Weekend Treats

Links of the Week

I am (slowly) getting caught up on my reader feed. At least, it’s under 100 again. For now. :)

The Essence of the Process is Revision from The Art of Non-Conformity
This is one of the reasons most things rarely get past my journals or blog posts.

In the Art Studio: The Insides of a Heart from Beth Morey
A heartfelt look at the role of heart in art.

Some Sort of Silence from The Yarn Harlot
The Yarn Harlot talks a bit about what it means to be in a public space, working to deal with private things.

8 Secrets from 8 Curvy Women Who Love Their Bodies from Everyday Feminism
Love this! LOVE IT!

The Next Big Thing: Novel In Progress from M. Fenn
A look into the novel in progress M. Fenn’s been working on. (From what I’ve read so far… it’s awesome!)

Changing the Default from The Art of Non-Conformity
One way to chang ewhat we think of “default.”

The Battle of Not Thin Enough from Hey Amber Rae
This is one to revisit. But, the scan of it made me pause.

Surrounded by Ideas from Karen Gadient
Beautiful art, and a look into dreams.

Mother’s Day, Again from Beth Morey
A reminder that Mother’s Day is not always the Hallmark moment we think of.

To the Queer Black Kids from Black Girl Dangerous
An empowering message to those who feel they don’t fit in.

It’s not what’s happening… It’s how you respond from Tara Brach
A message I need, early and often.

Badger on the Left, Buddha on the Right from Living Wild and Precious
Love the whimsy and utter truthfulness of this post.

Do It Yourself Writer’s Retreat from Wordlander
A retreat sounds lovely right now.

Song of the Week

I think I first heard this song (Brave from Sara Bareilles) via George Takei on Facebook. Either way, love the message and song.

 Quote of the Week

Read in the middle of a journal article about narrative therapy. Too good to not share.

I  assume  that  storytelling  is  not  merely  a  method  for  solving  particular problems that crop up in our lives but also has an importance and integrity of its own, as a means to personal wholeness. In this sense, it is a spiritual activity, enabling us to become more of who we are, more authentic and more alive. ~ Sanrie de Beer and Julian Müller

Weekend Prompting

This week’s prompting is a question I keep asking myself right now. Maybe you need to hear it too?

Tell me, what do you need to let go of, right now, in this moment.

Weekend Treats (on time!)

Reading Treats

Never Graduate from Canffirmations
A reminder of all of the opportunities there are for learning.

A Special Wishcasting Wednesday from Thousand Shades of Gray
Jill gives a great reminder for pausing. (A message I need. Early and often.)

Thank you (Yes, You): A Love Letter from Beth Morey
I can feel the love and Beth’s spirit resonate through this post.

Love your sadness. It won’t last. from Danielle LaPorte
A reminder that all emotions are important, and that they all are clouds (or sorts). Sometimes lingering, sometimes passing. All important.

Monday Morning Music from M. Fenn
A dancey song that I really appreciate. :)

Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls… SO I WILL from The Militant Baker
(Hat tip to M. Fenn for the link.) A wonderful body positive post.

Girls Are Better at Designing Super Hero Costumes from Alex Law
(Another hat tip to M. Fenn for link.) A great tumblr showing how awesome girls are at designing super hero costumes!

Are you missing the three-leafed clovers? from Living Wild and Precious
A fabulous reminder of all that is precious in the moment.

Breaking Free from Trust Tending
An honest look at when things feel like they’re only shifting, shifting. (Includes fun music video.)

Thought Happens from Janice McWilliams
I love this look at the creativity of the human brain with our thoughts.

Are you Judge-mental? from This Side of the MirrorAn honest look at how judgment (on many levels) can frame our state of mind.

Oh For Crying Out Loud from the Jotter’s Joint
A look at crying, its meanings, and what it can sometimes teach us.

Stop Drop Roll from inside space
A reminder to put on our own oxygen mask first.

Musical Interlude

This has been a favourite song of mine since I heard it. Today, I bring you an upbeat song, Merry Go Round, from Antje Duvekot.

Weekend Prompting

A professor in our department is leaving in a few weeks. I have been working pretty closely with her on three different projects and have come to really respect and appreciate her presence in my life. I met with her a few weeks ago for one of our projects, and she gave me a lovely book of poetry named Risking Everything: 110 Poems of Love and Revelation, which she said was one of her favourite books of all time. Today’s prompt comes from there, and the poem is Maybe by Mary Oliver.

