschel. In it is the following brief section on rejections. Rejections are tough, but never have I had to deal with anything close to these. I’m thankful for that.
A few weeks back, I was lucky enough to be able to get myself a new desk. My writing space is feeling much more welcoming now. All that’s left to find is the right chair.