Why I write

I spent some time reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society last night and came across a passage that perfectly showcases why I want to devote my energy and time to writing.

The following passage is from one of the literary society members in letter which he said that he had not really touched a book since he was in school, but in the literary society discovered Shakespeare. He realized the power of words, especially a famous quote from Antony & Cleopatra.

“I wish I’d known those words on the day I watched those German troops land, plane-load after plane-load of them - and come off ships down in the harbor! All I could think of was damn them, damn them, over and over. If I could have thought the words, ‘the bright day is done and we are for the dark’, I’d have been consoled somehow and ready to go out and contend with circumstance - instead of my heart sinking to my shoes.”

Yes, I know, that Shakespeare guy was sort of a genius at storytelling and quite the wordsmith. But, I sill have hope that my words may find the right person, at the right time and give them hope.

Tags: the guernsey literary and potato peel pie society, Writing

Skirt! Magazine

Pretty picture on cover of Skirt's January Issue

Ladies,

If you haven’t already read Skirt! Magazine, I’d like to recommend that you pick it up, or visit their website to read their collections of essays.

Also, maybe you’d like to play around on their site. Maybe create a profile? Or, spend some time reading the Microskirts - which is just like Twittering. Want more to do on Skirt’s site, then you can read some blogs of local ladies.

Really, there’s a lot you can do on Skirt’s site, enough to distract you and keep you from writing your own damn essay and submitting it to Skirt like you’ve been talking about doing for over a year! So…check it out??

Tags: Writing

50 Words

I recently started a business/life coaching program. Each week I meet with my coach and in between sessions I have homework assignments. One of my homework assignments for last week involved writing a list of 50 words that describe Jarrett, plus writing a list of 50 words that Jarrett may have used to describe me.

I have had a difficult time writing about who Jarrett was and what he meant to me. My words never measure up to what I’m trying to convey, plus it is painful. But, this exercise excited me. I thought it was easy and simple enough, and could possible be a step in the right direction. So, here it is, my list of 50 words that describe Jarrett.

It was a fun exercise, and has inspired me to give 50-word lists to others and to make an effort to share affirmations with people I care about.

Tags: jarrett, Writing

Anne Lamott Interview

I have a few friends who are new fans of Anne Lamott….and I have a few that have loved her for years. I found this video of an interview she did last year at the 2007 Writer’s Symposium by the Sea.

Conversation with Anne Lamott

Tags: From another, Reading, Spirituality, Writing

Poetry Lovers?

I’m wondering how many poetry fans are out there. Especially, how many of you would be interested in a Wine & Poetry Night? Are we comfortable enough with each other to read our favorite poems with each other…..or, if not, are we comfortable enough to get together and drink all the wine necessary for us to share our favorite poems with each other? I’d like to think this could be an experience that leaves us inspired and refreshed….not weirded out. What do you think?

Tags: Friends, Reading, Writing

Goals for this week

1.  Do morning pages each day.

2.  Drink 100 oz. of water each day.

3.  Walk/Bike for 30 minutes each day.

4.  Water my newly improved garden every day.

Tags: Gardening, Healthy Living, Life, Townie21, Writing

5 Tips for a balanced creative life

I came upon this post on Maternal Spark today and thought her words on the creative life were so right on, that as a friend, I had to share them with you (in my own words).

1. Write it down!

This is also a lesson I have learned from my MIL, who always has a notebook or index cards in her purse. She is always ready to record what has inspired her. Also, for those of us addicted to our cellphones - I often save notes on my phone.

2. Let it go.

There are always other things that you “should” be doing when you sit down to actually get started on that creative project you’ve been dreaming about. I never realize how dirty my house is until I sit down at my computer with an essay/blog post in mind. Each day we are faced with choices, what we decide shapes our day and ultimately who we are. I want to make decisions that shape my creative spirit, more than I need to have a clean house.

3. Take time out.

For yourself. It can be a nap, a drive, a walk….or an Artist’s date.

4. Avoid brain suckers.

TV. TMZ. It is an unfair trade to us. In return for mind-numbing junk that clutters and confuses our creative spirit, we trade our value time.

5. Get organized/prepared.

My favorite creative times are when I’m able to prepare some - clean off my space, get a cup of water & some tea, fire up the laptop and kick Dan out of the house.

Tags: Art Heals, Crafty, From another, Spirituality, Writing

Anne Lamott…TONIGHT!!!

For months I have been waiting for this day to come!  Tonight I get to hear one of my favorite story tellers, Anne Lamott, share stories of her life and some wisdom about the writing life.

If you are interested in going, call University of Richmond’s box office to see if space is available for this free and fabulous event.

