What makes a writer a writer?

What is the classic temperament of a writer? Introverted? Dramatic? Moody? Egotistical? Long-suffering? Mercurial? Prone to alcoholism? Tortured like Sylvia Plath? Secretly passionate like Emily Dickinson? Magnanimous like Alexandre Dumas?

The answer is obviously: THERE IS NO CLASSIC TEMPERAMENT! WRITERS COME IN ALL EMOTIONAL CONSTITUTIONS!!! Anyone who wants to be a writer can be a writer. (Whew!)

But I have certainly wondered if I fit into this particular club. I will never forget one day in my first writing class. Our teacher said something like, "Well, that's how we are. We're writers, we're observers..."

And a little red flag went up in my head. I was sitting in the back thinking, "Uh... we are? Observers? I'm not sure if I can get on board with that because um... I'm not so much an observer as a PARTICIPATOR." I thought, oh dear, I'm in the wrong class, the wrong field. I should go back to acting where I can live out loud and jump around and collaborate with people..

But guess what? You get to do all that with writing. It's just different. You get to bring WHATEVER YOU ARE to your writing, that's what's so wonderful about it. I was called to be a writer. I really, really wanted to try it, and now I really, really love it. I decided that it was OK for me to be my own breed of writer. And I soon figured out that what I saw as my shortcomings were actually strengths.

So, if you happen to be--like me--sort of lively, emotional, ferocious, and hungry for life... well... your CHARACTERS will be all the more lively, emotional, ferocious, and hungry for life! It's a win win situation! Whatever you are: if you're intellectual, expressive, shy, curious, pragmatic, whimsical, brave, serious, cautious... you will bring that to your work. Most likely, writing will be a way to express the kaleidoscope of ALL aspects of yourself. Qualities you never knew you had will emerge in some charismatic villain, or a lovelorn princess. It's magical, really.

I actually figured that that I AM an observer. I love to observe people, situations, art, music, emotions, and nature. It's what I DO with my observations that is uniquely mine.

How about you? Have you ever wondered if you had the "right" temperament to be a writer? Have you ever felt like it was a club you didn't belong in? What are some of your quirks that create your unique voice or writing style? Was there anything you thought would hinder you that has actually helped?

Hope you're all having a lovely Memorial Day!

A Little Bit of Fun

Thank you all so much for chiming in on the topic of TALENT. It was such a privilege to learn more about you and to engage in such a meaningful conversation. I really enjoyed it!

I am busily working on directing the end of year plays at my little girl's school and pressing ahead with a self-imposed deadline on my revision. So, this week's post is much shorter and more light-hearted. Someone sent this to me recently and it made my day. Please enjoy!



How righteously awesome was that? I think I watched it three times then made my husband come watch it with me.  I hope my kids will invent games like this, based on their very sophisticated tastes in books.
: )


What action figures from literature do you wish you could have?

On Talent

I have been hesitating about writing this post. But I think it's important to talk about. Most of you know that I was an actor before I became a writer. So, I have spent a lot of time pondering this question of "talent" over the years, in more than one field. In my 20's, I was convinced that you were born with talent. Clearly, not everyone in my acting classes had "it." That much was obvious. I believed that I *did* have talent and that I was lucky to be born with it. The talent of observing subtle emotions. The talent of accessing my own experience so that I could share it on stage. The talent of physical expressiveness. All these served me well as an actor, even when I was just beginning.

But my wonderful teacher, Robin Smith, was the first to enlighten me. She held the belief that skills could be grown. That the kernel of talent in everyone could be nurtured and developed. And here's what I know now. In the following ten years, my abilities as an actor grew exponentially. And I don't care as much about that early kernel of talent, as I do about the discipline and commitment it took to make that talent grow into something more lasting and meaningful.

I don't claim to have achieved "mastery" at acting. But I did set myself on that path. I got some incredible training and I worked with some amazing teachers and actors over the years.

Now, with writing, it is much the same. Yes, it's clear that some people can turn a phrase better than others. Some people have a knack for getting our attention with a story, even when they have had little training. Some people make it seem easy. As far as my own talent goes, I feel very clear that, whatever talent I may have, it is not that important to me. What matters to me is that *I see myself getting better.*


I really mean that. I see myself learning, through reading, through writing, through receiving critiques, through analyzing my own and others' work, through writing as often as I can, through daydreaming. I know I am getting better, and that's all that really counts. I'll keep working toward mastery, even though I'm aware that it may take decades.

I think that believing you have a talent can be a trap, especially if you are not up for hard work. On the other hand, I think it's very important to acknowledge that the universe (God, Goddess, destiny) has given you a gift. Because once you really see that, you have an obligation to follow it. One of my acting friends, when telling the story of when he recommitted himself to acting, told us how he felt that he "had a responsibility to a talent." This is not an egotistical guy. This is a spiritual, thoughtful guy who knew that he had a talent--and that it was a gift. And that because he had been given a gift, he had a responsibility to use it. To follow where it led. To make the most of it.

