Random Thoughts

Unique title huh? NOT

It is the thing nowadays to be random and write long streams of consciousness. It is helpful to do that...actually...in order to discover your best thoughts. So why don't I begin?

* Why do dogs always chew off the eyes of little cheap stuffed animals? My one son brought home a stuffed squirrel and our dog ate its eyes out! Poor squirrel has stiff fur too from all the doggy saliva. But of course the bigger question about dogs is...why would they care to eat another dog's poop? It is all in a day's work for a dog I guess.

* Why does my kitten...soon growing into cathood...pronounce her Meows with a "FFFFFF" at the end? You know why? Because she is always galloping like a wild little pony and the extra "FFFFF" gives her steam. MEOWFFFF!!!! She still makes attempts to bite me in the behind as well as to drag around dirty laundry. I caught her galloping about with my underwear wrapped around her neck. Perhaps she wants a spot on a Victoria Secret commercial.

* If you are suffering from writer's block...do what I do. Don't write. If you are able to do so...go without writing for one or two weeks until you just cannot stand it any longer. The thoughts and words will be bubbling up inside of you until you EXPLODE! I do much of my freelance work ahead of time so that I can do just this. I begin to miss writing and then by the time I am supposed to write...it just flows.

* Don't let the Turkeys get you Down! Remember this 70's slogan? This was in addition to the Hang In There poster with the cat hanging from an exercise bar. The gist of what I want to say is...there are going to be so many people in your life who will try...some consciously...some unknowingly...to bring you down. They will tempt you and invite you into the world of petty negativity. Don't go there. Stick to your path and your vision for yourself. Listen to your gut at all times.

* Do what you do not for the accolades or money or anything else but...because you are being true to yourself. Don't get me wrong...money and accolades are great but they are not an end all. These can go away. But your inner desire to make a difference...nobody can take that away from you.

* This little light of mine...I'm gonna let it shine! Whatever gifts you have to give to the world...let them out! Don't be afraid of your own success. There will be lots of people who won't like it but tough noogies. We don't need to squelch ourselves into nothingness because someone else might not like it. It is good to rise above and not end up as the victim or the lovable loser. Some people might seem to like you more when you are down because it superficially inflates their own self worth. But a true friend is going to like AND respect you when you are down as well as when you show signs of strength. So what's stopping you? GROW!




More on the topic of writing...

I guess I am becoming more serious about a writing path. I went out and bought some of those writing magazines and journals recently. I have bought them before but couldn't bring myself to read them. Why...then I would be moving towards my goals! Can't have that! So maybe this is a sign that I am more ready to embrace what I am. I am a writer. Why is that still so hard for me to say?

I finally want something for myself. I am hungry. I haven't felt hungry in a long long time. Depression takes away the hunger and makes you think crazy things like...you don't deserve good things. I am finally ready to adopt a more sane way of looking at my life.

Anyway...in the latest issue of Writer's Journal...they had an article which gave me a feeling of hope.

Sometimes when you think about writing...least for me...you think of the big huge goals like writing a book. Sometimes these huge goals seem so daunting you don't want to even begin. So how about something smaller and do-able?

One of my issues with writing is that it is difficult for me to find a good chunk of time to keep going with things. I have children, one with special needs, and so it is hard for me to write without interruptions. I also have issues with my mood. One day I will write in a lighthearted manner and the next day...that mood and tone is lost and I find myself very serious. Continuity is a problem for me.

What is one answer to my dilemma?

This writing mag had an article which offers a solution. Kathey Fetsko Petrie, in her article, Consider the Essay: Advice for Writers Raising Children, provides solace to us writers who may not have all the time in the world to devote to our craft.

Petrie states: "Essays are remarkably portable. Their relatively short length-700-1000 words -makes them able to be "written" in one's head while one is doing laundry, riding to a soccer game, waiting in the pediatrician's office, or standing in line at the supermarket."

This is so true. Everything I write is written in my head pretty much before I begin to type.

Here are some more advantages of essay writing:

* Essays are usually based on first person experience so you won't be devoting much if any time in researching facts or conducting interviews.

* Parenting gives a great basis for writing essays. Just observe your daily life and write it down.

* This author says that essays do not require query letters. You can write it in one sitting. Edit it and submit it for publication. Many print publications now allow you to do this through email.

* Markets for essays can include your local monthly parenting magazine.

* Look for other Parenting mags and check out their submission guidelines. Google the magazine's name and the words submission or guidelines.

* If you are not interested in writing parenting articles...Petrie tells us to look to write in the commentary or guest column page of your local newspaper. Or how about your local or city magazine? If you hit the big time...perhaps Newsweek or the New York Times will accept your essay.

Have I done these things? Noooo. I have gotten used to people just finding me and asking me to submit things. Usually for no money. So maybe it is time for me to have some direction and purposefulness.

And you too! Get to writing people!