A Writer's Advice
There's a meme going around disguised as an award, and it's called "The Thinking Blogger Award." It's supposed to provide recognition to bloggers whose posts are thought-provoking, but since The Gazette has been nominated a couple times, the vetting process is obviously flawed. Nevertheless, if anyone deserves such an award, it's Deb Thompson over at Write Lightning, for a body of work that's uniformly high in quality, but especially for this post in which she bestows some valuable advice for anyone who would be known as a writer.
Her reminders hit close to home, as I can read the list of important things I should or should not be doing, and my mental checklist informs me that I've been failing on every count. I'm not reading, I'm not staying engaged in friends' lives, I'm not allowing myself to stray from a to-do list in order to interact with a non-orderly world, I'm not trying to figure out what God made me to be...much less being that person.
And it shows on these "pages." Surely you've noticed (and, thankfully, been too kind to point it out), but whether you have or not, I have.
I'm not sure what to do about it, but I thank Deb for articulating so well what I've been feeling, and for providing some clarity. It's hard to find answers until you know the problems.
Rach, you may have been kidding, but that's actually the sort of thing I was referring to, neglecting my online friends, not making time to visit their sites, and so on. I apologize for that.
Posted by: Eric at April 3, 2007 08:37 PMA lot of good advice in that short post. Thanks for pointing the way. I need to visit her more often. And you. ;-)
Posted by: Gwynne at April 3, 2007 09:48 PMDeb is a blogger's blogger -- disciplined, talented, intelligent, evenhanded, observant. Now, if she'd only turn on those comments so we don't have to talk about her behind her back. ;-)
I don't see how you have time to visit anybody this time of the year! I'm flattered that you've made time to drop by here, given your schedule during tax season.
Posted by: Eric at April 3, 2007 10:15 PMI don't see how you have time
It's a relief valve, truly! And proof that we always "have" time to do the things that we want to do. My problem lately is making time for exercise. And it shows. :-(
Posted by: Gwynne at April 3, 2007 10:57 PMEric, you seem provoked by the thought that you are thought to be thought-provoking. :-)
Posted by: Jeff at April 4, 2007 01:00 PMPerish the thought!
Posted by: Eric at April 4, 2007 01:05 PMEric, you are a writer at heart. No one who comes by here regularly doubts that for a moment. If we don't struggle with the balancing act once in awhile, we aren't being true to the craft. Thanks for your kind words. By the way, I'd love to add comments, but my technical-minded spouse has discouraged me from it because of the blog spam issues. Any wisdom on how to avoid that? Anyone? Hewp, as Tweety Bird would say!
Posted by: Deb Thompson at April 11, 2007 09:33 AMDeb, I'll respond to your question about blog spam via email. Please don't trash my reply as spam. ;-)
Posted by: Eric at April 11, 2007 06:36 PMAbout the publisher
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Start with my blog, leave a few comments hehe (Just kidding).
On a more serious note, as you say, once you know the problem you can figure out the answers. I always find that a good Prayer and brainstorm session helps. It may not yield all the answers but it points me off in the right direction and gives me a starting place.
Posted by: Rach at April 3, 2007 08:30 PM