Sanding the roughness

Posted by random olio

I am in the middle of reading: “A Writer’s Coach” by Jack Hart. I love that he is from Portland and at the time of the printing was a managing editor and writer coach for The Oregonian.

On page 39, there is a paragraph on writing that resonates with me: “A writer who attended one of my workshops passed along this beautiful metaphor:”

Years ago I used to futz with every sentence, but then an editor told me something that really made sense. He said that when a carpenter builds a piece of furniture he doesn’t first make one side, perfect that, and then construct another side and perfect that. He must build the entre frame and then go back and put the finishing touches on each section. Even when I am on deadline, I think of what I write first as an imperfect frame that will be improved later.

This inspired me and reminded me of when I took shop class in middle school. I think we had to do a cooking class, sewing, and shop class. I actually loved them all. I love to bake, I am not half bad behind a sewing machine (although I hated threading them in middle school, these days they practically thread themselves). However, shop class reminded me of my dad, and his warehouse/garage. My dad was a carpenter/contractor and he had lots of tools, and I often watched him build things. In shop class, we built wooden bowls, made out of scrap wood glued together. We started with a block of 5-10 kinds of wood and we used a lathe and dug out the shape and form of the inside and outside of the bowl. Once we were happy with the shape, then we started sanding.

Just as with wood, we have to sand out writing. Whether a book, business report, ad campaign, blog, etc, after the shape has formed we can go back and smooth out the edges and roughness. Not all imperfections should be removed. Imperfections can give character, depending on the flaw. I still have my bowl, and because we used scrap wood, not every piece was perfect. I still look at that bowl and love the little imperfections in the wood. I fell in love with wood that quarter, and I have fallen in love with writing.

bowl from middle school shop class

The Versatile Blogger Award

Posted by random olio

Thank you, Robin from The Writing Life of Robin, for nominating me for The Versatile Blogger Award. It is exciting to be nominated!

I have been blogging for just over 2 months, and will be posting my 50th blog later this week. I am grateful for all the individuals that have found me via the Internet, friends, Facebook, and for all the comments and feedback I have received on this new adventure for me.

The rules of accepting the nomination are as follows:

Thank the person who nominated me.
Include a link to his/her blog.
Nominate fifteen blogs I enjoy and follow.
Lastly, tell you seven things about myself.

My list of seven things about me:

I often make up my own words. Either from putting two words together to make my own word, or because my mind is going to fast, what comes out of my mouth has not caught up with my mind.
I love babies and kids, although babies just have me at hello, but we have yet to start a family. Sometime. Soon. I think.
Information is my drug of choice. I love researching and learning new things.
Salt before sugar. I am addicted to french fries, onion rings, and a good burger, but usually only eat them when we go out.
I run and read. I run on the treadmill and read at the same time, making training for an upcoming marathon hard, as my attention span is not the same.
I am addicted to my husband. If you have read past posts you will see that trend. He is my best friend and I cannot imagine my life without him.
I am not afraid to ask questions. I would rather know the truth, details, information than not, so beware if you run into me, I will ask you questions.

Here are the fifteen bloggers I am nominating for The Versatile Blogger award. You can go to their blogs by clicking on the name of the blog.

DesignSponge

Grace is Controlled Daring

Books and Bowel Movements

Side of the Road Sessions

Feel Good Tribe

The Happiness Project

Lead.Learn.Live

Withywindle

Kevin and Amanda

The Writing Life of Robin – Thank you, again, Robin!

YOU in four words

Posted by random olio

Can you describe yourself in four words? I recently stumbled over this blog post where Lori writes about describing yourself in four words. It really got me thinking! I think how one answers this question changes from time to time. How would you answer that question today? Does your answer show where your priorities stand? I do not always like defining myself and putting walls around things, but I do find it interesting to see if my answer would be different today than it is tomorrow. I have seen this image floating around Facebook lately. The idea is the first four words that pop out to you are to describe you.

me on a rooftop deck in Austin

Tami in four words on March 12, 2012: Wife, Woman, Blogger, Creative

A little wisdom from Anne Lamont: “We begin to find and become ourselves when we notice how we are already found, already truly, entirely, wildly, messily, marvelously who we were born to be.”

How would you describe yourself in four words?

Goodnight iPad

Posted by random olio

I am a fan of children’s books. Maybe it was all of the years I took care of children, babysitting, working at a day care, and as a camp counselor. One of my favorite books is: Goodnight Moon. It is simple, children memorize it quickly, and it introduces bedtime. Ah the perfect pre-bed book, right?

So when I came across the iPad version of Goodnight Moon, a huge smile came over my face. No, I do not mean that it is the original version of Goodnight Moon for the iPad, it is a new version called: Goodnight iPad. I am not at all for product placement, or getting kids hooked on specific products, but the reality of it is that kids are getting hooked on technology devices earlier and earlier. Many know how to work apps on their parents iPhones and iPads before their parents understand how to truly use them. At 5 and 6 they can go onto the Redbox app and reserve a movie, while their parents drive to pick it up.

Since kids are so savvy these days, it does make sense that there would be a book that for the most part encapsulates what is in their surroundings. Instead of: “Goodnight brush” and “Goodnight mush” they most likely have a closer affinity to saying: “Goodnight iPhone” and “Goodnight iPad.” Their technology exposure is sad to an extent, yet we are not setting such great examples for them. See past blog post about never going to the bathroom without your iPhone.

Goodnight Moon - in Israel

So check out: “Goodnight iPad” I think even those of you who do not have little ones at home will enjoy it.

Women are Kickass: International Women’s Day

Posted by random olio

I have been on a women kick lately. Heck, when am I not on a women kick? Today is International Women’s Day. I have been writing about a few women’s issues in the news that have bothered and angered me. Today, however, is about cherishing and embracing women. In honor of women all over the world, I ask you (both men and women): What woman has most inspired and empowered you?

Is there a woman that has taught you to speak up and confidently use your voice? Has she taught you to value yourself, care about others, give back to your community? Is she your mother, grandmother, lover, friend, teacher? How has she been your role model? Today I want to think about and cherish those that have helped me to play, be creative, frolic, get my hands dirty, while also encouraging me to be direct, strong, and principled and to live confidently and boldly.

Do something amazing today in honor of the bravery and equality of women. Be grateful for all the women that have come before us, risked their lives, and taken a stand for what they believe in.