Re-Definition

post by Doris McCraw

How do you define your work? Do you ever feel like you are in a rut? I know I do.  I am always trying to find ways to push myself and my creativity. As many of you know I love history and have written papers on various historic subjects. I also write haiku as a daily writing practice that is in its second year.  Still, my work could become stilted and boring. I could become bored. For people who live for their creativity boredom can become a death knell.

Lately I have rethought  my writing and how it makes me feel.  I still love all that I am doing, but at the same time it feels like is something missing. I have started a search to reignite the flames of creativity to reach an even higher point. I want to push myself to create in ways that are new and unusual. To that end I have begun a search and have found some interesting options I thought I would share. Some of you may already know of them and some may not.

I have started to revisit the book “How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day” by Michael J. Gelb. Looking at the seven steps again puts my mind in another state.  I see and look at things differently. This in turn translates into enhanced ideas and thoughts that show up in my writing. I am in no way the genius that daVinci was, but it is nice to inhabit what may have been his mindset for a while.

Self-portrait by Leonardo da Vinci, executed in red chalk sometime between 1512 and 1515 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of the members of Pike Peak Writers has an improv writing group that meets once a week.  Anywhere from five to fifteen people show up. The rules are: no critiquing, each person reads their work aloud.  Different people bring three writing prompts which everyone writes to.  Even if you cannot think of anything to write you can just start writing words. There is no judgement on the part of the participants. I have found this exercise to be exciting and supportive.

I have just found a form of poetry called cento. You compose a new work using the verses or passages taken from another author or authors work put in a new form or order.  For more information on this form Wikipedia has a fairly simple definition and example.  What I like about this concept is learning and hearing ideas that I have formed from the works I love.

All these are ways for me to re-define my work and creativity. It is something I do to keep myself excited about the prospect of creating new and exciting works. The blog post, the haiku, the short story and non-fiction are all hopefully the beneficiary of this search.

I wish you all a fun creative week.

To read some of the haiku you can find them at http://fivesevenfivepage.blogspot.com

Space: A Love Affair

Post by Doris McCraw

It is in our genes. The desire to explore to know what’s there.  From ‘Star Trek‘ , ‘Star Wars‘ and Arthur C. Clarkes “2001, A Space Odyssey“, space is a part and parcel of our dreams and thoughts.  Who hasn’t spent time looking at the stars and wondering what was up there?  As a child my love of space was to stand outside, look up and pick the stars I wanted to visit. I even used to plan my trip, as long as it didn’t involve flying.  I can hear you laughing. I know, space ‘flight’ is part of the package. You are probably wondering where all this is leading.  The Space Symposium!

What is the ‘Space Symposium’? It is the premier gathering of the global space community, which is how they describe it. This one was the 29th year.  Even though NASA didn’t make it this year it was still a great event. To wander the displays, the booths and talking with the people is heaven for anyone who has the slightest interest in space. For me, one of the greatest parts of the event: the young people who attended. They showed interest, asked intelligent questions and overall gave a person a good feeling about where these young ones will take us in the future. If you would like to see an overview of the week you can visit http://www.astronaut.com. and then the link to the 29th Space Symposium.

This image was selected as a picture of the week on the Farsi Wikipedia for the 8th week, 2011. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I also realized that this event could be seen as the story and characters of a book. You have the main characters, that would be the larger companies that attended, and then the secondary characters, the smaller companies.  Each has a part to play, but not all are in every story, just like not all the companies are a part of each others final product. However, everyone needs to be seen and their specialties evaluated, just like we do when composing our stories. Who knows when the contact you make at a symposium will be a part of the final product.  Sometimes we just meet characters that will not leave our consciousness until we find a place for them, even if that is in a future story.

Maybe some day I will write a story about this amazing event, but I would have to make it a space story or a mystery about satellites, space travel or…  That is for another time. In the meantime, look up, enjoy the stars, the Milky Way and the sky.  Follow your dreams or as Smashmouth sang at the opening ceremonies “You might as well be walking on the sun.”

Follow my haiku at http://fivesevenfivepage.blogspot.com

What Happened?

This post is by Doris McCraw

What makes your muse sit up and take notice? When the fickle lady decides she wants to go somewhere other than by your side, how do you get her back? Believe it our not, I go read. Yes, you heard or should I say read correctly, I read. From there it is all easy sailing, with a major dose of work.  You thought I was going to say it was easy.  You still have to do the work, I write as I smile.

