Book Review: Rainwater

Sandra Brown's Rainwater is a story set in 1934 Texas during the Great Depression.  Rainwater refers to David Rainwater who comes to stay at Ella Barron’s boardinghouse.  He is terminally ill and his doctor suggests he stay at the boardinghouse in his final days.  After his stay, he changes Ella’s life forever. 

I think the first thing that hooked me on this book is that it’s written as a memoir.  The novel is a retelling of the story by a character in the present.  It’s very intriguing to continue reading to figure out who is telling the story. 

I was also drawn to its setting in the 1930s.  I don’t know if it’s the current economic condition, but I am enthralled with the 1930s.  Of course, Boardwalk Empire and Mildred Pierce on HBO help fuel my desire to know more about life in the 1930s.     One of my works in progress is set during the 1930s, thought it will focus on Hollywood in the 1930s.

If you like historical stories, you’ll like Rainwater.

Reflections After Reading Villa Mirabella

Villa Mirabella is the story of Jason Mirabella who finds himself back at home after living a “successful” life in California.  After things go wrong for him there, and he must escape home to gather his thoughts and move forward with his life.  Along the way he reconnects with his father and adult siblings and learns what is truly important in his life.

This novel is beautiful work about finding one’s purpose in the world and delivering to that purpose.  A quote directly from the novel spoke to me about my writing.  It’s so powerful, I put it permanently on my web site to remind me of it’s significance.

“…Real art is about showing a part of yourself, some thing from very deep inside you that maybe even you didn’t know was there.  And that means making yourself very vulnerable, and that can be really scary.  But if you do it right, you can create something truly beautiful.  Something that lasts.”

The character in the novel is talking about visual art, but what statement about art, including the art of writing, in general!  This quote helped me further refine my vision for my role as a writer in today’s world. 

Villa Mirabella was recommended as a summer time read for last year.  If you haven’t read it, put it on your warm weather reading list for this year.

Have you read anything lately that helped you understand more clearly your role in today’s world?  I’d love hear your comments!

Defining Boundaries

Setting boundaries with your writing goes along with developing and following routines.  There are times that you will need to put down the writing and focus on "life" activities.  This is something I've been struggling with myself the last couple of weeks.  In my quest to create routines and boundaries, I've spent a bit too much time on social media, and bit less time on working on my important works in progress.

There are two different types of boundaries that I think of when I talk about setting boundaries.  The first boundary is a physical boundary so that we can work on our craft.  For some of us, this is easier than others.  Some writers find that space in the home office; that space is sacrosanct to others in the home.  Some writers find solace and peace and productivity by heading to the local coffee shop, restaurant, or public library.  Whatever works for you, find a space that is conducive to your creativity and productivity.

The other boundary that needs to be defined for writers is the time boundaries for writing and time for the other things that are important in your life.  As a writer, I work on my writing projects (which includes this blog), read to develop my craft, read other fiction to learn about the craft, and spend some time on social media to develop a platform of followers. 

Most advice I read says that at a minimum, a writer should work on one page a day (250 words).  What I do is set my timer for 15 minutes and and get to work.  Usually, the fifteen minutes is up right as a I get into a groove and the creativity starts flowing.  Some days I can continue and work longer.  Most days I have to stop writing and move on to my next task.  Only when I feel blocked do am I challenged by writing for fifteen minutes a day.

Reading has never been a challenge to fit in.  I've always been an avid reader and enjoyed reading.  What has been a challenge for me is too much on social media and not enough time to the craft of my writing.  A new friend of mine (through Twitter) also blogged about the subject of stepping away from the social media.  This week my goal is to devote more time to working on my novel, to keep up the daily blog entries, and to find more balance in my personal life. 

Do you have a hard time setting boundaries and getting it all done?  I'd love to hear your comments.  Have a great week everyone!

More Inspiration from Oprah

On Tuesday morning,  I watched the second part of the Oprah Presents Master Class, the second episode on Oprah herself.  Once again, I was left with some profound lessons.

The biggest lesson I walked away with is that the more we are different (those of us alive and kicking in the world today), the more we are the same.  I mentioned in my first blog post about Oprah that I would love to work for her.  After watching Sunday night’s episode of Master Class I understand why. 

Fundamentally, Oprah and I follow the same principles of success.  We just call them different things.  Oprah Winfrey and I couldn’t be more different than any other person I know!  I can’t even detail all the differences here, there are so many.  Take a look at the comparison of the Oprah's lessons she's shared on Master Class and the principles that I blog about:

Create a Vision:  Oprah's Lessons:  Know Yourself, You are worthy, We are Here for a Purpose, Don’t Pretend to be What You are Not, We are More Than we Appear to be, You Become What you Believe*

Set Goals:  Oprah's Lessons:  Grow to Greatness*, You are the Master of Your Fate, Surrender*

Develop and Follow Routines:  Oprah's Lessons:   Prepare for Opportunity, Grow to Greatness*

Define Boundaries:  Oprah's Lessons:  What to Teach, What to Learn; Stay True to Your Calling*

Find a Buddy:  Oprah's Lessons: You are not Alone*

(*These were the principles introduced in the Oprah Part II Episode of Master Class.  The others were introduced in the Oprah Part I episode and talked about in my “Inspired by Oprah” blog on April 3.)

If you look at this list, most of Oprah's lessons are concentrated on figuring out your personal vision, mission, and purpose in your life.  The other lessons help to support that big picture Vision.  I seem to write most about that first step in my process as well.  It's so important to understand what your special mission in life is and then follow through with that vision/mission.

