April | 2009 | Cathy C. Hall Writes

Buy five books, save the world.

Okay, it’s hyperbole. But I’m a big fan of hyperbole. Also books. And of course, saving the world. So when I came across the Better World Books website, I kinda hit the jackpot!

Here’s how these fine folks work: you buy books through their site, and they use the funds to support global literacy programs. Not just any kind of books, either. Used books. I really like the idea of recycling books.

I like the prices, too. Right now, they’re having a Bargain Blowout where you can buy five books for $15.00. Oh, and there’s no shipping fees! And with the money this business makes, kids are learning to read, all over the world. And who knows where knowledge will lead?

See what I mean? Buy five books and save the world. Beautiful.

You know how you have those days when everything seems to go just right, and you’re skipping to Lou or Mary or Jim, smiling and whistling away?

This is not about one of those days. This is about the no good, horrible, very bad writing day. And if I’m being perfectly honest, there’s been more than one. In a row. A whole string of stinkin’-up-the-joint writing days.

Rejections? I’ve had a few. Flagged articles? One or two. A column that completely got left out of the magazine? Been there, done that. I could go on about the NGVBHWD, but I think you get the picture. It’s not pretty.

But I woke up this morning feeling kinda “Tara-ish” and decided to put on my Scarlett britches. You know the ones…the “I can’t worry about that today. I’ll worry about that tomorrow. Tomorrow’s another day,” britches. And you know what? Little by little my day changed.

My flagged articles were unflagged. I signed up my services for a virtual writing conference (more on that later). And an old friend sent me the most wonderful, made-me-smile, writing comment on Facebook. Just like that, I felt a little zing come back to my writing.

Which is kinda the point here today. You’re not always going to feel like writing. But sometimes, if you put on your Scarlett britches, you can push through the no good, very bad, horrible writing days.

I’ll send those rejected stories somewhere else tomorrow. Tomorrow’s another day.