What you may not know is that today is National Chocolate and Caramel Day. Not only do I love chocolate, but a box of high quality nuts and chews just calls my name. Appropriately, today is also my birthday-- yet another excuse to buy a box.
The chocolate we love so much was not originally as we think of it today. Most commonly, chocolate is attributed as being discovered by the Aztecs. They consumed it in a liquid form during sacred rituals and there was no sugar in it as the chocolate of today. But right from the start is was highly prized. Click here for more information about the history of chocolate.
When we're writing, often we end up with a very different product from when we started, just like the history of chocolate. Originally it was a highly prize drink, typically used in religious ceremonies. But we added sugar to it, and gave it a little sweetness. This is the sweet treat we love today.
When we write, it doesn't always turn out the way we want it to, but frequently the end result is much more satisfying than the original product.
It's your turn. What I would like you to do is share with us when your own writing changed direction to a totally new form, and became a new idea that was even more glorious.
Option 2. Tell us a time when things turned up the heat in your life either externally or internally, and you persevered to finish your writing project.
So join the conversation, the Write Conversation. Don't forget your nuts and chews, but if you must skip on them, send them my way with birthday blessings. Happy Chocolate and Caramel Day everyone.
Thanks for the delicious post. :-) Happy birthday, Laurie!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Vonda! I'd like to dig in to both some chocolate and writing today. Enjoy it, and think of me. Blessings, Laurie
DeleteMy goal in life was to be a nonfiction writer and editor -- and I achieved that goal. I was happy too ... until I hit a season of burnout. And then I watched from the sidelines as God turned a season of burnout into a bend in the writing road ... and now I'm writing fiction.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't be a more surprised writer -- and I'm loving the entire journey.
Well, there are days it's more of a trudge along the writing road, but that's true no matter what side of the white line you're on.
Hi Beth, Thanks for stopping by. I know what you mean about burnout. I have had periods of that myself. I also had surges alternating burnout with production when I was sick with cancer, but here I am, a college student, and intern with the sweetest woman around, Edie Melson. She breathes the sweetness into my writing, even when I just want to sleep. Find the sweetness in your life, we all have some. I am very fortunate, in that, my cup flows over with love. I hope it will resonate in my writing, but I will enjoy the journey with all my readers. Blessings, Laurie
DeleteNational Chocolate and Caramel Day? I never heard of it, but I love it. I like the analogy of the box of chocolates to writing too. Happy birthday Laurie!
ReplyDeleteHi Ellen, thank you so much for the compliment! It's true, sometimes our work merely channels through us and we must yield to that part of the process. Sometimes we can make ourselves crazy hoping for the perfection of our vision that may be incomplete or half baked at best. By letting go a little, and trusting our talents flow, we can unlock a much greater masterpiece. Something to consider. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteBlessings, Laurie
Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteBeing in a house with four kids and a husband who doesn't understand the word "schedule" gets a bit challenging. I've learned when I keep a good attitude, it all goes much better. It doesn't always mean I can finish my "To Do" list but I'm happier. Here lately, it means getting up earlier in the morning to write.
Hi Alena, As the mother of 3, I have been there. Now my family is changing, but so is how I handle it. My ex was the biggest baby in the house, and my eldest is on her own. Now with my shrinking family size, I find myself an intern with Edie, and a full-time college student. Oh I am not complaining. I love my life, but albeit, that fight for time has morphed into a different arena. Instead of getting up early as I once did, I am now awake till the wee hours of the morning on a lot of evenings. The time period is different, but the physical manifestation of work is the same. I still manage to walk away with something. I have learned so much about myself in my journey, and I know I have become closer to God because of it. I hope the Lord will bless your efforts as richly as he has blessed mine.
DeleteBlessings, Laurie
God can certainly turn your work upside down!
ReplyDeleteI started out writing a nice, calm (translation: boring) book on the seven letters in Rev 2-3. All of a sudden, God morphed it into a study using the dialogues/monologues of modern, fictitious women to apply the truths to the challenges of living in today's society. So now it's a nonfiction/fiction hybrid. Beth, you were a huge help last year at BRMCWC! Thanks to you, I actually feel like I know a bit of what I'm doing!
Dear Sherry, That is really wonderful. It is amazing what God can do. I plan on going to the BRMCWC this year, and I hope it will be as beneficial for me as it was for you. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteBlessings,
Laurie
Happy Birthday, Laurie! I will join you in delighting in the chocolates of today. :)
ReplyDeleteI've recently had the heat turned up, as we just moved from the green and 4-seasoned East Coast to the hot desert of New Mexico. While the move put my writing on hold for a few weeks as I packed and traveled and unpacked, I am continuing to push on in my goal to have my current WIP completed before BRMCWC in May. It felt great having my butt back in the chair as I wrote a few more chapters these past couple of days!
Hi Alycia, Thank you for the birthday wishes. I made a similar trek across the country though it was in reverse. I moved to SC from CA back in Dec. 2005 and I did it by car. It wasn't easy in my old beat up Toyota with the camper shell on top, two large cat carriers in the back seat, and my daughter wedged into a small corner of the car; but I can say that I know there's a story there. I know you have one too. I hope it emerges when you write, and I'll be first in line to read it.
DeleteBlessings,
Laurie
Happy belated Birthday, Kid. Can you elaborate on exactly how Edie "breathes sweetness into your writing"? I am helping a friend polish her work, and need to balance the friend and critic in me. She is teachable and I try to speak the truth in love and utmost kindness. However, I am not sure she would consider it sweetness. Any pointers? Perhaps it would make a good post subject: "How to Mentor a Writing Buddy with Sweetness." Chocolate?
ReplyDeleteHi Melody, I love that you called me kid since I just turned 45 years old! Ah, so I am a late bloomer, so what? What I can say is the number one thing that has helped me with Edie is encouragement. I have never worked with or for someone so encouraging in all my life. It has made all the difference. What gives her instruction the touch of sweetness is her prodding at me to help my own ideas to emerge and it keeps me more connected to my own writing. Edie inspires me, consoles me, picks apart my ideas (yes), but also steers me to the path with the most promise. The road to fruition isn't always easy, or pretty, but I know she won't abandon me. Oh I know we will laugh and cry along the way, but at the finishing line, Edie will be beaming like a proud parent. They aren't easy shoes to fill, but Edie has forever changed my life, my writing, and my heart. I will always love her for that. Good luck with your friend, and check in from time to time to tell us how you are doing. For motivation, pick up some chocolate along the way.
DeleteBlessings, Laurie