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In Summer, The Song Sings Itself
In a little over a week, I’ll be back on campus teaching my fall college courses. Some people may dread the thought of work, but not me. I always look forward to the fall and going back to school, to using my brain, to being in the classroom, and to seeing young, eager minds ready to work. BUT I’VE HAD A WONDERFUL SUMMER. Yes. I have had one of the best summers of my life. I have enjoyed every tick-toc moment of it. Even as I’m writing this, I am sitting on my new back porch working from home, and taking a quick break from researching and writing a textbook…
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On Creative Leadership, Creativity, and Nonsense
* * * For the last couple of years, I’ve become very interested in researching what it takes to be a creative leader. Malcolm Knowles wrote a book entitled, “The Adult Learner, A Neglected Species.” From that book I’ve conducted research on creative leadership and what it takes to be a creative leader, both in business and in our own creative lives. I’ve presented this research at a couple of conferences, and I look forward to further pursing the ideals of creative leaders. Folks such as Steve Jobs, Sandy Lerner, Richard Branson, and JK Rowling have all served as inspiration for these presentations I make. When looking at the commonalities…
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A Little Game of “No Repeat” Fashion
I’m starting to like clothes and fashion again. I was down on it for a while because I allowed myself to gain too much weight this winter, and I wasn’t taking good care of myself. It’s something lots of working moms tend to do: they put others before themselves, and they are too tired to exercise or make themselves a healthy meal. That changed this summer when I started a “getting healthy” program. I’m starting to see results, and even better, I’m starting to fit back into some of my clothes that have waited patiently for me to return to normal. Now that things are fitting again, and I’m continuing…
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The Nose Knows: The Sense of Smell “Takes You Back”
Your five senses know a lot about your life. They know what you like to taste. They know what you like to see. They know what you like to hear. They know what you like to touch. And, they know what you like to smell. Studies have shown that perhaps more than any other sense, it’s your sense of smell that can bring you back to a particular place and time or person most poignantly, whether you were younger or older—that sense of smell can take you there in a moment. Bam! You are quickly reminded of an aspect of your life. That’s why when we teach writing courses, we…
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Editing My Novel: “Baseball Girl” Is In Motion
On Friday, I completed the first draft of my second novel, currently titled “Baseball Girl.” This sucker is seriously in motion. So, what does one do now that it’s complete? Well, my friends, now begins the difficult part, the part where you have to be critical of yourself, change things that are not working, and make sure your characters’ voices remain their voices, even if they develop and grow during the course of the novel. As well, it’s time to look at the overall plot and consider any flaws that may be lurking within its pages. As my fictitious love story is about a young woman who works in the…
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What I Remember About My College Graduation
First, let me begin my saying, my graduation took place a long time ago. Second, I had a 103 degree fever, the chills, the sweats, and one of the sorest throats I can ever remember having. It was also the last time I had strep throat, which is a good thing for me, because I’ve developed an allergy to Penicillin. Third, I have absolutely no recollection of who spoke, what was said, and what “lasting impression” I have from that day. I was sick. All I could think about was going back to my family’s house and going to bed. I ran myself down at the end of the semester…
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Why You Will Fail to Have A Great Career
I only have time for a quick post today as there are only hours left in our spring semester, but this was on my mind. If you’re like me and you love learning, you may be addicted to the Ted Talks at Ted.com. I’ve found these 15-30 minute speeches on a variety of topics educational, thought-provoking, and persuasive. There’s a certain sense you get when you’re watching them that they are uniquely Ted–they are uniquely asking you to consider something. As a final exam in our magazine class, I asked two pointed questions. The first was about Larry’s Smith’s notion regarding his thoughts on “Why You Will Fail to Have…
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The Best Advice You Ever Got
The best advice you ever got— And over the years you’ve heard a lot— Didn’t come in the way of a bang and pop! Didn’t come among a fertile crop. It didn’t call out in the dead of night When creepy crawlers come out to bite. It wasn’t seen among the stars— The moon, Jupiter or dusty Mars. It didn’t have legs and walk away, It stayed to face interminable days. It helped you survive the bleakest clouds, When you wanted to quit, but then said aloud, That what you’ve lost wasn’t meant to be, In pain, you cry, the dichotomy. One side, like a coin; do not to toss…
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10 Books That Have Stayed With You
Some of you may have noticed a “tag, you’re it” game that’s happening on Facebook where a friend tags you and asks you to name 10 books that made some kind of lasting impression on you, for whatever reason. My friend, Barbara, tagged me, and I participated. It’s not easy to identify ONLY 10 books that have impacted me, but I stepped up and played the game. Now I’m asking you to do the same. In the comments area, please share with readers 10 books that have made an impression on you. It doesn’t matter what the reason is–it could have been the time in your life when you read…
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Learn from Conflict & Experience and Be In Process
“I am a woman in process. I’m just trying like everybody else. I try to take every conflict, every experience, and learn from it. Life is never dull.”~ Oprah Winfrey Oprah said these words, and only recently did I read them. I especially love the first part of her quote: “I am a woman in process.” It’s empowering to think of ourselves that way. Life is a process. Things change. Things are always changing. I am in process. When we think of life that way, we can be much more accepting of changes that have occurred in our lives, for better or for worse. Conflicts present themselves, and sometimes even…
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Top 10 Things I Recommend You Purge Before You Move
If you’re about to move like I just did, or if you may move in the near future, you may want to consider doing a big, huge, ginormous clear out. Therefore, you have permission to purge the following: 10. … that crystal bowl, vase, or platter you got from Aunt Ethel for your something-eth wedding anniversary; that tie that takes up needless space that you haven’t worn in five years; or candlesticks that look like they belong in a museum rather than in your home. 9. … 20 purses, 50 pairs of shoes, and 30 pairs of boots. Do you really need that much? Also, while you’re at it, remove…
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A Piece of Short Fiction For Fiction Friday: “Time”
It’s been a while since I’ve posted any short creative fiction that I’m working on, and that’s primarily because I haven’t been working on any short fiction. I’ve been working on writing a novel, but all this talk about creativity in the classroom this week caused this story to pop into my head. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, I seize the opportunity to make it work. I hope you enjoy it. TIME: A Short Story It was my idea to go. I needed to clear my head and take a break from the mundane, toxic, sad life that had enveloped us both and made us strangers…
