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Cathy C. Hallhttps://cathychall.wordpress.com/I write, write, write. Then I rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. THEN I submit all those polished-up words out into the world and sell 'em. It's a plan that's worked pretty well.

How to Find Column Ideas

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When friends read my column in Modern Senior Living Magazine, they will invariably say the same thing. First, it’s “You’re making that up.” And second, they’ll say, “It’s a good thing you’ve still got your parents/husband/kids around.”
And I always say the same thing. First, “I wish I could say I made that up.” And second, “Yeah, those folks come in pretty handy in the column-fodder department.”
Now, I know the old writing adage, “write what you know.” But I think it should really be “write who you know.” Trust me. If you want to come up with a column idea, week after week or month after month, you’d do well to hook up with a big, somewhat colorful family. Of course, it works out great if it’s your own family.
Because family might get a tad annoyed when you write about them, but at the end of the day, they keep coming back, providing more columns.
(A special thank you to my mom who has NO idea that the May column (page 8) sort of spotlights her colorful behavior. And let’s keep it that way, okay?)

Tooting My Horn about an Awesome Bookmark!

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Now that I think about it, I really didn’t have anything to do with the making of this awesome bookmark. I suppose, technically, I’m tooting Book Bling’s horn.
Anyway, the point is, you’re going to hear the story I call, “The Tale of the Goose Charm” or “Good Things Come to Those Who Wait-and Win Auctions.”
So, once upon a time, I made the highest bid on an auction item to benefit the kids in Japan. Before long, Joan Stradling of Jots & Tittles contacted me and asked what charm I’d like on my bookmark (the auction item), and I said I find Gladys the Goose pretty charming, not to mention a-“muse”-ing (That sounded better in my head), and could she put a goose on a bookmark? Oh, and by the way, could she use gold thread ’cause I need a golden egg right now (as opposed to the rotten eggs I keep laying)?

A few weeks passed, and then I received word that no, goose charms are simply not available but perhaps I’d like this special charm made from Gladys the Goose’s likeness?
Oh, yes, I said, I certainly would! And then today, I found this utterly charming goose bookmark in the mail. And I’m quite sure that I shall write happily ever after!
Gladys shall hang about, inspiring me because, technically, she can’t write. (Silly goose!)