From those readings I can find so much to make me wonder, WHAT HAPPENED?  Let me give you some examples that I found fascinating. Maybe you will too.

1. From the poem Emigravit by Helen (Hunt) Jackson

With sails full set, the ship her anchor weighs.
Strange names shine out beneath her figure head.
What glad farewells with eager eyes are said!
What cheer for him who goes, and him who stays!

As someone who loves tall ships I wonder who went, who stayed and how were their lives changed.  What about you? How do you see the people involved?

2. A man was recently hanged for taking vengeance on one who had practically disputed his property in a girl.

I just found this statement so odd and somewhat disturbing.  Still working on this one.

3. The new road though the Ute Pass is completed, and is now alive with traffic.

Imagine using this as your first line. What kind of traffic? When was this opened? This simple statement can take you anywhere.

Summit of Ute Pass, by Chamberlain, W. G. (William Gunnison) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

4. Another mystery, discovered the remains of a man near the head of the gulch. They were found under a pile of rocks. Two bullet holes were found in the skull. They were about forty feet from where the remains of another man was found six weeks ago.

Although this incident took place in 1872, the crime itself is timeless. Who are the victims? Were they related? Is it the work of a serial killer or in the case of the Old West, outlaws?

5. And finally my last and favorite are the last lines to the poem “Last Words” by Helen (Hunt) Jackson

And when, remembering me, you come some day

And stand there, speak no praise, but only say,

“How she loved us! T’was that which made her dear!”

Those are the words that I shall joy to hear.

Helen Hunt Jackson portrait (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I hope someday to use these words as the ending to a story.  I know they remind me of my mother and her love of her family, her friends and those whose lives she touched.

Whatever you do to bring the muse into your life and writing, know she wants to help you tell the story of What Happened, so listen. Hear the call? She is whispering in your ear. Now sit down and write, I say with a smile.

http://fivesevenfivepage.blogspot.com

http://renawomyn.blogspot.com

Visit the Helen Hunt Jackson Live page on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Helen-Hunt-Jackson-Live/110440582339080?ref=hl

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Teeny, Tiny, Small, and Little by Cher’ley

  This Blog  by Cher’ley Grogg

An eyelash, a blade of grass, Tinkerbelle, Jack, and an embryo all have something in common they are teeny, tiny, small, and little. I lived in Texas for quite a while and in Texas the bigger the better. Everything is bigger in Texas, or so I’ve heard. I have come to realize that some of the most fascinating things on this earth are small.

I haven’t seen the movie Jack the Giant Killer on the big screen, but I read the book to my children when they were little, and I’m sure it was read to me when I was a tiny young’un. Jack, the small lad, climbs the beanstalk, kills the giant and gets the goose that lays the golden egg, and he and his mother live happily ever after. From the advertisements, I don’t believe that’s exactly what happens in the movie. But in the book that’s what happens, they live happily ever after and I like to think of life is being happily ever after too. However, I’m a realist, and I know this is not true, but I look for the little things in life that make me happy. Look for the little things that lift your spirits.

Jack the Giant Killer

How amazing is it to walk through the woods and spot those little teeny yellow flowers or those tiny blue flowers that grow wild and they are scattered everywhere for our enjoyment? If there’s a grassy patch, there are little flowers. The tiny buds on trees and bushes that burst forth in the spring are awesome.

Teeny, tiny, little, small pleasures of life give us some of the happiest most contented moments that anyone can experiences. Just think about the wonder of viewing a kitten, a puppy or a newborn baby.

Here’s a list of 40 LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN YOUR DAY

While under my instructor, during the time when I was developing my fine art, we’d examine paintings by great artists and Lee would tell me to watch for the details. He said to put in the little details. Water color is a looser form of painting, but still it has detail. Just like writing, I’d go back and add a little more color in one area and a little more water in another. I’d smudge it and move the paint around, constantly adding more detail. In writing, I’m painting a picture with words. Details bring the writing picture to life.

For instance, a little baby is soft to the touch. You smell the freshness of her hair. You look at the tiny creases in her arms and legs. and you marvel at her tiny feet. Her perfect eyelashes brush her cheek as she sleeps. Little sucking noises come from her rosy little mouth. There is nothing that beats the feeling when she curls that little hand around your finger, and you kiss her on the top of her head.

