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Lessons from Renting
Over the years, I have lived in many a rented house. Though it is not always my preferred state of things, I have learned a few things:
- I don’t like hardwood floors. I thought I would. I think they look lovely . . . but I am not fastidious enough about cleaning them. And every. single. speck. of dust. shows. Yup, not for me.
- White carpet just doesn’t work for me.
- Carpet in the bathroom . . . not so much.
- I crave closets. Lots of them! Even better is a closet with hooks on the sides or built-in shelves.
- Closet in the shower, though? I’ll pass on that one (and yes, true experience).
- Central heating/AC is an absolute must.
- I love window nooks.
- But I don’t do nooks along stairways. Sure they’re cute, but with kids . . . I’m constantly getting visions of ER trips.
- Absolutely no indoor wood-paneling. Anywhere.
- I don’t like a circle set-up in the house because it will always become a speedway for kids with the hospital being the final stop more often than not.
I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m rambling on about my housing likes and dislikes. Here’s the thing. It kindof reminds me of critiquing . . .
When you critique someone else’s work, it’s easier to see the problems. And it’s easier to see what is well-done. It just is. You aren’t married to it like you are with your own work, and you can use a more discerning eye.
Personally, I can’t tell you how much I have learned about my own writing by critiquing others’ work. Both from the good and from the bad. Critiquing is not just helping someone else, it’s helping yourself.
Do you have critique partners? What have you learned from critiquing others’ work?
Speak up:
12 comments| TAGS:
critiques, rentingYou Can Do It!
Here’s what I’ve got for you today:
Yup. 13.1 miles.
If I can do that, trust me . . . you can do whatever it is you’ve been wanting to accomplish!
Speak up:
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half marathonHacky Sack Club Inductee: Melissa Sarno
I know I don’t usually post on Wednesdays, but after seeing Melissa’s deliciously fabulous video, I couldn’t resist. Melissa, of This Too . . ., not only hacky sacks, but she speaks Hindi while doing it!
Perhaps that doesn’t sound impressive to you native speakers of Hindi out there, but to us simple folk who are native English speakers, it is truly an accomplishment. And I feel it’s relevent to mention that the mere act of speaking while trying to kick a little bag full of bean is a talent in and of itself . . . I certainly didn’t attempt it on my video.
Congrats Melissa! Welcome to the Hacky Sack Club!
And if anyone else wants to join, click here for the deets.
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7 comments| TAGS:
Amy Sonnichsen, Hacky Sack Club, Hindi, Melissa SarnoHacky Sack Club Inductee: Leigh Moore
So yay! Amy and I couldn’t be more proud. Our Hacky Sack Club numbers are slowly growing.
Leigh over at That’s Write, one of my favorite bloggers, has posted her humiliation video, showing off her mad juggling skillz.
Cross my heart and hope to die, I DID NOT coerce her or blackmail her in any way. Seriously.
And the Wall of Shame Fame is finally up. Look up that to that brand-spankin-new tab between “Books” and “Contact Me.” I know you want to be on it! Rules for joining are here. Simple version? Post a vlog of any random skill of yours and e-mail us to let us know it’s up. Easy as pie.
So anyone else out there ready to join? We still have hacky sacks waiting for good homes!
P.S. Wanted to make a quick mention of a contest over at The Ron Empire Wants You. She’s piggy backing onto Ellen Oh’s Post titled “Why the Pretty White Girl YA Cover Book Trend Needs to End.” A worthy cause that I think deserves some attention.
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10 comments| TAGS:
Amy Sonnichsen, Hacky Sack Club, That's Write Blog, The Ron Empire Wants You, YA Book CoversQuick Inspiration
Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.
~ Henry Ford
How are your goals coming this year?
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Henry Ford, Inspirational Quote, writingThis vs. That: Oranges vs. Apples
They may say you can’t compare Apples and Oranges, but we, here on this blog, have proven them wrong. (I have no idea who “they” and “them” are, but whoever you are, you’re wrong!) Apples and Oranges can, indeed, be compared. And here’s our results:
Total votes: 22
Apples: 7 votes; 31%
Oranges: 10 votes; 45%
Neither: 1 vote; 5%
Refuse to take sides: 1 vote; 5%
Depends: 2 votes; 9%
Chocolate: 1 vote; 5%
Ah, but you guys bring me joy with your reasoning. Though I now fear that all my future polls will get at least one vote for chocolate . . . you know who you are! And I can hear a mini avalanche of apples and oranges dropping to the ground while the rest of you change your vote.
