Pumpkins, unite!

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Ann Roth

Yesterday, my family and I headed to a pumpkin farm to get our Halloween pumpkins. I love the excitement and fun of culling through the different shapes, sizes and textures of pumpkins still in the field, choosing just the right ones and bringing them home. Then the hard work begins: cutting off the top and scooping out the guts (messy, but part of the process), sketching a face or design on the skin, and finally, turning that sketch into reality. The results are rarely exactly what we imagined, but wonderful all the same.

Sort of like writing a novel. Searching for the right story, imagining what it will look like. Slowly and patiently and often messily breathing life into it, only to find that the story I have created isn’t quite like the one I first envisioned. I’m always surprised, but rarely disappointed.

Until Wednesday, and wishing you pumpkin-friendly day,

Ann

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Writing time, and the process ain’t easy…

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Ann Roth

Some writers are able to complete that first draft in record time. I want that, too. I’m impatient as the next person to get the story of my latest work-in-progress on the page.

Instead, progress is at a crawl. Writing the first draft has become a real struggle. You’d think that after some 25-odd novels, I’d have this process down cold. But ironically, the more my skills in the craft of writing grow and develop, the slower I seem to write. Which is why the above quote is perfect. I came across it at just the right time, when I was doubting myself. Now I understand that no matter how slow and arduous the journey seems, I am making definite progress in bringing this story to life. The story will be all the richer for the time taken.

Until Wednesday, and wishing you progress in whatever you do,

Ann

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A Cluttered Room is Creativity’s Playground… Or Is It?

Posted on August 20, 2014 by Ann Roth

I don’t know that I agree with this. There are articles in support of clutter and creativity, and articles touting neat and clean in order to be creative. My opinion lies somewhere in the middle.

I don’t mind a little clutter, because let’s face it, life is messy. But too much stuff and mess weights me down and saps my energy. Cleaning isn’t exactly my favorite task, but a good cleaning and either giving away or tossing out “stuff” that has piled up always energizes me.

Yet despite my feelings about too much clutter, when I’m in the middle of a writing project, watch out! In no time, my office fills with hastily scribbled notes from those times when I’m away from the computer and inspiration strikes, and other papers that seem to multiply all by themselves. My writing space slowly fills with paper and research materials, to the point that I would never invite anyone inside. Ugh, I hate that–but as it happens time and again, I’ve come to accept it as a part of my writing process.

But when I finish a project… This is when I toss most of those papers and file away the rest. Ah. Then I can move on and start something new.

Until Friday, and wishing you a life that is minimally bogged down in clutter,

Ann

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Muse, grant me patience and wisdom

Posted on August 15, 2014 by Ann Roth

I love this! I happen to be short on patience–except when I work. Writing takes patience, diligence, and discipline–lots of all three.

So how did an impatient person like me choose writing as a profession? Beats me. 🙂

Actually, I think writing chose me. Stories filled my head and I had to put them on paper. Not just for me, but for others to enjoy.

When I write, the story is my entire focus. I forget about the future and the past and live totally in the now of the characters and the world I am creating. It’s magical!

I am passionate about writing and hopelessly addicted to it, and the magic and the joy of putting the story on paper (as well as the sweat and tears that are part of the process) all contribute to that passion.

As for wisdom part of the top image, you know what they say: You finally get wise… and then you die. Nothing we can do about the dying part, but my plan is to keep growing (mentally, but hopefully not physically 🙂 ) and learning.How about you?

Until Monday, and wishing you patience, wisdom and a terrific weekend,

Ann

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Barking up the Right Tree

Posted on August 8, 2014 by Ann Roth

Award-winning artist Sam Van Aken has grown a new variety of Award-winning artist Sam Van Aken has grown a new variety of fruit tree that produces 40 different types of stone fruit each year.

Award-winning artist Sam Van Aken has grown a new variety of fruit tree that produces 40 different types of stone fruit each year.

I want one of these! Imagine stepping into your back yard and picking your choice of the 40 kinds of fruit available from this tree. Just look at the colors! With this baby in the yard, spring would become even more gorgeous. Come autumn, I’m sure the leaves are equally vivid. I’d sure like to find out.

The idea for this multi-fruit tree did not come from a botanist or any scientist. An artist conceived of it and set to work, grafting 40 various fruit branches onto one tree. His imagination and creativity boggles my mind. For more information take a listen to the approximately two-minute interview at http://n.pr/1uXqdRM

Creativity-where would we be without it? I don’t know about you, but Sam Van Aken certainly inspires me to think in new ways and paint the world with a brush that moves things out of the realm of what we know. Very cool, and yeah, I think I’ll do that with my writing.

Until Monday, and wishing you a Fantastic Friday and a great weekend,

Ann

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