Jayne.press

Curiosity

“Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people.” – Leo Burnett

I like this reminder. I forget that I need to stay curious. Keeping myself excited to learn new things is self-care, self-love, self-empowerment, all that. There’s so much to learn, but I’m the type of person that likes to watch the same things over and over again. For example, restoration videos, IG poets, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the one with Gene Wilder), and Bee and Puppycat. I need to make sure I’m also finding out things that pique my curiosity during my downtime.

What have you been curious about lately?

Writers Tip

I take two hours off for my family every day. And then I write fourteen hours.” -Brandon Sanderson

I just wanted to share that Brandon Sanderson is sharing his lectures on his YouTube channel. It’s a wealth of knowledge for fiction writers. If you haven’t heard of Sanderson, he wrote “The Stormlight Archive” and the “Mistborn” series. My husband is the fan, but he lectures well. It’s worth a listen.

Here’s his bio

“Brandon Winn Sanderson is an American author of science fiction, fantasy, and young adult novels. He studied creative writing and English literature at Brigham Young University. Sanderson is best known for his “Cosmere” fictional universe, where many of his fantasy novels take place, including “The Stormlight Archive” and the “Mistborn” series. He also completed Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series after Jordan’s death.” -Wikipedia

The first lecture is titled The Philosophy of Professional Writing

Growing Slowly

“Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still.” – Chinese Proverb

I’m the type of girl who likes things slow. I like to take it easy. I like to chill out and cruise around. I may be considered a late bloomer, but I’m not committed to that label. The point is, I don’t like to rush growth or my day. I like to let it pick up naturally. I used to think I was lazy or lacked work ethic, but no, I’m just someone who likes daily routines and disciplines.

Goodness

“Goodness is the only investment that never fails.” -Henry David Thoreau

This is well said. We often wonder what we have left to give. This, as Thoreau says, is something we can give. It’s an investment for the people, it’s an investment for our future, and we get to give it at no material cost.

Fitzgerald on Artists

“An artist is someone who can hold two opposing viewpoints and still remain fully functional.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

A writer is many things. But in order to write a story with depth, you have to understand all your characters in some way. Part of that means you must learn to understand the differing points of view. Some people can do this naturally; for others, it may take a few writer’s blocks to get through. The novel is the best place to learn about your characters and to better understand those around you.

What’s Next?

For me, the writing process is the same as the reading process. I want to know what happens next. -Neal Asher

Oh, I can relate. I’m laughing because I’ve rewritten book three so many times that I know what I want to happen, but I really just have no idea at this point. Writing is such an adventure. I think my brain makes it even more magical.

How’s your writing projects going? Do you know what’s going happen next?

School is Back in Session

“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” -John Dewey

My day started out great!! But let me tell you, it wore off and when it did, it was rough. It was something about neither ebook for school working and other technology issues that really took it out of me. My anxiety went through the roof. What’s frustrating about my anxiety is that I know it can all be fixed. I know I just need to take a deep breath and maybe step away from it for a second and return when I’m in a better mental state. But anxiety also tells me it needs to get done NOW! Don’t walk away! So I closed some tabs (literally and metaphorically) and limited the amount of multitasking I was doing so I could focus on fixing one thing at a time. Technology can be stressful, but it’s a part of our lives today, so it’s best to learn how to thrive alongside it.

Getting Back At It

“It’s the steady, quiet, plodding ones who win in the lifelong race.” -Robert W. Service

I’m feeling better. Not 100% but definitely way better.

I’m ready to get back at it though. Slow and steady.

R&R for Me

“My relationship with my body has changed. I used to consider it as a servant who should obey, function, give pleasure. In sickness, you realise that you are not the boss. It is the other way around.” -Federico Fellini

Today I’ve been fighting a cold. Lots of rest and soup for me. I’m hoping tomorrow I’ll be feeling back at it.

Lend Your Energy to What is Good

“Let me live, love, and say it well in good sentences.” — Sylvia Plath

I will be moving through life in a way that supports my entire well-being. My health, my spirit, my mind, and my family will be valued. I have been working on living like this for a long time. I may fail at times, but I’m not looking for perfection here; I’m looking for consistency and commitment. I deeply believe that this will add to humanity in the most positive way.

“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear” Martin Luther King Jr