F is for: Finish Line

One year ago April 15, a joyous event became a tragedy. The Boston Marathon Bombing changed many lives forever.

I have family in Boston, several who were on their way to cheer the runners across the finish line when they heard the blasts. I thank God my loved ones weren't injured. My heart goes out to all who suffered loss of life and limb.

I pray that this year's marathon will be safe, happy, and triumphant for all runners, victims, and those who crossed life's finish line and will watch from the other side.

Boston Strong. Forever.

E is for: Enjoy the Prompts

Life is a huge collection of writing prompts. That's why every creative writing teacher I've ever had strongly suggests carrying a notebook everywhere I go. If someone handed you this picture and told you to write a two hundred word story about it, would you, could you tell a tale?

Images are all around us. We just need to pay attention and let our imaginations take over. Who do you think is under this umbrella? What are they talking about? Where are they? Why are they together?

Try picking out a random prompt: something you see out the window, a picture in a magazine, people walking down the street, sitting on a park bench. Go ahead. I'll wait...

D is for: Dances with Wools

Though not destined to be a blockbuster movie, Dances with Wools is a good name for me. I love to weave, and I love to knit. These are relaxing, zen-like activities that put me back into my happy-and-sane Maggie space. My family especially likes me to be in that space on a regular basis.

My knitting projects aren't normally made from terribly intricate patterns, but I have been known to accomplish stuffed animals, their clothes, and a child-sized sweater. I've started a sweater in my size. We'll see how that works out for me.

Weaving, oh, loved it right right away. The rigid heddle loom I have is just perfect for me. After some time of obsessively creating woven scarves and material which I made into purses and bags to sell, I decided to take a break for a while. Lately, when I walk past my loom, I hear, "Psst, Maggie, got a minute for an old friend?" Have the feeling I will soon.

I am a writer and love to write. But, when I need to slide into my optimal Maggie space, I go to the wools.

C is for: Compassion

Ah, the moments when humanity takes your breath away.

In 2010, four days before my niece, Phoebe, turned five, her daddy died suddenly and unexpectedly. Family, friends, and loved ones wrapped arms around Phoebe and my sister and held tight.

Phoebe and her dad loved Michael Franti's music. "Say Hey (I Love You)" was their favorite and they often sang it together. Later that year, Michael Franti and Spearhead came to New Hampshire. My sister, Phoebe, and friends went to their concert. Being who he is, they were able to meet and talk to Michael. Not only that, Phoebe got to sing "Say Hey" with him during soundcheck and he interviewed her on FrantiV!

Michael Franti is one truly compassionate man. His actions did much to help Phoebe and my sister start to heal, and I'll always be grateful to him.

B is for: Being Me About it All

Are you ever consumed with paralyzing angst while trying to fit someone else's expectations of you and what you do?

A good friend reminded me yesterday of the many components of being Maggie: writer, friend, wife, mother, grandmother, psychic, singer, sister, cousin... you get the picture. One might see these each as a job description of sorts. Am I measuring up? Let's look at my writer self.

I so want to write books readers will love. A dream I'm willing to work hard to make come true, although I admit to falling into the pit of dark discouraged despair from time to time. All I can do is keep learning my craft and writing the best I'm able and, without hesitation, continue throwing my work out into the world.

Will my novels meet the expectations of those who decide what good writing should be? I don't know the answer to that. I only know that I'm a writer and I will continue to write. But, as in everything else I do and am, I'll be Maggie about it all.

A is for: Author! Author!

As I mentioned in my last post, I spent the weekend at the Northern Colorado Writers Conference with writers of every kind who talked to me and taught me. I`m wild with ideas. I feel as if I can`t go fast enough to keep up with my mind. Love feeling this way again. Bye-bye, long winter of my discontent.

My biggest takeaway from the conference this year is my boundless admiration for authors everywhere. These writers followed their hearts and dreams the distance. They jumped through every publication hoop, independent or traditional, learned their craft, dotted that I, crossed that T! Killed off their darlings!

I bow down before you all for what you`ve accomplished and given to rabid readers everywhere.

I want to be you when I grow up.

Tale of two blogs

What's worse than creating a blog and not taking the time the write on it? How about having two blogs and neglecting them both. And forgetting there were two of them. I'm lucky I haven't been turned in to Blog Protection Services.

I figured out I could eliminate this one, printed it up to keep the posts, found and clicked on 'delete this blog.' Okay, good decision. With a bit of creative excitement, I went to the other blog, Soul to Page. I clicked on the dashboard to actually post, when what to my wondering eyes should appear a message stating I had no blogs. Uh-oh. Did I delete the wrong one? No. Could I access Soul to Page? Yes, but I had no way to make any changes or post. Long story short, I signed in and out of accounts and did all suggested tasks to no avail. Fortunately, I was able to resurrect this blog. So, here we are. Welcome back to A Word Girl.

I attended the Northern Colorado Writers Conference this past weekend and am one recharged writer. Much of what I learned or re-learned requires posting stat.

Please come back soon.