In my book “Stamp Out Murder”, James and Carolyn walk through a wooded area, to get to the Cheat River behind McKeel’s Bed and Breakfast. They touched trees, were careful not to slide down the hill, and took photos standing beside big trees. Carolyn taught James to skip a rock across the water, and they splashed and played in the shallow river like small children. A story poem by me. 

What teeny. tiny, small, or little something has touched your life? What unexpected noun gave pleasure to you?

Stamp Out Murder”.

“The Secret in Grandma’s Trunk” This is an especially good book for your Tween Children and Grandchildren.

And please join me on my Facebook Fanpage, that’s managed by one of my most faithful fans: Cindy Ferrell

Painting by Cher’ley Grogg

Don’t lean, clean!

This post is by Erin Thorne. I, like many teenagers, first entered the workforce via the avenue of the fast food industry. It was a hectic environment in which employees hustled to take food orders and speedily deliver bags and trays of greasy goodness to hungry customers. We were especially busy during the breakfast, lunch, and dinner rushes. Once the hubbub had died down, there was an overall tendency to mill around and goof off.

One manager in particular had a personal vendetta against this kind of behavior. In her mind, it reflected poorly upon the establishment, and upon herself as a taskmaster. It simply wouldn’t do for us to lack a productive occupation. She had a mantra which she encouraged us all to repeat: “Don’t lean, clean.”

At first, it irritated us to no end. We couldn’t take so much as a five minute breather; sure enough, this woman would swoop in and attack our indolence with her motto. I didn’t see the wisdom and practical application of this saying until many years later, when I applied it in a broader sense to my writing career.

Of course, I didn’t take the maxim literally; I abhor housework as much as anyone. I seized the spirit of it, the admonition to take advantage of one’s downtime instead of using it to lounge about. This comes in handy when I’m not sure how to move my protagonist from point A to point B in my work, when I’m stuck between plot highlights, or when I only have a small amount of time at my disposal.

I have a day planner with all of my tasks, large and small, penciled into their appropriate boxes. In the event that I have a few (or several) idle minutes, I take a peek at my datebook and check it for upcoming obligations. Often, I’ll find something in there which grabs my attention – a batch of press releases that must be sent to promote a future appearance, or perhaps someone whom I need to contact. On those occasions when writer’s block rears its ugly head, it’s helpful to do other things that are just as essential as the creation of new works.

In this way, I’m able to alleviate the feeling that I’m not achieving anything that day, in spite of the absence of inspiration. Frustration and unproductiveness are banished; impending duties are fulfilled prior to their assigned deadlines, and when I’m finally ready to sit down and write again, I can do so with the knowledge that I’ve used the interlude for my own benefit.

What Are You Doing in My Dream? by Neva Bodin

This Post By Neva Bodin

Remember that dream? Unless written down on a pad by the bed as soon as you awakened, it probably faded back into that scary place in your subconscious where it originated. But sometimes, parts or all of a particular dream will take up space in your conscious thoughts and torture you with questions like, “Now, why in the world would I dream a thing like that?”

Many years ago I took a video course in dream interpretation. I learned some of the symbolism displayed in dreams. Since all dreams are unique for the most part to the individual, multiple factors are involved in interpretation. Dreaming of being under water may symbolize feeling overwhelmed, drowning under some circumstance or responsibility, or it may indicate new life, renewal, cleansing. Looking at events and how you feel about them at the time of the dream will help clue you on the meaning.

Naked in your dream? Feeling exposed or vulnerable about something happening in your life lately?

Of course, some dreams seem impossible to interpret and do not make a sensible story. Maybe a certain person you haven’t thought about for a long time suddenly has a major part in your dream. Maybe it’s a strange animal, one you are afraid of.

A suggestion in the course to enhance understanding this type of dream was to interview a character or characters in the dream, even if the character is an animal! Sound preposterous? Try it; it does work. Close your eyes, picture the character, and begin asking questions; wait for the answers. After all, from whose brain did this character arise? And whose brain must have the answers?

Sometimes characters who come into being in our writing, and who seem a good idea at the time or are planned as major players in the plot, suddenly quit growing, changing, or their motives aren’t believable or understandable. They seem stilted, cardboard cut-outs, and we don’t know how to flesh them out, make them become well-rounded, loveable or despicable enough for our reader, or ourselves. We don’t know them well enough.

