“With every sentence you write, you have learned something. It has stretched your understanding. I know that. Even if I knew for certain that I would never have anything published again, [or] would never make another cent from it, I would keep on writing.” – Brenda Ueland, If You Want to Write
Would you?
NOTE: This was one of the books I read early in my writing journey, and found it inspiring. As of this writing the Kindle version is just 49¢.
Irwin Shaw
I once told a class I was teaching that writing is an intellectual contact sport, similar in some respects to football. The effort required can be exhausting…and you are hurt on almost every play; but that doesn’t deprive you from getting peculiar pleasures from the game. — Irwin Shaw
Discuss!
The legendary Mary Martin originated the part of Maria in Rogers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music.
One of the big hits from the show was a song about about raindrops on roses, bright copper kettles, schnitzel with noodles, and more of Maria’s “favorite things.”
A few of my favorite things: a scoop of vanilla on warm apple pie, any movie with Spencer Tracy, a grandchild’s smile, a check that was actually in the mail…
What are some of your favorite things?
And if you’d like to travel back to Broadway in December of 1959, and take a seat in the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, you can hear the song for yourself:
The nice weather has finally hit New England. Yay!
As soon as the sun’s warmth spawns new life, the grass greening, trees filling in with leaves, flowers blossoming, it triggers me to crave seafood, ice cream, and burgers on the grill.
What’s your favorite summertime food, beverage, or treat?
Bonus points if you include a recipe. 🙂
Do you judge a book by its cover?
Do you like fancy covers with sprayed edges? Leather bound covers? Or do you like simple covers?
Does your answer change if it’s nonfiction? If so, how?
Name a favorite book cover and why it speaks to you. Remember, we’re talking only the cover, not the story inside.
What was a time when a seemingly random event or conversation changed your life, or way of thinking, in a significant way?
“Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.” – Reggie Leach, retired Canadian hockey player.
Goals are important. Goals keep us on track and moving forward.