Tags: Celebrities, Reading, Writing

Found Poems, in my mailbox

Yesterday I received a small, unexpected package in the mail.  I was confused to see the return address was for Annie Dillard.  The only Annie Dillard I know is “Annie Dillard the author of Pilgrim at Tinker Creek and other fabulous things”.  And, by know I mean I know of her.  I have been reading her writings since I was 14 or 15 years old. I can easily remember the first essay I read by Annie Dillard – it was a sunny afternoon at MACC practice with my friends and Mrs. Wood, one of the most influential teachers I have ever had.  I still feel excitement as I think about the incredible details and descriptions we poured ourselves over that afternoon.  Flooded with those memories, I quickly opened the package to find Mornings Like This, Found Poems, by Annie Dillard, a book that has been sitting on my Amazon Wish List.  Inside, I found a short note saying, “For Alicia Farrell, From Annie Dillard”.  I have no idea why or how Annie Dillard sent me this book, but I am grateful for the gift.  I am grateful for the memories it has brought to the front of my mind, memories that inspire me to be creative and give myself to the writing life.

Tags: Art Heals, Celebrities, Reading, Writing

A friendly reminder

Just wanting to remind all Anne Lamott fans that she is coming to Richmond this spring!

Tags: Art Heals, Celebrities, Reading, Spirituality, Writing

Inspiring the Creative Spirit

Crafting holiday gifts has got me thinking about creativity. Nothing has seemed to bring “healing” into my life like trying to connect with my creative spirit. Though I’m just making simple jewelry and knit gifts, each completed project brings a little bit of peace into my life. But, even though it brings so much goodness into my day, there are times when I need some inspiration to get started with a project, or to have the courage to do something different. I know a lot of you also enjoy being creative - with crafts, writing, blogs, relationships, baking, work, home decorating and much more. What are some sources of inspiration for you? Songs? Poems? Movies? Books? People?

Tags: Art Heals, Crafty, Spirituality, Writing

Goals

Earlier in the year I set two goals for myself:

1) Earn some money from writing.

2) Sell jewelry that I’ve made.

By working at Hall + Partners I’ve been able to accomplish #1.  I hope to accomplish #2 by the end of the week. There were several times this year when I thought both of these were meaningless, but I am thinking differently now.  Creativity heals.  I’m finding that there is even greater healing in using my creativity in a purposeful way and then giving it away.

Tags: Crafty, Life, Writing

Oh…What to do?!??

It’s National Novel Writing Month.  I signed up last year, but failed.  Dare I try again?  I need to decide soon!

Tags: Writing

Anne Lamott

One of my all-time favorite authors is Anne Lamott. She is one of the best story-tellers I have come across. Her stories speak the truth, beauty and pain of being a human trying to live with other humans while seeking a connection with God/Goddess. Her strength to be honest often leaves me daydreaming of the true, authentic life. I remember the evening when I devoured her book on writing, Bird by Bird, and felt the connection between her words and my creative spirit. They were warm, comforting and encouraging words that we expect to hear from our mothers. Yet, they were also the words that taught me “shitty first drafts”.

With that being said, you can understand my excitement in learning that Anne Lamott is coming to Richmond! She will be giving a lecture in early March. I know that is several months away, but you need to understand, this is ANNE LAMOTT!!!!!!! I will barely be able to sleep from now till March 5th.

Here are some details I received in an email:

Save the date!

The Sylvester Lecture: Faith, Writing, and Life Connections; An Evening
with Anne Lamott

Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 7:00 pm

The Office of the Chaplaincy at the University of Richmond will host
Anne Lamott Wednesday March 5. The event is FREE and open to the
public. Tickets will be made available through the Modlin Center Box
Office BEGINNING FEB. 11, 2008. If you need more information about the
event itself before Feb. 11, please contact Josh Dickerson in The Office
of the Chaplaincy at (804) 289-8500.

Anne Lamott is the author of six novels including, Hard Laughter,
Rosie, Joe Jones, All New People, and Crooked Little Heart (the sequel
to Rosie), as well as four bestselling books of nonfiction, Operating
Instructions, an account of life as a single mother during her son’s
first year and Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, a
guide to writing and the challenges of a writer’s life, Traveling
Mercies, a collection of autobiographical essays on faith, and Plan B:
Further Thoughts on Faith. She has been honored with a Guggenheim
Fellowship, and has taught at UC Davis, as well as at writing
conferences across the country. Lamott’s biweekly Salon Magazine
online diary; Word by Word, was voted The Best of the Web by TIME
magazine. Filmmaker Freida Mock (who won an Academy Award for her
documentary on Maya Lin) has made a documentary on Lamott, entitled
Bird by Bird with Annie (1999). Anne Lamott’s next essay collection is
entitled Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith (March 2007).

Tags: Life, Reading, Spirituality, Writing

A Creative Hostess

While at BlogHer I spotted “The Blogging Church” and mentioned it to Pastor Brent of the Well. Pastor Brent read the book in only a few days and then lent it to me. I’m only through the first couple of chapters, but I came across a couple of quotes that speak to heart of why I enjoy blogging.

“Blogging is about connecting communities through conversation.”

“Blogging is simply online hospitality - opening your door, inviting people inside, and sharing stories.”

For several months I’ve been struggling with my personal blog because I feel like I’ve lost the voice that was evolving here, but I’ve been excited to see a stronger community/connection develop.  BlogHer inspired me to search again for that voice and become a creative hostess.   I’m thrashing out ideas on how to make that happen as I realize how easily technology & social networking are mixing with my other interests.

Tags: Blog, Reading, Technology, Writing