Philosophy | Cathy C. Hall Writes

So, I spent a glorious weekend day, spring-cleaning in the yard. And then off I went to spend a few days watching a Junior Hall gloriously smacking a golf ball around. I did not take Precious The Laptop with me, figuring it would just be a few days. I did, however, take a book called The Writing and Critique Group Survival Guide along for the ride. Upon my return, I learned a few things.

Thing One:

Even if you have a critique group (or maybe more than one critique group), you can still learn a thing or two from The Writing and Critique Group Survival Guide. And by a thing or two, I mean LOTS of things or two. This little gem of a book is full of helpful tips and information, worksheets and samples. Which is fabulous for me, because I’m the kind of person who learns best with samples and examples. Sure, I could sit and ponder it all out but it’s so much clearer when I have someone like Becky Levine (the author) spelling it out for me. Best of all, it’s for every kind of writer/critique group–magazine articles, memoirs, children’s picture books or cozy mysteries– you’ll find something to improve your writing and your critiquing.

I happened to win this book at a recent SCBWI event, but I think I’ll get another one to keep as a critique group copy. Then, when we get off track or have a problem, we can just open the book to such-and-such page and pass it around. So much better than having to tell Betty Sue (or um, Cathy C.) to get with the program.

Thing Two:

Sometimes, it’s nice to leave the material world behind. And by material world, I mean Precious The Laptop. You might be surprised at the things you’ll find when you leave material things behind (which makes me think of one of my favorite songs by Michael Card: Things We Leave Behind). However, what you’ll find when you come back to the real world is a bit of catching up to do, especially in things like newsletter emails and blogs and social networking news. Sometimes, it’s best to just move on rather than try to catch up. (I’ll be visiting blogs and posting, soon!)

Thing Three:

Even if a day is glorious, and it’s the very first day that one works in the yard, and even if one takes all kinds of precautions, one can STILL find a patch of poison ivy popping out on a forehead. In that case, one must just be grateful for the little things in life. Like bangs.

So, I’m off to get ashes smeared across my forehead and think about Lent. Or more specifically, think about giving up something for Lent.

I had to write an article once about why people “give up” things during Lent. You probably know that it has to do with discipline. When we give up something small, like chocolate (though honestly, giving up chocolate is HUGE), we’re practicing discipline, just in case something bigger comes along that we need to give up. I’ll let you fill in your own “something bigger.” (I always think about the Seven Deadly Sins. The very fact that they’re called the Seven Deadly Sins scares the beejeebers out of me. Those church fathers knew a thing or two about marketing, didn’t they?)

Anyway, we give up a habit or a practice, flex our discipline muscle, and before you can say, “Free at last!”, we’ve become a better person. Now, what’s all this got to do with writing?

Think about a habit or practice that’s keeping you from being the best writer you can be. Are you wasting hours playing games on your laptop? (Um, just because I listed that first should, in no way, incriminate me.) Do you start essays, stories, or articles and never finish them? Or do you write something and send it out before revisions because you hate rewrites?

What’s your Deadly Writing Sin? Try giving it up for 40 days. Use your discipline to become a better writer. And maybe step away from the 5 lb. box of chocolate, while you’re at it.