Soaring

Almost every day from the kitchen window I see bald eagles soaring above the bay. What a difference, the air filled with gulls and crows and then this large, creature soars above them all. It seems to float. An occasional wing flap when changing direction or gaining speed, but mostly coasting, so elegant, so relaxed, so effortless...

But I'm so wrong. Those stunning bald eagles soar so elegantly because of their strength. Because of their powerful muscles and ligaments and the whole of their complex physical structures working together.

Why do those eagles make me think of writing?

Because sometimes I simply want to be able to soar. For it all to be effortless. To write and edit and blog and research the industry and do all those things that would be good for my writing. One simple flap of my wings and I'd be doing it all.

But that's not how it works. Maybe some of us are born eagles, quickly ready to soar, but many of us might be more like sparrows, lots of busy wing-flapping, branch to branch, rarely in a straight line or an elegant arch. But some sparrows migrate as much as 2,600 miles... Not to shabby. We'll get there.

But still, I look at those eagles for inspiration.

What inspires you?


Goals for the week of 3/9/10 - stunningly similar to last week's goals... lots of flapping and flapping and bouncing from branch to branch...

YA novel

• New draft incorporating reader feedback
  

Nonprofit

• Finish all web content
• Tech plan for launch
  

Strengthening the center

• Meditate every morning
  
• Two walks in nature

A stream is more direct than mist

Science was never my thing. I very much respect well-rounded people who can write beautifully about things scientific... but that's not me. So, I don't feel bad that I didn't get this very simple rule of fluid dynamics until now. Mist puts lots of water in lots of directions, but a stream flows further and faster. No disrespect to the Olympic Peninsula rain forest that thrives on constant mist, but, for where I am, I need to write in a stream, which means that I'm putting my energy & writing in one direction.

So I'm streamlining my focus: my YA novel (+ launching the website for the nonprofit I've founded to make films for LGBTQ youth). The middle grade novel is still there waiting it's turn, as is YA novel number two. But this week at least, I'm going to see how things go with four hours of YA work + four hours of website launch work. With a swim or workout between them.

This reminds me a little bit of a way past writing partner who came up with all sorts of elaborate rules to make him write (including moving abroad), but nothing really helped. He just needed to write. Anyway, I'm going to try this 4 + 4 approach for a little bit.

Any suggestions for streamlining & keeping at it?

My iPhone went nuts this week, so no photos from a walk. Here's an older one from the porch of our temporary condo. The tree is now blooming.

Monday Meeting: Goals for the week of 3/1/10:

YA novel

• New draft incorporating reader feedback
  

Nonprofit

• Finish all web content
• Tech plan for launch
  

Strengthening the center

• Meditate every morning
  
• Two walks in nature