The Glamorous Life of a Writer

Authors fascinate me. I enjoy listening to them on talk shows promoting their books. I like visiting their book-signing tables and I always read their detailed bios at the end of whatever book I've read.

Their photos interest me, too. They either are smiling like they're your very best friend or they're looking pensive, academic even. The backgrounds are lovely and they are dressed professionally or casually chic. John Grisham frequently is in jeans and a blazer standing in front of a bookcase of lawyer textbooks. Sue Monk Kidd is shown with a sweater tied jauntily around her shoulders. Many are photographed leaning their chins on clasped hands. Who sits like that?

Truth of the matter is, this is the reality of being a writer:

This is after a morning writing session of several hours. Ugh!

Airbrushed photo shoots are nice and heavy make-up does wonders. However, for most writers the real work gets done whenever inspiration or self-discipline demand--usually in ratty old clothes or a bathrobe and jammies. Most work from home where dress codes are non-existent.

Stephen King got his start writing in his laundry room. The late humorist, Erma Bombeck, also worked from her laundry room and kitchen table. I know an architect who does his best design work in the middle of boring business meetings. And we all know about song writers who've written musical lyrics on cocktail napkins. When inspiration hits, one must grab it or it quickly disappears. I'm convinced it visits someone else and they get credit for the good ideas.

When my husband and I stroll along the beach boardwalk on our San Diego vacations, I point out quaint little cottages just a stone's throw from the ocean. "I could write the great American novel there," I tell him. I feel the same when I see a tiny, secluded cabin in a wooded area. "If only I owned a Writer's Retreat. I could really write then."

Inspiration doesn't work that way. There's an old Dick Van Dyke episode where his wife, Laura (Mary Tyler Moore), sends him off to a cabin in the woods for a week to begin his novel. Cabin fever sets in early on and the antics he goes through are hilarious. He spends a lot of time counting how many hits he can do on the paddle and rubber ball he packed. At the end of the disastrous week, all he has to show is a one-line dedication to his lovely Laura. He promises her one day he will write a book to go with it.

What did that Van Dyke episode reveal? Creativity happens whenever. It doesn't rely on the perfect, quiet, inspirational setting. It frequently comes in the middle of the night or during a hot shower. A special Writer's Nest or Artist's studio would be wonderful but that's not what does it. God gives us creativity and we carry it wherever we go, regardless of the setting.

Now, back to those handsome photos of writers that I envy: I would love to see what John Grisham, Nicholas Sparks, Jan Karon, Liane Moriarty, or Sue Monk Kidd really look like when they write. The closest a writer came to being honest was Erma Bombeck on the cover of her book, When You Look Like Your Passport Photo, It's Time to Go Home. Look it up--you'll love it.

Come to think of it, Laura Hillenbrand, who authored Unbroken, suffered chronic fatigue syndrome during the writing of the book. Sarah Young of the highly successful devotional books, wrote Jesus Today while battling the effects of serious lime disease. The glamorous life of a writer. Right.

Connection

Think about electronic activities we all enjoy:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Texting
• Email
• Linkedin
• Pinterest
• Letters--the good old-fashioned kind with, yes, pen and paper!

What is the common denominator of all this? Social interaction. Connection. Consider this: you and I were created to be social. Any beginning psychology or sociology class begins with this premise and then builds on it. All of us, even those who are painfully shy, love interacting with one another.

What about you?

What is your favorite kind of communication? Is it one of the items listed above or is it face-to-face interaction? Are you a one-on-one person or a large group communicator? An interesting fact about the late Johnny Carson is that he was very shy in social settings, but performed easily in front of an audience of hundreds. Doesn't make sense.

The internet gives us instant dialog, which can be good or bad. Who of us hasn't sent that message and then in an instant wish we hadn't? In spite of the risks, communicating is a good thing in our lives. Through it all, we should remember God created us to enjoy one another.

God's Listening:

God also wants to hear from us. He desires dialog with us, the crown of his creation. Every day, all day--in good times and in stressful times. How blessed we are to have a Friend who will listen and even allow venting.

That Friend really cares and will restore peace to your troubled mind. He will also give direction through your inner conscience, your reading of the Bible, other wise people, and circumstances. He is to be trusted.

The Name of the game is CONNECTION--to God and to others.

Here's your chance to communicate with me. Click on "Comments" below and tell me which of the social media options you use most. How has it enhanced your connection to friends and family?



Announcement!

