Writing on Thursday

It's Not Always Easy
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Maybe it's not something I should admit to, this fact that I can pull entirely away from my writing.
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It's just that life happens so heavily at times, and how can I devote myself to fiction when reality is so big and in-my-face significant?
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It happened that way last year when my dad was diagnosed with stage IV bone cancer. When we were first reeling from the prognosis, and watching through his (short-lived) treatments, and then struggling through the two-month decline before he passed away. Two months, that was all we had him after the doctor told us that day, because he'd already had multiple sclerosis for twenty years, and his body didn't have a chance.

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photo found at hubpages

Writing did not come easy for me then.

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Sometimes we hear of those writers who are driven by problems and hurt and they throw themselves into their work, making it richer and deeper and better. I only wish I were that kind of writer.

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My writing has been suffering again of late, because more big life is happening. In the way life happens, I suppose.

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...I'll be telling you about it soon, in an upcoming Keep It Real Tuesday post...

Keep It Real Tuesday

Finding Outside

I've never been an outdoorsy girl. Because you can't control the air out there. There's the brightness and heat of the sun. And bugs. Bugs! Especially spiders. Ew. And there's never anything to do, I was always so sure.

I didn't suspect all my thoughts about it would change with this job I took recently.

Remember I mentioned it back in the spring? I couldn't say much then, but I'll say more now.

I'm an odor monitor for a local study. I won't get into the science of it, but basically our team gathers certain types of data, with our noses and various instruments, to be used as seen fit by whomever in the future.

And we sit. We sit a lot. In the sun, in the rain, in the wind, in the heat. In the outdoors. It is our job.

I've come to like it. A whole bunch. The warmth of the sun, the feel of the breezes. I like to stand strong, whatever the element. I like the smell of rain, the sounds of the birds. I've a favorite, even: The Eastern Meadowlark. Such a beautiful song. And my least favorite, a killdeer. I love how they protect their eggs, but they're loud and paranoid and naggy.
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And it turns out there's lots to do outside. The peace of it is so nice.

If I'm not visiting with my co-workers, I'm reading. Or writing. Or even just sitting, being. I love to sit and think. To contemplate my depths, who it is I am, and what it is I need in this life. What I have to offer.







It turns out that, in finding the outdoors, I've begun finding me. And it's proving to be a significant experience.

Change is Coming to SSW

Clearer focus, truer themes. Better content.

Keep It Real Tuesdays will be personal. What's going on in life? What are my struggles and experiences? What vulnerabilities (and strengths) can I show? And through what can we relate? Live this human condition with me.

Writing on Thursdays will be dedicated to the craft, and will include posts about projects and works-in-progress, author features, book reviews, successes and failures, and all that writerly jazz.

Inspire Me Sundays will have thought-stirring quotes, simple motivations, and inspiring sentiments. Let's consider who we are, what we're doing in this place, and where we want to go.

It all starts here tomorrow.