Hoppin’ in the Heat Part II

Tags

blog hop, helpful advice, Peter Mallett, writing, Writing in Color

I’m really enjoying the Blog Hops that I’ve been invited to participate in! Too often, I get stuck in routines without even knowing it, and that includes the online websites I visit. From time to time, this gets a little yawn-inducing, so I was excited to be invited by Peter Mallett to a blog hop. I’ve admired his work for quite a while, and he’s always willing to help other writers however he’s able – from advice on his blog Writing in Color to helpful suggestions, he’s got us writers covered! Meet Peter below, and please take a minute to check out his blog – it’s encouraging, fun to read, and always interesting. Here’s the bio he shared with me:

Peter Mallett

Peter lives in Virginia not far from the ocean, but he can’t quite hear the waves from his home. He’s been writing since childhood. He also enjoys drawing, photography, and helping others with their goals.

He sold his first short story in 2002 to Kid’s Ark Magazine. Later, he sold two short stories to Tyndale Kids for “The Young Believer’s Case Files,” published in 2003. He’s been blogging since September 2012 and has written articles, short stories, greeting cards, and inspirational pieces. An article he wrote for his blog in January was later included in the Southwest Writers’ Newsletter (May 2013).

On his blog, Writing in Color, Peter expresses his thoughts on writing and encouraging people who want to write better for their profession or their pleasure. Many have encouraged him, and he wants to give back. He trusts in the power of words, but more importantly he believes in people. His writing style is lighthearted and encouraging. In fact, motivation and creativity are themes he revisits often. Some posts are short (300-600 words) and some are longer (600-1200 words), but he tries to make sure none of them are longer than they need to be. He says, “I take pleasure in shooting unnecessary words.”

Here are a few of his posts:

Writing: For the Love of Words

A Tribute to People

What to Do on Dark Days When Words Do Not Come

Find out more about Peter at Writing in Color. You can also find him on Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.

 

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Tag! Why I Do What I Do

Tags

advice for writers, Barbara Techel, creative writing, humorous essays, Jess Witkins, Peter Mallett, Susie Lindau, writing, writing process

This morning I got tagged by fellow blogger Jess Witkins over at The Happiness Project. Turns out Jess was tagged by Valerie Biel, asked to share with readers why she does what she does.

I’m having fun pondering this one, because I’ve never given much thought to exactly why I do what I do. You see, I’ve always just wanted to be a writer. When I was a kid, I wrote a newspaper – I sold issues to my parents for ten cents a copy and drew illustrations with my crayons. Then in fifth grade, my teacher, the lovely Mrs. Esther Schaef, gave us a writing assignment: make an everyday item sound exciting. I took grass, spelled it backwards in the title, and made a whole mystery out of it. Mrs. Schaef told me it was some of the most delightful reading she’d come across, and that I was on track to becoming a good writer. Yeah, it was only grass, but I was hooked.

So thanks, Jess, for getting me thinking! Here are my answers to your questions:

What am I working on? I’m working on a series of humorous essays titled The Green Hornet Suit and Other Musings. It’s not that odd things happen often, but I do tend to find a lot in life is amusing. When I’m tickled by something, I let it “stew” for a while and then turn it into an essay. I also have the distinct pleasure of being copywriter for Cassy Tully – she’s a fantastic artist, and I get to write about her paintings and her progress. I write regularly for a local newspaper and Lakeshore Living magazine, a bimonthly publication issued by Gannett Media.

A bit like the Green Hornet Suit…

How does my work differ from others of its genre? I’ll stick with my humorous essays here. My work is different because it’s me telling the stories, and finding something quirky or bizarre in the interactions I’ve had with the people in the essays. My grandpa, wearer of the infamous Green Hornet Suit (a plaid polyester number that should have been burned) wasn’t by nature a humorous person. He could be exasperating and often tested our patience, but when I stepped back and saw the humor in that, several essays were born.

Why do I write what I do? Like Jess, I believe that everyone has a story. Everyone. Whether I’m writing for Cassy, interviewing someone for the local newspaper, or writing an essay, it’s a story unfolding before me, and because I am a writer, I’m in the unique position of being able to find words for each person’s story.

How does my writing process work? I need to let ideas “stew” before I sit down to write, otherwise my writing feels forced. Sometimes I practice avoidance tactics before I start – clear off my desk, look out the window, crack open another Diet Pepsi – then finally glue my butt to the chair and get to work. Honestly, my humorous essays are the easiest to write – they often come tumbling out, and before I know it, I’ve got a few pages down, so it’s easy to like that work. Then I start weeding, pulling out words and phrases that don’t add to the story. More on that here…

Feedback has also been tremendously valuable. A couple months ago, Jess offered to beta read for me. I sent her copies of several humorous essays, which she critiqued. It really opened my eyes and made me realize that what I viewed as a developed essay needed more depth and detail. Her supportive critique has improved my work, and I keep many of Jess’s comments and questions in my head as I write new essays.

So there you have it! If they would like to participate, I tag the following writers whose work I admire: (If your schedules don’t allow it, or you’re not in the habit of participating like this, there’s no pressure from me to do so).

Susie Lindau at Susie Lindau’s Wild Ride – Her zany adventures always make me smile.

Barb Techel at Joyful Paws – Barb shares her experiences with living authentically.

Peter Mallett at Writing in Color – His website encourages other writers, and Peter’s always willing to offer support and advice.

 

 

 

 

 

We All Need a Little Boost…

Tags

encouragement, freelance writing, help, Peter Mallett, running, support, writing

Not me, but this is what running feels like sometimes…

I enjoy exercising…most of the time. My schedule alternates between running, biking and walking, but honestly, when running days come along, I feel the eensiest bit whiny. It’s too hot…my shoes are too tight…it’s too cloudy…anything, really. Strangely, the best part is the feeling of accomplishment I get when I’m finished, all hot and sweaty, glad that I reached another goal.

Sunday’s whiny little voice was no different, but I laced up and headed out anyhow. The last leg of my run takes me past Joe and Rosemary’s house, set behind some trees.

They’re elderly – I’m guessing in their 80s – and obviously past any exercising days they may have had, because they drive their car down to the box to get the morning paper.

That’s what Joe was doing as I huffed and puffed past their driveway, running along, wishing our driveway was next. (Sensing some whining here?) I waved at Joe, but his attention was directed toward maneuvering the car so he could reach the press box. I ran a few steps, turned around, and waved once more. Joe responded with a big smile and a wave.

Ocean/Corbis

It was a simple thing, but it sealed the deal on my last half-mile. Buoyed by that little gesture of happiness, I fairly bounded home.

The writing process can be that way sometimes. I feel like I’m slogging along, not making the progress I want to. Everything is uphill, writing into the wind, so to speak.

At those times, it’s nice to have a little encouragement. Recently, I left a part-time job (read more about that here) to return to writing. I’ve submitted to magazines in the past, and wanted help polishing the way I went about it. I reached out to Peter Mallett, whose blog “Writing in Color” offers supportive and encouraging posts, written in down-to-earth style.

He responded with a terrific Q&A series, based around questions that I and other writers submitted. (Part 2 here).

It was just what I needed. Like Joe’s wave, it was a supportive boost that spurred me on.

Writing can be a solitary pursuit, but there are times when it’s important to reach out, with questions, advice, support, giving others that little push they need to finish the race. That feeling when I hit the “send” button on something I’ve written is a little like finishing my morning run – a lot of work, but the feeling of accomplishment is priceless.

When have you benefited from a helping hand? How have you used your talent to help others? That’s what it’s all about!

courtesy nps.gov