by Charlene Teglia | Apr 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
I keep getting more pieces of the puzzle for revising this book. How to accomplish one major thing, how to fix a crucial scene, how to deepen other scenes. These insights don’t come when I’m at the computer. They come when I’m walking, or coloring, or meditating quietly after journaling.
I think I would’ve gotten this book done much faster if I’d spent more time walking, meditating quietly, and coloring pictures with my kids, but I fell into the trap of thinking that the work I do consists of sitting down and typing. And that is true, to a point. But there’s also a creative process that’s largely unconscious that has to have opportunity to work.
That creative process feeds on creative and meditative activity. Walking is a form of moving meditation; it gives the body something to do and requires just enough attention to occupy the busy mind and allow insights to surface where they can be heard instead of being drowned in the mental clamor.
Sometimes, it pays to make haste slowly.
by Charlene Teglia | Apr 22, 2009 | Uncategorized
Revision schedule compressed, so things are going by the wayside, including blogging, while I hammer the story out.
Here is my inspiration, crazy Kenpachi. I leave you this visual in lieu of real content.
(image too small to read the text, but it says "when you’re this badass, you don’t need technique")
by Charlene Teglia | Apr 20, 2009 | Uncategorized
People laugh when they hear that Ben Franklin proposed the turkey as America’s national bird, but really, it would get my vote. Turkey is versatile, nutritious, delicious, and a great alternative to higher fat meats.
Beyond the protein, turkey is a source of iron, zinc, phosphorus, potassium and B vitamins. A serving of skinless turkey breast meat has 161 calories, 4 grams of fat, and 30 grams of protein. Compare that to beef chuck roast, with 260 calories, 16 grams of fat, and 24 grams of protein and it’s easy to see why turkey is a smart choice. (Of course there are times when nothing but beef will do, but if it’s the only protein you eat, changing it up is one easy way to improve your diet.)
I use ground turkey instead of hamburger to make meatloaf. I use it instead of hamburger to make tacos or taco salad, and then put the leftover meat onto pizza. A roasted bird makes a great meal, great sandwiches, and provides the protein for everything from shepherd’s pie to casseroles to enchiladas. Then you can boil the carcass for soup. Turkey goes well on salads with a handful of dried cranberries, too.
Cut into strips and mixed with stir-fry vegetables and brown rice or tossed with pasta and alfredo sauce, you can substitute turkey for just about any recipe and get more lean protein for your caloric buck. Turkeys go on sale around major holidays, making it an even better value. It’s not just for Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter; buy two and stick one in your freezer to take advantage of those sales.
by Charlene Teglia | Apr 19, 2009 | Uncategorized
When we took the kids to the library this week, the librarian informed us they were changing hours. “Going to the summer schedule?” I asked, because that’s normal and it’d be coming up. But no, they are going to a recession schedule.
The library’s funding is a sad thing to see cut in a recession, when more people are going to depend on that resource for books and computer time. Here are some ways our library is looking for help, and you might check to see if your library needs any of the same things:
1. Book donations. These either go into the library’s collection or are sold to raise money.
2. Financial contributions.
3. Volunteers. With a reduced budget to pay salaries, volunteers can help keep this community resource going.
If you have books in good condition to donate, author copies laying around, or some extra time you could give to help out, you might drop by your library to volunteer.
by Charlene Teglia | Apr 18, 2009 | Uncategorized
PBW is blowing percussion-grenade sized holes in myths about NYT bestseller stats. Take a look for an education on the numbers. There are so many persistant myths and misconceptions about writers. The idea that NYT bestsellers all make a million dollars (or at least six figures) is among them. The reality is a bit different. Of course, beyond that is the myth that ALL published authors are NYT bestsellers and making a million dollars, hahahaha.
The truth is you can make a steady income at this gig if you work hard and are prolific, but many working authors aren’t big names, aren’t on the NYT list, and have long ago learned that even if they DO get a six figure deal, it’ll be paid out over the course of two years or more and half of it will go to taxes, agent fees and business expenses. What you end up getting to live on is why so many don’t quit their day jobs.
The other myth is that Real Writers live in NY. Ha. If you want to write, find the place with the lowest cost of living that you can and move there. (Hint: not NY)
There are many reasons to write besides the pursuit of fabulous wealth, though, starting with the pursuit of a pretty fabulous life. Yes, I worked Easter weekend and I’m working this weekend. I also have the flexibility to be a very involved mom, work from home instead of sitting in a cubicle for eight hours after a two hour commute, and work with some of the best people on the planet. People who go into the book busines are amazing people. Creative, smart, dedicated, passionate, generous, insightful.
This is a great job. It’s the only job I want, the only one I ever wanted. It’s not likely to ever make me fabulously wealthy, but wealth is more than a bank account. There’s a wealth of experience to be lived, a wealth of satisfaction in doing something you love and find meaningful.
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