Blogging A to Z - Reflection

 

Congratulations, Blogging A to Z survivors!

By mid-March, I had a complete alphabetical list of “Common (Communal) Places” you might find readers, all of which I planned to visit (virtually) for this 2021 Blogging A to Z Challenge. This was going to be easy – and so much fun, I thought. During the last week of March, I was already writing posts – well ahead of the game. Until the letter G. 

Upon returning to a website I’d checked out weeks earlier, I discovered that in this perfectly turbulent era, the bookshop was (now) “CLOSED INDEFINITELY” Uh oh. In order to recommend these places, they ought to be accessible, open to the public, or still in business at the very least. I had some further investigating to do. 

I made a ton of phone calls, many of them delightfully memorable. One such call was me saying, “Hi! You’re open!” to which came the sleepy reply, “Let me get my pants on, and we will be,” Aren’t those Mom and Pop shops the best?  I paid more attention to time zones after that ;-)

All in all, I had a blast! The Scavenger Hunt (a fabulous idea!) was also fun. I hope this is offered next year – no, how about from here on out! That way, I can concentrate on finding more than eight items ;-)  Less Beaten Paths, Crackerberries, The Other Side, Weekends in Maine, and What a Journey had the items I found. Often, the blogs I read were so good I forgot to notice if they contained a hidden treasure.  I can’t wait to read where all the rest were hidden.

Big hugs and many thanks to Arlee Bird, founder of this sensational challenge, and J Lenni, Captain of the challenge, for checking in on me!  This was by far the least expensive shopping spree I’ve ever been on, but I did pick up a t-shirt ;-)

Happy blogging, everyone!

 

You Don't Say

Welcome Readers and fellow Writers, to the January 2019 online meeting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Founded by author Alex Cavanaugh and comprised of writing members just like you (and me), featuring writing tips, resources, articles, contests, and IWSG swag! See what we’re all talking about here and join us as we share our writing journeys.

*We meet on the first Wednesday of every month – join us and enjoy!

Visit our gracious Co-hosts, and let them know you’re here: Patricia Lynne, Lisa Buie-Collard, Kim Lajevardi, and Fundy Blue!

Season’s Greetings, Everyone!

I had quite the ‘other worldly’ Christmas this year. 

This season, we traveled in hopes of a glimpse of “the white stuff” for Christmas. What began as dainty angel socks dropping softly to the ground gradually turned into a scene that this life-long desert dweller could only describe as (insert emoji) WOW! At one point, someone said “Where’s Lucy?” and we all swallowed hard.

Evidently, friends and family really enjoy the use of emoticons as they often share with me their latest reasons to laugh uproariously – or sigh in disgust. This puts a rather exciting new spin on “Show, don’t tell,” don’t you think?  It’s the way everyone communicates these days, and entirely acceptable - unless you want a publisher to take your work seriously. While there are a handful of editors who use them sparingly, most explain the usage as tools to alleviate “the sting” (ouch!). When pestered for an opinion on the subject, one of my editors replied with a question I doubt I’ll soon forget: “Are you a writer or an illustrator?”

But aren’t those expressive little symbols irresistible? The trouble is that it takes me longer to find just the right one than it does to formulate in writing the thoughts or feelings I want to convey. Do you ever feel that way?

How is your writing journey looking for 2019? Will you begin or finish that project that so absorbs your every thought?

Oh, by the way, Lucy’s dilemma was only temporary. All we had to do was rattle a box of Cheez-its 😉

Happy Writing!

2018 A - Z Challenge - Reflection - Say Cheese!

Let’s be honest, after publishing your final A – Z Challenge post on the morning of April 30, 2018, who didn’t breathe a sigh of relief, dance a little jig, or flash an irresistible grin at your reflection in a mirror? I can’t think of a more enjoyable and satisfying way to sharpen your writing skills than through social engagement, can you?  And who, besides me, is already thinking about next year’s challenge?  Congratulations, Survivors!

Congratulations, as well, to everyone who attempted the challenge but for some reason didn’t finish. The challenge of writing every day can seem formidable; given life’s propensity for interference at times, but all it takes is a toe in the water to decide you want to get your feet wet. Next thing you know, you’ll be swimming!

My theme this year was Things We Appreciate, but in reflection, I’m compelled to mention the people behind the concept:  Arlee Bird (founder and blogger extraordinaire), as well as congenial and gifted assistants such as John Holton and J Lenni Dorner who do so much to make this annual event such a success!  

For anyone who may be harshly judging themselves by the number of visitors and/or comments they receive, I offer this (loosely) coined phrase by Ben Jonson (playwright and poet) “Happiness consists not in the multitude of friends but in a few well chosen.”  And while the Challenge has ended, the blogs (and bloggers!) remain – go visiting!

Personally, I find the timing of the A to Z Challenge to be an added bonus as nature provides an incentive in springtime inspiration to keep on blogging, keep on writing, don’t you? Were your fingers restless when it was over? Good! We’ll be seeing you around, then ;-)

In closing, I’ll share a fun fact I learned while camping with kids one year - Wintergreen Lifesavers visibly spark in the dark…but so does any hard (sugar) candy when crunched ;-)

Happy Trails this summer!

Spirits Here and Gone

“And muse on Nature with a poet’s eye,” ~ Thomas Campbell

I knew before we left that day that her lovely soul had passed. I just couldn’t find the words to express the perplexity of my thoughts until I had them somewhat sorted out. By day’s end I began to think I never could, and finally told my husband what I’d been thinking about throughout our journey north.  I told him the last thing my cousin had said to me (when we didn’t know how much longer his mom could hang on) as I prepared to leave town the next morning “Take her spirit with you, she loved it there”.  In retrospect, I did.

Propelled by a robust wind we sailed into town at sunset, when willowy shadows embrace the waning ribbons of woodland daylight in widening spots of darkness and my shallow breath caught on the graceful acceptance; as day acquiesces the night. For a time I stood struck by the irony; the consonant passing of time and life. 

The entire extended weekend consisted of cool cars and good friends, old and new. The Cavalcade of Cars was a sunset favorite as we were front row (curbside) to hear the engines purr and roar (when coaxed – grin!) as they paraded down the main strip. The next two days were reserved for strictly viewing (don’t touch) the classy paint jobs, where they’d parked in perfect rows on the golf course.

Whereas, I would have been grateful to get home and rest up from all the busyness, I had two days to prepare for court.  Have you ever instigated something and then had second thoughts? 

This actually fits right in with my Insecure Writers Support Group post! When all was said and done, I won the case. But it felt like I’d had too much pumpkin pie.  And that’s not the worst of this crazy couple of weeks, you see, somewhere along the way I’ve misplaced or flat lost my muse! Heck of a note, huh?

I must have read a dozen posts, essays and articles on banned books in the last few weeks and have come to the conclusion that if I had a choice I’d choose banned over rejected any day since you never want to read something more than when you’re not supposed to (wink!). However, in either case it’s not over until or unless you, the writer says it is!

Write on and write well, folks!

Do you like car shows? How about court appearances? How do you coax your muse out of hiding?