Happy Monday to you all, and I mean that sincerely. I love Mondays now that I learned to take weekends off. My mind is fresh and I’m bubbling over with writing ideas. How about you?
What did we do this weekend? We went to the movies and saw “Lucy,” a sci-fi movie with Scarlett Jo in it…liked it. We worked in the garden. I finally built the door for the quail run. I had been dragging my feet on that because I was too lazy to dig the post holes, but I finally did it. The weather was perfect and we managed to harvest the remainder of the raspberries and blueberries.
So, let’s get this show started. How about we talk about change today?
QUOTE OF THE DAY
I thought it would be appropriate to quote another writer today.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
All of a sudden I’m typing in bold style. Oh well. I don’t feel like trying to switch it over, so live with it.
About change…..
I’m not afraid to change as I travel this writing road. I have very specific goals in mind, but how I attain those goals is a roll of the dice. I try stuff, and if it doesn’t work, I try different stuff. No secret formula to my approach in this freelance writing game. If it works I ride it; if it doesn’t work I discard it.
I think this is the fifth blog I have tried. I’ll stay with this one as long as people enjoy it. I don’t get much from this except a chance to communicate with all of you, and it also serves as part of my platform, which I consider important. I may change this soon…I may not. I’m thinking of only doing this blog once a week, but filling it with more information for that one posting. We’ll see how it goes. Doing three blogs a week is time-consuming, and I don’t have a lot of time. So again, we’ll see how it goes.
TIP OF THE DAY
There are no Ten Commandments of writing. No burning bush of truth. There are suggestions made by those who have been there and done that, but in the end, you have to be accountable to yourself. You are the business owner, so run your business as best as you know how. At the end of the day, you are still a writer, and that’s pretty cool.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
How about a verbal prompt today? Country fairs are starting up, and of course we’ll be going to one or two. What memories do you have when you hear “country fair?”
CONTEST OF THE DAY
How about a short story contest with no entry fee? First prize wins $200 and publication, and the deadline is August 11th. Check it out here.
WRITING GIG OF THE DAY
Collider Mag is accepting science fiction articles and stories. They pay between fifteen and twenty-five cents per word. Check them out here.
WRITER OF THE DAY
My good friend Deb Neyens has started a new blog called “Counting My Chickens,” and it details her urban farming efforts as well as some great down-home wisdom and reflections. You can find her blog here.
AND THAT’S IT FOR TODAY
But I’ll be back, so until next time, thank you so very much. I appreciate you all greatly.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Sounded like a perfect weekend and am so with you on loving Mondays more now that I do take off the weekends. Happy Monday again Bill and here is to a great week ahead now 😉
Janine, I’m so glad you are now taking the weekends off. I just believe it is so important for us to get that break from writing. Have a wonderful week my friend and thank you.
Thank you so much for the shout-out, Bill! I actually was scrolling down to leave a comment about taking weekends off when I saw my name. How cool is that?! Anyway, I also took the weekend off (and was paying for it this morning when I had to get up super early to write a newspaper article that was due this morning). Instead of working, Bob and I went hiking and tried to go kayaking (before determining that the river was still too high) and did lots of other fun things together. Taking a break was a lesson I learned from you. I understand your desire to cut back on the blogging because I am finding out how much work it is, but I wanted to let you know that I do enjoy this blog and have learned a lot from it.
Thank you Deb. That means a lot to me. I’m glad you are taking time off…we are so much fresher on Mondays when we have allowed our minds to gear down. Anyway, I really enjoy your new blog. You are doing a great job with it.
Bill, when I think of county fair, I’m reminded of the first one I went to. I was about 6 or 7. School shut down for a couple of days during the annual York (PA) County Fair. My mom took my brother and me. The feature act was a live concert by the Animals. I was in heaven and have since been a huge fan of outdoor concerts. It was a life-changing event for me and has become a huge part of whom I am today.
Great memory for sure, Sha. I always like the Animals…but never saw them. Thanks for sharing that memory, hon.
Oops. Scratch the ‘whom’ and replace it with who.
Wise words this monday morning, Bill
Being able to embrace the changes is difficult, but to be aware of it and then gradually coming to terms with it takes time…I am also striving towards it 🙂
Thank you for sharing that, Ruchira. No, it is not easy, but oftentimes, important steps in our career must be taken no matter the discomfort.
Happy Monday morning, Bill. (I’m rejoicing in Monday for a different reason. Two of my great-grandchildren stayed with me all weekend until mid-morning today, so I definitely didn’t get any writing done. Now I have 3 1/2 days left to complete a short story aimed at a contest. I will probably do a lot of late-night writing. Fortunately, I have night-owl tendencies that are handy when facing a deadline.
Thanks for the tip about the contest with the theme (which I like). I’ll give it a try also.
Have a great week! Jaye
Jaye, good morning. I think great-grandchildren are an excellent excuse. I wish I had it. 🙂 Good luck with that contest.
Change is just another word for evolution, yes? Evolve or die – to put it bluntly.
Have a great week – love the bold, btw
Well sheez, Sis, I’m not ready to die yet, so I guess I’d better get to evolving, yes? 🙂 Thanks, hon.
And a happy Tuesday to you! 🙂 Have to tell you on Sunday I was looking forward to starting Monday too. First time ever I think, LOL. Know why? I took an hour or two to plan, plan, plan on Friday for the week ahead. What a pleasure starting the week knowing what’s got to be done and not flying around like a headless chicken. I am in 100% agreement with you about change and doing what works for you as a writer. I’ve chopped and changed blogs so many times it feels silly – but you know, I always just go where my heart and head lead me. If I’m not happy doing something anymore – happy as in look forward to it and get sheer joy from it – I move on. I’m redesigning my profile website – AGAIN, but adding a blog there. I miss writing from the heart the way I did on Scribbles and Smiles… but I just want to write what comes naturally, not all happy chappy because of a blog’s title and not health or career related like the other two blogs. So we’ll see what happens there!! I like this blog, but you know that I’ll follow you all across the web whereever you go my friend. Have a good one! 🙂
Mel my dear, I can hear happiness in your words. I’ll follow you anywhere too my dear, because you are a genuine human being who has compassion and empathy. Thank you for always leaving such a wonderful comment. Have a great week.
Hello Bill.
Changes are inevitable; we submit to spiritual vitality even when body dictates a slower pace. You thought not having enough time, and just consider how much more are you accomplishing alongside writing. There is a lesson in all you say or do hide in between the lines, and I am grateful to you for that… A remedy provided to my ” troubled” soul experiencing a whirlwind going through past two weeks … where wings can’t spread enough for supporting my flying , wings of those close in understanding come to assistance… I would have need for returning back where I have been not long ago – revived when the void will be filled once again. Continue please doing what you do and many of us have need for, as long as majority would become fed-up ( there must be better word ; gone back to dictionary.)
Good night my friend, talk to you soon.
Michael my friend, you always speak wisdom. Your word choice is very good and the message has been received. You are a true friend and I value you.
blessings always
bill
This blog was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found
something which helped me. Appreciate it!
Well I’m very happy to hear that…thank you very much.