Category: Wednesday
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Lalibela…
Lalibela is a tiny pocket of wonder in Ethiopia, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We visited these historic monastic churches when our daughter lived in Ethiopia. I can to this day call up the visceral feeling of navigating a very narrow passage to the smallest of the chapels, a mere room carved into the mountain.…
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Driving My Boat…
What floats my boat? I’m very happy to spend the bulk of my mornings writing, but every now and then life’s worries and duties interrupt. I was hit hard last week when a routine oil change turned into major car repairs. Perhaps because I nearly cried at the news, my service advisor felt sorry for…
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Hanging out in the Easy, Fun Zone…
What thrives in your easy, fun zone? Where does your bright beam of inspiration, motivation and enthusiasm naturally land? Back in my public speaking days, I would ask this question: What is the one thing you would do if NO thing, NO person, NO circumstance could hold you back? While we are stepping our toes…
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Knowing versus Feeling…
The Joy of Djembe Drumming Ensemble performed at a local festival last weekend. It was yet another performance stacked on top of many hours of rehearsals, years of learning and practicing together. We took the stage for a mere half hour and played the guts out of new and old rhythms. Was it worth lugging…
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M is for…
Last week we talked about the upward swing of Ns, even when they stand for NOs. What about a Maybe? In the publishing world, a very crowded pool is filled with debut authors who splash and scream, asking the lifeguard to notice them, see them, respect them, choose them to be pulled from the churning…
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N is for No…
It can be tough to stay golden when you’re told no in a thousand different ways. “It’s not the right fit,” “high volumes of submissions,” “We must pass on fine work.” Even personal rejections can sting: “This is not a reflection of your work.” “There was much to admire…” “Please submit again.” “Don’t give up.”…
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So You Wrote a Book…
Now what? Years ago, I boldly and cluelessly set out to write a novel. Despite frustrations and rejections along the marathon-like training, it was a good decision. The writing has gotten easier. The writing is better. Plodding through to an end is the easy part. I work to transform bulging computer files into the best…
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The WHYs Have It…
On Monday we recognized those who make our world a better place. Why do they do it? Maybe they wouldn’t answer with “It’s what I do!” A more likely answer might be to pay the bills, put food on the table, or it’s what I could find. I have a problem answering the question “What…
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Welcome to the Improv…
I am thankful for the smiling faces that fill my screen for morning writing times and evening class times. Unlike most people, I am not so over zoom. Virtual meeting spaces are where I hang with like-minded folks. Last week, a handful of us listened, wrote and shared words in a generative writing class. Below…
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Write One Line…
In my morning writing group, one writer encouraged another who was slogging through a dry patch by suggesting she just write one line. That’s all. One line. It loosens things, gets the gears going and sets more lines in motion. I don’t often get blocked when writing (too many words is more often the issue…
Patty Mayeux Blog 