This is not a popular thing to talk about in our culture. No one wants to be seen as a braggart. However, there's also this huge cultural value of being "the best" in America.  I find that people often fall into two camps: You're either brazenly confident about a talent, or completely self-deprecating and dismissive of it.

What if we could just simply name and acknowledge our talents? What if more of us were honest about seeing our gifts? What if we could say them openly, without ego and competition, in order to make a path for our talent to get out into the world? I think that would be beautiful.

I do believe that we are accountable to our talents. To acknowledge them without growing an ego about them. To pursue the knowledge, gather the tools, and put in the hours of practice it takes to develop them into something magnificent. And to share them with the world.

What do you think? Have you felt that cultural pressure to be quiet about your talents? Are you able to honestly name your own gifts? Have you ever been tempted to give up on a talent? How do you see the balance between natural talent and straight-up hard work? You know I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Here's to all of YOUR talents, known and yet undiscovered. May they flourish and grow and bless the world!

Keeping the FAITH

This post is all about FAITH, in more ways than one! First of all, my sweet blog friend, Faith Elizabeth Hough gave me this lovely award:

Isn't it adorable? I just love this little teddy bear. And I love knowing that someone thinks my blog is "sweet". I value kindness SO much in my life and hope to be someone who spreads goodness and sunshine wherever I go. So, thank you, Faith!

Second, Faith was playing a fun little game at her blog that involved being "tagged" and I wanted to join in! So, she tagged me. I am answering five questions with five answers each. If you would like to join the fun, just say so and I'll tag ya! I love it when we share real life truths on our blogs--even if it's just about snacks and billionaire dreams! : )

If you are not already familiar with Faith's blog, please go check it out. Her writing is thoughtful and smart and soulful and funny and REAL. You will enjoy it!

OK, let the games begin!

Where were you five years ago?

1. Living in Los Angeles with my husband and daughter, longing for a way to move back home to the Pacific Northwest. We were SO close... but we didn't know it yet. We just had to keep the faith. (Did you catch that? Faith? FAITH. It's a theme today.)


2. I was just starting to realize that I wanted to get serious about writing for children. Within a few months, we did end up moving back to my hometown and I immediately signed up for a writing class. (Woo hoo! THAT was a life changer!)


3. I was taking a lot of ballet classes and LOVING it.


4. I was a full-time mama to an adorable little toddler. We spent lots of time at parks, on play-dates with good friends, and playing dress-up.


5. The jacaranda trees were blooming in L.A. Those trees remain one of my favorite things about that  city. Amazing purple blossoms bursting forth once a year. Beautiful!

Where do you want to be five years?


1. I hope I have at least two books published and several more in the works.  


2. I hope to be successfully balancing the needs of my family with the pursuit of my own career.


3. I hope to own a wonderful home. There would be a big yard with at least one cherry blossom tree and, of course, a mini hummingbird sanctuary! : )  (Any ideas what flowers I'd have to plant? I'm open to suggestions!) : )


4. I hope to be vibrantly healthy in every way. 


5. I hope to feel that glowing feeling that I am on the right path. That my dreams are coming true for a reason. I hope to know that my stories are making a difference in the world--that they are meaningful to people and are cherished by readers. And I'd love to be watching my husband and two children follow their hearts toward what they love doing most. 


What is on your to-do list today? 


1. Teach drama at my child's school and assign parts for the big Rainforest play. SUPER FUN!


2. Go to the chiropractor for an adjustment.


3. Make dinner


4. Watched parts of MEET THE ROBINSONS with the kiddos.


5. Took the movie's theme to heart and resolved to "keep moving forward" with my novel every day, even on days when I only have a half an hour to write. Also, vowed to celebrate failures the way the Robinsons did. I want to have FAITH that my own failures are teaching me how to be a better writer.  (Have you seen this movie? You MUST. It's terrific!)


What five snacks do you enjoy?


1. Tings!


2. Chocolate chip cookies (gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free... still delicious!)


3. If I didn't have food allergies, it would be warm french bread and brie cheese, no contest. If anyone out there can direct me to anything resembling vegan brie... I will try desperately to find you a prize. I can make the bread! But I fear my days of eating brie are behind me. (sniff!)


4. Sparkly water with lemon (I am not kidding.)


5. Homemade guacamole with corn chips.


What would you do if you were a billionaire?


1. Build a wonderful house with a stage in the back yard, a dance studio above the garage, and a sunlit writing office with a view of the water. 