Happy writing!

how it is when something different crosses the threshold

Weekend Treats

Links of the Week

This week’s links are the few I was able to catch via social media (my poor reader is feeling really neglected). But, hopefully, with the semester ending in less than a week (!!!!), ill be able to get all caught up. Until then, a few links!

10K from Canffirmations
A wonderful celebration of a milestone, and all of the learning that came with it.

Whither Moral Courage from The New York Times
An interesting look at the challenges and changes in understanding (and celebrating) courage.

Accepting Ourselves So We Can Accept Others from Emma’s Hope Book
A look at darkness, light, and learning where we grow.

29 Ways to Stay Creative from Rebelle Society
A great manifesto encouraging creativity.

Finding My Way in My Writing – Again from Jason Konopinski
Oh, this one resonates. Resonates muchly.

Self-Care is Not a Punishment from Mara Glatzel
This is a message I need to hear, early and often.

Musical Interlude

I’ve been listening to the new Frank Turner a bit recently… I don’t know the songs well enough yet to pull one out to share with you, but this is my favorite one from his previous album, England Keep My Bones, and is definitely on the soundtrack of that novel I keep talking about. Here’s an acoustic version of I Am Disappeared. (For some reason, it’s not coming up embedded. Boo.)

Weekend Prompting

So, this line comes to you directly from the book I’m reading for a final paper in my Diversity class. It caught my I attention as something to consider and might make for interesting writing. This is from Borderlands/La Frontera by Gloria Anzaldúa.

that voice at the edge of things

Weekend Treats

Links of the week

(I’m almost positive I’m not caught up by this posting. But, still, have some links. I’m ready for a nap…)

A Meditation on Boston from Jason Konopinski
An honest look at one man’s experience trying to process what happened.

There’s So Much More Than Anger from Honeybee Consulting
Reminders of what is important and finding hope.

Just the Way It Should Be from Yarn Harlot
I’ve been trying to get Sarah to understand that handknitted items should not just be kept in the drawer and never used… The Yarn Harlot describes her feelings on the matter.

I Want You to Know from Beth Morey
I love this question that Beth asks, and her answer. I love that she thinks of this, and makes me think of it, too.

Living in a World that Makes no Sense from Janice McWilliams
A way to look at the hard things that happen, and what it means for us.

11 Quick + Dirty Things About Writing from Justine Musk
This is one I want to revisit.

Musical Interlude

I was reminded of this song when thinking about the interlude. I don’t quite remember when I first heard this song, but I remember being in a shuttle and watching the Sangre de Christos mountains go by after a week long silent retreat in Taos, NM. Sometimes, I just need a reminder to slow down. I bring to you Count to Ten by Tina Dico.

Weekend Prompting

Tell me about a place you need to go to, right now. What does it look like? Smell life? Feel like? Why there?

Weekend Treats

Another busy week this week (heading into the end of the semseter). So the links are few, but here are a few to keep you thinking!

Links of the Week

50 Self-Care Ideas from Back to Her Roots
Cassie is an awesome health and wellness blogger. In this post, she tackles the emotional side of health and wellness. (I love the line that it’s not just about eating kale and burning calories.) I also appreciated that she challenges us to make our own list!

Relax! You’re Already Ok. Also: Pimp Suits from Feed Me Darling
A fantastic reminder of what “doing epic shit” often looks like.

My Seven Cures for Creative Block from Judy Clement Wall
This is one to tuck in my back pocket.

On Being a Teacher from Susannah Conway
A post that resonates for me – on so many levels.

Musical Interlude

After writing the post on storytelling over at M. Fenn’s blog, I’ve been thinking about the story I need to tell – that’s prompting me to push against uncreation. This song (and its video, actually) always serve as a reminder of the story and are prompts to write it. Enjoy The Royal We by Silversun Pickups.

Weekend Prompting

Thinking about the trip we’re taking this weekend – and what I’ve worked to do to make it an actual trip away and not as stressful as it might have been otherwise, this question seems appropriate:

What do you need to do to take care of yourself in this moment?

