Writing and Fantasizing on a Sheepskin Rug

As a writer who surrounds myself with comfort, I require softness everywhere – soft blankets, soft window coverings, soft clothing, soft lighting, and whatever else comes in soft form. 

Sheepskin rugs have always held a special appeal to me, because they remind me of warm romantic evenings curled in front of a fireplace with the love of my life. The cozy comfortable look of a soft white sheepskin rug just seems so inviting and warm. I see myself spreading out on it after the shower I took when I returned from my enclosed front porch where I spent the day writing stunning screenplays and looking out at the lake that faces my back yard. Yes, that is the dream.

Of course I would probably never want to leave my home if it was that comfortable but I do have to drive sometimes – to get more soft things. Because once again, comfort reigns supreme. Sitting on my car's hot leather seats in the summer is painful, though, so sheepskin seat covers for my car are necessary, especially when I wear shorts. I hate having my thighs burn (unless they burn because my muscles have tightened due to exerise) and I hate sticking to car seats. 

Sheepskin products in general just seem so warm and inviting, as opposed to hot and uninviting, like the scorching heat I feel on hot summer mornings when I climb into my car and grab the wheel where I practically fly through the roof in pain and feel blisters forming on the palms of my hands (I need my hands to write and type). A nice sheepskin wheel cover would prevent that from happening.

Another place I especially enjoy comfort is in the bedroom, especially on mornings after I've had a good night's sleep (rare). I know a lot of people enjoy the feel of jumping on hardwood floors when they first awaken, but I'll take a soft sheepskin rug any time. The only thing missing in this scenario is the love of my life I mentioned earlier in this blog (where ARE you?).

TV at restaurants

Guest post from: Winston Stewart There is a time and a place for everything in life. If you are at a sporting event and you want to drink beer and get a little crazy that is a great place to do it. If you are at a church service that is probably not the time to drink and get crazy because it is not the right place. This rings true for many things but the one thing that I really feel is out of place in our society is televisions in restaurants. Of course you have the usual sports bars that are hooked up with cable channels fromhttp://www.DirectStarTV.com/ and are designed for people to gather and eat and drink beer and watch the big game in one location. That makes sense because the time and place is right for it. If I am out to dinner on a date however, that is not the time or place for television. I went out with a guy recently and we had a nice dinner on the patio then went inside to sit at the bar for an after dinner drink and it was all downhill from there because there was a TV behind the bar.

Preparation is Key

As a mother of one in the early 70s – let me rephrase that – as an emotionally immature mother of one in the early 70s, I had the attention span of child afflicted with ADD. I wanted adventure, I wanted change, and I wanted to be noticed for my remarkable writing skills.

The fact that I hadn't written anything that anybody other than I and my teachers had ever read didn't matter. I KNEW I would be famous if only SOMEBODY would recognize my talents.

So when the opportunity to live in California arrived – THE place that was the heart of my dreams – I dragged my kicking and screaming daughter across the continent to live in California where, at last, my skills and talents would be rewarded.

But that old familiar merry-go-round rang in my ears with every phone call:

"Do you have an agent?"

No.

"Do you belong to the Guild?"

No.

"Have you ever had anything published?"

No. :(

I recognized the ride. I had that same experience when I was living in New York.

The next best option was to get a job. Having worked for attorneys in Chicago, I applied at law firms. Working for a California criminal lawyer, would have been great. But I was in Del Mar (near San Diego), a little too far away from my dream city. A Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer would have brought me closer to my dream, but I encountered one major problem I hadn't previously anticipated.

Del Mar, at the time, offered no public transportation. I had no way of getting to any job. I packed up and went home, defeated.

Fast forward to now. The dream is still alive. I've attended seminars, read books and magazines, written blogs, articles, books, and screenplays. I've also entered some contests, the results of which won't be announced until October, 2012. I'm not yet where I want to be, but I abide by George Eliot's quote, "It's never too late to be what you might have been."

If I could give the younger me some words of advice about making it in the writing business, especially in the field in which I would prefer to write (screenwriting), I would say to myself, "Study, learn, read, and prepare."

