Look up

Hearing and seeing the fireworks this year, I am looking up more often than usual. Not that I want to look up 24/7, especially when it's time for bed and I'm still hearing the pops of noise, but the sounds and glitter have made me think of something else.

Photo by Paul Weaver on Unsplash

How often do I look up?

A few years ago my grandson and I would stand in the backyard and watch the planes as they flew overhead to the airport. We started saying, "Goodbye, see you later," whenever an airplane flew by. I would hold my grandson in my arms and we would wave together. He had to do this every time we were outside, and the experience would make both of us smile. 

Photo by Gary Lopater on Unsplash

Now, he's moved on to other things and is no longer interested, but when I say, "Goodbye, see you later," his eyes light up for an instant and a little smile creases his cheeks. He is remembering.

I have always looked up when it rains or snows. 

Photo by Filip Zrnzević on Unsplash

And I look up into the eyes of someone who is taller than I am, though this doesn't happen as often as I'd like. I'm 5'11".

Looking up is important, not only because of how you feel when you do it, but what you miss out on when you don't. Have you ever known someone whose head is always turned downward? It's almost as if they're afraid of what is out there, or maybe they just don't think they deserve it.

But I like looking up. I like what it does to my posture. I like how I feel when I do it. I like remembering that I am not alone and that the person who is looking down at me is one of the few who can actually get away with doing it.

May you have a memorable 4th of July.

I'll see you later.

4th of July - Making the Memories Count in Your Writing

Cleaning up after the big day!

Are you?

After you're finished, get to work writing! You know you're just aching to talk about what your grand-daughter said, or explain how your main character may just eat chicken just like your nephew.



I always find it interesting (and I feel quite blessed by the way) to be able to use the people I love in the stories I write. Sure, I may use just bits and pieces of them but my life and those whom I love make up a great portion of what I write.

How about you?

When was the last time you really looked at a holiday such as the 4th of July, and really let it speak to you? Maybe the scene translated into a non-fiction story or a chapter in a book. Perhaps you decided to look at your husband, or daughter, or granddaughter, and really get into the heart of the matter.

Characters are real people after all, not just cut-outs of our favorite people. They have feelings and issues, and ways of speaking, and ways of dressing. They have things they like and hate, and places they want to visit.

Why not use the 4th to get your next book going?

Happy 4th!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!

Writing Without Thinking

I love it when I start writing and I'm not thinking about how a story is going to go or a post is going to end. I love this way of writing because I never know what's going to come up and what I'll need to weed out later.

It sort of reminds me of posting on facebook, only you don't want to have to retract anything later so it's a good idea to think before you write, but I like the fact that you can share your day with friends and acquaintances.

Writing without thinking is free in the sense that you are focused on getting out what you want to say and less on how it's going to proceed.

Tomorrow is going to be a fun day. I know that because we've got some fun things planned with family. We begin our morning with a breakfast and a little ones neighborhood parade, come home to some lounging and puzzle making. We purchased a "fireworks" puzzle for the occasion. We'll end the night with a family dinner and banana roast.

I am in need of this day; aren't you?

Here's hoping yours is happy!

Kathryn

Fires in Utah

There have been so many fires in Utah that they've banned fireworks on the 4th--at least in the city I live in.

Photo by: bayasaa,courtesy of Flickr

At first I was, shall we say, a little bummed, and then I thought of all of the people that make this country great and that includes my friends who live in Herriman. I thought about the Pledge of Allegiance, early morning breakfasts, time with family; even making smores in the backyard cooker, and I realized I could live without fireworks.

Especially when so many in the country are living without their home. (Now, there's something to write about!)

Happy 4th of July to all of my readers and fellow writers!

Kathryn