Artistry With Words

I have a few spare minutes this morning so why not? Why not another installment of my blog?  I can’t think of a single reason why not, so let’s do it.

Bev’s son is dating a woman who has a goat and chicken farm.  She’s got about ten acres and it is a joy to visit her and see all the animals.  It’s also cool because we get freebies from time to time.  One of those times happened several weeks ago when Rachel gave us a couple fertilized chicken eggs.  We’ve been meaning to try incubating chicken eggs but hadn’t gotten around to it, so Rachel’s little gift was very welcomed.

We did our thing with the incubator, provided loving care for those two eggs for twenty-one days, and last week we were rewarded.  The first little Silkie broke her egg about eight in the morning.  She was a healthy chick and we were excited.  The second one, however, cracked her egg but then struggled to get out.  This struggle went on for several hours at which time we decided to intervene.  Bev finished the cracking process and took the little guy out.  He didn’t respond at all.  He was breathing but he was still in the fetal position, and it didn’t look good for him.

Eight hours passed like that and eventually we moved her to the brooder so she could be with her healthy sister.  We figured, quite honestly, it was as good a place to die as any.  She was unresponsive and we figured she would be dead in the morning.

Next morning we went in to check on her and she was standing next to her sister chirping up a storm.

A week later both sisters are healthy and happy.

What in the world does this have to do with writing?

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I’m not in control of my muse. My muse does all the work.”

Ray Bradbury

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

So here’s the thing:  there is no rushing creativity.  I can no sooner sit down and force a story or article to appear than I can control nature.  Creativity happens when it happens and not a moment before.  If I’m having trouble with a chapter or an undeveloped story, I walk away from it.  I trust my muse enough to know she will find me when she’s good and ready to do so.

Just like the chicken.

TIP OF THE DAY

Chill out!  It will happen when it happens.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

What are your writing plans for September?

It’s ten days away.  Do you know what you want to accomplish in September?  Anything?  Share in the comment section if you want.  Maybe the rest of us will find some inspiration from your plans.

THAT’S IT FOR THIS WEEK

Consider this a bonus. I wasn’t planning on doing this blog this week, but so much for my plans. J  Have a great week of writing. You deserve one!

Bill

“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”

Happy August to you all!  I hope this finds you well and happy.  It’s been awhile since I invaded your online space.   I hope you don’t mind if I stick around for a few moments.

Summer has derailed me and I love that it happened.  I needed a break from the constant writing.  I had planned on having my second novel in the “Shadows” series completed by now, but the first draft isn’t even done yet, and I’m fine with that.  The farm has needed me more these past two months.  My family needed me more as well.

So here I am in August, about two months behind in my original plans and happier for it.   There must be a lesson there somewhere.  Oh wait, I think I know what it is.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.”  Author unknown.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Writing is just one aspect of who we are.  I think it’s crucial that we remember that.  I remember for about twenty years when I introduced myself to someone I would say, “Hi, I’m Bill Holland, and I’m a teacher.”  That introduction was only partially true.  I was also a single father, a loyal friend, a part-time writer, a lover of baseball, an amateur historian, and a hundred other different things.  A more accurate introduction would have been, “Hi, I’m Bill Holland, and I’m a human being.”

TIP OF THE DAY

Keep things in perspective and cut yourself some slack.  Writing is just part of your life.  What you don’t get done today you can tackle tomorrow, or the next day, or the next.  We are complicated farmers and we need to tend to all of our “crops.”

WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?

I don’t know.  I’m not feeling it any longer on this blog.  I doubt it will continue much longer.  I’m into urban farming big-time, and I really want to start a blog/website devoted to that topic. That way I can combine my two main loves, writing and urban farming.  The best of both worlds.  And I have the current novel I’m working on, and the final in that series waiting in the wings and then a memoir I want to write.

So, if you don’t see me much on this blog, that’s the reason.  I’ll be building new platforms and spreading my wings and flying as high as I possibly can.

And I wish the same soaring excitement for you.

Bill

“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”