2. Give my husband time to follow his passions. He has been supporting me in following my dream for many years, I'd love to know that he could do the same. I'd hire him a guitar teacher, buy him his own theatre, get him an internship at Pixar... whatever he wants!


3. Hire people to do the parts of life that challenge me the most: making meals, cleaning house, and organizing rooms. Then I would spend more time doing the parts of life that fulfill me the most: playing with my children, singing and dancing with my hubby (can you tell we are an artistic family?), making up stories, and being with my extended family and friends.


4. Pay off student loans and start a fund to support other creative types in getting an education. (Also pay for my own little tykes to go to college!)


5. Donate to charities that help children.


(I could go on and on with this one! I'd also take my family around the world--Paris! Ireland! Norway! Greece! I'd buy a vacation house in Ashland, Oregon so I could go to the Shakespeare Festival every year...  I'd also like a few new clothes... OK, I'll stop.)


Wow, this has been WAY more fun that I thought it was going to be. Hope you enjoyed getting to know me a little better! Have a great week!

Shiny Happy Blog Awards

Well! I keep looking for the right moment to share my fabulous new blog awards. And it seems the moment has come!

Yat-Yee Chong gave me this little beauty:

Isn't this the best picture?? I just love it! I think she shared it with me when I was being a bit more prolific. So... I'm inspired to get back to blogging more regularly. Yat-Yee has a terrific blog, which you should go check out. But don't be confused, we have the exact same template, so it will look verrry familiar. : )

Thanks, Yat-Yee! I treasure this!

Then, I was surprised and delighted to get this snazzy little award:

This is from the lovely Samantha Bennett over at Show and Tell. (If you really want to see a stylish blog, go check hers out!) I really like this one because... how can I say this? Fashion has never been my strong suit. I have never had the gift of being edgy or cool or designer-savvy. But Samantha liked my hummingbird! So, there's a point for just being yourself. It shines through! : )

Thanks so much, Samantha!

I am a notorious rule-breaker when it comes to blog awards. I am sure there are things I am supposed to do with these, like pass them on to esteemed and talented blog-colleagues. But for the moment, I am going to plaster them up here on my blog and get back to writing. (This is fascinating. Because in life I am NOT a notorious rule-breaker! I'm a compulsive "good girl". I'm loving how devilish this makes me feel... hee hee hee.)

Meanwhile, thank you all for your words of advice in getting UNSTUCK. Your ideas really helped!
Hope you all have a joyful Wednesday!

Story Arcs, Character Destinies, and other things you can't Google...

Hi.

Some of you may know that I am in the thick of an intense revision. It is FUN. It is exciting. It is fulfilling... And it is flippin' mind-squishingly HARD! I can't say it any other way. It is HARD. And it takes a long time. And it is hard.

Did I mention that it's hard?

Because it's hard. 

I have sat bug-eyed at my computer, wondering HOW to fix something. WHAT should happen next to my main character? How can I weave this new stuff in while keeping the integrity of the original story?
And sometimes--yes, I confess to being a pawn in our technology-obsessed culture--when I've been struggling with a particularly difficult plot puzzle, I have actually had the impulse to "Google" it.

Me (inside my own head): "Argh! I don't know which path my character should take... maybe I should google it."

Me (after I come to my senses): "Oops. Uh... right, that's impossible. Yup, I forgot, you can't do that. Uh... never mind."

This impulse usually happens in that misty place where I'm not quite thinking clearly. I just know I have to turn somewhere for an answer. And sometimes my first thought is... Google!  : )

It's OK, you can laugh. I don't blame you! It's funny!  In this INSTANT INFORMATION era of computers, you think you can find out ANYTHING: what time the coffee shop closes, the exact lyrics of "Big Old Jet Airliner," or the latest gossip on Sandra Bullock. (On that last note: GO girl! I hope she and her son are surrounded by happiness from now on!)

But, mining the vaults of your creativity is one thing Google cannot do.

That is something that only a thoroughly human, flawed, complex, inspired, hard-working person can do. So, I'm celebrating that tonight. Isn't it miraculous? We, with all our quirks and distractions and imperfections, can do something that these high-falutin' computers canNOT do. In fact, we humans are the ONLY ones who can make stories. (Take that, technology!)

So that's helping me through this difficult patch. The reminder that ALL writers are human beings. Every book that has ever sat upon a shelf in a book store, has gone through this intense, impossible-seeming thing called revision. And I want my book on those doggone shelves! So, I'm keeping at it. : )

What kinds of wacky things have you done when you feel creatively blocked? Stand on your head? Do the twist? Vogue? Do a sketch with your non-dominant hand? Consult the tarot? Stand up and act like your characters? I'd love to know I'm not the only one prone to moments of writerly loony-ness!

Thanks!