The Wish List

Have you ever made a wish list? As a kid, mine included toys. As an adult, it includes a new Jeep Grand Cherokee. :)

How about a wish list of a different sort, the kind that includes goals and dreams? Ever made one of those?

When I worked as a consultant for a New Jersey homeschool network, we had a program that included curriculum counseling for parents/students.

The high school program's customized educational plan included encouraging teens to make up a wish list. We'd ask them a series of questions, including the following:

• Who inspires you? Why?
• What careers interest you?
• What causes are important to you? 
• Where would you like to travel? To live?
• What types of books do you like to read?
• What activities and hobbies do you enjoy?
• What period of history interests you most? Why?
• Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?
• If money were no object, what activities or goals would you choose?

We found that wish lists often contained cues or patterns - items or areas that students might pursue via study, hobby, recreation, volunteering, etc. This in turn, could offer clues for careers, goals, and dreams. We encouraged students to add to and reassess their lists throughout their high school years and beyond.

This wish list idea crossed my mind the other day, and I thought about it in relation to writers. What might we learn if we asked ourselves similar questions and made a wish list? Could it help focus a dream? Spur us to reach for a lofty goal? Clear mental clutter and confusion? Light a fire in a discouraged heart?

I wonder if a wish list should be a requirement for writers to help us dream big - to encourage us, reveal strengths, interests, and potential writing opportunities. What do you think?

While working on this post, I found this quote by Les Brown. Thought it rather fitting.

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.

Swinging among the stars doesn't sound too bad, does it?

What could a wish list do for your writing? I encourage you to give it a try. There's nothing to lose but a bit of time, and who knows, you may just find that niche, goal, or dream you've been looking for. You won't know until you try.

Where do your writing dreams take you? What does your wish list include?

Happy writing,

Karen 


Photo credit: Stock Exchange

Content copyright Karen Lange, 2013. No text may be used without prior permission.

Classic Style

How do you define a classic book? 

• Would you say that it must posess timeless qualities and appeal?
• That it addresses common problems or questions? 
• Or illustrates the human condition in universal ways? 
• Does it have a story that draws readers young and old, from past, present and future? 

Dictionary.com defines classic as of the first or highest quality, class, or rank, serving as a standard, model, or guide.

We'd probably agree that classics are so defined. That said though, I think the selection is subjective. What one likes another may not. I've read a few I wanted to pitch, and others I'd consider as new additions. How about you?

Makes one wonder what Mark Twain was thinking when he said,   

"'Classic'. A book which people praise and don't read."

Did he have specifics in mind? Would his opinion on the classics of his era be the same today?

A student recently asked me to recommend titles that illustrate good, classic language and style. The question comes from someone looking to improve fiction writing skills, and whose first language is not English. An admirable goal, as there are enough challenges writing in one's native language. What would you recommend?


In Other News

Congratulations to Heather Sunseri on the release of her YA book, Mindspeak! Wish you all the best, Heather! For more info, check it out on Amazon.

On February 18, L. Diane Wolfe joins us to talk about her new book, How to Publish and Promote Your Book Now! I'll be sharing my review of the book too.

I'm working on a few goodies to celebrate my fourth blogoversary in March. I'm thinking we need at least one giveaway. With chocolate of course. :)


So what do you think, do you agree with Mark Twain? Which books fall into your "classic" category? Are there any that you think are overrated?

Happy writing,
Karen

It's in the Details

There you are. 

Writing. 

The words flow.

It's a happy day!

After while, you pause. 

And lean closer to the computer screen. 

  
You squint, and think, 

Should I use that or which in this instance? 
 

Who put that twist in the plot?

Should I place a comma there?

Is that active voice? Or passive? 

What IS passive voice, anyway?

Wait, no. That wasn't in the outline. 

And then...

 

It hits you.

You feel like you're tangled in a ball of twine.  

Does this ever happen to you? What do you do? 

Depending on the extent of untangling needed, I pray, consult resources, take a break, or ask another writer for input. Or all of the above. 

After all, writers need to be expert un-tanglers, don't we?

As challenging as this aspect of writing is, I believe it's important.

Why? 

Because it provides the opportunity to persevere. And this is key to reaching the finish line. 

It also stretches thinking skills, and teaches us new things.

The details, whether grammar, content, or otherwise - when properly attended to, help our writing shine.

So if you're feeling tangled over details today, take heart. It's all meant to take us to a better writing place.

Do details get you down? What helps you work out the tangles? 

Happy writing,

Karen

Photo credit:  Stock Exchange