When I was first hired at my most recent job, everyone in my life wanted to know about my commute. They were so sad to hear that I would have to spend at least 2 hours each work day on the train. But I luckily, do not share this hesitation towards public transportation.
It's been a month now and I have enjoyed every day that I have ridden on the train. It gives me time to think. Time to read. And now, time to write.
Now that I've started blogging again, I've rediscovered my voice and like any habit, I've fallen back into writing. I'm reading through drafts while the lawyer beside me is checking in with clients. I'm outlining chapters while the NP to my right is applying makeup. And after three years of retail work, my brain is bursting with characters who want to be brought to life. Every year gives me more experience and a richer story to tell.
This morning I found myself saying hello to Brendan, one of my very first characters. His story was halted prematurely several years ago when I lost a draft I was working on. But this morning I decided to give him some of my attention, and his story has only gotten better in the meantime. I'm looking forward to exploring that world again and seeing where it takes me.
Thank you MBTA for giving me what I've been looking for lately: time to write.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
A constant journey of improvement
As an information scientist, nothing interests me more than making knowledge and learning accessible to as many people as possible. That is why I am so happy to participate in the EdX open courseware program that many of our nation's colleges and universities have begun contributing to. EdX brings the expertise of some really excellent minds into the homes of anyone who wants to learn. And don't worry if you don't own a computer. As long as you are near a library, this program is available to you. (Yeah, libraries!)
My husband and I have been waging an ongoing battle regarding the philosophical use and value of statistical information since we first met. He's quite analytical and I can be pretty emotional in my arguments. So, in an effort to educate myself on the foundation of statistical data for the sake of my marriage, I joined the statistics course being offered through EdX by a professor from UC Berkley.
The class is quite interesting so far, and for something available for free, the quality is tremendous. I am shocked by the amount of basic algebra I have retained - my teachers weren't lying when they said I would use that knowledge again.
Basically, to all of my friends, this is a PSA. Keep learning, take advantage of these sorts of opportunities. If nothing else, it might keep you from getting stuck in a cubicle.
Check out all the classes over at EdX.org
My husband and I have been waging an ongoing battle regarding the philosophical use and value of statistical information since we first met. He's quite analytical and I can be pretty emotional in my arguments. So, in an effort to educate myself on the foundation of statistical data for the sake of my marriage, I joined the statistics course being offered through EdX by a professor from UC Berkley.
The class is quite interesting so far, and for something available for free, the quality is tremendous. I am shocked by the amount of basic algebra I have retained - my teachers weren't lying when they said I would use that knowledge again.
Basically, to all of my friends, this is a PSA. Keep learning, take advantage of these sorts of opportunities. If nothing else, it might keep you from getting stuck in a cubicle.
Check out all the classes over at EdX.org
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Meanwhile, Back in Cubicle Land, Or, How to Suck at Writing
Well, after a respite as a Bookseller and almost writer, I'm back in the land of cubicles. Although, I have to say, I've taken a step up. I am no longer confined to a sad, lonely cubicle that cuts you off from your neighbors and fosters a sense of everything BUT collaboration. I am now the happy resident of a Pod. That's right, a Pod. I share an open desk system with 4 other people who are all quite brilliant and kind. This is a much different world and I am happy to be a part of it.
So if you've come back hoping for the same sarcasm and jaded bitterness of 2009's Cubitude, well, turn around now! Leave! I've returned, alright, but all of that rage is going to start filtering off into other places because my new cubicle situation is awesome. So get ready for a brand new attitude about cubicles and the people who reside in them. This is a brand new adventure and a brand new me.
And now, to explain the second part of this post title: How to Suck at Writing. If you'll indulge a little second person narration, I'll explain exactly how this works.
Have a plan.
Start out with lots of ideas and write them all down. Once you've got all of these ideas just the way you like them, realize that they are truly awful and abandon that notebook on a shelf.
Start a blog.
