unplugged . . . again :)

As my header description says, I have 'unplugged' from 

several things over the last year or so . . . . 

and I did it again last week!  Getting away from the computer, 

all the tech devices and out of our apartment is 

good for the soul, provides rest, needed solitude

and creates inspiration.  

The rest, for me, helps with authenticity.  

Our lives are so 'data full', we do not have time to

sort out our thoughts finding who we are  . . .

actually.  

Being authentic is a process of being who we are 

and who we were made to be, not 

who someone else thinks that we are.  

If we don't have quiet times to contemplate, 

we may not be able to sort out 

encroaching thoughts from 

the bona fide 'you' thoughts. 

I encourage everyone 

to get outside, seek solitude 

at least occasionally! 

Quote:

"Real silence, real stillness . . . comes only as the sober consequence of spiritual stillness."  Bonhoeffer from Life Together


Linking today with:
Reconnect with Nature 

Writing Schedule

Although I am between projects---well, actually finishing up the details of one book and starting research for another---you might think that I do not write in this in-between time.  Not so!  I look upon my writing as my job.  I write everyday, whether it is a blog post, a section of a family legacy book that I am working on, or on my current book project.

I have always heard that writers should write everyday.  Recently I read in a magazine about a daily writing schedule, so thought I would write down my own schedule.

  9:00 am   Wake up, breakfast, read emails and news
10:00 am   Write
   Noon      Fix and eat lunch
  1:00 pm   Chores and errands if any or Write/read blogs/do research/go for a walk
  4:00 pm   Begin dinner prep
  5:00 pm   Dinner
  6:00 pm   TV news and relaxation
  7:00 pm   Write/read books/ TV or movies
10:00 pm    Bed time prep and read in bed
11:30 pm    lights out!

Note:  Notice how many times "write" or "read" is listed in my schedule!

Whether I rise at a different time, or go to sleep much later than 11:30  (because I am reading a great book!) my basic schedule stays the same.  It is my job to write and it must command much of my day!

Writing Exercise

One's writing craft should be exercised much the same as one's body -- Both are health giving exercises.

If there is nothing else to write,  I write 'little stones'.  What are 'little stones'?

Little Stones keep my writing skills succinct and honed.  Writing them challenge me to not have extra words getting one thought down in just a few words.  Not really a poem nor prose, just a micro thought on one point or thing.

Here is one that I have previously written, which, by-the-way, is indicative of the tone of my new book.

          Living in crowded conditions brings a need for 

          order and restrictions--on you and me. 

          Rather than forfeit independence, 

          I'd druther have space.

Note:  You can read further about it here.  Small stones were originally published in my other blog.  (There is a tab at the top of the home page marked: Small Stones.)

  

Prologue Quotes

When one is putting together a book, all types of formats are considered. I had to formulate a design and devise my plan, especially if I end up self-publishing.  What size will be finished book be?  How does this affect the total pages?  How long should the chapters be? Will there be quotes to head up each chapter, as some books are presented.  Will there be simply chapter breaks or internal breaks from scene to scene or character to character?  Or will the book flow as one long chronological story?  What about a prologue and an epilogue?  How will these decisions effect the outcome of the finished work?  How will they enhance the readers experience?

One tiny decision in my book was to add two quotes to the preceding page of the prologue.  (When the physical book is open, it would be on the left with the prologue beginning on the right hand side). I have called this page the 'prologue facing page'.  I don't know if that is the technical name or not, but it is how I distinguish it!  Here are two quotes from that page of my novel:

Don't be afraid your life will end;

be afraid it will never begin. 

--Grace Hansen

If anyone builds on this foundation

using gold, silver, costly stones, 

wood, hay or straw, 

their work will be shown for what it is . . .

it will be brought to light 

---I Cor. 3:12-13  NIV

This 'prologue facing page' will be mostly white space with just these two quotes.

Thought you might need a teaser!  :)

road trip . . .

 . . . taking a road trip with my daughter to Cali!

               Going to visit my mom and aunt . . .

                                                                                  . . . be back soon!