This quarter my students are working on opinion writing. They have to take a stand. They have to be bold and brazen and--on paper--cocky. At least that is my hope as they craft their pieces.
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| The cast of the 2014 Listen to Your Mother St. Louis show, and the best kind of photo---one without me in it. The writers (see the picture above) who shared their story had to be brave. Sharing each story--even the humorous ones--was risky. There were tales of becoming a single mother through invitro fertilization...of adopting children from another continent...of almost losing their baby...of surrendering their baby. With each story told, they shared a part of themselves, a part of their lives. Of course, writers are not unaccustomed to writing, but the Listen to Your Mother shows involved performing before an audience... using a microphone... in non-Croc shoes. Okay, I could have done it in my ol' trusty Crocs, but I think the other oh-so-chic women would have given me grief. |
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| Here are my Crocs (the tear in one keeps getting bigger, but they're still serviceable) and the shoes I did end up wearing to do the show. |
People everywhere are doing bold things. Coming out with new books--Shay just had one and Lisa is about to debut her first of a set of "triplets." Writing outside of their box--Lynn--who is working on a gorgeous picture book, even though she doesn't think of herself as an artist (she most definitely is). Pearl is bold every time she steps outside during the winter months (which in Minnesota, I guess, stretches from September to May). There are friends and acquaintances all over the place doing things and stepping out and taking risks... and every day they continue to do it.
My original post title was going to be 400 vs. 1400. I'm trying to adopt the mindset that 400 words (or even 200 words) a day is better than nothing. If I don't have a large span of time to write, can't I write in small snatches here and there? Should I only write if I think I can get a couple of thousand down? Otherwise, it's not worth the effort? Short pieces (800-1200 words) come out in a couple of sessions, but slogging through a longer piece (like a novel) is not so easy-peasy.
I would be grateful for any words of advice... any kind words about my Crocs (they look worse than they looked in that photo, if you can believe that)... any words of encouragement that St. Louis will have three more snow days (icy roads = school closings)... or anything else you want to lob my way.
I would be grateful for any words of advice... any kind words about my Crocs (they look worse than they looked in that photo, if you can believe that)... any words of encouragement that St. Louis will have three more snow days (icy roads = school closings)... or anything else you want to lob my way.
Thanks for the shout out!
ReplyDeleteShay--You're quite welcome. And congratulations on your newest book.
DeleteI think a goal of 400 words is great. Small but important. That is almost two typed pages and a lot can happen in that space; a scene here, a converstation there a novel makes! Besides if the 400 words go well, I bet you stay seated and produce more than you thought you had time for!
ReplyDeleteClaudia--"Small but important." I love that. And you're right. There are times that I DO write more than 400 (but also times when I write less).
Delete400 words is doable if you have the umph to do it. Winter wipes me out, and that is why the grandkids' journals are still sitting without recent entries. I am up for a snow day Tuesday. What about you?
ReplyDeleteLinda--I have everyone I know doing a snow and ice dance for Monday-going-into-Tuesday. I am definitely UP for it.
DeleteI think any time you can put words together, whether it's 100 or 1000, you have accomplished something. I try to make writing a habit every day, but some days it's just not going to come. I used to beat myself up for those days, but I don't anymore. Because invariably, I find that I'm still working on my project. I just don't always have to be at my computer to do it. And for the record, your Crocs look just fine... and comfy. Comfy is always the way to go :)
ReplyDeleteTheresa--You're right. There are times when I work on it--unknowingly--in my head. (And yes. I'm at the stage in life when comfy is king!)
DeleteHi Sioux,
ReplyDeleteI haven't been blogging or visiting for awhile, but I have to say I love your photo. As far as words of advice, I'm not the best one to dispense advice. I try to write every day, but don't always hit the mark. About the Crocs. I don't have any Crocs but I do have a pair of Go Walk Sketchers that are raggedy, but so comfortable. I need to buy a new pair, but it's going to be hard to let go of the old ones. And, like your Crocs, they're gray too.
Donna--But apparently when you DO hit the mark (and write) you're quite successful.
Delete(And don't let those old ones go. Save them for yard work or walking your dog or puttering around the house. You might regret it if you get rid of them for good.)
Any number of words you get on paper is an accomplishment. I'm trying not to be so strict about how many. Sometimes the words flow, other times, not so much. It's all good.
ReplyDeletePat
Critter Alley
Pat--Yeah, if we beat ourselves up when the flow is not good, it makes the next writing session that much harder to pull off. It IS all good (or at least I hope it is).
DeleteThe boldest I get is wearing RED Crocs around the house. I have no desire to be on stage, what with being on it all day long at work.
ReplyDeleteAdvice? Put on a little Bellamy Brothers, and let your words flow, like a mountain stream. Let your words grow, with the smallest of dreams. Let your words show, and you'll know what I mean...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4Bl_VQ2inM
Yeah. Maybe there's a reason people don't come to Val for advice.
Val--But we DO come to Val for song snippets and obscure Seinfeld references and hilarity over the little details of life.
DeleteThe thing about those novels is that I need to READ at least a thousand words or so to get back my feel for the character, so in the beginning, I can slap down 400 or 500 words but once I get past 10 or 15,000 words? Honestly, I need a couple hours just to get the next 500 words. Is a puzzlement, those writers who can dash out 400 words here and there and finish a novel.
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, you know, any's better than none, right? :-)
(Keep plugging away, Sioux--bet it's pretty good stuff, however you get there!)
Cathy--I SO agree with you. It came pretty fast and furious for a while, but now it's real work. Writing's work? What's with that? ;)
Delete(And thanks, but that remains to be seen…)
Good grief, I had to read your past five blogs (that's how far behind I am). Will I remember to comment about them all? Doubtful, but know I read them. Jodi's lastest, would love to read that - sounds interesting. Since I journal every day, I know that even a little writing can turn into more and sometimes a story will come out. Most of the time I babble, but... I did turn in a story to LTYM - that's bold for me. Thanks also for the shout out that I'm being bold with my illustrating. Drawing every day seems to help. Your crocs are just fine. I say go for COMFORT. Speaking of which, I need to find some comfortable shoes for an upcoming gala (ack). See you soon!
ReplyDeleteLynn--I'll bring "Leaving Time" on Wednesday. I think you'll love it.
DeleteGood for you for submitting to LTYM. Your drawings are inspiring. And no, my Crocs are NOT okay. The tear is now all the way to the sole, but I think with some duct tape, they'll still work for yard work...
I used to set big writing goals, but they were too hard to keep. Now I'm finding smaller goals are at least more doable, and I like to think that writing under pressure teaches me to be a little more efficient. I'm with Donna: Skechers Go Walk 2 Super Socks. They're probably no better looking than Crocs, but they are the most comfortable shoes ever.
ReplyDeleteTammy--I'll have to check out those Sketchers. They're ugly? I'm all about ugly when it comes to shoes. ;)
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