Writing character strengths and dreams

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

Today is not just another holiday or day off from work, it is a day to get in touch with what resonates as your own strength of character.

Character traits are a part of what you the writer possess, what your muse highlights and you channel. Consider what character traits you like about yourself, what traits you'd like to change or enhance.

Perhaps you can find inspiration in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King?

What do you know or remember or think about when you consider the man for the reason of the holiday here in the states? What is your strength of character? Write about strength of character!

If you are in the process of writing a book, ad copy, anything at all, consider strength of character in your writing. Write in your journal; what does strength of character mean - to you?

You can read some of my story here; http://mickandhisboy.googlepages.com/home under the heading of Irene's capstone. Or you can read about our story through the dog that knows autism best, Mick; http://mickandboy.blogspot.com/ Strength of character is what comes out about someone in their writing.

Take the day to write and consider as a writing springboard what Dr. Martin Luther King wrote;

"I have a dream..."

What's your dream?

Write about it - then take at least one action to making it reality!

Make Merry and Enjoy the joys of the Season

(Irene is the goofy mom on the right. We're waiting for our kids to come by in the town holiday light parade. Photo from the middle mom's camera and a young friend of hers)

I’ve got myself in a pickle (Tis the season!) more to do than hours in a day but that’s what living full can do. I’m not exactly having visions of sugar plums, more like doing my homework in my sleep, coming up with lesson plans in my dreams (and praying for new ones!) and doing the Christmas traditions with my sons Red and Mick and working in new traditions with the band and guess what? My home was voted on for hosting the family tradition this year and here I thought my son was going to go to Georgia and his grandparents in Illinois – silly me. I couldn't be more grateful.

I miss my daughter but get in some video conferencing with her and her beau. He's a sweet young man. But I digress and find myself distracted once again... LOL - It sure doesn't take much... oh - hey pretty lights and I like that song...

So here’s a bit of distraction to enjoy: http://www.accuradio.com/holidays/ check out this link for holiday music choices (we’re listening to the rock one now) and when you need to dip below the PC belt and tickle your funny with a skeletal puppet, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsHtNZzpzcI&NR=1

I should be back in a couple days with something more festive (maybe???)

Happy writing and memories,
Irene and IreneE

ps

Mick has been making some holiday suggestions for families with autism - please check them out: http://mickandboy.blogspot.com/

Resisting Reluctance

Resisting and Reluctance to write can be a huge problem.

But it doesn't have to be.

I sometimes find myself really wanting to write and simultaneously avoiding it. Know what I mean?

It’s not even like I’m telling myself, “I should”, nor is it that life throws in some obstacles that keep me from writing. Sure that happens but its not what my recent bout of inactivity is.

No, occasionally, for any number of reasons, I flat out really want to write but also really don’t want to. It’s a confusing place to be. And it's where I am right now.

Usually I’m not exactly sure why I’m even in such a quandary when I’m in the thick of it and I don’t even believe that there is a consistent reason. I think the reasons for the dilemma change and that these are usually easier to understand in retrospect.

Sometimes the reason is my ideas are still percolating internally. Driving, gardening, or beach bumming tends to help the perc along.

Other times, my brain is truly scattered with static. Perhaps the clutter has swamped me or perhaps other stressors nag at me stealing the writing away.

And perhaps, like others, I have a fear of success mixed with an equal dose of fear of failure.

And yes, there are those times when the problems are not that deep at all. I’m just busy spending my energies doing those millions of things that a mom has to do.

So in retrospect (having taken some action, I can say retrospect), I believe my recent lack of activity is all of the above. And although my lack of activity clearly demonstrates a problem, I’m no closer to locating the source, I am closer to a solution.

As things often do not happen in isolation, I’ve had a lot of things chipping away at me and I flat out haven’t written.

But this doesn’t have to be a problem. In fact it isn't a problem now.

What I have on my side is a history of writing. I know I can recreate the writing habit. And the habit of writing will put me back on course. Sure, I’m likely to have some off days, but the habit will carry me through. I tend to write virtually every morning – except on occasions when I’m in a writing quandary like this, and even then, I write – even if its just to forward email.

Grant, I may not publish every little thing I write, I will have more to choose from.

Just writing these exploratory passages, I think I now know where the source of my quandary is – and it’s not an unusual one at all for writers. I’ve a story I want to tell, but I’m unsure about committing it to a public forum such as this.

I may have to get it down in a private way, allow it to stew for a while, simmer a bit longer and rewrite it a few times before I release it, but she’s there, ready to break free.

And my problem is solved - by activity! In this case, writing, which once again proves that the cure for inactivity is activity. Just do it already!