Happy Monday to you all. I made it back this week, so that’s a victory I can build on. I’ve gone from three posts each week, to two, and now one. I think I might have dropped as far as I can and still call this a blog. LOL Never fear, I’ll rebound and find a pace I’m happy with.
Speaking of happy, we got our first rabbit for our urban farm, and of course she’s a rescue. The previous owner couldn’t take care of our little Angora with tangled fur, so she is now ours. She will receive more than her share of love and attention in the coming weeks. Oh, and her name is Alice.
Okay, let’s get down to business. First, the quote of the day, and then I’ll have a few observations.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
I make no secret of the fact that I believe writers carry a huge responsibility. We are the recorders of history. We are the voices of our generation. Think about it and you will see the truth in those statements.
Whether you write recipes, “how to” articles, or creative pieces or poems, your voice is added to the millions of other voices, and the sum total is the song of civilization. People one hundred years from now will read your words, and from your words a picture of our generation will take shape.
I believe that what we do is important, and I also believe that it should be treated with loving and tender care. If you are going to be a writer, then be the best damned writer you can be. History is counting on you.
TIP OF THE DAY
Do one thing each week to improve your writing skills. It doesn’t have to be a biggie like attending a writing class. Just practice some new technique, like writing metaphors. Just demand, of yourself, improvement in your chosen craft. The world will thank you for it.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
Here’s your chance to improve. Write a one hundred word description of this scene.
RANDOM INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT OF THE DAY
How’s that for a mouthful?
I hear from someone every single week who is having doubts about their ability as a writer, or someone who is not getting enough support and is feeling like they are wasting their time.
Here’s what I have to say to that: PIPO! Positive In/Positive Out. I believe in those four words. You have to envision success before success can happen, and I believe success is much more likely to occur for a writer if that writer projects a positive self-image.
Build it and they will come.
BOOK OF THE DAY
Have you written and published a book? If so, give us the name of your book in the comment section, and I’ll include it in a future post.
WRITER OF THE DAY
Let me give a shout out to Vkwok on HubPages. Here is a guy who writes fantasy novels, and he writes them well. Every few days we see a new chapter from him, and every few days he will get a comment from me and one other person.
And this has been going on now for at least nine months and maybe even a year. Two comments every single time he posts something new.
And he keeps writing!
Stop by and give this guy some support. He’s writing in obscurity and that’s no place to reside. You can find him on HP if you follow this link.
THAT’S IT…NOW GO WRITE
Enough of this…have a great week of writing. Remember that incredible things can only happen to your writing career if you actually….write.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
You are so right about us having a responsibility to indeed do our part, especially for history’s sake. Trust me I am trying my best to do my part and hope someday others can look back and smile at my work at the very least. Happy Monday once again 🙂
Janine, I barely got that posted and here you are. Few writers are lucky enough to have followers like you. Thank you!
Aww, you know I adore you and I have about 20 minutes before I have to step away to pick up Lily from her first day of pre-school this year, so trying to get to all I need and want to before that 🙂
It’s fun to grow in this business with other people…we can share in each other’s victories, Janine, and that’s pretty cool
First, I’d like to say I love your bunny’s name. I take it Alice in Wonderland or Go Ask Alice inspired her name?
I’ll have to check out Vkwok. I’m not familiar with him (yet), but if you follow him, he’s certainly worthy of more than two comments!
In February of 2013 I published my first book. It’s a compilation of original poems spanning the years 1975 through 2012. I’ve actually written more than the 78 poems I chose for the book, but they follow the theme I intended. The title is Hearts and Rainbows – A Poetic Look at Life. It’s available on Lulu.com, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and several other online bookstores.
Thanx for the chance to spread the love, Bill!
Thank you Sha. I’ll be spreading the love soon. As for Alice, I would like to take credit for the name, but that’s the one that came with her. 🙂
Must admit to reading this post with a smile on my face,Billy. The History of this Generation and people reading what is written today in one hundred years time. So why the smile you ask.
I have been accepted on an MA course to study the First World War. The study of a previous generation one hundred years ago and to write about them now. So who knows. What I write now about what happened one hundred years ago may be read one hundred years from now.
Peter, I think that is exciting news. Congratulations. I hope it goes well for you, and thank you for sharing your news with us all.
I like your tips, Bill.
Agree we ought to perfect our talent to be actually good at it…self awareness very imp!!
I will visit the author of HP you suggested 🙂
happy monday!
Thank you,,Ruchira, for giving vkwok support. I know how much support meant to me when I was starting out.
I love that you suggest we add to the millions of other voices! I am slowly gathering my writing notes into one spot so I can put them together like a puzzle to be, HOPEFULLY, MY BOOK! I am amazed at how you keep up. So glad I am getting notifications of your
“Artistry” pieces! I love Alice! Remember the song, “Go ask Alice???” Maybe she could be yours and Bev’s listener! God bless, Sparklea PS: I watched the video, turned out to be a Purina commercial…oh well, LOVED the dog…you know I am an animal lover!
LOL..Lea, so sorry about the commercial. I think I’ll have to do a little better job of screening those in the future. Blessings my friend…now, back to writing.
bill
Great tip on practicing something new each week. That is really working towards successful writing. Hope you are enjoying a great day.
Thank you, Dianna, and congrats on your Hubbie Award.
PIPO, baby! From now on – it’s all about the PIPO!
lol
have a great week Bill and lighten up on BILL!
mwahxx
Bill don’t need me to lighten up on him. He’s used to the whip. 🙂 Thanks, Sis.
It is always a balancing act I think–life in general and anything that you must practice daily! I find that I have to write some nonsense or other everyday for anything of value to make its appearance–and although I would like to think of myself as disciplined, you, my friend are far more dedicated and disciplined–so I continue to come here to find a sense of the work in crafting writing–and I have to thank you for that! Hope this ramble made some sense!
Audrey, your ramble did make sense, and I thank you very much for it. Have a wonderful remainder of the week, and happy writing!
Your farm cracks me up. Second, I miss you. Less than three months. I’m learning lots and putting in 10 hours a day at school and a couple hours in the evenings for coursework. Whew!
But all this work is making me really think: what is it that I want? Because, see, it was VERY hard to return to the grind. And though I like what I’m doing, my goal still remains: to work for myself.
I didn’t “fail” these last couple of years: I just learned a lot of things I need to know for the next time I try. Going to get my loans paid off and try again in a few years. Hehe…hopefully my ramble made sense. 🙂
Will return to regular writing soon. Like last semester: I write, but it’s all academic and unfortunately, I don’t have anything left at the end of the day…whew. But I’ll return to my beloved more creative writing. Maybe not blogging…eh…I never know on that one. But I miss you and all my wonderful writing friends!
Have a wonderful day!
Cyndi, I miss you too. So many of the writers I started out with are gone now, so I really want to hold onto the ones who remain. Take care of yourself and try not to overstretch…allow time off, so writing isn’t a chore…and I’ll see you on the other side. Hugs lil Sis!
You’re so right about the positive in / positive out thing. I read something a few weeks ago – can’t remember where now – that said you have to EXPECT good things will happen to you. I’ve tried that approach over the last few weeks and have to say it’s changed a lot of my perspective on things. Not just writing. It’s not easy, especially when you’re used to putting yourself or your abilities down – so it’s taking some getting used to. But I can really feel how that simple little mindset attracts good things back. It’s AMAZING! 🙂 Your bunnies look so cute! Sure they are in farm heaven. Have a good one my friend!
Mel, I really do believe that is true. I practice it daily, and I’m pretty happy with my life. Yes, the bunnies are happy. I’ll tell them you were asking about them. 🙂 Thank you Melanie!