Write stuff
Cindy on June 2nd, 2009
“A writer never has a vacation. For a writer, life consists of either writing or thinking about writing.” — Eugene Ionesco
Summer typically signals “time off” — or at least a few leisurely moments in a lawn chair — but most writers keep on writing.
With that in mind, I want to share an informative new web site for professional writers working in all genres. Writers in Business is the brainchild of Brigitte Thompson, an accountant, freelance writer, and author of several books on taxes and record keeping. Since writers tend to focus on the creative aspects of our work, we could use a little help and advice on business matters. Brigitte recently published Bookkeeping Basics for Freelance Writers – which you’ll want to read long before tax season rolls around. This week, Brigitte features an interview with yours truly, so I hope you’ll stop by for a visit.
And while we’re on the topic of writing, I want to share another all-time favorite blog of mine, At Home with the Farmer’s Wife. The writings and photography on this blog are always gorgeous and interesting. To sweeten the pie, this week the Farmer’s Wife is featuring my book, Writing Home, in a special giveaway. Not surprisingly, she’s written one of the nicest reviews of my book, ever. It’s such a gift when another writer “gets” what you’re doing! — CL
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:55 am
I love the quote with which you opened this post, Cindy. It sure fits me to a T. There is never any rest, as far as I am concerned, about writing. I was beginning to think perhaps I was losing my mind because all it wants to do is write, write, write! Essays, journal entries, blog posts, letters to people. Enough is enough! Truthfully, now I understand why many famous writers drank. LOL.
So for me, I had to learn to turn some of that off. That is where meditation practice comes in, as well as focusing exercises (primarly focusing on the breath). They do help and provide some blank space for peace of mind.
On another note, I am so happy you will be visiting my blog in June. JOY reigns supreme!
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:29 am
Jan,
You make me smile — about the writers “losing our minds.” Along these lines, I just ran across a very interesting post and comments on The Happiness Project, regarding artists and creatives in general. The author asks: Are artists LESS happy than other people? Here’s the link, and you have to read the comments after the essay — really fascinating:
http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/2009/05/are-artists-unhappier-than-regular-people.html
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:58 am
Hi Cindy,
Your quote just caught my eye because it’s so true.
I’m not a professional writer, but as a kid, I usually keep a journal (maybe that’s why my kids do keep a journal, too).
And with raising four kids, I really didn’t get back to leisure reading until last December. And a few months after that, it seems like I’ve awaken a sleeping dragon! I started venting-in-ink, or more like an input-output keystroke combinations.
My mind has not stopped sending these picture messages that I have to put to words.
Whether I’m walking into the woods with my husband, or driving, or filling out some paperwork, or even while typing this comment, I must have an overload of picture messages. It feels like someone’s downloading their entire digi-cam memory card into my brain!
One time, my 8yo and I were playing and talking and he stopped and looked at me and said, “Hhhmm…mom, you’re going to blog about that one, too, huh?”
I guess no experience or conversation left unexploited, right?
My main challenge is to concentrate on the book I really wanted to finish. I outlined it a few years back. It’s an emotional one, maybe that’s why it’s taking me a while to write it. If I can just have one day to focus on that one, it’ll really be a good thing.
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:07 pm
JenJen, you mention your child asking if you’re going to blog about a particular experience…
That reminds me of the introduction to Anna Quindlen’s column collection, Living Outloud. In it, Anna wrote that her husband once asked her if she could go and get him a beer without her writing about it in one of her columns. I had to laugh. When I was writing weekly family columns for our local paper, I looked at EVERYTHING through the lens of a columnist. While that does seem a little strange or intense, in retrospect, that column job really did inspire me to look for the poetry or lessons in everyday living, instead of blindly moving through my daily routine at the grocery or the school carpool …
– Cindy La Ferle
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Cindy, I can relate to your comment to JenJen about looking at everything through the lens of a columnist, and how it allowed you to look for the poetry and lessons of everyday. I feel that way too, when I go out with my camera ready to shoot photos for my blog relating to embracing lives of our choosing, and keeping our passions and art central. With that camera, I see evidence of this just about everywhere I look.
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:38 am
Sometimes I try to imagine how life would be without that particular lens of a writer, but the color quickly drains out of the picture. Good luck with your class!
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:49 am
I have decided that women who write are brave souls. That lens of a writer can be daunting when it comes in mid-life. I am at the beginning edge and have learned things about myself that I didn’t know. Instead of writing less, I think I need to write more to learn more.
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Thanks for stopping by my site. I will be thinking of you and your FIL.
I would love to sit in on your writer’s retreat class. Wish I lived closer. I’ll see if I can work it out.
Blessings
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:41 pm
PS I’m REALLY enjoying your book!!!!!!
June 4th, 2009 at 5:33 am
Eerie! I woke up this morning toying with the idea of going on my own private writer’s retreat and giving myself the gift of focused time and attention. Perhaps your post is one of those “Just Do It” signs. The summer workshops you’re offering sound great! Good luck!
June 5th, 2009 at 6:44 am
I’d love to do a writer’s workshop, another phase of life to come! Glad that you are getting so much, well deserved support for your wonderful book! I have a bit of that brain but it is so cluttered with so many things. I’ve often considered getting one of those dictaphone thingies to talk into since so may ideas go by the wayside.