At a writer’s conference, I was immediately taken back to my dream therapy course when the instructor told us to interview our characters! He gave us a few questions and we practiced. Several people shared how much they had learned about their protagonist or antagonist. Everyone agreed it gave them new information for developing the story line or character.

Questions you may ask your hero are: What is most important to you? Why is it important? What was your mother like? Your father? What do you fear? What do you desire? What would you do anything to avoid?

My male character told me his mother was tight-lipped, resentful, crabby, beaten-down, hated his dad and kowtowed to him. She showed her hurt by not talking or acting in a loving manner. I hadn’t focused on that part of his life before, and it helped develop motives and attitudes that got him into trouble later in the book. He feared being tied to a woman like that, and also behaving like his dad. This really helped set up the internal conflict when he fell in love.

As children, many of us talked to imaginary playmates, then answered for them as we played out a scene. We didn’t consider ourselves deranged. But just in case you haven’t explained it to someone in close proximity to you, finding a quiet, uninhabited corner for the interview might be advisable.

For a little more information on Dreams check out this article by B.R.  

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Old is New Again

This post is by Doris McCraw

I am filling in today and thought it might be fun to post a piece, edited of course, from the local paper, Gazette, dated July 19, 1873.  I have taken the liberty of adding comments and hope you all enjoy.

EASY DIRECTIONS TO YOUNG WRITERS OF MUSIC, POETS, ETC.

1. WRITE MUCH

All the old masters wrote much; otherwise they would never have obtained what you and I so much desire – immortality. (How may of us have heard this over and over?  It seems that history repeats itself over and over.) The article than uses as one of its examples reading a single paragraph of Mark Twain and then stopping. It then continues with: No, my dear young (or old)  friend, with the voluminous Beethoven, the prodigious Mozart…for your illustrious examples, write, write, WRITE!!!

2.THINK WELL OF YOUR OWN

Nothing can be more unnatural in a young author, poet, etc., than lack of self-appreciation.  …Your reputation at home and abroad, nine times out of ten, will be no “Freak of Fortune” bestowed by fairy hands, or thrown gratuitously at your feet by an indulgent public, but will begin and end with yourself.  ( I think this is one of the best pieces of information from the past.  We’re told to not toot our own horn, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t appreciate our work.)

3. LIVE AND DIE POOR

Here a great many fail. ‘Tis so hard to continually and effectually turn a deaf ear to the seductive wiles of earthly riches.   Remember Edgar Allan Poe, who, in spite of “marble bust” –his “velvet sofa” and “purple lining”–was poor as a raven. (This one took a bit to understand, but I think they are saying don’t write for the money, write what feeds your soul.)

4. GO WEST

Doubtless up0n this more than anything else, depends your future greatness. …Where would the Mayflower have landed, had she pointed otherwise than West?  ( I think they are saying go where others haven’t gone, follow your own star and see where it leads.)

The article ends with a long paragraph including this line…Remember the great undeveloped future.

I hope you enjoyed the trip to the past…the advice really hasn’t changed much, just the wording.

You can find my own pieces of writing at the following:

http://fivesevenfivepage.blogspot.com

http://angelarainesshorts.blogspot.com

http://renawomyn.blogspot.com

http://www.dorismccraw.net

Winter Blahs? Go Yoga

This Blog by Sherry Hartzler

I’m of the opinion that the majority of creative people have the same problem, whether it’s writing, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, or whatever. We procrastinate. Admittedly, I’m one of the biggest put-this-off-until-the-next-day gals. With the winter blahs and wanting to pull the covers over my head and hibernate until April, it’s easy to fall into the habit of waiting until tomorrow to start a new task.  Unfortunately, after a few days of free-range brain cell activity, I get irritated at myself for being, yes, I’ll say the word, LAZY.

Okay, so this morning I got up, and made myself do something FOR myself, first thing. I felt so good after my half hour of yoga that the next project of the day came much easier. I felt so much better about my work and myself. True, it does sound super simplistic, but believe me. Try it. Tomorrow morning when you wake up, do something for yourself, first!!! Whatever pleases you, do it!!