Guest Post: Process, Practice, and Learning

Today, I have the joy of introducing you to another guest blogger! (If you’re interested, it’s not too late!)

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing M. Fenn for almost exactly eight years. We met through a mutual friend over a comment regarding a joint interest in Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series. It has been friendship every since, including nearly-weekly writing dates. She is not only a published author, but a lover of music, movies, and thoughtful conversation. You can also find her over at skinnier than it is wide, blogging about (you guessed it) writing, music, movies, and engaging in thoughtful dialogue.

~*~*~*~

Steph’s call for guest posts caught my interest right away. Why? Because I love her and her blog. But when it came down to writing something, I wasn’t sure what to do. Steph told me she was curious about how I describe myself on Twitter (@MFennVT) and wanted to know more.

Turns out, I do, too. My tagline over there is: A speculative fiction writer who’s always learning, always practicing. The “speculative fiction writer” part is fairly self-explanatory. I write stories that wonder about things: science fiction, alternate history, horror, stuff like that. It’s fun… when all the voices in my head behave.

The “always learning, always practicing” part, though. Hmm. Besides that it sounds good? That I’m still figuring out. And it’s funny (to me, anyway); I was flummoxed by this post for the bulk of last week. It’s always a challenge for me to sit down and write about process. I think the reasons are multiple. Partly, I’m afraid that it will just be incredibly boring for other folks to read about. Also, there’s something in me that thinks if I point and say, “There,” with regard to what learning and practicing mean to me, it will be like pinning a beautiful insect to a board and all the life will go out of it. The process will die because I shone a light on it.

What’s popped into my head today is that the writing process may not be what I’m talking about, at least not in total. Let me tell you a story.

I grew up in a dysfunctional family with an emotionally abusive, alcoholic father and a long-suffering mom. My dad was also a smart, witty guy who didn’t like to lose an argument, so getting into one with him was a serious matter. I had to know everything, so I could defeat him. There was no room for error, no room for vacillation. Weakness was pounced upon. And that was a habit I took out into the world with me.

What a big surprise to discover that not everybody worked that way and that it was a lot easier to learn (and to stay sane) without that wall of defensiveness. I learned that knowledge wasn’t a zero-sum game. I didn’t have to know everything to stay safe; there was plenty for everybody, and it was even fun to share!

So, the practicing that I do is to keep that communal sense of learning open, to not succumb to my old habits of survival. Old habits die hard, and sometimes they never do, they just linger in the background, convinced they’ll be needed again someday. It’s not always easy to keep them quiet either, because there are a lot of folks out there who do play that game and it’s easy to get sucked in, even now, thirty-one years after my father died.

What does all this have to with my writing? I think it’s that my desire to share what I write combines both sides of this metaphorical coin. I want my stories to be as perfect as I can make them: accurate history, accurate tech, every set-up paying off. All that and more.

Also important, though, is the relief that I don’t have to know it all. Every story of mine is a better tale because of the other people who have touched them, sharing what they know with me. There is arguing at times, certainly (with them and with myself), but there is no defeat.

Weekend Treats

The weekend continued as busily as the week… so, here are a few links to whet your appetite until next Friday!

Links of the Week

Muddy waters from Canffirmations
So many times, I think that this is what stops me from writing – here, the stories that long to be told, even sometimes emails.

Hand in Hand from Shared Worlds (via Neil Gaiman’s blog post)
A really neat look at some writing advice from writers, via their hands. (And Neil Gaiman’s blog post is also quite lovely, talking about voice and writing.)

The Domino Effect from Blog of Impossible Things
Oh, I love the message behind this – how we do what we need to do and become a domino. :) (There’s more to it than that. Promise.)

The man in black fled… from Flickr user Jameson42
Saw this in Zemanta as I was writing a post for M. Fenn for this coming week. LOVED IT!

Women Learn to Be Women series from M. Fenn
So, M. Fenn is a huge music lover. She’s working through a series (two posts so far) about the evolution of all-women rock bands. Really fascinating look, with great videos!

Weekend Prompting

Also inspired by this week’s busyness:

What do you need most in this moment?

Vulnerability Hangover…

I’ve been thinking a bit about Brene Brown and her TED talk about the power of vulnerability. Particularly about vulnerability hangover.