Start another blog. Start another blog with a friend and watch as you both give up on it. Get really adventurous and start a vlog. Make videos and write songs. Pretend like you still write, but know deep down that you've already given up.
Find some writer friends and have your hope rekindled. Start writing furiously and get back to that first story you thought might be really good. Read. Read everything. Learn how other people do what you want to do.
Start a new project. Plot out the entire story from beginning to end. Get completely overwhelmed and watch as all of your writer friends begin and finish their projects.
Start a third novel and abandon that one like all the others.
Find a new hobby and realize how much better you are at it than writing. Write on your blog occasionally but feel guilty every time you do. Start another collaborative blog and abandon that one, too. Stop writing, stop singing, stop reading. Get really sad and think about all of the stories you could have written. Think about all the words you could have used to explain what your insides felt like the first time someone held your hand. Think about how you would write excellent sex scenes that wouldn't end with the clicking of a light switch. Imagine how you could have used writing as therapy so that your husband wouldn't have to listen to all of your bullshit. Realize what a writer is.
Finally understand the essence of The Writer and how much a part of you it is. You can't walk away from it or hide from it or ignore it. You can't do anything but be it, all the time. You are a storyteller, even if it destroys you. Be the maker of worlds, even if they only exist in your own mind. Be the suckiest writer that ever existed, because at least then you are a writer. At least then you embrace your nature. And then, you'll get it. You'll understand. You'll let go of the stress and expectations and just let yourself be. And the words will come. And the stories will drip from your fingertips. And you'll realize that you never sucked. You just weren't done cooking yet. But you can here the timer going off.
Start a new blog.
Go back to that first story. Realize you finally know how to tell it. And tell it.
So if you've come back hoping for the same sarcasm and jaded bitterness of 2009's Cubitude, well, turn around now! Leave! I've returned, alright, but all of that rage is going to start filtering off into other places because my new cubicle situation is awesome. So get ready for a brand new attitude about cubicles and the people who reside in them. This is a brand new adventure and a brand new me.
And now, to explain the second part of this post title: How to Suck at Writing. If you'll indulge a little second person narration, I'll explain exactly how this works.
Have a plan.
Start out with lots of ideas and write them all down. Once you've got all of these ideas just the way you like them, realize that they are truly awful and abandon that notebook on a shelf.
Start a blog.
Start another blog. Start another blog with a friend and watch as you both give up on it. Get really adventurous and start a vlog. Make videos and write songs. Pretend like you still write, but know deep down that you've already given up.
Find some writer friends and have your hope rekindled. Start writing furiously and get back to that first story you thought might be really good. Read. Read everything. Learn how other people do what you want to do.
Start a new project. Plot out the entire story from beginning to end. Get completely overwhelmed and watch as all of your writer friends begin and finish their projects.
Start a third novel and abandon that one like all the others.
Find a new hobby and realize how much better you are at it than writing. Write on your blog occasionally but feel guilty every time you do. Start another collaborative blog and abandon that one, too. Stop writing, stop singing, stop reading. Get really sad and think about all of the stories you could have written. Think about all the words you could have used to explain what your insides felt like the first time someone held your hand. Think about how you would write excellent sex scenes that wouldn't end with the clicking of a light switch. Imagine how you could have used writing as therapy so that your husband wouldn't have to listen to all of your bullshit. Realize what a writer is.
Finally understand the essence of The Writer and how much a part of you it is. You can't walk away from it or hide from it or ignore it. You can't do anything but be it, all the time. You are a storyteller, even if it destroys you. Be the maker of worlds, even if they only exist in your own mind. Be the suckiest writer that ever existed, because at least then you are a writer. At least then you embrace your nature. And then, you'll get it. You'll understand. You'll let go of the stress and expectations and just let yourself be. And the words will come. And the stories will drip from your fingertips. And you'll realize that you never sucked. You just weren't done cooking yet. But you can here the timer going off.
Start a new blog.
Go back to that first story. Realize you finally know how to tell it. And tell it.
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