When Life Happens

Thursday, November 13 was my last post. I know what you're thinking. I set out to climb Mount Everest and got stranded. (See "Inside Out Strategy" below). You probably thought I was buried in a landslide of debris and hopefully I had food and water with me while someone came to dig me out since it's been over a week. Hey, I live in a family so used to my stacks they wouldn't think to dig. Besides, where is that shovel?

You know how it is--you make your plans and God directs your steps. Life happens. Friday, Saturday and Sunday I was . . . Then Tuesday . . . On Wednesday, I . . . Thursday afternoon. . . Friday, Diana and I . . . Then yesterday. . . .

Okay. So I had a few things to do, but I obviously wasn't using my time most wisely. Surely I had five minutes to sit down and write. I got distracted. That happens sometimes to us stackers. I did find time to read a novel I really enjoyed, so my free time wasn't totally wasted. Some of it was wasted. I did manage to find the remote.

A new day is a new opportunity to do what I want until responsibility or love calls. No need for guilt. Life happens to all of us, and sometimes we can write about it.

Inside Out Strategy

Do you have stacks in your house that look like this?

Or this?

Or this? (Photo missing. Please note I do have some pride left and am not admitting to bigger messes.)

Set the timer for ten or fifteen minutes. Tackle one or two stacks, then come back to the computer. You might write about your experience. You know, "How I Climbed Mount Everest."

Writing to Fill a Need

Need reason to write? Though writing for pre-teens may not be your ideal, consider reading the following New York Times blog by Tara Parker-Pope about the Beacon Street Girls series. I had to read several reader responses to find comments from parents of girls who have actually read the series (comments 27, 31, 32). The reviews were positive. Comment #36 was from a young woman lamenting the fact she's found nothing suitable about health for the 17-19 age range.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/13/books-for-girls-with-a-health-message/

A Special Day for Writing

I want to introduce you to some real encouragers. One of them is John Riddle, founder of I Love to Write Day.

Do you love to write? You probably do, or you wouldn't be here. Grab a pencil and circle a date on your calendar. November 15, I Love to Write Day, is officially recognized by nine state governors and more than 20,000 schools across the United States -- and all this from the influence of one writer promoting his craft.

Only ten more days! Let's get a plan. On your calendar, jot down your writing goal for that day. John Riddle encourages people of all ages to spend time November 15 writing. "They can write a poem, a love letter, a greeting card, an essay, a short story, start a novel, finish a novel…the possibilities are endless. I want people to take the time to put their thoughts down on paper. They will be amazed at the results," Riddle says.

For suggestions and ideas on how to hold special I Love to Write Day activities in your community, visit http://www.ilovetowriteday.org/. John also asks us to register on his web site so he can get an idea of how many people are participating.