BarbsWriteTree

Name:
Location: San Marcos, California, United States

Southern gal living in California. Have been writing since the age of ten and am addicted to the written word. Have stacks of books-to-be-read in almost every room. I teach writing on a volunteer basis and in a paid position. I once worked with foreign customers for an aerospace company; interesting job that gave me great insight into other cultures. Family scattered all over the US so have excuses to travel.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

WHEN LIFE INTERFERS

We are our own worse enemies when it comes to selecting the priorities of our lives. My first love is writing--and reading. Do I devote a great deal of my life to these? No. At least, not at the present time. I have left life ovetake that love.

I would like to blame this on my parents who instilled in me a work ethic that has spilled over into my volunteering responsibilities. I was taught that you give the job you have one hundred percent. Therefore, I can't say no to extra projects and find myself spending more and more time on them than on my writing. I am feeling overwhelmed again and know this is not good for me healthwise. But I have an out in March--gosh, that is still three plus months away, isn't it?--so I attempt to plug on.

And then I run up against nasty events I don't want to be a part of and it dwells so much on my mind, I can't concentrate on my writing. And I miss those days on the computer, the walks with my notebook or laptop to the pond where I test new ideas, and I am getting grumpy over the whole thing.

This is a short lecture from me to you writers--don't get involved in outside things. Write, be with your family, write, enjoy that hobby, write, take a walk with your loved one, and NEVER VOLUNTEER FOR ANYTHING.

Hubby Ray said he learned that lesson in World War II--I was too young to learn it then, and haven't managed to follow his lead--yet.

Monday, November 09, 2009

WRITING FOREVER

I have been having my writing groups do in-class writings on the first class of the month since we began the new semester. One of the assignments was to write about your writing--why you write, when you started, etc. Here is my 10-minute piece:

I might have been born a writer. I know I was born talking and making up stories. But my first story to share was written at age ten--up a mulberry tree, hiding from the call to chores.

I progressed to poetry instead of birthday cards. Then followed essays and more short stories. It seems I had to be writing, no matter what was happening around me. I still feel that way; want to share my thoughts, imagination, love for words, whether I get published or paid or not. Maybe that is why I am in front of you on Wednesday--because I want to share what I read, learn, and/or write.

When married the first time, I learned to hide my writing. It was a source of trouble in a failing marriage; the time, I was told, was better spent working, caring for my family, or running from him. Once my scribblings were found and destroyed, but I still wrote whenever possible--in secret.

No one can kill the desire to write. I've proven that. I think I would shrivel up and die a bitter, old woman without it. And I still love to share--even if I'm not good enough for a traditional publisher, I'll pay so others can read my work.

Recently, I received an email that I had won third prize in a national anthology contest. What an exhilarating feeling to know hundreds of others will read my work. But I got the same thrill when one of my student's first story was published, when another hit the big time in Highlights for Children, when another had a poem accepted and another was accepted by submitting a nostalgic piece. I feel that same surge of love for writing rise.

We all have to write if no one but God sees it.

Saturday, November 07, 2009

MY, HOW TIME FLIES

I look at this blog and can't believe how long it has been since I wrote here. I have no excuse except that life and writing responsibilities have eaten up the days and weeks. Ray's healing from surgery has taken more time, and medication, than we thought. I am so happy to announce the surgery was a success, he can see better without glasses than he could with them before (at least in his left eye; the other one needs new glasses and is driving him nuts!), and we are very impressed with the surgeon who performed (with God's direction) this miracle.

I did find time to send out a few contest entries and won a third place in one, had a poem accepted for an annual anthology out of San Diego, and have managed to complete another quilt story for the collection of inspirational stories I am slowly building.

Today I attended the NCAP Book Exposition at Oceanside Library. There were not only author speakers, but college instructors, translators, publishers, agents, and printing company reps. It was an outstanding day of learning and sharing and networking. I also sold five books which certainly helped my ego and boosted my conficence about this book.

I still have to work on a list to mail my letters to offering a lecture or workshop in exchange for the right to sell books. The letters are ready and dated so I must get busy. I also have Press Releases to get out. This publicity/promotion is a lot of work.

Never think word-of-mouth doesn't go a long way. My daughter lives in Florida and went into a Books-a-Million Bookstore to "see if your book was on the shelf", knowing it wouldn't be. She talked up the book so much, the store buyer ordered ten to put on the shelves. That's the way to go, gal.

Tomorrow is Sunday--a day I can leisurely read the Sunday morning paper. Then I have to put away the book signing "stuff" until the next one appears. I'm trying to keep us on a low-carb regime and have found preparation takes quite a lot of time; we blew it today because of my long commitment but tomorrow we will be back on track.
I need to find some time to do that promotion work--after I have a long walk.

Monday is free. Tuesday Ray does a presentation for Veteran's Day ceremony at the Escondido Sr. Center; then I must come home and back a birthday cake for Vici, my neighbor who will turn 92. Wednesday is Veteran's Day ceremony at the wall where Ray's name appears, then home for her birthday celebration at 3. Hope she likes strawberry cake.

I think the rest of the week is free, so maybe I will have time to really write something fun.

Labels: , , , ,