by Cathy Baker | Faith |
“I always do first drafts of my poems on yellow paper. Because yellow paper means it is just a draft, I am much braver and more wild than I would be on white paper. Those yellow-paper scribbles make me more free than I would be on the computer where everything looks like a final copy.” – Penelope Scambly Schott
Sage Cohen shares the above quote in her book The Productive Writer, in addition to these timely tips for creating first drafts:
Use a special font for first drafts that feels friendly and fun.
Choose a color paper that makes you feel courageous, whether you’re writing by hand or printing them from your computer.
Experiment with inputs and context such as location, music, lighting, time of day, writing medium (such as pen and paper vs. computer) to get yourself in the mood. (Sage shares that she often starts something in a cafe or in bed, two low-pressure environments where she feels relaxed and comfortable. Her serious work can be found at her desk.)
Simple yet effective tips—especially for those of us with an unrelenting and may I add—very annoying “inner editor”.
Thanks (again) Sage!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Years ago, I omitted milk from my diet after a general surgeon told me God never intended adults to drink cow milk. I felt much better as a result—but I’ve missed my cereal.
This week, I found Flaxmilk “Original”, a non-dairy product that has literally opened new doors for me. Okay, so the doors are golden yellow, constructed from cardboard, and have little mini-wheats dancing on the front.
It’s creamy (reminds me of whole milk) and packed with Omega 3, flax, and other nutrients. It’s also very low in calories—which works to my advantage since I celebrated my newfound non-dairy freedom by eating two boxes of mini-wheats in 4 days.
Oh, the sweet taste of freedom Flaxmilk “Original”. Let’s just say the little mini wheats are not alone in their happy dance.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Yes, John Boy. (OK, so it’s been a slow week 🙂
In The Chicken Thief episode, Ben received a letter from Liberty magazine saying he’d won a poetry contest, but guilt plagued him as his poem on winter closely resembled that of his brother’s poem on spring.
Enter John-Boy, who quickly put Ben’s mind at ease by sharing that writers have been inspiring other writers for hundreds of years, adding their own voice, and thereby creating their own masterpiece. Ben had used John-Boy’s idea—but ended up writing a better poem.
It was the only part of the episode I caught, but I’m glad I did. In the past, I’ve actually avoided reading both poetry and prose in fear of unconsciously using a word, phrase, or idea another writer may have already used. My writer’s group, however, enlightened me to the fact there’s “nothing new under the sun” but there is much to learn from more experienced writers.
I can’t imagine my world without the writer’s group—or John-Boy, of course.
Poem – “A Winter Mountain” by Benjamin Walton –
Our mountain in winter is something to see
at times it is just like a person to me.
A giant in white all covered with snow
it changes each day as the heavy winds blow.
And when I'm alone and I go for a walk
it's almost as if that old mountain can talk.
It seems to say Welcome my Winter Friend
I was here at the beginning, I'll be here at the end.
And what would a post on the Walton’s be without Earl Hamner’s distinctive “voice” to close us out?
“Outside our mountain the world was in deep depression, but we were sheltered by a common bond. The accomplishment of one was the accomplishment of all. We shared our glories, our defeats, our hopes, our aspirations, but mostly our love”.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
As a professed list-addict, I begin preparing for our family beach trip weeks in advance. Below are the top five favorite things you’ll find on this year’s beach list:
- Books: (1) Call of a Coward by Marcia Moston, won 1st Place in the Women of Faith Writing Contest. Marcia is in our Upstate Fellowship of Christian Writer’s Group and I’m proud to call her “friend”. (2) Rooms by James L. Rubart. I had the pleasure of meeting Jim at BRMCWC and look forward to turning the pages while sipping on frozen lemonade!
- Games: Our family loves games—card, board, outdoor—makes no difference. Cranium is a classic at our house. Where else can you see grown men acting out a blossoming flower?
- Gadget: I’m excited about trying out my non-glare Kindle screen, but it’s my iPod I can’t leave behind. Flashback…
- Edible: Stevia. Yes, Stevia. Needless to say, we’re buying groceries there, but this sweetener goes everywhere with me these days. Splenda has been banished from the Baker household! Stevia is both a sweeter (I use less) and healthier choice.
- Non-edible: My reading glasses—how else can I can enjoy my #1 favorites? 🙂
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Visiting Mary DeMuth’s insightful & inspiring Web site is a delight to the eyes as well as the soul. While perusing her site last week, I came across this post.
Regardless if you consider yourself a writer or not, the main idea is the same: true and lasting validation comes only from the Lord—not from a job, a spiritual gift, a bank balance—or, as Mary points out, a publishing contract.
Her words helped to confirm my suspicions. 🙂