You don't have to be a writer or up and coming journalist to follow these principles.  Whatever mission you're currently pursuing, these principles can be your "means" to achieve the "end" you're looking for in life.

Do you have a guiding set of principles that you've followed that have helped you achieve some dreams in your life?  Who has inspired you in your life journey?  I'd love your comments!

 

You Can't Use Up Creativity

You can't use up creativity.  The more you use, the more you have.
Maya Angelou

Yesterday was Maya Angelou's birthday.  When I read this quote, I knew that she was speaking directly to me.  This is much like the Abundance principle taught by Stephen Covey in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People or Rhonda Byrne in The Secret.  If you use your creativity, you gain more.  This is a hard lesson I’ve learned in the last two weeks.

I’ve said before in this forum that I used to worry about running out of interesting things to blog about.  However, I knew I needed to figure out how to make this become a daily routine to help my writing career blossom.  So I took a leap of faith a couple of weeks ago and just started blogging on a daily basis.

I have to share, I feel pretty proud of myself.   I’ve made a blog entry every day for the last two weeks, sans a couple of weekend days (My weekend days, which are Fridays and Saturdays to most of you).  And, I know that I’m supposed to post something every day, and that successful writers don’t take days off.  I also understand the importance of blogging every day and how that helps my fiction writing.  I’m getting there.  This week I am two posts ahead of schedule which should help with this issue.  I have also started reaching out to some colleagues and asking for guest blogs.  Now that I have a small following on Twitter and the blog itself, I know that there are supporters out there looking forward to my daily post. 

One thing that has helped me create an entry is reviewing/reflecting on the recent books I’ve read myself.  That has brought easy, immediate topics.  I have about a year’s worth of good reading to talk about.  Another easy topic has been the television programs I’ve been watching, that are worth blogging about.  Right now, the most noteworthy is Oprah and her episodes she did herself on Master Class.

Previously, I thought that non-fiction writers had an easier job of coming up with daily blog topics.  Now I know that fiction writers can come up with them just as well.  So, if you’re an aspiring writer like me, trying to build a platform, just start blogging.  Blog about whatever comes to mind:  the latest book you’ve read, TV show you’ve watched, or event that you attended.  As plain and simple as it may be, there are supporters out there who are interested in what you have to say.  Go for it!

If you’re new to blogging/writing, do you feel the same way?  If you’ve been at this a while, would you agree?  I’d love your comment either way!  Have a great day, everyone!

Inspired by Lori Frech

On Saturday, my sister-in-law, Lori Frech, ran her first 5K race.  The picture above is Lori right before she crossed the finish line.  I went to show my support in the early Spring morning.  I was so proud of her for setting this goal and achieving it. 

Lori announced a few months ago, via Facebook, that she would be running her first 5k race.  Each week she shared with us her achievements and her struggles in her quest to meet this goal.  Even this last week before the race she shared that the week had not gone as planned.  Yet, she persevered and Saturday she finished the race strong, barely needing to catch her breath at the end.  Way to go, Lori!

I want to reiterate Lori's success, because we can all learn from her journey.  First of all, she shared her goal with all of the important people in her life.  By sharing her goal and making it public, this helped her push forward and accomplish her goal.  Next, she shared her progress with all of us, both the good and the bad.  From weather issues, minor injuries, and just plain not wanting to workout, she shared it all with us.  Even with well meaning comments suggesting she take it easy, she persevered with her training and finished the race yesterday.

We can all learn from Lori.  Share your goals, share your progress, and never give up.  Congratulations, Lori...you truly are an inspiration.

Do you have anyone in your life that inspires you to go after your goals?  Your comments are welcome.  Have a great week, everybody.

Inspired by Oprah

I have to admit, I've jumped on the Oprah bandwagon.  Ever since the Oprah Winfrey Network started airing in January, I've been a fan and everything that Oprah stands for.  The whole premise for the network is Oprah's mantra:  Living your best life.

My favorite show was Your OWN Show:  Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star.  It was Oprah's search for the next talk show host on her new network.  In the end, both finalists were awarded with their own show of their creative design.  Another favorite show of mine has been Season 25:  Oprah Behind the Scenes.  This backstage glimpse of Oprah and her team of talented producers really shows the viewer what it is like to produce her daily show.  I really understand Oprah's leadership style and that of her staff.  I would work for her in a heartbeat!   And last Sunday when it returned with new episodes, I got retweeted during the #OprahLiveTweet event. 

But I've never heard Oprah open up and share her vulnerability like she did on her episode of Oprah Presents Master Class.  Master Class is a spattering of successful people, their life stories, and, in their own words, what success means to them.  I watched the episodes on Simon Cowell, Lorne Michaels, Condaleeza Rice, and Oprah herself.

I was aware of the hardships that Oprah endured throughout her formative years, but prior to this I had never heard her talk about them.  She shares her life story and the lessons she's learned along the way.  In short, the lessons she shared include:

• Know yourself
• You are worthy
• What to teach, what to learn
• You are the master of your fate
• Prepare for opportunity
• Don't pretend to be what you are not
• We are more than we appear to be

As an aspiring writer, all of this speaks to me.  No matter what goal or ambition you're pursuing right now, I hope it speaks to you as well.

What are your thoughts on Oprah's lessons, Oprah over the years, or the new Oprah Winfrey Network?  Your comments are welcome, have a great day!