I love the quotes that set me back on my heels and make me go, “Huh.” That’s exactly how I reacted to what Duke Ellington said — only I smiled when I said, “Huh,” and then I told my husband he had to read the quote, too. Let’s just all admit we pout. The question isn’t really what do we do …
In Others’ Words: Fight the Recipe
When it comes to cooking and using a recipe … well, I’m not the most strict follower of outlined steps. Oh sure, I buy the recommended ingredients. But when it comes to measurements, I tend to eyeball a teaspoon of salt or a cup of sugar. Close enough is good enough, right? Follow the recipe to a point … and …
In Others’ Words: Lose the Fear
The word “wrong” can stop us in our tracks, can’t it? String “wrong” together with the words “You are” or “You could be” — and well, that forms a major roadblock to forward motion … and to creativity. In our pursuit of creativity, we are going to get it wrong. We’ll find ourselves staring at a dead end … or …
In Others’ Words: Not Afraid to Fail
I wish I’d learned sooner in life that it’s okay to be wrong. Mistakes happen … and sometimes mistakes lead us right to what we’ve been looking for all along … or to something gloriously unexpected. When we were younger, we had to learn a lot of things: how to tie our shoes, how to read a book, how to …
In Others’ Words: Creativity
Often when I’m trying to be creative — write a scene in my work-in-progress, for example — I strangle my muse because, well, I’m trying. I haul out all the techniques I’ve learned to write a strong, compelling scene. And then I back my scene up against the virtual wall because I’m trying so very hard to be creative. There …
In Others’ Words: Creativity
I’ve followed a few hunches in my life … sometimes I’ve walked through an open door and sometimes I’ve walked right into a brick wall. But at least I was moving forward, right? I love the idea of intertwining a hunch with creativity — splashing that “Maybe this will work” feeling with a bit of red and blue and purple …
In Others’ Words: The Blues
“I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues.” ~Duke Ellington (1899-1974), composer & big band leader Y’all know I love quotes. I especially love the quotes that set me back on my heels and make me go, “Huh.” That’s how I reacted to what Duke Ellington said — only I smiled when I said, …