Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Inconvenient Inspiration

King David, naked but for the priestly ephod, dancing in ecstasy before the Ark of the CovenantImage via WikipediaOddly, I get a ton of inspiration during church. It's unfortunate, because I can't do anything about it at the time, and I feel terribly guilty about not concentrating on the service. And then I get home and 90% of the inspiration is gone.

How do you retain inspiration that comes at a time when you can't even take notes?
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Saturday, June 21, 2008

Thank you notes

The Gift (oil on canvas)Image via WikipediaIt looks like I've touched off a bit of debate over at The Simple Dollar. Trent gives a really great how-to breakdown, but I disagree with him on one point: he was taught you always cite the amount of a monetary gift, I was taught you never do -- don't even say that it was money, just that it was a "generous gift."
What are your thoughts?
Do you hate writing thank you notes? I've worked out a really easy template:
Dear [name],
Thank you ["so"/"very"] much for the [gift/"generous gift"]. [Specify why you like it and/or how you will use it and/or something, anything positive you can think of. Even if the sweater looks like something the dog vomited, say how warm it is!]
More importantly, thank you for ["remembering"/"attending"/"recognizing" event]. Your continued ["love"/"support"/"mentorship"/etc., pick 2] has meant so much to me over the ["years"/"past few months"/etc.]
Again, thank you.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Obviously, it changes a bit when the thank you is in reference to a job interview, but this should at least get you started.
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Thursday, June 19, 2008

Prayer Intentions #1 -- For the Church

I'm planning on writing the General Intercessions for my wedding next year. I'm actually really enjoying the process, and I have a lot of ideas. De-politicizing my actual intentions is quite a challenge -- give it a try!

Also, what should I be including? Bear in mind that this is a Catholic service (not a Mass), and I am... technically Methodist, although realistically more of a semi-Episcopalian, Catholic-influenced general Protestant (long story...).

Here's part one: praying for the church.

For all the Church in the world, that we may come together, not in hatred over our differences, but in love and devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ.

For all people of faith, and all those who seek meaning, that they may find Truth.

For all deacons and ordered religious, all priests and ministers, all bishops and conference chairs, all Popes and Patriarchs, and for all men and women who are called to be shepherds, that they may lead their flocks in Christ's example.

For all parishioners of N----- Church, and for the former congregation of F-----Church, that the values and love they have passed on to Chris and Laura may continue to guide them and those their lives touch.


Suggestions? Additions?

According to the Book of Common Prayer, the General Intercessions should include:
The Universal Church, its members, and its mission
The Nation and all in authority
The welfare of the world
The concerns of the local community
Those who suffer and those in any trouble
The departed (with commemoration of a saint when appropriate)

Friday, June 13, 2008

Disclaimers

The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed.

Some links on this site may be routed through the Amazon Associates program.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

My six-word memoir

Someday, I will be good enough.


What's yours?

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Goals for June

What are your goals this month?
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Thursday, June 5, 2008

About

Well, clearly the last thing I need to do is start another blog. But this one is not designed for regularity and publicity and all that. This is the combination creative writing/self-motivation blog. This is the one I do for me, whenever I feel like it, however I feel like it.

So, how much you want to bet this is the one that gets a following? That's always the way.

It makes sense, though. On the one hand, everyone wants to be a writer. I'm hoping you'll follow my journey and share yours, as well.

On the other hand... everyone wants to be a writer. And not all of us will, and those of us who try have a lot of competition.

So what do I have to offer? Well, let's see...

  • A head full of ideas.
  • Three dismal failures at NaNoWriMo.
  • A ton of poetry, some published, but very little recent.
  • A notebook full of story elements that I intended to turn into a novel, until it fizzled. It's a decent character bible, though, and I intend to steal elements from it.
  • A couple dozen half-finished, or half-started, stories.
  • Quite a few decent essays that I intend to post in another blog.
  • A thin portfolio of news articles, none recent.
  • Three blogs, including this one.

Actually, let me amend that last. Technically, I have ten blogs. An old personal blog you're unlikely to find, a current personal blog that you can probably find if you're willing to put in the effort (no, I won't be helping), a blog about customer service I'd abandoned a few years ago but may be cannibalizing for ideas, a Press Ethics blog for school one semester, a single entry at BlogCritics (yes, I do plan to follow up there... eventually), a blog full of reviews, one full of anecdotes, the "share" link on Google Reader, and this one. But more on them another day.

Well. As the title says, Writers Write! And as the URL suggests, Laura (being me) Procrastinates. So here I will keep myself accountable to the world -- as if the world cares -- about my effort and progress. If you're out there, enjoy!
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