Note: sorry for no photos this morning. I had a rushed morning and apologize.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sherry+hartzler

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• by Cher’ley Grogg on Seasonal Affective Disorder 
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Love, Love, Love

 This Blog  by Cher’ley Grogg

Love is in the air. I know it’s not February yet, but in my world love is everywhere, especially with my oldest grandson who is getting married in February. It’s good to be around them and to remember stories of my own wedding and my children’s weddings.

I’m constantly asking for a little love for an article or a blog that I’ve written. That’s a different kind of love, but it comes from people who care about me. Even strangers become friends when we share things in common and sometimes that common thing is just a Facebook account or a Twitter account.

It feels good to be loved and it feels good to love, even if the love is a great like and respect. I know I’ll be looking for ways to express more love in the next couple of months.

Peppy Le Pew says, “ I am ze locksmith of love, no?” I always wanted to feel sorry for Peppy, but I just couldn’t. I always felt sorry for Penelope the little cat who accidentally got paint spilled on her, so she resembled a female skunk. Pepe Le Pew, was dilusional about  his French amorous charms. Thinking himself irresistible  constantly made creative attempts to poor feline, Here’s a blog about Pepe.

In “Stamp Out Murder” James, the main character, doesn’t realize he’s in love until he almost loses his love, Carolyn. This brings about a whole bunch of feelings that were knew to him. First he gets protective of her, He gets possessive of her and her attention. He wants to pamper her, He allows himself to get emotional around her and he tries to impress her with his strength and talents.Sometimes he doesn’t even know why he says or does the things he does, but that happens when you are in love.

Carolyn is going through her own set of emotions. She wants to know more about him, she wants to know everything about him from birth on. She wants to be respected for who she is, she wants him to know how smart she is. She wants to spend as much time as possible with him and she wants to feel protected and cared for. She keeps looking for signs that this is the real thing.

There are other people who have come into their lives and there will be more people coming into their lives in the next book, “Cancel Out Murder”. This is where their love will be tested.

When we survive the tests of time that’s when we have a lifetime of love.

Tell me something about the love in your life, human, animal or other.

Stamp Out Murder”.

“The Secret in Grandma’s Trunk” This is an especially good book for your Tween Children and Grandchildren.

And please join me on my Facebook Fanpage, that’s managed by one of my most faithful fans: Cindy Ferrell

A related link:

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Patience, Resolutions, One Size Fits All?

This was long thought to be the only portrait of William Shakespeare that had any claim to have been painted from life, until another possible life portrait, the Cobbe portrait, was revealed in 2009. The portrait is known as the ‘Chandos portrait’ after a previous owner, James Brydges, 1st Duke of Chandos. It was the first portrait to be acquired by the National Portrait Gallery in 1856. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This post is by Doris McCraw

“How poor are they that have not patience! What wound did ever heal but by degrees?” Shakespeare, Othello

As we begin the new year the standard practice is to make our resolutions.  We have big plans: loss weight, write that novel, submit so many queries. These are wonderful plans.  Some people make them goals, writing out a step by step process.  Others will look at the goal and start right then and there, almost becoming maniacal in their actions.

Others, like myself, don’t necessarily make resolutions as much as have intentions.  Perhaps we have an idea in mind and mull it over before committing to pursuing the final product. Before I write the haiku I have run the combination of syllables through my head most of the day.

As we proceed into 2013, perhaps we should be more kind to ourselves.  Have patience.  We have become a society of instantaneous response; fitting in; doing what others are doing. Folks nothing great was ever written or invented by following the crowd.  Yes, there are many ideas and tools to help achieve your desires, but no one  idea or tool fits everyone.  Have you ever looked at the ‘one size fits all’…it doesn’t. Even if you are writing a horror story, it is yours, not an Edgar Allan Poe or Dean Koontz.  Be your own storyteller. Tell the story that is in your heart.

As to the other resolutions we make, it is a good idea to make sure they are yours and not what others think they should be.

Make 2013 a great year for you, for when you take care of you then you have so much more to share with others, and that is the greatest gift you can give. Remember greatness takes time!

If you would like to read the Monday through Friday haiku that is continuing for 2013 here is the link:

http://fivesevenfivepage.blogspot.com

If you would like to read some of the short stories I have written, they are located at:

http://angelarainesshorts.blogspot.com

or visit my website at www.dorismccraw.net