Writing Through Migraines

My whole life came to a halt this week with one of the most debilitating migraines I've ever experienced. You can read about it by clicking Migraine With Vertigo, where I discuss migrainous vertigo and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Though I was incapable of doing anything, including walking, I was happy to see this morning on the front page of Xomba two previous articles I had written for them, which appear today on their Featured page:

Once the dizziness leaves me completely, I will be writing more. Until then, if you would like to read more from this author, please click the upper right hand side of this blog under the donate button.

How to Come Up with Great Ideas

When I was 10 years old, I knew I loved to write. I never thought I would make a living from it, because I didn't realize anybody COULD make money from writing, but I loved the process and I loved seeing the results of my imagination take form on paper.

But after writing my first "masterpiece," I panicked. WHAT IF I NEVER HAD ANOTHER GOOD IDEA?

The thought was paralyzing. Where might I find another good idea?

As it turns out, the answer to that question turned out to be – EVERYWHERE.

And from "everywhere" I mean that I found inspiration to write from:

• conversations with friends and family

• famous or infamous quotations

• watching children engaged in sports or other activities

• creative or funny commercials

• funny blogs 

• interesting web sites such as those found at Time 

• creative television programs, such as The Nate Berkus Show

• funny television shows, such as The Ellen Degeneres Show 

• creative blogs like …love Maegan

• things that interest other people, such as Pinterest 

• humor sites such as Humor Outcasts 

• dreams

• inventions

• newspapers and magazines

• movies

• hobbies

• scientific discoveries

• historical stories

• biographies

• travel

• space

• science fiction

• inspirational books, including the Bible

• my own interests

• my own values

• my own beliefs

• my imagination

• brainstorming

Did any of those spark even the slightest hint of an idea for you? No? Try combining some of the ideas mentioned above. For instance, suppose you write about a dream you had where you and Nate Berkus travel through space together and create an actual magic carpet that, when you step upon it, you transform your entire life.

Or you've just come up with a humorous spin on a new invention that promises to become the newest hobby craze. 

Once you come up with an idea, record it in the notes mode on your smart phone, on a pad of paper you leave next to your bed, anywhere – just record it. After a while you'll be able to connect one idea to the next and before long, you'll have completed that book, that article, that blog, or that screenplay you've always wanted to write.

Need more help? Find out how to boost your creativity by reading The Creative (Writing) Spirit and how to prevent writers block by reading Writers Block – the Key to Unlocking the Block.

Most of all, PLAY with your ideas. Have fun with them. If you enjoy them, the likely result will be that others will too.

Want to read more articles and blogs by this author? Click the link under the donate button on the right hand side of this blog.

Once Upon a Time Knitted Dolls for Once Upon a Time Fans

Once upon a time a pretty princess used her wiles to weave a web so creative it took on magical powers that sprinkled delight and imagination all over the world. When knitted together, the results of her magic not only resembled the characters on the highly successful television program, Once Upon a Time, but also connected with a prince who built a fan web site that allowed her powers to manifest in ways so exciting, it brought a whole new world into existence – Once Upon A Fan…

I began this post with the common opening phrase – Once upon a time – because this post is about the highly successful television program, Once Upon a Time. 

Are you a fan? 

I am – and for several reasons! Once Upon a Time is one of the MOST creative shows on television. As a writer, I am always fascinated by other writers who use their talents and imagination in extraordinary ways. The writers of Once Upon a Time are two of the most imaginative and compelling writers I've never met ;) 

Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis, the writers who conceived Once Upon a Time, previously wrote for Lost; their creativity is no less fascinating in Once Upon a Time, which captured my interest from the first episode. What's more, OUAT is becoming more and more creative with each new episode. The back and forth drama from Storybrooke to the Enchanted Forest brings viewers back time and time again. The characters themselves are enchanting and the story line is absolutely captivating. 

