Writing is hard work, or so they say. Yes, I'll agree with that. The seat of your pants get all shiny from excessive wear and tear and still you often have more work than hours in the day if you're like most writers. If you've done any amount of serious writing you'll probably agree that writing is a whole lot more than just sitting at a computer and pounding out words. It's all too easy to get off track and lose momentum. Frankly, I'm not sure that most writers can explain adequately what they do.,,,especially when they try to explain [Click here to see the rest of the story]
Writers
Oct 092011
Blogging is a two way conversation – even though it often doesn't feel like it. I've been getting some very nice comments and feeling like perhaps I'm making headway in developing a style and content that has value to you – my reader. I'm not setting the world afire with my incomparable wisdom and wit. But that's ok, I'm not really trying to do that. Some have asked me how often I update this blog. Honestly, I don't have a routing schedule…I normally try to write something at least once or twice a week….sometimes more, sometimes less. It depends on [Click here to see the rest of the story]
I'm an avid enthusiast when it comes to self-help and positive thinking. There's a lot to be said for both. But a long time ago I found that there's a lot more to survival in this world than these have to offer. As a freelance writer and an entrepreneur I've had ample opportunity and lots of hard knocks to test my personal theories. While they may not work for you, I suggest you might want to think about the lessons I've learned. Positive Thinking Will Get You Only So Far. That's right. You must be an expert at positive thinking. [Click here to see the rest of the story]
Jul 272011
Several have asked me how to determine what they should write when they are building their autobiography, family history, memoirs and such. My response is invariably, it depends. When I was cub writer the first lesson drummed into my head was "nobody cares about you and what you think". But that was journalism where arms-length reporting is essential to maintaining accuracy and integrity. Readers of Editorials, of course, expect interpretation and personal commentary of current events. Both journalism and editorial writing are very different than the kind of writing you would do if you're writing a book or a collection [Click here to see the rest of the story]
Jul 072011
Your legacy should be a life-long project. It's never too soon to start working on it. We may have many years ahead – but then do we? Youngsters in their 20s and 30s are just as prone to dying as elderly citizens of retirement age. When I talk about legacy, I'm not interested in the bank accounts and house and private yacht you'll be including in your will. I'll leave that to the lawyers and the counselors. Think about the personal things that define who you are, your experiences, beliefs and contributions to your family history and society. I'm talking [Click here to see the rest of the story]
Interesting, isn't it, how we all tend to think in terms of stereotypes? But stereotypes can be ever so deceiving. Today I had a follow-up visit with my doctor. It was fairly routine except that prior to seeing him, a new practitioner came in to do the initial screening. She reviewed all my vitals and asked all the normal questions about how I felt. I mentioned that in the past two days I'd been awake almost all night and didn't get to sleep until about 6:00am while before that I'd been sleeping almost all the time. The conversation we had [Click here to see the rest of the story]
Jun 122011
Writing, painting and other creative pursuits are probably some of the most misunderstood occupations a person can aspire to…and yet, I encourage all seniors to try their hand at these pursuits. At a time when ageism is rampant and most seniors find it next to impossible to find viable employment and to secure little more than opportunities to volunteer their services, they need to find activities that are challenging and that offer a feeling of accomplishment. The arts afford seniors a unique opportunity to express themselves and contribute something of themselves. Pursuing the arts is a natural and worthy outlet [Click here to see the rest of the story]
May 172011
What do you see? This isn't a trick question. Think about it….. It's a field of yellow flowers, right? It's actually quite beautiful, isn't it? Would you be surprised if I told you this is a vacant lot in a run-down neighborhood just west of Chicago filled with weeds? Here's what John Constable an English landscape painter (1775-1837) would say: “I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object be what it may – light, shade, and perspective will always make it beautiful” Actually this is a picture of a field filled with [Click here to see the rest of the story]
