Edie Melson

5 10, 2015

Fall’s Color Change

By |2015-10-04T20:34:43-05:00October 5th, 2015|Make Me Think Monday|0 Comments

I spent two weeks in Ireland last month. The timing was troublesome because I truly love watching summer give way to fall here in the Rio Grande Forest.

Actually, I dearly love everything about this time of year…the way the shadows lengthen and the crispness that fills the air replacing the warmth of summer days.

Ireland had fall color and it was lovely, but I fretted that my time there would mean I’d miss my most favorite season in the Colorado mountains. On the other hand, I was not willing to forfeit an opportunity to spend time in my beloved Ireland.

I truly panicked when the leaves in the higher elevations began to show their shades of yellow, red, and orange early this year. I knew for sure the color change in my little mountain town would be over by the time I returned.

Much to my delight the Aspen trees waited for me! I was blessed to return to green leaves that are just now slowly changing.

Every day since my return I walk Toby and Buster or sit on the porch sipping tea and say with Emily Bronte… Every LeafHow about you? Do you enjoy the shift from summer to fall as much as I do? Is Mother Nature showering you with her color displays this fall?

28 09, 2015

Writing – a mask or an unveiling?

By |2015-09-28T10:27:51-05:00September 28th, 2015|Make Me Think Monday|4 Comments

maskEdie Melson recently posted this graphic for media sharing by her followers. The photograph she chose aptly portrays E. B. White’s words. Writers do look through windows or hide behind portals.

The graphic got me to thinking about another oft-repeated writing quote: “Writing is easy. You just open a vein and bleed.”

There’s another version, attributed to Ernest Hemingway that says, “There’s nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.”

Though writers these days are more likely to sit a computer, the point of the quote is the same. Writing does require the writer to unveil or mask his deeper thoughts and beliefs.

Quote investigator  found evidence that others have used the bleeding vein quote. Sportswriter Walter Wellesley “Red” Smith used it in 1949. Before that, Paul Gallico wrote in his 1946 book Confessions of a Story Writer.

It is only when you open your veins and bleed onto the page a little that you establish contact with your reader.

Truthfully it doesn’t matters so much who originated the quote. What matters is that writers do indeed give up a part of themselves with every word they put on a page.

Sometimes we wear a mask and vicarious walk through our character drawing on feelings and experiences to infuse our stories with emotion for our readers. Consciously or unconsciously, what we write can reveal (and sometimes purge) our personal deep feelings, hurts, and pains.

Is writing a mask or an unveiling? I believe it can be both.

What do you think?

18 05, 2015

Sharing My Favorite Writing Blog Links

By |2015-05-18T06:00:04-05:00May 18th, 2015|Writer's Corner|0 Comments

writers-corner-mediumI recently read that Writer’s Digest named Jane Friedman’s blog one of the 101 best websites for writers. That’s quite an honor and well-deserved.

Ms. Friedman always has great advice for writers. I read her blog regularly.

Writer’s Digest magazine has been compiling a list of recommended websites and blogs for writers for seventeen years. That list is where I’ve found many of the writing sites I visit most often for advice about how to improve my craft or the nuances of the publishing business.

Today, as a break from my regular Make Me Think narrative blog, I thought I’d share links to the writing blogs I read frequently. Each is chocked full of good advice.

I’m sure there are other great blogs for writers out there. Do you have a link to a blog for writers you’d care to share?

Or any other blog links you’d like to share where you find great information…doesn’t have to be for writers only.

15 04, 2015

Grateful for Today

By |2017-01-06T10:41:00-06:00April 15th, 2015|one word Wednesday|0 Comments

Today federal income taxes are due. Most of us are probably not feeling particularly grateful.

But today is more. Brother David Steindl-Rast, a Benedictine monk, describes today this way:

You think this is just another day in your life. It’s not just another day. It’s the one day that is given to you today…. It’s the only gift that you have right now. And the only appropriate response is gratefulness.

Instead of dwelling on taxes,  we should recognize the precious gift of today and observe and experience what we’ve been given to enjoy.

~the natural beauty surrounding us

~the interesting people we encounter

~the sound of laughter

~the simple beating of our heart

So many miracles — if we only pause to appreciate and be grateful.

Lindberg quote

 

 

 

 

 

 

8 04, 2015

Spring Work

By |2015-04-08T06:00:23-05:00April 8th, 2015|one word Wednesday|0 Comments

Spring WorkThe sun is melting away the lingering snow. Chipmunks and squirrels are scampering in the woods behind our house. Birds are chirping. Grass is turning green.

Poppies are working their way through the soil in the front flower bed. The Aspen trees are budding.

Spring is indeed at work with joyful enthusiasm in our mountains.

The call to dig in the dirt instead of getting words on the page is great.

Are you feeling the twinges of Spring Fever?

17 09, 2014

Beauty – One Word Wednesday

By |2014-09-17T06:00:07-05:00September 17th, 2014|one word Wednesday|0 Comments

Edie Melson’s graphic of Thoreau’s quote about heaven under our feet fits perfectly with today’s word – Beauty.

Heaven quote

Recently my husband and I have been out and about traveling to farmer’s markets and orchards to buy fruits and vegetables to store for the coming winter. ???????????????????????????????

As we’ve wandered the back roads to organic farms, we have seen beauty everywhere — truly heaven beneath our feet.

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Wouldn’t you agree God’s handiwork testifies to what incredible sights we’ll find in heaven?

 

 

13 08, 2014

Procrastination – One Word Wednesday

By |2014-08-13T06:00:51-05:00August 13th, 2014|one word Wednesday|0 Comments

Procrastination is the act or habit of putting off or delaying something. A clever enemy of everyone, not just writers.

I’m not sure whether procrastination is a deliberate act or subconscious, but, according to Wayne Dyer, “Procrastination is one of the most common and deadliest of diseases and its toll on success and happiness is heavy.

Author of The War of Art, Steven Pressfield, calls procrastination a form of resistance. He believes creative types face lots of resistance and offers inspiration to overcome that resistance. Words from his little book have gotten me over more than one bumpy writing slowdown.

I believe his idea of overcoming resistance applies to everyone plagued by the habit of procrastination.

Even if you’re not be a writer, procrastination can hold you back and prevent you from doing something you should be doing.

Goethe said, “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, magic, and power in it. Begin it now.

Writing is hard  and solitary. Those two truths stall many writers. Procrastination wins.

I refuse to let procrastination to win. I get up every morning, put my butt in the chair, and W-R-I-T-E.

Note, I didn’t say when I feel like writing or whether I think what I write is worthy of a Pulitzer. I sit at the computer and write. EVERY DAY.

Does procrastination stall your dream?

I suggest following Franklin D. Roosevelt’s advice so beautifully depicted in Edie Melson’s graphic?

photo-29

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