I just finished a book this morning. All of you out there, who claim writer's block? This is for you.

And me.

It's called "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield.

It talks about resistance.

It's not writers block. It's resistance, and it's an amazing book. It even tells you how to overcome it (become a pro). It's a great book.

And it works equally for anything else - as he says, if you're doing something for the future, not instant gratification, then resistance will rear it's ugly head.

Really an excellent book.

I've been reading Julia Cameron's "The Complete Artist's Life", which is three books in one, three 12 week courses in writing.

The third book is called "Finding Water", mostly for those who are further along in their career than I am, but I wanted to read it anyway. In chapter three, "Joining Humanity", she writes:

"It is only by courting humility that we stand a chance as artists."

It sort of struck me as something to remember - possibly struck me because of some BNF's in one of my fandoms. Not so much because of them, maybe, but because of the effect of their arrogance on some of my friends. The damage they do is incalculable, and it's frightening to watch it happen.

She talks about treating the writer in us as a child - which it is - and to realize that the kind of idiotic, unhelpful criticism they so blithely hand out is enough to stop people from writing. It just makes me mad.

And now, I'll step off my soapbox for a while and do something productive.

So, one of my goals for the 101 in 1001 was to read Talmage's Jesus the Christ, and I finished it! YAY!

This is not one of the easier books to read - he uses some massive words - but it's wonderful. I'm really glad I got to read it again.

This is a writing exercise from Heather Sellers' book, Chapter by Chapter, chapter sixteen:

( This is long, too... )

This is a writing exercise from Heather Sellers' book, Chapter by Chapter, chapter four.

( it's long... )

This is a writing exercise from Heather Sellers' book, Chapter by Chapter, chapter three:

List twenty-five books you could write. Then set the timer - you have only fifteen minutes to get something down for each book concept. For example: Sinter Klaus is number one. What else? What about a book from the perspective of an unusual historical figure? That's a series that could probably go to twenty five. If you want to write about your family, associate a whole story with each character in your extended cast - every relative gets a novel. For each item, write title (even if it's silly) and a few words of description. Work fast. The books can be terrible, terrible ideas.

If you're stuck, pretend you've been chosen to receive special grant that pays your current salary on the condition that you write every day. In order to receive that grant, you have to turn in your list of twenty-five books by the end of the day. What would be your life's work? What kinds of books would you write? Remember: If you are trying to come up with really good ideas, you won't likely be able to get into the flow. Get your bad ideas down on paper so you don't have to spend years working on them. Or worse, thinking about them.

I think I just put every one of her writing books on hold at the library.

I'm BORED. This is not good.

And I don't know what to do about it. I've never been bored with my own writing before....

My writing hit a block. I think... I'm going to stop for a while, or something. I started three different fics, and trashed them all.

Yeah, so... I need to re-evaluate what I want to do.

Time to go and read.

Oh. I started a collection of Short Stories, all supposed to be Urban Fantasy.

I'm really glad I didn't buy the book. The few I've read sure seemed like standard fantasy to me....

Maybe I'm spoiled by Charles DeLint, and need to read more of him.

I found a really interesting book. I think I'm going to try it.

On the other hand, I should eat lunch.

Suggestions?

So, I'm reading Joseph Campbell's "Myths to Live by", and I don't know that I'll keep reading.

In his first essay, the basic assumption he makes is that science has proven the Bible wrong, and that science and religion cannot exist in the same place. Or even, in the same person.

Try telling that to Henry Eyring, First Counselor to the prophet. He was - is - a scientist and a good, faithful Christian (one of my favorite people).

So if I can't buy into the basic premise, I don't know how much I'll like the book.

I need to learn, that when i sit here and stare at the screen, it's time to get off.

I read a book today - I read one yesterday, too - and had forgotten how good both of them were.

The first (finished yesterday) is called "Rose Daughter" by Robin McKinley, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It's her second; I don't think I have the first (an oversight I intend to correct). I love her writing; I'd just forgotten how much.

The second is called "Dearskin", also by Robin McKinley, and based off a fairytale called Donkeyskin (which I would like to read, just once, to see how true her story is). I really liked it, but there were unclear parts, which is to be expected, a little, because the main character was a little out of it, but still rather irritating. I don't know if she killed her father (and he deserved it, believe me).