So, in lieu of a post today, as I’m feeling overwhelmed, out of sorts, and like I’m floundering, I want to share that talk.

Weekend Treats

Links of the Week

What It Feels Like to Drown from Your Ill-Fitting Overcoat
It’s been a while since she’s posted, but she’s back with a thought-provoking one. (And it’s not as sad as it sounds.)

God is God, Even When the Miracle Doesn’t Come from Beth Morey
This post resonated with me; how to hold things in tension and how to define life and God and goodness for ourselves – in our own hearts – even (especially?) when things don’t work out.

Day of Rest from A Thousand Shades of Gray
Looking for slices of freedom in the huge sky above.

See Me from Canffirmations
A reminder that sometimes, when we think that we don’t want to be seen, we have to look deeper.

The Backward Step from Tara Brach
A look at open awareness and leaning into what we don’t automatically see.

Now we’re talking. It’s a shame smackdown with Oprah from Brene Brown
This is here because I have not yet watched the two part series Brene Brown did with Oprah … and I’ve heard nothing but good things.

Start Today from A Thousand Shades of Gray
A clear reminder that sometimes, we shouldn’t wait…that waiting isn’t going to make it easier.

Write Now? Write Later? Write Never? from The Jotter’s Joint
Oh, this resonates with my own recent self-questioning about writing. This is fantastic.

Help Me Stop Being Mean from Captain Awkward
I appreciate the honesty of this post, and the linkage between negative self-talk and negative other-talk.

Public Shaming is a Better Example of “If it feels good – do it” than Teen Pregnancy from Brene Brown
A look at public shaming and if it’s effective. (Note: It’s not.)

Tea with Jesse Jacobs from Susan PiverAnother link because I want to watch this and haven’t had the chance yet.

Yay mistakes! from Canffirmations
A post I will have to come back to – multiple times – as I lean into my clinical practice. It’s when I’m willing to learn from and explore my own mistakes, I am able to connect with others.

Musical Interlude

I really enjoyed last Friday’s Musical Interlude, so I’m going to include that in Weekend Treats! This week’s is Fall Out Boy’s recently released song, “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light ‘Em Up)” (with the caveat that I don’t particularly understand the video).

A Preview

This coming month, I will be hosting some guest blog posts and writing a few of my own. And I’m hoping to show up in this space every week day. (Intention, not goal.) Interested in joining me? Let me know! I’d love to have your voice join in on storytelling and trusting!

Weekend Prompting

This weekend’s prompting was inspired by a question that has been bouncing around my head. Now might be a good time to visit it. Maybe for you, too?

What are you waiting to let go of?

Weekend Treats

Links of the Week

The Art of Asking: For Writers and Storytellers from Terrible Minds (via Thousand Shades of Gray)
Chuck Wendig talks about Amanda Palmer’s Art of Asking video and what it means for him.

Writing Thoughts: Dwelling on Process from Cat Rambo
A really clear look at writing process – and the act of looking at said process.

How to Be a Writer and Not Go Insane from Z. Egloff (guest post at Women and Words)
A look into one author’s writing process, and the roller coaster it can be. (And? How to get off of that ride.)

Word Choice – It Matters from the Jotter’s Joint
Gail at the Jotter’s Joint talks about finding one’s writer voice – including the vocabulary we use.

The Big Scary Thing I Do Every Week from Z. Egloff
A great look at being versus doing. And the challenge of the former.

Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling from Boing Boing
#11 keeps running through my head, pounding the doors, and saying, “See!”

Story time from Canffirmations
A reminder of why I continue to tell my story, why it is important for me to do so.

My [Writing] Identity Crisis from Beth Morey
An honest and open look at writing identity and the complications and challenges that may arise.

Letting the light in from Canffirmations
Just reminds me of the quote “In our brokenness, we are blessed.”

Quote of the Week

“I think we are well advised to keep on nodding terms with the people we used to be, whether we find them attractive company or not. Otherwise they turn up unannounced and surprise us, come hammering on the mind’s door at 4 a.m. of a bad night and demand to know who deserted them, who betrayed them, who is going to make amends.”
–Joan Didion, Slouching Toward Bethlehem

Weekend Prompting

Definitely inspired by the links of the week and my own thoughts as of late…

What story is aching to be told? What would support you best in the telling?