Seven Ways to Write

January 4, 2017January 5, 2017 ~ onehopefulyear ~ Leave a comment

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It’s been so long, I’ve forgotten.

I’ve forgotten how quiet my usually ever-racing mind can become when finally given the opportunity to speak.

I’ve forgotten what it’s like to stare at an empty screen. Without writing on a regular basis, I’ve forgotten how the cursor blinks. And blinks. It’s annoying, all that blinking.

And I listen for the rush of all those words I wanted to write back a only few days ago when time wasn’t my own. At the ready only a few days ago, all those words tired of waiting around for me to find the time – to make the time – and moved on. So now all I hear is … silence.

So starved for attention, any of the words I’ve tried on at first didn’t really fit right anymore.

But I’m not worried.

Because even after all this time of irregular writing, I remember.

Here’s what I remember about finding my writer’s voice when it’s – temporarily – lost:

Just Start: Start somewhere or anywhere, doesn’t matter. Just start. Write and write and write because even if what you write is mostly unusable, you may just find a word or two of truth somewhere among the riff raff you can develop more fully next time you write.
Set a Timer: I can do anything for 15 minutes and so can you. You’ll be surprised how quickly the time passes, and you’ll be left wanting more.
Find a Prompt: A prompt can be a word, an image, a quote. Pick a theme of interest to you: kindness, courage, fear … and explore it.
Make a List: Lists are great sources for a writing jump-start. Animals you’ve loved. Things that make you feel squeamish. Favorite foods. Friends from childhood.
People: Describe who helped you when your car broke down. What do you remember about the woman two tables over at the coffee shop. Your toddler. The best friend you could call in the middle of the night. Recall an overhead conversation in line at the grocery store.
Places: A setting from your life is pure visual inspiration. Close your eyes and see it. A family dinner. A drive. A remembered football game. Your last hike. One treasured scene from your last vacation.
Memories: Make it specific and small. Firsts. Lasts. Onlys. Those memories once-upon-a-times are made of.

Do you have a strategy for finding your writer’s voice? Please … please share!

In the Company of Strangers

December 29, 2016 ~ onehopefulyear ~ 2 Comments

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I live my life day to day to day – some days more consciously than others – but mostly by habit. Some habits work. Others, not as much. Sometimes I need an adjustment. A refresh. A new perspective. A priority shift.

Can you name ten people who nudge you awake?

I can. And they’re all absolute strangers.

These ten women tilt my head just so. They elevate my thinking, invite me to question, and energize my motivation. I’ve visited with all of them this year in the pages of their books and blogs.

How I love and linger over the artistry and passion in their words. Their photographs.

I’ve read their prayers and admissions, seen into their imaginations, felt their doubts, and witnessed their celebrations. I’ve sat many a morning or deep into the night nodding my head in appreciation of their compassion and humor, the ways they love, and how they parent. Of each, I admire their bravery, talent, and how very boldly they question what is now and what has gone before. And gently, kindly ask us all: What is next?

I’ve been inspired as a writer, photographer, mother, dreamer, doer … and human.

When I was in graduate school, I read The Education of Little Tree, by Forrest Carter. This quote stays within me:

“… when you come on something that is good, first thing to do is share it with whoever you can find; that way, the good spreads out to where no telling it will go.”

So here’s some good … spread it out wide as you can … no telling where it (or you) will go.

Erin Boyle, author of Simple Matters: Living with Less and Ending Up with More – Erin also blogs at Reading My Tea Leaves.
Erin Loechner, blogs at Design for Mankind. Erin’s new book, Chasing Slow, launches in January.
Shannan Martin, author of Falling Free: Rescued from the Life I Always Wanted. Shannan blogs at Shannan Martin Writes, formerly Flower Patch Farmgirl.
Kelle Hampton, blogs at Enjoying the Small Things, author of Bloom.
Elle Luna, author of The Crossroads of Should and Must: Find and Follow Your Passion
Beth at Local Milk.
Linda at Linda Stoll.
Kendra at The Lazy Genius Collective.
Joanna Goddard at Cup of Jo.
Grace Bonney at Design Sponge, author of In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs

Taking Steps

October 28, 2016October 28, 2016 ~ onehopefulyear ~ 2 Comments

dsc_0823-2 According to the Fitbit strapped around my wrist, I logged close to 7,000 steps by the end of yesterday’s work day.

It’s interesting to think about how many different kinds of steps there are: Long, purposeful strides. Short steps bridging space between this person and the next. Steps on stairs, up and down, and those errand kinds of steps taken to get things done. I’ve noticed how my steps slow a bit when my thoughts stall and I don’t quite remember where I was going, or why.

dsc_0725-2 Home steps aren’t all that different than work steps, really. Back and forth between the dishwasher and the cupboard, the stove and the fridge, down the stairs to the laundry room, and back up the stairs to fold. Steps walked in circles to pick up, put away, and tidy. My very favorite home steps: my husband washes dishes and I dry, walking and talking and loving right there at the sink.

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I take slippered steps down the stairs in the morning to my coffee pot and my writing. I’m ready to take on the world and tackle the list when I lace up my sneakers. I wonder about the steps my sons’ shoes have taken as I curse where they’ve been left and I trip over them, one more time.

