Friday, December 17, 2010

Take A Break


QUOTE OF THE DAY: The secret to success is to be ready when your opportunity comes. ~Benjamin Disraeli

I blogged before about my need to read to feed my creativity. I've been reading a lot lately. I've revisited Sidney Sheldon and Nicholas Sparks. I read THE CHRISTMAS SWEATER by Glenn Beck and was reminded of the true meaning of Christmas once again. What are you reading? Please give me some suggestions!

I belong to a writer's group (the best group in the world if you ask me), NoCo Writer's Group (I know, a little generic - name to change soon - leave suggestions if you have any!) and NoCo is sponsored by Colorado Cultural Arts Society, an non-profit organization that supports a variety of the arts. CCAS sponsored a Holiday Story Contest, and I took the leap! It was fun and challenging as the story could only be 1500 words long. Do you know how hard that is? To put together a full, detailed, engaging story in 1500 words or less?

It was a good exercise as it forced me to focus, edit and revise. I will keep you all posted as to how it does. The winners will be posted on CCAS and you can read all about them there!

I hope all your holiday preparations are going smoothly!
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5 comments:

  1. Rick PaddenDecember 17, 2010 at 3:45 PM

    I can barely say "Good morning" in less than 1500 words.

    And you're right, it is good exercise to write within constraints, whether they be length, or theme, voice -- whatever.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lisa StenzelDecember 18, 2010 at 9:48 PM

    Thanks Rick. It was a great experience. Exercises like those just make us better writers!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Fearless GourmetDecember 27, 2010 at 3:53 PM

    I must have been a marketing writer for too long; my retelling of War & Peace would be <100 words...

    Right now I'm finishing up Born To Run, which I could whittle down as well....

    Running = living. Shoes suck. Tarahumara lead the way, from out past to our future.

    Or even more succinct....
    Run daily. Barefoot.
    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lisa StenzelDecember 27, 2010 at 4:43 PM

    Well said Joel! And that is still creative and engaging and well ... short. But sweet! Then we go to the novel length writing where you have to write 60,000+ words. Ooooo, the challenge!

    ReplyDelete
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