A Few More Words of Zen

The Chinese are a wise people. We're not talking the government control-freak Chinese people here, those folks have some mental issues, but simple words put into complex thought make wise the everyday Joes. Or, in this case the everyday Lings, Pings and Taos.

Look at the examples below and you’ll see what I mean:

Enough shovels of earth -- a mountain.
Enough pails of water -- a river.

I love this. And, I think it easily translates not only to everyday life, but to writing as well:

Enough letters -- a paragraph.
Enough paragraphs -- a manuscript.

Although some of the beauty of the original passage is lost in my pathetic translation, you get my drift.

Here's another:

Before Zen -- cut wood, carry water.
After Zen -- cut wood, carry water.

I take this to mean keep on keeping on with life's everyday tasks. So, how does this relate to writing you ask? I'm so happy you asked! Let's replace the word Zen with the word publication, and make some other slight modifications. Ready? Okay.

Before publication -- sit butt in chair and write.
After publication -- sit butt in chair and write.

You could also replace the word Zen with the words fame or fortune.

Ah yes, such a wise race the Chinese people. And man do they make good dumplings too.

Racing Time

It's an old familiar story: There's never enough time in a day, in a week, in a month. And when you're a writer, there's never enough Uninterupted time.

I'm racing against the calendar to get my Work in Progress done to enter in a contest that requires the whole book be complete. The problem? It's not. Complete I mean. Oh, it's all there. Mostly. It just needs revisions and the holes filled in. It's getting closer everyday. But life keeps getting in the way.

Missing Mom

I lost my mom in August.

Our relationship was good, solid. We had a conversation about funeral services, cremation, and her wishes before we even knew she had cancer, as though a higher power was preparing us. I said goodbye to her, told her what a good Mom she'd been and how much I loved her. Sat by her side as she took her last breath. And I'm okay with her passing. I know she's in a better place with no pain. She lived a nurturing life. Loved her family. Left us all quilts and paintings she crafted with her own hands.

I feel at peace, knowing she's at peace.

But I still miss her.

Last night my DD had a dream about my mom. She dreamed my mom was sick and they both knew it so she said her goodbyes.

When she told me about the dream, I cried.

I'm glad they got to say goodbye.

I love you, Mom. I miss you like crazy.

What is Love?

As a writer who adds at least a twist of romance in most everything I write, the subject of love is always of interest to me.

I liked this quote I found this week:

"A lady of 47 who has been married 27 years and has six children knows what love really is and once described it for me like this: 'Love is what you've been through with somebody."

----James Thurber, American humorist (1894-1961) ----------------

Isn't that the truth?

Writing and the Flu

My DH and I have both been incredibly sick with the flu virus going around. It's a doozie. Yuck. Trying to work through it, and having the DH home on top of it has been a real challenge. I did manage to write at least a page or two on my WIP most days -- which is probably all a bunch of crap and will wind up in the delete bin, but at least it was writing -- and I did get through one scene that was holding me up, so for that I feel grateful.

In the meantime I was commisioned by one of the newspapers I used to work for to write three features for an upcoming magazine insert. I did manage to pull off an interview and get one of them written Thursday, so that is a good feeling of accomplishment.

The feature assignments are fun. I just ask normal, everyday people what is the most amazing aspect of their lives, or the most amazing thing that's ever happened to them. I turn their answers into 300-word stories, include a bio-box of personal information such as family, birth date, occupation, hobbies etc... and take some photos. One main photo and a secondary. Since I'm a freelance photographer as well as a writer, this is no problem.

Anyway, flu is finally ebbing. DH is back to work after 13 days off...and life is starting to feel normal again.

May you all stay healthy, happy and writing!

Some Very Good Writing Advice

The other morning I was talking to an old friend. I told her about a recent rejection I'd received on my book.

"Now what?" she asked.

"Now I'll send it out again," I said. "Never give up."

"You should just write exactly what you want to write, exactly the way you want to write it," she said. "I like reading inspired authors."

How's that for a wise chunk of advice from a friend and reader?

I think I'll take her advice at face value.