So enough asides. My vote went to Oranges. Why? Because as messy as the are, the thought of a sweet juicy orange bursting in my mouth just makes me happy.
Now on to the next debate:
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| Courtesy of DailyClipArt.net |
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21 comments| TAGS:
Apples, Chocolate, Oranges, This vs. ThatHacky Sack Club Inductee: Catherine Denton
Today, I introduce to you to the first ever Hacky Sack Club Inductee:
*throws confetti*
*releases a gaggle of balloons in the sky*
*toots a new years horn*
Hurray and welcome to the club!
All the rest of you, go check out her Hula-Hacky Movie Debut.
And happy day, Amy and I still have hacky sacks to send if you want to join the club. I know you’re thinking about it . . . I have ESPN (hee, hee). We can’t wait to see your video next (hacky sack optional)!
The Wall of Shame Fame will be up shortly. 🙂
Speak up:
12 comments| TAGS:
Amy Sonnichsen, Catherine Denton, Hacky Sack Club, Wall of FameGetting Vested – The Long Answer
A couple of weeks ago, I talked about Getting Vested in writing. Well, saavy reader Emily asked a question that I think deserves an answer:
Do you think being ‘vested in writing’ actually requires an output of ‘hard, cold cash’? Or do you think thinking and reading (and writing and writing) can be ever enough?
The short answer is “Yes.” Yes, I think being vested in writing requires an output of ‘hard, cold cash.’
The long answer is a little more convoluted, but it will bring us back to the short answer, so stay with me here. IMHO, there are two ways to invest yourself in writing:
- Spending Money
- Spending Time
I’ll start with #2. Any time you spend writing is investing yourself. This includes any form of writing. Blogs, journals, short stories, vignettes, longer works, whatever. Hopefully this is consistent writing, still, it all counts.
Time you spend educating yourself on the craft of writing is investing yourself. This includes attending conferences and workshops. It includes formal education. It includes reading blogs on writing, reading books on writing, and it includes reading books in the genre you write. Education is always an investment.
So here’s where we get to the meat of the thing. Look at that second list about educating yourself. Many of those things cost money. Conferences? Workshops? College-level classes? Money, money, and more $$$. Books on writing? Not so cheap. Books in your genre? Not SO expensive, but money, neverthe less.
Now I can hear you protesting.
“But I use the library.”
“I get books for free through blog contests.”
“I attend the FREE WriteOnCon Conference.”
I say, wonderful! Great resources. I love the library. I love WriteOnCon. I love blog contests!
But here’s the catch: Time = Money
I know, cliche-city, but it’s true. I work for myself and I know exactly how much my time is worth. I know exactly how much I am not earning when I choose to spend my time elsewhere. Spending time is a monetary investment.
Finally, I think there is a place where you must simply suck it up and pay the hard cold cash, because there is no substitution of time. As a serious writer, you should join a writing association. Whether that’s SCBWI, RWA, NWA, a local group or whatever, do it. Joining a group is a declaration to yourself that you’re serious. And bonus, it’s a declaration to others (i.e. agents and editors).
So yes, to be vested, I do think you need to shell out some cash.
What’s your opinion?
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18 comments| TAGS:
getting vested, NWA, RWA, SCBWI, WriteOnCon, writingBad Luck vs. Good Luck
Bad luck: Your iPod breaks.
Good luck: It breaks the month before the warranty expires.
Do you have a bad luck/good luck story to share?
Hope ya’ll have a happy weekend! I will be playing with my new iPod. 😉
Speak up:
16 comments| TAGS:
Apple, bad luck, good luck, iPodWinners!
My Nostalgia Contest has ended and random.org has chosen some winners. Hooray! *throws confetti*
You two are the proud new owners of a pack of Garbage Pail Kids! Send me your addresses and the Garbage Pail Kids will be on their way.
And Happy President’s Day to you all (even though I know many of you don’t celebrate it). If you want to read something President-ish, here’s a link to last year’s post. 🙂