One Word Project: Thankful

The Shutter Sisters  hold a One Word Project each month. This month the word is thankful.I am thankful for my husband.

Leaves Growing Old

"How beautifully leaves grow old.  How full of light and color are their last days."  ~John Burroughs

With November came chilly weather, a threat of snow, more leaves turning orange and yellow,  and still more plants shriveling up. On my walk today I focused on leaves. I love Burroughs quote. It is very true. The leaves are full of light, color, and beauty.

NaBloPoMo Glorious Madness: Keyboard vs. Pen

 

The NaBloPoMo prompt today: "When you are writing, do you prefer to use a pen or a computer?" My answer is pretty cut and dried. When I am writing at home I always word process. Somtimes I print a hard copy for revision or editing, but writing is always done on the computer. When I teach writing I always do it on notebook paper. It is easier for me to project my writing on the screen and teach a lesson with my writing sample if it is hand written. Of course, when I am camping or outdoors I write in a journal. I don't feel like either way produces more writing, better writing, or either helps more with revision. For me it is what I have on hand that works the best. What about you.... computer or pen?

NaBloPoMo Glorious Madness: Writing to Piano Music

Today's prompt on NaBloPoMo: "Can you listen to music and write? What song did you hear today?"

It depends. If I am working on academic or professional writing I work best with the sounds of silence.

If I already have an idea and am doing my first draft dumping some lively music can be playing on my iPod. To be perfectly honest I don't even know how much I pay attention to the music. It is just there in the background.

When I am searching for ideas, brainstorming, webbing, prewriting, or planning I enjoy quiet, calming piano music in the background. Not too intrusive,just there. Enjoy one of my choices for quiet, calming music, "Thanksgiving" by George Winston. I think I can brainstorm to anything by George Winston.

NaBloPoMo Glorious Madness: Christmas Goodie Feast

 

The prompt today: "If you knew that whatever you ate next would be your last meal, what would you want it to be?" 

This is difficult. I am a fanatic foodie. I love the sight,smell, texture,and taste of many foods. I love comfort food, Mom's homemade food, restaurant food, hot lunch on occasion, my own food, and farm fresh food.

My last meal? Knowing myself and how I can't resist all the Christmas goodies when I go home for Christmas, I think my last meal would be all my favorite traditional Christmas goodies baked by my mom. I would have them all arranged beautifully on a lovely platter. The splurge would begin with buttery Spritz, rich and gooey Seven Layer Cookies, a bowl of savory, salty Nuts and Bolts, a yummy caramel popcorn ball. Then with coffee I would enjoy a slice of pumpkin bread and Sesame Seed cookies. I would save the best for last....a hunk of my favorite fruitcake with the aroma of brandy, fruits, and nuts all combined to make a delicious, moist bread. Such a Goodie Feast! Such Glorious Madness.

photo above of my mom's kitchen in my childhood home

NaBloPoMo Glorious Madness: First Draft Dumping

The prompt for today on NaBloPoMo is: What is your favorite part about writing?

My favorite part of writing is first draft dumping.  I dump eveything from my head on paper or the screen. I don't judge, value, evaluate, second guess, rethink, revise, edit, or give up. I just keep the flow going until the dumping of the topic is complete. Somtimes the draft is in sentences, other times it is phrases. Lists or sketches work also. Once all dumping is down I stop and review, reread, and then begin my real first draft. This strategy works well with my student writers also. Sometimes we set the timer so we are forced to keep dumping without stopping, judging, reviewing, or revising. I save  the draft dumps and these collections of words often become a polished piece later. The key is taking time  to draft dump often.  That is part of the Glorious Madness. That and capturing photo images for inspiration like these.