“Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work.” ~Peter Drucker (1909-2005), writer I start Monday with lots of plans for the week. Some of them end up being nothing more than good intentions by the time Friday rolls around. And, yeah, that’s frustrating. Sometimes legitimate interruptions derail my plans. And sometimes I derail my plans. …
In Others’ Words: Tangles
I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions. ~James Michener (1907-1997), American author I read that quote by James Michener and thought: Yes! Yes! Yes! I love writing too — even on the days I hate writing. You know what I mean: the days when the words won’t come. …
In Others’ Words: Joy
“I’ve grown to realize the joy that comes from little victories is preferable to the fun that comes from ease and the pursuit of pleasure.” ~Lawana Blackwell, author, The Courtship of the Vicar’s Daughter, 1998 Little victories. What do those look like? Getting to the end of a long day … maybe not finishing everything … crawling into bed and …
In Others’ Words: Ears
“Be a good listener. Your ears will never get you in trouble.” ~ Frank Tyger (1929-2011), nationally published editorial cartoonist & columnist Don’t you relish a truth wrapped in just the right amount of laughter? Listening is an art, really … but even more than that, listening is a gift. It’s such a beautiful way to consider someone else more …
In Others’ Words: Dirty Business
“Writing is not a genteel profession; it’s quite nasty and tough and kind of dirty.” ~Rosemary Mahoney (1961-), American non-fiction writer There is the dream of the writing life … and then there is reality. I bet you think I’m going to say I prefer the dream. Nope. I will take the nitty-gritty reality of the writing life …
In Others’ Words: Hero (Guest Post)
To celebrate her latest book release, Lakeside Family, my friend, Lisa Jordan, shares a quote with us today. “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” ~Christopher Reeve (1952-2004), actor In Lakeside Family, Nick Brennan feels like nobody’s hero. After his father abandoned his family, Nick promised …
In Others’ Words: Wake Up (Guest post)
Today I’m at the MOPS Convention in Dallas, teaching a workshop on cyberbullying. So writer Susannah Friis shares a favorite quote with you. “I wake up every morning determined to both change the world and have a [heckuva] good time. Sometimes that makes planning my day difficult.” ~ EB White (1899-1985), American writer I love this quote because …
In Others’ Words: Writing … and Reading
“The unread story is not a story; it is little black marks on wood pulp. The reader, reading it, makes it live: a live thing, a story.” ~ Ursula K. Le Guin (1929-), American author I call myself a writer — an author even. But long before I morphed from a wish-I-may-wish-I-might wannabe writer to “the real deal,” I …
In Others’ Words: Now
Living the past is a dull and lonely business; looking back strains the neck muscles, causing you to bump into people not going your way. ~Edna Ferber (1885-1968), American novelist I can’t transport myself to the future, except when I escape in the pages of a spectacular novel. And I know I can’t go back to days past. But …
In Others’ Words: Teachers
I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework. ~Lily Tomlin as “Edith Ann” (1939), actress I registered my caboose kiddo for school this week. We bought school supplies weeks ago. Today she went with her BFF and got locker supplies. Middle school, here they come! Funny, I never bought locker supplies when …