Showing posts with label creativity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label creativity. Show all posts

Friday, November 2, 2018

Accepting the NaNoWriMo Challenge!


I’m biting the bullet and committing to NaNoWriMo this year! It's a challenge to write 50,000 during the month of November. Why? Because I’ve been finding other things to do and neglecting my writing. That’s kind of like a bow hunter neglecting target practice, or a pianist who never plays. Also because my better half encouraged me to do it. I’m already behind because it took me all day on November 1 to decide to commit. Now I have to come up with a topic, title, genre, a project of some sort. I’ve already begun outlining a cookbook, but recipes do not lend themselves very well to busting out a lot of words in one day. They are going to be mundane, technical, and take a lot of proofreading, so the cookbook is probably not going to be on this list. This blog might benefit from NaNoWriMo, but I get stumped on topics there as well. What to do? What to do?

Perhaps I could be like those song lyrics I detest, you know the ones that use nonsense to fill in measures instead of filling them in with something of value.

Lalalalalala….

Ohooo, oho, ohhhhh …

Hey, hey. he-e-ey …..

You get the drift. I feel that is just like adding blank or lined “journal pages,” or decreasing the page dimensions or increasing margin size in the hopes of gaining a greater page count. It’s all junk. As one friend once reported, “Garbage, no matter how it’s presented, is still garbage.” I think he used stronger wording than that, but it means the same thing.

So here I sit, baffled by the commitment I have just made. How do I begin? The cookbook is out for this month’s project. However, I will still be open to collecting and researching recipes. After all, cooking is my “what to do when I don’t know what else to do” tactic. It’s an escape that gets credit for being productive, because others benefit from it. They get to eat the fruits of my procrastination.

Fiction? I’m still sitting on my novel – afraid to publish it. I know I can write short stories, but I would have to write several to fill the word count. Do I have another novel idea? Perhaps.

Non-fiction? It’s what I know best. I’ve still got projects that need completion. And I have yet to write “Soup is not a Meal.” It’s about misconceptions and unrealistic expectations between men and women as they pertain to or are experienced in marriage. I’ve had my share of research on this topic over the years.

However, “Soup is Not a Meal,” may also lend itself well to fiction. I’m pondering on that one. Humorous? Clean. Does it lift and inspire others? Lifting and inspiring is one of the reasons I write. If it isn’t worth reading, then it probably isn’t worth writing and it definitely isn’t worth sharing with the world. That’s my opinion, anyhow, and it has evolved over the years.

So, … I want to write something worthwhile to lift, edify, inspire or motivate others. I’m going to sleep on it and hopefully, by morning I will have a plan. At least a starting point. That’s what I’m doing right now, is it not? Starting?

No more looking at a blank screen or baking before writing. I’ve got some work to do and mornings shall be my time to do it – after breakfast and scripture study, but before exercise. Perhaps the scripture study prior to writing will help me stay on track with my purpose – to uplift, inspire, and motivate.

I've just shared my first 600 words with you. And away we go!
If you would like to join me in this NaNoWriMo quest, it's not too late. Here is the link to sign up. https://nanowrimo.org/
I'll try to keep you posted on my progress throughout the month, but I may be too busy writing, or baking!
Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!
Happy Running!
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Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Get Away and Write!

Get away and write!
Wow! What a busy spring it has been! I've been working hard to complete a writing project (I will reveal it very soon) while balancing what I am calling "Winter Recovery." I don't have to shovel snow anymore, but there is grass to mow and running to do, track meets to attend and front porch tiles to repair, and the patio project. Yes, Winter 2017 was a hard one and it's taking some time to recover. Wouldn't it be nice to get away from it all for a day and just write?

I CAN! I really can, and so can you.

The Idaho Creative Authors Network is hosting a writers' retreat in July at historical Givens Hot Springs in Marsing, Idaho. We're calling it Relax and Refresh Writers' Retreat and we are inviting published and yet to be published writers. Come join us for a day of creativity away from the commotion of your world.
ICAN Executive Board
Sheila Eismann, Carol Green, JoEllen Claypool, Phyllis Vavold Nettleton
The ICAN Executive Board, JoEllen Claypool, Phyllis Vavold Nettleton, Sheila Eismann, and myself will be available all day to assist and consult as needed. This event is designed for writers to make true progress on their current writing project, receive tutoring help from the ICAN Executive Committee, and relax after a day of creating and networking in this peaceful country setting.  Swimming in Givens’ natural warm waters is included in the ticket price along with a barbeque lunch. Wifi is available at the facility.  Writers can end the day feeling accomplished and relaxed!  During the event, the sponsors will feature their books for sale.

Attendees will need to bring their writing project(s), laptops if desired, pens, notebooks, lawn chair, swim suit, and towel.

Family members can join the attendees for swimming at a reduced rate payable at the door to Givens Hot Springs.

I hope to see you there. In the meantime I will be putting the finishing touches on my books (yes, that's plural) for beginning runners and mentoring young runners in a newly formed running club. Yes, there is much to do. Gotta run!

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!



Happy Running!
Carol - aka Running Granny Green
Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.


Monday, August 1, 2016

Lazy Days of Summer - 3 Shop Giveaway!


This is going to be a fun giveaway. I'm calling it Lazy Days of Summer and I have items from two of my favorite Etsy shops and one of my own! One lucky winner will receive all three of these handmade pretties, a purple roses pillow cover, a flamingo drawstring bag, and a beaded pink and rose gold wrap bracelet. We are running it on Instagram, so hop over there to follow all three shops.

No Instagram? No problem! Comment below for a chance to win.

Rules -


Winner will be announced by Noon MST on Aug 8. (Giveaway not affiliated with Blogger, Instagram, or Etsy.)
Visit these Etsy shops to see more great handmade items from Bedhead Designs, Not Very Domestic, and Running Granny Green!



Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!
Carol - aka Running Granny Green

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.


Thursday, January 21, 2016

Beads, Books and Baubles


I’ve been tapping into a different side of my creativity lately and I am finding joy in it. These beaded bookmarks were originally an attempt to make my Etsy shop more visible. The cyber world is a crazy mathematical place and more items means more opportunity for buyers to find me.  In an attempt to sell more books (I’m not ashamed!) I found a new hobby.

The creative writing/publishing/book selling business is hard work. It’s fulfilling if you, like me, have a drive for communication and teaching through written word. I have discovered, quite by accident, that I also find fulfillment in creating beautiful things with my hands. Some will gasp! Some may call me a turncoat! You see, I have long shunned crafting and I have been quite free with my opinions. I feel pressured when a group activity is accompanied by painting, gluing, or even sewing – I prefer visiting. I especially dislike painting!

I’ll admit, I’m more than surprised. Stringing the beads, focusing on creating an attractive pattern and even taking photos of the finished product seem to relax and clear my mind. It’s like hitting the refresh button on a web page that isn’t responding.

I’m concerned about one thing … might my books get lost amongst the colorful sparkly beaded creations? That could backfire, could it not?

Happy Creating!
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