Writing - the ups and downs

Dear Critique Partner: In regards to recent criticism of your work, remember this: when we give a piece of our story to someone to read - we expect them to see the whole. It's like building a house and giving someone a single piece of lumber. “Here, see the house I'm building.” SOME CAN SEE IT AND SOME CAN’T. This step is as necessary to me as breathing. I need to give you single boards as I create them. AND I expect you to be a visionary and say, “Why yes. I see.” (EVEN if you don't!) I need you to see how special the piece of lumber is that I'm using and to see that eventually I'll add more pieces to make the whole. Choose people to read your work who like the kind of stories you write. Then, they'll appreciate the pieces. There are as many kinds of stories as there are houses to live in. If you give a brick ranch to someone who only appreciates a high rise he'll have a hard time fitting himself into what you are offering. Don’t rebuild your stor...

"I think that one's art is a growth inside one. I do not think one can explain growth. It is silent and subtle. One does not keep digging up a plant to see how it grows." E.C. Just as one does not dig up a plant to see how it grows ---one does not judge the hue or color of a flower until it blooms. Yet we seem to want, I seem to want, to dissect and judge every piece of my story before it's completed - when it is in its infancy. That's what I'm thinking about today. Writing, it really is up and down. Off here to create today's portion of my story. Blessings!

I wanted to recommend a good book for you to read if you're stuck in the house due to bad weather. A few years ago a friend gave me COFFIN as a gift. I believe she bought it at the Tamarack in WV, which I love. The book is classified as young adult but it satisfied my adult mind. It's the fictionalized story of young Fanny McCoy of the Hatfields and McCoys. The author warns: This is a historical novel. Read at your own risk. The writer feels it necessary to alert you to the fact that you might enjoy it. I DID! Go read this book and let me know how you liked it. BLessings.

My husband and I are becoming addicted to the Dr. Oz show. Well, he watches and I’m addicted. I’m energized by this man’s vim and vigor. He jumps out onto stage and within minutes is giving me ways to live longer and better. I find myself jumping up and down with him at the very thought of living so long and feeling so good. What’s not to like about a man named Mehmet who comes on every morning and cheers me while I eat my steel cut oats, walnuts, and blueberries. But, let me warn you, if you haven’t watched his show, it involves a lot of diseased body parts and slabs of body fat brought out on trays to show us what our insides look like on a bad day. Everything he talks about whether it’s a dysfunction with sex, sleep, or daily living, there is something that can be bought at the pharmacy or health food store to alleviate the problem. From erectile dysfunction to constipation - Dr. Oz is all over it. Some of the stuff he recommends can even be plucked out of the yard. Take sas...