Tag Archives: writers

Just Words

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What words come to mind when you see this round tower from Glendalough?

Maybe strong, old, ancient, tall, awe-inspiring, safe, amazing.

Maybe there are no words to truly and fully describe it.

Writing is a tricky quest to attempt to capture the essence of something with just words.

And sometimes, there are no words. Just feelings, emotions, impressions.

The feel of the rocks as you push into them. The wind blowing through your hair as you stand there. The unheard whispered prayers of the past, the current, the future.

But words are what we have, so we keep writing the best we can. And hope that the readers’ imaginations fill in the blanks.

Love, Lisa

*Glendalough Monastery round tower, Co. Wicklow, Sept 2024, Ed Lyons

The Dichotomy of a Practical Mind and a Dreaming Heart

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In the woods in Killarney

You already know where this post is going. I probably don’t even have to write it. Ok. Blessings, Lisa

Haha…no, I’m going to write it anyway! 🙂

My heart is always dreaming, day dreaming, night dreaming, walking around dreaming. New ideas, new adventures, new horizons.

But my troublesome practical mind puts brakes on many of these things before they can take off and leave the ground. ‘It’s too expensive….we need to save for retirement….you need to be a responsible adult….” You get the idea.

Depending on how your mind and heart is wired, you may agree with one side or the other. “It’s a good thing she has that practical mind; no telling what she’d do.” Or, “She needs to follow her dreams and take more chances.”

But what if you are a practical dreamer?

God gives hopes and dreams. God gives us sound minds. God gives us all things. I just pray that I can hear what He is saying and where He is leading.

Blessings, (again)

Lisa

The Dichotomy of a Soft Heart and a Tough Skin

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Artists, writers, musicians, dancers, or anyone in a creative field need soft hearts. They need to be able to see the beauty, the heartbreak, the story of the world with sensitivity. They need to completely feel it all. Let it soak in, and then let it out in some sort of expression.

Then these same souls have to submit their work to others for either acceptance or rejection. Is it good enough? Is it interesting to others? Will it sell? It requires nerves of steel and a tough skin when the inevitable rejections come along.

The line between that soft heart and tough skin is a tricky one to find and maintain. All I know is that I must keep trying, because creating things is what keeps me going, it is what defines me as a person that God made. So, I’m shrugging it off, laughing, and writing. It’s all part of it.

So, paint well, sing loudly, write away, dance your heart out. It is a beautiful thing.

Blessings, Lisa

P.S. Sarcastic or humorous comments welcome, as humor always helps. 😉

The Creativity Spark

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I was talking with a good friend last evening about creativity. What triggers it, what stops it, how to get it going again when you hit a dry spot. So as we enter into the year of our Lord 2023, I thought some inspiring quotes about creativity might be what we all need to kick start what might be languishing in our spirits as we might have overindulged in the indolence that sometimes accompanies the season.

“Every artist was first an amateur.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Look at life with the eyes of a child.” “Creativity takes courage.” -Henri Matisse

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”- Albert Einstein

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:1, 27

“Creativity is a habit, and the best creativity is the result of good work habits.” – Twyla Tharp

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” -Walt Disney

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” – Colossians 3:23

Blessings as we roll into this new year. Love, Lisa

Image – Young Man Writing, Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier

“So, What Do You Do?”

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Scenario 1: You are meeting people in a social situation of any kind. Someone new comes up to you and says, “So….what do you do?”

You hem and haw, and feel that strange, slightly apologetic and defensive response come forth. “I am a writer. (or singer, or composer, or artist, or fill in the blank)” You use a subdued voice, looking towards the floor slightly.

“Wow. Can you make a living with that?” Only the truly bold acquaintance will muster that, but you feel it just the same, no matter the words or expressions chosen.

“Well, I am working on a novel, or art piece, or album….” Your voice trails off and you anxiously look for the exit to this conversation. You skillfully turn it to another topic and breathe a sigh of relief.

Scenario 2: Same setting. “So….what do you do?”

You stand up straight and smile. “I am an artist. (or writer, or singer, or composer)”, said in your normal happy speaking voice. Direct eye contact.

“Wow. That’s cool. I wish I had the guts to try something like that. Can you make a living?”

You smile again, letting them know within that smile that, no, not quite yet, but yes, it doesn’t really matter at this point.

They realize you aren’t going to answer that question, as it is immaterial. “Tell me about it. Sounds awesome.”

Just a bit of encouragement to all you artists, musicians, writers, etc. out there. No apologies. You are created in the image of God, who happens to be extremely artistic and creative Himself.

Blessings, Lisa