If you ever miss an episode of Once Upon a Time you can watch the Latest Full Episode by clicking the link. I was so thrilled when I discovered, after missing my show one Sunday, that I could still watch it, I clapped my hands, jumped up and down with glee, and giggled like Robert Carlyle's character, Rumplestiltskin, does. 

In addition to the ABC web site, Once Upon A Time has a fan site. If you enjoy Once Upon a Time, do yourself a favor by visiting their Once Upon A Fan site (click the link). Actors from Once Upon a Time often visit their fan site and leave messages and photos for their fans. You can also "like" Once Upon A Fan on FaceBook (click the link).  

My oldest daughter, Keeley, who knows how much I love the show, told me, "I know the person who designed the fan web site."

Really?

"Yeah, she's the sister of my friend, Barb. You should friend her. Her name is Laura Foster."

Friend her? Of course I will! What an exciting connection! (I adore creative people and I'm fortunate to know many.)

Gareth Hughes (*SEE NOTE BELOW), creator of the fan site (prince in my opening story), had asked Laura (the princess) to act as the moderator/administrator of the site. Laura tells me that the actors and actresses of Once Upon a Time like the site so much, Once Upon A Fan often receives photos, tweets, and emails from cast members.

I probably should have guessed that the person who moderates the Once Upon a Time fan site would be creative in other endeavors as well. Laura is not only a talented web designer, she is also a gifted knitter. Laura knits Once Upon a Time dolls, which she has given as gifts to cast members of OUAT. As you can see by the above photo, even cast member, Lana Parrilla, considers them to be amazing likenesses!

According to Laura, "Lana Parrilla (the evil queen) saw the doll of her and asked me for it, then sent a pic of her holding it. Robert Carlyle has the original Rumplestiltskin and the original Mr. Gold dolls and he's promised us a pic when they get back from the break." 

Cast members aren't the only ones who can own a Once Upon a Time doll – you too can purchase the dolls from The Cheeky Girl by clicking the link. You can also visit the Once Upon A Fan site for all kinds of show information, cast conversations, and updates. 

Tune into Once Upon a Time on ABC, 8 p.m. Eastern, 7 p.m. Central.

*Gareth Hughes designed the web site; Laura moderates and manages it.

The above post appears in both of the following blogs: All Craft Connection and Writing Creatively.

Do You Need a College Education to Become a Writer?

Like so many writers, I began writing from the moment I was able to hold a pencil in my hand. But was I talented enough to make a career out of writing? 

To find out, even though I was 36 at the time, I went back to college, signed up for the most difficult writing instructors I could find, and plopped myself into their classrooms. And I learned that no matter how much talent I thought I had going in, the knowledge I gained from taking those college courses helped me immeasurably to refine my technique and master my voice. 

Though I used to have odd dreams about algebraic equations in the stratosphere (yes, really) and though I couldn't understand WHY I had to take classes in which I had no interest, I never regretted my decision to go back to school and, as a matter of fact, I still marvel at how well I did. I raised kids, worked two jobs, and still managed to handle a full-time course schedule!

The great thing about earning a college degree is that no matter what field interests you, you can write about it. And when you are too busy to attend traditional schools, you can always make time for online schools in virtually (pun intended) any field.

Say you want to become a nurse and write about your experiences. Online msn programs offer certification and licensing so you can earn your Masters of Science in Nursing.

Or obtain an online finance degree and become a business professional. With the economy suffering from so many upheavals, periodicals and online web sites need qualified business writers.

Business management certificates offer even more opportunities for writers. Six Sigma training online, for instance, was originally developed by Motorola to help people identify and repair defects in the manufacturing process. Writing skills help customers and management alike understand the entire manufacturing process.

Criminal justice courses, legal or paralegal courses, religious studies, education, health care, and technology are all areas that contribute to the wealth of information writers can access to find work in a particular niche.

So do you need a college education to become a writer? No, but you should educate yourself on the proper use of the English language and discover more about the subjects that interest you. College gives you an edge that allows you to write, not only what you know, but also what you don't know – with the added assurance that your knowledge has been expanded beyond your comfort zone.