Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Live a Little!

One of my favorite blogposts this year came through Novel Rocket. As one of a collection of authors who post on this site, Allen Arnold, former senior vice-president and publisher of Thomas Nelson's fiction division, wrote a post titled The Biggest Threat to Your Novel. His theme, at least the one I picked up on, is that you have to live well if you want to write well. He writes, in part:

“Get away from the laptop now…
Spend more time living than writing.
Invest more in the world around you
than the world you’re creating…”
                                                                                                           
And so I did.









I baked and cooked, cleaned and decorated, read stories and played games with my grandkids, visited with my kids, slid down the waterslide, touched base with friends and neighbors, caroled at a local seniors’ home.

Everywhere I looked, new ideas for blogs and stories cropped up, nudging me for screen time. Now that the Christmas season is over and 2014 has wound down, I’m more ready to embark on a new year of writing. I don’t want the “living time” to be forgotten in favor of deadlines. I am realizing anew the importance of priorities, of living in the now.

I wish each of you a successful new year in terms of your writing, but more so in your living. As author Allen Arnold says,

“Your characters are fully aware that you can’t tell a better story than you are living.”

Let’s live in 2015. If and when we do, the stories and the blogposts will follow. 

Note:  All images from www.morguefile.com

13 comments:

  1. That's a powerful, simple reminder, Janice. Thank you.

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    1. You're very welcome. I wanted to share the impact Allen's post had on me.

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  3. As Paula says, such a simple reminder. Wonderful, Janice, you took some time out and enjoy all that the Lord blesses us with. I trust this will add a zing to your writing.

    I particularly enjoy Allen's posts. He brings a different perspective reflecting on our heart as writers.

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    1. Ian, I haven't been able to find Allen's actual blog site (Marion asked below). Do you have a URL on that?

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    2. Hi Janice, I don't think Allen has a blog site yet. Like you, I typically read his posts off Novel Rocket. He has a non-fiction book coming out this year which I believe he's self-pubbing. When I find out more I'll sure let you and the group know.

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  4. I enjoy Allen's posts too. And I enjoyed yours as well, Janice--thank you! Now to take that challenge on board ...

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    1. All the best, Jo-Anne. I think it's a daily decision (I'm reminding myself again today).

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  5. How do you link to this Allen's posts? I certainly agree with what he said, but it's a tussle. And now my chemotherapy is finished I need to learn how to be involved with writing AND the world again.

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    1. Marion, I have linked one of his posts, and there are lots of interviews and guest blogs, but his own site evades me. If you find it, let me know!

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    2. Hi Marion, It's great to see you here and I'm glad you're doing well :)

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  6. Thank you Janice for this confirmation. I have resolved this year to do more living - but my challenge is that there is only so much time. So I need to find a balance - more living, and more focused writing in the less time available.

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  7. Hi Janice, great post! We can underestimate the importance of refilling our creative well from our real life experiences :)

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