The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Doggone! It's Time for a Few Lessons

       On Saturday, Radar (our 75-pound baby boy) had his picture taken with Santa at Purina.

       After the photo was taken, I connected the experience with a few writerly things and since I'm always badgering willing to share any tidbits I happen upon, here goes:
  • Don't be afraid to ask for what you want from your writer friends. If you need just a read-through, to see if they connect with the story, ask. If you need help with the ending, request they really hone in on the end. (I was 2nd in line, and saw that the example photos they had on display took in the whole holiday backdrop, with the dog and Santa a bit small. I asked--nicely--if they could get a close-up of Santa and our dog. They were glad to oblige.)
  • Use any trick or prop you have handy in order to get the job done. Do you work well with music? Play it while you write. Do you write better with a cat curled up on your lap? Beg them to take a nap there. Do you write more when there's a candle burning? Light one up. (There was a plastic hamburger they had for dog photos, but the family before us needed it. The little boy kept turning away from the camera, and I said, "I think you need the hamburger for him," and they squeaked it and got the boy's attention.)
(By the way, did you know there is a squeaky toy app for phones, which means you can attract your dog's attention--to the phone--while you're taking the picture? It really works.)

  • Rearrange things if necessary. If you had what you thought was a great beginning--so funny and so sharp--but it doesn't go with the tone of your story, you have to put that lead somewhere else... no matter how much it hurts. If you have some great writing as part of the piece, and it's part of the story but not part of that story, you're going to have to delete it, no matter how horrible it is to subtract from your word count instead of adding to it. (The photos were supposed to be taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus sitting on the bench, with the dog and/or kid in-between them. I said to Mrs. Claus, "I know you're important, Mrs. Claus, but would you mind standing up for a moment so Radar can get onto the bench and sit next to Santa?" She happily obliged.)
        And now, here's the photo:




      And before anyone says anything, I must explain. I know Radar looks like a big, fat barrel-of-a-dog, but he really isn't fat. The camera adds 10 pounds... or didn't you know that?

What have you learned about writing or life from the holidays?

20 comments:

  1. Wow! You even got him to smile! Radar, that is. Can't tell about Santa.

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    1. Val--I don't know, either. If I were Santa, I wouldn't be too thrilled about posing with (sometimes) gassy dogs...

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  2. Such a beautiful dog! From the holidays? I learned all my life the lesson that people called family want it their way and on their terms.

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    1. Claudia--It sounds like there's a story (or two) behind that lesson. (He IS handsome, but thankfully, because his cuteness has saved him many times in the last year...)

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  3. Radar doesn't look fat at all, just fluffy...and I'm not being sarcastic. He really does just look soft and fluffy. lol

    I've always told my kids to ask for what they want---there's nothing wrong with giving people the chance to say no (or yes), but it is advice I have trouble following for myself. I will ask for things when necessary, but I usually break out in hives first.

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    1. Lisa--Well then, Radar matches me, 'cause I'm soft and fluffy, too.

      It sounds like you need to practice what you preach...

      Delete
  4. Great tips and a great pic, Sioux! As for what I've learned...don't sweat the small stuff, whether it's holiday, life, or writing. :-)

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    1. Cathy--Thanks. I've learned the same lesson, which has become even more ingrained as I've gotten older. (And I've discovered most stuff is small stuff.)

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  5. Radar has soulful eyes. That is a great photo. And yes, asking for what you want IS important. The worst that can happen is someone wills ay NO.

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    1. Linda--Thanks, although I didn't take the picture. Yes, I've found that getting a "no" is not a big deal. Certainly, a "yes" is nicer to get, but I'm no longer crushed by a rejection.

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  6. I've found the holidays give me yet another excuse to postpone writing. :-(
    As for Radar, he doesn't look big and fat at all. He looks all grown-up, sweet, and quite debonair.

    Pat
    Critter Alley

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    Replies
    1. Pat--Debonair? Do you need new glasses? ;)

      Yeah, I'm looking forward to AFTER I finish my report cards, I can do some writing over the holiday break.

      Unless of course I keep procrastinating with my report cards...

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  7. Just wanted to drop in for a sec to say how much I enjoy reading your blog, Sioux! Thanks for sharing your world and your writing and thanks for always taking the time to comment over at the Muffin! Here's hoping you have the merriest of holidays and much writing happiness in the New Year!

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    Replies
    1. Cathy--You're welcome. And thanks for the challenge. I'm starting on it right now...

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  8. Wow - what a great picture! And I think Radar looks like the picture of a happy, healthy dog!

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    1. Tammy--Yes, he IS happy and healthy. And he's also (most of the time) a good dog.

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  9. What does Radar want for Christmas?

    I use candles, music, AND Skittles to help me write!

    Thanks for the lovely comment the other day. :-)

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  10. Shay--

    Radar wants the chance to dig--uninterrupted--for about an hour. In the rain. By that time, he will have dug all the way to the core of our planet Earth.

    Me? Leave a lovely comment? Surely you're jesting. It must have been someone posing as me, 'cause I only dole out snark...

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  11. Radar is such a sweet looking dog, not fat at all.

    As far as what I've learned about writing from the holidays -- plan ahead and always have a back-up plan.

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    1. Donna--
      Radar thanks you. Planning ahead is always a good idea. Unfortunately, since I usually fly by the seat of my pants, I don't usually practice what you're preaching.

      Delete

Thanks for your comments. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by...