Next, I think I'm going to read "Jane Eyre", because I haven't yet, because my mother loves it, and because I want to read "The Eyre Affair", and would miss out on a lot if I haven't read the actual book. I say think because I've irritated my poor dh enough by being buried in books instead of what I should have been doing (cleaning the house).

Thanks to genki_grandma, I've been keeping a sleep journal. It also tracks my exercise, etc. I haven't been doing it long, but I am about to try some experiments.

Like - do I sleep better if I drink the tea before bed? I'm still not sleeping as well as I'd like to be, so that's one thing.

I did forget to exercise today, too - well, not forget so much as decide not to make it a priority. It's hard to go alone with two kids!

Anyway, that's what is going on with me.

I need to read the 3B book...

So, I was right - rereading the Manga for Prince of Tennis was a good idea.

I've already gotten a few ideas (all An, but she counts) about what to write, and I'm only on the third volume. I just need to write those down, and get them written.

I'm way behind on my schedule, but I have some travel time, and hopefully that will mean I'll get some written. Not that I don't have a whole list of things that I want to get done, but... *shrug* I need to do something. I'm feeling paralized.

In the book (well, the appendix to the book) "How to Read Literature Like a Professor", he says this:

"We're in the learning business. I am, and if you've read this far, so are you. Education is mostly about institutions and getting tickets stamped; learning is what we do for ourselves. When we're lucky, they go together."

I finally got them all done.

A bit of a refresher: I took the ideas for how to make these goals S.M.A.R.T, and powerful from the Top Achievement website. It helped.

I also got the idea of how to do these from Scott:

1. is Daily: used to create or eliminate a habit
2. is weekly: what isn't daily
3. is monthly: a once-a-month occurance, or something I'd like to get done within a month
4. is yearly: a long term goal, usually with begin and finish dates
5. is an event, something like: vote in the November 2008 elections or something.

So. On to the goals.
( In six different areas )

Well, there they are. Some - most, I hope - of these are on my 101 in 1001 list, but the rest are things I need to get done, too.

Wish me luck!

No, not the group.

I remembered what I'd wanted to post earlier.

I finished a book today: it's called "Dance of the Crystal Skull" by Norma Lehr. It's a bit young - the main character is 11 - but it was very fun. For one, I love the mythology in it. It has to do with the Maya and the Anasazi in New Mexico, and very much fun.

I finished my book for book group last night. It's called "Sister Circle" by Vonette Bright and Nancy Moser.

It was really cool. I kept thinking I needed to put it down, write in my journal, something, but I couldn't.

It was... spiritual. No specific denomination - one is mentioned, but not all of them go there. It was cool, so many different views, but so much in common, and they focused on that. I rather liked it (certainly much better than Left Behind, which sort of preached at me - this was much more subtle and didn't have any sermons). Well, obviously, since I couldn't put it down.

I can't wait to see how the discussion goes! It's funny; the woman who is facilitating is the only one not LDS at this group, but I'm so glad she comes! It's always good to have someone else's pov, with a background different than the one the rest of us have in common. Heh. And she's MY friend! I'm so lucky....

Which is massive. It will cover the week, I think.

( A lot of stuff to do )

Well, now that my morning is completely shot - crap! - time to put Taran down for a nap, and get on this list. I'll update it as I go.

Seriously.

I have two writing comms that I watch, and I should actually do some writing for. both are... more for original work than anything, but you'd think I could come up with... something. Anything.

I'd like to try brigits_flame, but I'm afraid nothing would come of it. It would be so fun, to actually get more than a week into a competition, but I don't know that I ever could....

And then there's ink_twist which isn't even a competition, and yet I can't seem to make myself write on their prompts, either. It's so much less... structured, strict, than theatrical_muse, and I still can't manage to write it.

I think I'm probably trying to do too much, or thinking I should be able to do too much.

I can't even think about this book I'm supposed to finish. It's good, it is, but it's non-fiction, and it's utterly frustrating. I feel like it takes forever to get through the pages, like for some reason I can't read as fast as I usually can, like time slows down or something. It's bizarre and it's frustrating.

I like the book. But it's not a good book for me to read right now. And if you're curious? "Three Cups of Tea" and I'd tell you the author but I'm not sure where the book even is.

I think I need to change something. My life is too cluttered.

And, granted, I am bone tired. Things might look better in the morning.