First of all, can you believe it is the middle of January already? Geesh, time flies. I guess being out of town the first week of the month made it fly all the faster. By the way, my wise meditation teacher has a theory on why we think that time goes faster as we age: because we’ve done the same things so many times that we are doing them mindlessly. And if we took the time to do them mindfully, time would slow down again. I don’t know about you, but I’m constantly struggling to be more mindful, so this is good impetus.
Anyway, there’s lots going on around the interwebs this month, even if it is January. When I was a kid, I hated January. It seemed do depressing and blah after the holidays. Now I see it differently–and I love it. The month feels clean and fresh to me, and the unlimited blank canvas of the year stretches before me. I’m thinking up ideas for books and content, and getting inspired about things I can do. Accordingly, I’ve got a mixed bag of links today. (Oh, when do I have anything but a mixed bag? It is just the way my brain works.)
Writing
How to tell if a subplot is leading you astray, by the always-reliable Janice Hardy.
Stealing time. We all need more of it!
Creating strong female protagonists. Always a concern of mine.
How to find the meaning of life through writing. Victoria Mixon, author of this post, is listed on the link below. Nice bit of synchronicity.
Larry Brooks on his rabid belief in story structure. He will hunt you down and kill you if you don’t follow his method exactly. Or at least that’s how his writing comes off. He drives me nuts, but he does make some good points, though his bombastic voice often makes me resist his advice.
A list of the best writing blogs. Some of these are very familiar to me (and probably you), but others, not so much. I can’t quite figure out why they refer to all of them as “copywriting” blogs, though. Ah well, its a great reference.
Marketing
Creating your author brand. This relates four easy steps to take. I like.
How to boost your freelance income with a blog.
Making money from your poetry. I’m still dubious, but the article has some good ideas.
Guilty Pleasures/Time Sucks
I’m in love with a mad Russian and his name is Eugene Kaspersky. He’s the head of an international cyber-security firm and he flies around the world in his spare time, which is always. Goes to obscure places (Kamchatka, anyone?) and takes tons of great photos, which he accompanies with wry commentary.
That’s it, that’s all I’ve got. Have a great weekend and share any great links, writing-related or otherwise, you might come across–including your very own blog!
J.D.
I love these lists you give us. I’ve only read two: Dilloway on Stealing Time and O’neal on female protagonists. Very good. I’ll cruise the remainders on the list today. The best of this post is your meditation teacher’s theory on time flying. Does it mean “be in the moment?” I have a list of moments, ones I wish I had totally absorbed everything while they were happening. So eat that apple like it’s last apple you will ever taste. You just never know.
Charlotte Rains dixon
I’ve done that, too, J.D. Sometimes I’ve been aware in the moment that I want to savor it–which is not being in the moment. At least I think that’s correct–it does get confusing. I think you are right, just savor every moment. Easy to say, hard to remember.
I’m so glad you like the lists of links, its good to get some feedback.
dyoung
CAN we mindfully slow down the passage of time? I don’t think so. My theory on why time seems to go more quickly as we age is experience. So, in a way, your friends theory may be right. With experience, we tend to move through certain events with more ease, and perhaps less awareness of the acuity of the motions needed to complete a task, prepare an event, or communicate to a friend. If, in these small snippets of space and time, we can slow down and relish every moment, time could slow a bit. Honestly, I just think it’s Father Time’s bad hoax on aging. A bit like Mother Nature and her ruthless temperature tantrums when she blows the frigid air across the central Midwest.
Love the lists, too. The Meaning of Life Through Writing. LOVE. And Creating your author brand. SAVE.
Thank you, Char. Glad to have you back. Your retreat pictures seem lovely. I have a friend who recently attended a silent retreat with the Catholic Church. She was renewed, refreshed, and reenergized as a result. Yours seems to have had the added benefit of learning more about the author side of oneself.
Charlotte Rains dixon
I think that’s exactly what my teacher was saying, Dona. I have another friend–I just remembered this–who said by this age, we’ve done it and seen it all–but the trick is to find something new in everything we see and do. It takes being mindful to do that.
Are you getting terrible weather? We are getting rain, rain, rain, more than I would have thought possible. Even I, who love it, am getting sick of it.
dyoung
PS- your friend, Eugene….totally jealous of him. What a life!
Charlotte Rains dixon
He is amazing! And its so much fun to follow his blog–he’s always somewhere.
Dyoung
Re: Weather
Yesterday was a balmy 6 above. This morning we woke to negative 2. It’s warmed to a big fat 0 right now. Clear blue sunny skies. Very deceiving.
Charlotte Rains dixon
When I was in Nashville last week the temperature dropped 30 degrees over night! From high 50s to high 20s. We actually have some sun here this morning, which feels lovely. I know it is not here for long!
J.D.
Good morning, Charlotte. I enjoyed Ms. Mixon’s piece on how to find the meaning of life, but I disagree. She said, “Our choices: they’re who we are.” I think our choices are only the thin crust. So much of who we are is thrust upon us with choice or even consent. Our choices are what people see.
Charlotte Rains dixon
Good morning J.D. Oh man, you open up a conversation that could go on for hours and is best done over a bottle of wine. At least one. It reminds me of the old “nature vs. nurture” debate. Are you familiar with one of Annie Dillard’s quotes: “How we spend our days, is, of course, how we spend our lives.” Seems like she is sort of on Victoria Mixon’s side, don’t you think? I’m telling you, I need wine to figure this out.
J.D.
Above I meant to say “Much of who we are is thrust upon us WITHOUT choice or even consent.” I had a big long discourse here but I ditched it. I agree with you: It’s a conversation that requires wine.
Charlotte Rains dixon
Well, maybe I should pour a glass of wine at my end and you pour one at your end and let the discussion commence. Its almost 5 o’clock here. :-)