Speaking of Bucket Lists (last two blog posts), let me share some news:

This week I am happy to announce the arrival of my first novel, Route to Survival. Publishing a novel has been on my personal Bucket List for many, many years--long before I started my 20-year teaching career. There was no time for my own writing when I was teaching high school English. Retirement offers opportunity for me to fulfill a dream that was put on the back burner long ago.

Route to Survival tells the story of Kate Mitchell, a woman who must find strength when all her support systems disappear--namely, her husband of 30 years and her upper middle-class lifestyle. Through Kate, the reader learns survival is possible by relying on God and making courageous choices. I hope the story appeals to both men and women.

The novel is published by WestBow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson-Zondervan, and is available in three formats:

• Soft Cover
• Hard Cover
• E-Book

For more information, go to my website at www.sueraatjes.weebly.com or to www.westbowpress.com


Thank you for letting me share some personal news. It's been a lot of work and quite a roller coaster ride to get this accomplished. I am now at the top of the ride and I'm enjoying the altitude.

I am a blessed woman.

Bucket List #2

I mentioned a John Keats' poem in the previous post. Why? He's a famous British poet we all were forced to read in high school Senior English Class. Why dredge him up here?

The assignment of creating a Bucket List (scroll down to previous post) was inspired by a short poem by a gifted poet who lived a very short life.

John Keats cared for both his mother and his brother as they battled tuberculosis. Sadly, he watched them die from this dreadful disease. He suspected he, too, would eventually succumb to it. In time, he displayed the symptoms. He traveled to Italy to bake his lungs in the sun, hoping to beat the illness that took so many lives in that era. Sadly, he died there at the age of 26. Such a tragedy.

He had fallen in love with the girl next door, Fanny Brawne. In fact, they were engaged and he corresponded with her frequently up until he knew death was imminent. A tragic love story for sure.

His poem, When I Have Fears that I May Cease to Be, always touches my heart and that is the poem that triggered the Bucket List assignment for my students.

In this famous poem, he laments two things:

1. He would not live long enough to get all the creative ideas, all the words, all the poetry that was swimming around in his head down on paper. ("...Before my pen has glean'd my teeming brain...")
2. He especially was saddened he would not be able to enjoy a life-long marriage with the love of his life, Fanny.

How utterly sad. I can't relate to John Keats on item #2 since I've been blessed to enjoy a long-time marriage to the love of my youth. I do, however, relate to his feelings about not being able to express the dreams in his mind.

Time ran out for him. I, of course, don't compare myself to such a gifted writer, but I've been thinking of his poem lately. I have so many thoughts and ideas and storylines jumbled up in my brain. I know I won't live long enough to get them all out. It's a cluttered, busy brain--a jumbled mess!

To read John Keats' short poem, go to http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/173753

While on a trip to London, I rode the red double-decker bus nearly to the end of the line. I got off and walked through the neighborhood to John Keats' home, that is now a small museum. I was in awe of standing in his writing room, where he penned such lovely yet melancholy poems.

I don't know where John Keats stood on the subject of faith in God, but I do know his genius for writing moving poetry has lasted for centuries.

What about you? Is your brain filled with thoughts and dreams and plans that you fear will not come to fruition? You're in good company.

Maybe a cluttered, busy brain is a happy brain.

Bucket List #1

A neat little activity I assigned my high school seniors years ago was to list 25 things they wanted to accomplish in their lives. This was long before the movie, Bucket List, came out and it coordinated nicely with a John Keats' poem I was teaching.

It was fascinating to watch the teenagers' responses. Most of the girls got right to it and wrote incessantly, filling up an entire page. Many of the boys sat there, staring into space. With a little prompting they were able to come up with a list long enough to get credit for the assignment. I inwardly chuckled at the differences in the gender responses.

What touched my heart was that almost all the students listed "happy marriage and family life" somewhere on their lists. Many of these were young people who knew first-hand the agony of divorce and custody-sharing,

There is value in such an assignment, no matter what age. What about you? Do you have a Bucket List? Even in the midst of hectic, over-scheduled modern life there should be room for dreaming.

Assignment:

• List 3 things you'd love to accomplish--they can be fun, frivolous, or life-changing. It's your list so it's your call.
• Think about the items on your list. Peruse them, mull them over, and yes, dream about them.
• Select one that gives you the most passion and is doable in this stage of your life.
• Vow to accomplish that item in 2015.

Have Fun!

