Thursday, June 19, 2008

I write because...

This summer I got a job as a camp counselor at Duke University. The minute that I found out that I could further delay moving back to Tampa my interest was sparked. When I learned that the job package included a free place to stay, meals, and a gym membership the spark grew into a flame. The flame grew into a wildfire when I found out I would be working with the Young Writer's Camp. Well, camp began this week, and I attended the morning gathering of all the writers where they do random writing exercises (good practice for any writer whether young or old). The topic on Monday was "I write because..." We were given 5 minutes to illustrate why we are writers.
Below is my list:
-I write because the words take up too much space in my brain, and when my thumb and forefinger caress the pen my thoughts spread out in blue, black, or purple ink.
-Because no one else could properly tell my life story.
-Because I didn't want you to see my tears, so I let the ink cry for me.
-Because a camera doesn't adequately depict what these thousand words can.
-Because the paper and pen won't judge me.
-Because I want to attain my own level of greatness.
-Because my journal doesn't ever tell me I'm too emotional.
-Because I like to know what I did on this day last year.
-Because everyday whether beautiful or ugly, rainy or sunny is an inspiration.
-Because it's cheaper than going to therapy.
-Because it gives me a reason to chill at Starbucks solo.
-Because words force themselves out when music provides the soundtrack.
-Because the person who loves me will want to read everything I ever wrote it because I wrote it.

Why do you write?

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Summer Fun?

Noah, my three year old son, had been out of preschool for about two weeks now. In that span of time, I have written maybe ten pages. The problem is that I am constantly interrupted. Every time I get "in the groove" my son either gets into something he's not supposed to or needs my help with something.

If it isn't one of those two things, then he climbs up in my lap, puts his head between me and the computer and says, "Mommy, I need to talk to you!" I usually respond by asking what he needs to talk to me about. His reply goes something like this, "Umm, a lizard."

Before I go any further, let me say that I love my son dearly and do enjoy playing with him. I try to spend my mornings doing activities with him, taking him outside, playing games, etc. But in the afternoon, I try really hard to write. It just never seems to happen and it is driving me crazy. The only time I have to write is after Noah goes to bed at 9 p.m., and my brain is usually mush by that time.

I guess it all boils down to discipline. If I really want to write, I'm going to have to suck it up and force myself to write after Noah goes to bed. Balancing my writing with my duties as a Mom is really difficult, especially when I haven't finished my project yet and have nothing to really show my husband to prove that the time I want to spend writing is worthwhile.

I suppose that most writers who aren't able to support themselves just from their writing have to deal with the same lack of time that I do, since they have to hold down a job to pay the bills. But I think the thing that frustrates me the most is that I am at home all day. The computer is right there. And my son seems to be perfectly content to play on his own and entertain himself UNTIL I sit down at the computer.

Now I can understand why parents eagerly await the approach of the school year in August!

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

The End of an Error

On Monday at 430 it was determined I would no longer be Editor in Chief at Focus Magazine. My boss and I realized that the position is just not right for me at this time.

I'm going to hit the ground running and try to get as much freelance work as possible.

I knew from the beginning this was too much of a job for me. However, I knew that if I didn't take it I would regret it and wonder "what-if?" for the rest of my life. So, I took it fearing the worst but praying for the best.

I got a lot of experience very rapidly and plan to use this to make my freelance career better than it could have ever been if I had not been Editor for these last 90 days.

To some it would seem like my taking this position in the first place was an error. To me, it was still an oppurtunity for experience I couldn't have gotten any other way!

Who knows if I'll ever end up an editor again. I do know now I'll never say never again. LoL! So you see the oddity in that phrase? Until the chance to be one or to be something else comes, please wish me happy hunting =)