An unexpected day off...

Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering.  Pooh's Little Instruction Book, inspired by A.A. Milne

Because of a scheduling change I got the day off from the restaurant...the whole day off. While I want to do nothing as Pooh suggests I know I will feel better if instead I work on getting caught up on business and personal boring financial stuff...my reward for doing that is a night out with friends. Margarita's await!

What would you do if you had an unexpected day off and if none of the usual obligations had to be met? What if money was no object and time travel was possible?

If I could be anywhere today on my unexpected day off I would be on the coast of Oregon, specifically Cannon Beach; walking the beach and planning on meeting friends and sharing a meal maybe clam chowder and steamer clams at the Wayfarer or a cheeseburger at Bill's. 

One reason I like writing is that even if I can't do these things my characters can...I can give them a perfect day off, feed them food I want to be eating or make their lives as boring or interesting as I want. In Leslea Newman's book Writing From the Heart, she suggests writing lists of things that give you pleasure. From the list choose one activity and write about it in such detail that the reader will feel how special this activity is. Today write about the perfect unexpected day off and include plenty of sensory details so that your reader will understand how this would be a perfectly wonderful way to spend the day off. Now get back to work!

Lovingly,

The Writing Nag

You might also like:

31 Reasons I Love October-Day 7

Improving the silence

Independent Thought

LinkWithin

Can You Be a More Productive Writer?

After reading The Productive Writer and writing the review I'm going to say "yes" you can be a more productive writer. January and February have flown by so in March I'm going to put into practice some helpful organizing and scheduling tips from the book. Time excuses are just that excuses, we can choose to continue saying if only I had more time or we can change our schedule to fit creative writing into our lives. I choose to get up an hour early to go to the gym three days a week because I feel better when I do that. I can choose to limit television time or playtime and commit to a writing schedule...I'll let you know how it goes as I work through the book. Now get back to work!

Lovingly,
The Writing Nag


  My review of Sage Cohen's The Productive Writer on writinghood.com.

You might also like:

This song makes me want to run away to Paris

Health Insurance Reform

31 Reasons I Love October-Day 2

LinkWithin

A new writing partner

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. Roger Caras

Since I last posted my husband and I adopted a puppy from a Colorado lab rescue. Not surprisingly he has monopolized my time for the past four days. Since he loves being with people I fashioned what I call his side car (a small chair with a dog pillow on it) so that he can nap while I'm on the computer. Until he gets older it will be harder for me to get quality writing time but I'm pretty sure he will be a good writing partner when his puppy energy winds down.

Lovingly,
The very tired Writing Nag

Doubts are traitors

Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.

William Shakespeare

I've had a difficult week, the severely cold weather caused pipes to break and flood our restaurant and we will most likely be closed for at least a week and a half. With no money coming in I've been dealing with a lot of fear which hasn't been good for my writing. And although my insurance company assures us "we're covered" we know that there will be a period of time we will need to financially cover the business and our pay checks. And so I try to listen to friends and family; we will get through it!

My thoughts this morning are on fear and doubt which most writers suffer from. And for many this doesn't go away even after they've been published many times.  

As writers we have the fear of success, the fear of failure, the fear of not being good enough, the fear of what family and friends and writing mentors will think of our words.

A friend suggested I journal my fear...what am I most afraid of? By journaling my fear I can leave it behind on the page. I can put aside the fear and work on something positive.  What are your doubts and fears as related to your writing process? What holds you back from making a true commitment to living a writing life? How can you overcome these fears? Now get back to work!


Lovingly,
The Writing Nag

Personalized Flash Drives for Photographers!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PhotoFlashDrive by Pexagon Technology. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you're a beginning photographer or a professional photographer that needs to get your name out there consider Pexagon Technology's "Made in the USA" custom and personalized USB flash drives and hard drives. Thousands of hi-res images can be placed on these flash drives for photographers with your studio name or personalized for your clients. There are many colors and product styles available and your logo can be engraved on the front with up to two lines of text on the back.

This would be a great giveaway product for wedding photographers, studio photographers or art photographers. At trade shows your photography and studio name can can lost unless you give your customers something to remember. Highlight your studio name and give your customers  photography flash drives that will help them recognize your outstanding creative photography and studio name.

Photographers receive an everyday 25% discount on flash drives for photographers, portable hard drives and other custom products. Photoflashdrive is dedicated to working with photographers. If you're just starting out consider what a high quality personalized product says to your potential customers. Professional packaging solutions are also available so visit Photoflashdrive if you're looking to grow your studio or professional photography business.

 

35 Writing Contests and Writing Markets

Read the Excuse Editor Monthly for New Writing Contests and Writing Markets

Free Vintage Valentine

Thanks to The Vintage Moth at PercyandBloom.com for this cute vintage Valentine!

Free Vintage Valentine to Print and Cut Out