 

Let me know in the Comments section below what you're hoping to do. If enough readers respond, I will share them with everyone in a future blog post.

Gratitude Cont'd

Picture this:

You spend time, effort, and money selecting or making a special gift for someone. You excitedly give it to them and watch their face to see a reaction. They look pleased, tuck the gift away, and go on with the conversation.

Ouch. To their credit, they return in several hours or perhaps the next day. Then they express their gratitude for your thoughtful gift and tell you how much it means to them. Does the saying, "Too little too late" fit here? It rings of your mom telling you to say thank you, after the fact.

It occurred to me, that's what I do with God. Recently, I had a day when several of my prayers were answered specifically. I immediately recognized they were God hearing my requests and responding. Trouble was, I didn't thank him immediately. It wasn't until later in the day and the next day that I remembered to express gratitude to the God of the universe for caring about my daily concerns. How must he have felt? Double ouch.

There should be no delay in my thanks!

What is the remedy?

1. I should thank God when I'm asking for his help or guidance--before Amen. Not later, not when my prayer is answered, but right when I express the concern. That's demonstrating faith that God hears and responds. I know that intellectually but I need to keep it at the forefront of my mind.
2. Some people keep a Gratitude Journal. This is a great idea that keeps you looking for the blessings that rain down every day.
3. A good habit for adults and children, is to list five things you're grateful for every night before your head hits the pillow. I think it would induce happy sleep.
4. Keep a Blessings Jar as described in last week's post by Alicia and Josh Gromer. If you missed it, scroll down to read it. It's delightful and keeps the Gromers spiritually on target even in the middle of some very trying circumstances.

God gives us gifts and answers to prayer every day. I am trying to remember to be a gracious recipient.

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift." (2 Corinthians 9:14)

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." (Psalm 107: 1)



The Blessing Jar

My guest blogger today is Alicia Gromer. Alicia and her husband, Josh, graciously allowed me to share their very special story. Enjoy.


Our Blessings Jar came to life through a gift from Shelly, Josh's mother. We labeled the jar, "2014" and began filling it with any blessings we could think of:

• Blessings of laughter
• Good health
• Success in school
• Meeting new friends
• Financial blessings
• ...and everything in between.

The point of this Blessings Jar is to reflect on our year's worth of goodness. It gives us an opportunity to remember those blessings we otherwise wouldn't.

Periodically, we tend to hone in on the negative things that happen during the year. Sometimes they stand out more in our minds, as opposed to the many positive ones we encountered. So the goal is to ensure we don't forget the positive times over the course of the year.

It gives us another opportunity to thank God for each blessing. God is good and His love prevails above all else.

This is a great reminder of the big and little blessings throughout 365 days of the year. We already have our "2015" Blessings Jar filling up and we are still within the first month of the year.

GOD IS GREAT!

Alicia & Josh Gromer

(It's worth noting, Josh battles a major illness and Alicia is attending college full-time in pursuit of her nursing degree. In spite of many challenges and stresses in their lives, these young marrieds praise God and live to be a witness to others. Thank you, Josh and Alicia, for allowing your Blessing Jar story to encourage my readers.  Sue.)

Peace That Makes No Sense

Inner Turmoil:

• Disharmony with loved ones
• World News
• Tragedy of any kind
• Loss
• Too Many Responsibilities/Too Little Time
• Loneliness
• Feeling Unloved
• Health Problems
• Computer Malfunctions
• Etc.
• Etc.
• Etc.

Inner Peace:

• Harmony
• Love
• Warmth
• Health
• Hope
• Joy
• Happy Stories
• Giving to Others
• Overcoming Grief
• Rest
• Time to Spare
• Socializing with Friends
• Feeling Loved
• Being Productive or Successful
• Computer Running Smoothly!
• Etc.
• Etc.
• Etc.

Conclusion:

     I can't do anything about items in the first list. I can TRUST God to accompany me through the tragedies of living and to give me HOPE.

Paul writes of the peace that passes understanding. Remember singing that as a child in Sunday School? It was a musical tongue-twister.

I stand amazed when I consider Paul lived a very stressful life--decidedly un-peaceful. That is why his message rings true. Even in the midst of political upheaval, persecution, shipwreck, torture, relationship problems, and his own impending death, he writes with conviction of God's peace

It was available to Paul and it is available to you and me, in our messed up society in the year 2015.

 

 

It is a peace that doesn't makes sense.

 

 

 

Jesus said it best:

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14: 27)