The very best kind of steps are thoughtful and slow. Meandering steps. Steps and stops. Ellipses steps … like pauses … taken almost always on a Sunday with my camera in hand. Smiling steps. Hopeful steps. Happy steps.

Learning How to Transition

August 22, 2016August 22, 2016 ~ onehopefulyear ~ 2 Comments

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I don’t transition well.

Never have.

I was always the kid who cried when it was time to go home. The one who begged for one more minute in the pool or one more TV show before bed.

It’s not that I want more necessarily, it’s just that I’m not quite ready for whatever’s next. A here and now kinda girl, I’m always and forever just settling in to wherever I am.

So summer’s moving on. This fact both leaves me in deep denial and also some small amount of panic.

Because I’m only just now getting into the swim of it.

There are still projects undone, photographs not yet taken, adventures left on the list of places to go and all of a sudden, mums are out at the garden center!

Wait a minute, summer … I’m not ready!

Clearly, I need a plan.

Here’s how I’ll try to transition:

Find your loves. Look for what you love in whatever’s coming next. In fall, I love boots and jeans, wool blankets, football, plaids, pumpkins, cider donuts, and new notebooks. You may remember I have a thing for notebooks. And, of course, there’s beautiful, New England foliage – summer’s going away party.

Learn something. I’m enrolling in a digital photography course starting in September. It was a summer list to-do, but easily carried over to fall. Hopes and dreams aren’t limited by the date on the calendar. Check out your local adult education programs. Ours has everything from soap making to conversational Spanish to ballroom dancing.

Make room in the schedule. There’s still time for porch sitting, beach walking, and book reading. Build a fire in the pit out back to remember the weekend you went camping. Collect acorns instead of shells and trade salads for stews. See that’s the thing: there’s room in life to love it all. And live it all.

Spend time outside. There’s wide open air out there, no matter the season. Sun to feel on your face. There are breezes and the smells carried by them. Say so long to the honking geese headed south and kick through the leaves gathering on the sidewalk. Bundle up and walk down the road through fall afternoons, pinking your cheeks and filling your lungs.

Think ahead. Of course we transition on other days and in other ways. We’re transitioning all the time from one season to the next, and from today to tomorrow. What kind of postcards will you want to send from this next season in your life? Where will you go? What souvenirs will you bring back with you? Live in this one single day, but remember: Tomorrow’s ready for new memory making. Bring your camera.

Vermont Pictorial

June 29, 2016 ~ onehopefulyear ~ 2 Comments

Vermont is at the top of my happy place list.

Maybe I lived there once upon a time in a time before this time .Maybe it’s some sort of cosmic, karmic connection or a home of the heart. All I know is my restless spirit settles down a bit when I’m there.

Vermont’s state motto is Freedom and Unity – two words which totally capture the Vermont vibe. It’s a kind of place where folks accept other folks. There’s a live and let live sort of belonging. A you do your thing because that’s cool, and I’ll do mine – and let’s just not hurt each other philosophy of living. You can feel it right away.

The air is fresh, the hills are green, and there’s a beautiful old barn on practically every corner. It’s said that cows outnumber people in Vermont, but I’ve not fact-checked it.

I will live in Vermont.

Someday.

For now, I’m grateful I can visit a couple times a year. And live through my photographs the rest of the time.

Here’s the scoop … (a quick wave to Ben & Jerry.)

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We stayed at The Inn at Manchester tucked in all neat and tidy next to rolling, green mountains. Picture perfect and welcoming, this beautiful bed and breakfast is owned and operated by a five-star family, the Hanes. You’ll love the idyllic grounds, the porch, the cozy rooms, the bed sheets and … the breakfasts! A high quality experience, start to finish.

Manchester, Vermont is in the south central part of Vermont just a ways down the road from the New York state border. The green goes on forever, interrupted only by the bluest sky I’ve ever seen. You’ll find old grandeur – and even the occasional polo match – only a hop, skip, and jump away from amazing outlet shopping. Oh – and check out the Northshire Bookstore. Best bookstore. Ever.

First Congregational Church, Manchester Village

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From Manchester, head east about 16 miles and you’ll find the little town of Londonderry. If you can make it there for the 4th of July parade, it’s worth the time in photo opportunities alone. Picture little kids pulling red wagons with roosters on top.

We always make time to stop at Taylor Farm. Take a walk around the farm, visit the animals, and stop by the farm store for some cheese!

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And there’s fields and fields of flowers.

If you’re lucky enough to visit Londonderry on a Saturday, stop by the West River Farmers Market!

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One last stop: The Vermont Country Store! Located in lovely Weston, VT, the Vermont Country Store is about 5 miles north of Londonderry on Route 100. It’s like a general store of old with all the concoctions of yesteryear, toys from your childhood, and delicious jams, jellies, and of course, Vermont maple syrup. There’s a huge stock of cheeses, kitchenry, linens, and clothes for men and women. You’ll wander through this place having the time of your life for an hour or more. It’s a favorite place to visit again and again.

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