Summer Reading

Writers write and read. I’m never without something to read close at hand. I like all types of books.  At any given time I have several books going usually one on the craft of writing, another on some subject I want to research for my novel and then several entertaining titles by popular authors.  Sitting next to me right now is a bag of eight books I’m currently reading.  Two are for research the rest are popular women’s fiction titles. 

Recently I finished The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing 2^nd Edition, The Psychic in You by Jeffrey A. Wands, and The Help by Kathryn Stockett, which I liked. Plus an 1892 short Sherlock Holmes story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle called The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb. And though the story was entertaining, let me tell you Sherlock is not much of a sleuth by today’s standards. I don’t want to give the ending away, but the thumb was in plain sight.

My go-to author for witty, laugh out loud humor is Janet Evanovich. I’ve read all of her Stephanie Plum series. I love the way she puts words on the page and the antics of her quirky characters.

I found another author who I find equally amusing. Jennifer Crusie had me laughing out loud on page two in her book, Maybe This Time! I’m only up to chapter four so I can’t give a full report yet but I’ll be sure to let you know how I like it when I’m done. 

Until next time,

Lisa

Have you ever stopped to think about the number of things we buy just to throw away?

Things like trash bags, disposable duster thingies paper towels; the list goes on and on… In an effort to be less of a consumer I’ve started a new trend in my house. Instead of storing leftovers in food storage bags I now use reusable plastic containers. Not only does the food stay fresher longer, it makes the tidbits more appetizing the second time around and my fridge looks neater; which is always a welcome plus. 

If you think about it there are a lot of simple ways to cut down on product waste everyday.  Try using a towel or sponge instead of paper towels. You could write notes on a dry erase board instead of paper. How about taking a reusable sports water bottle along instead of the fancy-label-but-tastes-just-the-same store bought variety.  Not only will you reduce the amount of trash you’re lugging to the curb you’ll also save money. 

I challenge you to make one change in your routine. See where it takes you.

Of course, there are certain throwaway items that will always be exempt from substitution in my book; among them are Q-tips, toilet paper and definitely feminine hygiene products.

I think the reasons are self explanatory.

What can you do without? Share your clever swaps.

Best of luck!

Lisa

Down to Earth

Thoughts on Art and Writing

3 things I learned about life while playing in the dirt.

Spring arrived this week with a trip to the garden center to buy flowers for my planters and seeds for our vegetable garden. While up to my ankles in peat-moss, turning the dirt under to aerate the soil I had an epiphany—a sudden understanding that gardening principals apply to art, writing and life in general. Here’s what I learned.

1. Start from the ground up.

Before the first seed was planted my hubby and I worked the soil; turned it under, racked out roots and added amendments all to ensure the vegetable plants had the best foundation possible to grow strong. It was a lot of work with little reward other than a smooth patch of land. But as in glass and writing, when you put time and effort into good pre-work not only is the next step easier the quality of the project as a whole benefits.  

2. Patience:

After the seeds are planted my favorite thing about a vegetable garden is watching the rapid growth. Though it takes weeks for the plants to produce, you see noticeable change, development every day. Skill building in glass and writing takes time. Focus and be proud of even small accomplishments, they are the building blocks that’ll lift you up to the level you want to achieve. 

3. Try something new:

We planted okra and radish seeds for the first time.  They’re two vegetables I could live without but was told they flourish this time of year. Truth is, no matter what we plant once it pops up I’m enamored and can’t wait to share it in a new recipe. In glass and writing it’s rewarding to expand your experience, step out of your comfort zone and try something new because good or bad it all leads to growth.  

Though there was sweating involved, a lot of bending and the constant threat of a blister on my thumb, after working in the garden I felt productive, rejuvenated, inspired. It was, Ah-h, like clicking the refresh button on my brain. 

Whether you have a big back yard or just a narrow window sill the thrill is the same. Go on, get down to earth.

Grow something!

Lisa

Get Fired Up!

Here we go...I'm here in Las Vegas preparing for an exciting day of glass fusing with fellow enthusiasts from around the world.

Today in my workshop Fire & Ice I'll be teaching a variety of assembly techniques, new uses for frit and methods of embossing. With 12 kilns at the ready it's sure to be a fun fuse for all!

Crank up the heat!
Lisa

New Year Resolutions

Being the Free Spirit that I am, I make new resolutions all year long. For the past several months I’ve been working hard to study the craft of writing, researching current story trends and writing to finish my novel. Now, 96,000 words into my book, I’m so close to the end that I can taste the sweet nectar of accomplishment. 

Recently, I read that a writer’s first million words don’t count.  At first that made me want to cry, then I cinched up my V.S. Bombshell and decided I can prove them wrong. But just in case, I’m going to write more, a lot more. I’m trying my hand at short stories so I have the satisfaction of writing a beginning, middle and end in the same year. I and intend to write one a month, some I’ll share here, some will be submitted for publication. Yesterday, I submitted my first short story to a competition; I can’t share it here until after the judging in May.

Wish me luck!

And I’m going to make weekly posts on this blog. Mostly for fun and to exercise my writing voice, which I’m told is the most important thing a new writer needs to stand out.

I hope you’ll share my journey.

Happy New Year!

Cheers!

Lisa

My Many Hats

The weekend before last I had the pleasure of teaching four full-day glass fusing classes at Pacific Art Glass in Los Angeles, California.  I had a terrific group of talented, enthusiastic students.  Then, this past weekend I was barn mom and my daughter’s number one fan at her equestrian show. 

This week I was thrilled to work with glass! It was uplifting to be in the studio where I can loose myself in the creative process.  It’s exhilarating to use my hands and be productive. I slumped Grey Goose bottles in my kiln. The flattened bottles are used for decorative cheese trays.  I also cut glass for a stained glass window commissioned by the Friends of Bloomingdale Regional Library. It'll be installed in the Life Story Writing genealogy room in the library located in Brandon, FL. 

It’s been a while since I’ve worked in my studio because I’ve been spending a lot of time trying to finish my novel. The climax is proving to be more difficult to write than expected. How silly is this; I’m finding it hard to put my characters in peril.  So I joined a critique group and attended our first meeting this week.  I’m both excited and nervous about having my book sent out for review.  I’m encouraging myself with words I recently read in the 1987 edition of The Writer’s Handbook…

The turtle make progress when he sticks out his neck. 

BIG DREAMS call for BOLD ACTION

A fantastic weekend!  I attended the Florida Writers Association Conference in Orlando.  I met many friendly, talented writers and took three days of skill building workshops.   It was refreshing to be in the audience learning instead of behind the podium presenting.  

I also had the opportunity to pitch my suspence / comedy novel about a spunky faux painter to a literary agent from NYC.  She gave me the go ahead to submit it.  Guess I have to hurry up and finish it now...