Monday’s Pen to Paper: Just do it!
Sonya Elliott – Eastern Washington University 1988
Writing is hard work.
Yesterday, throughout the day, I watched my daughter fill up her third composition notebook with words. She is working on a book. I would walk by her room, and peak in and watch her in awe. Then as I’d walk away, I’d beat myself up, “Come on Sonya, pull out your notebook and write.”
On days when I’m not inspired to write, it can be nearly impossible to get myself going. I’ve been fighting a cold and I didn’t feel like doing much of anything, but that is really no excuse. I’d like to say I wrote yesterday, that after my short speech to myself writing prevailed, but it didn’t.
The couch, a walk to the beach and the Seahawks prevailed. All good things for sure, but that is why today it is all the more important to put my foot down and quit procrastinating, because I know when I begin to write, the inspiration will come, and I will feel complete.
This is where I will use my basketball background (and Nike) to remind myself to just do it. When I was young and playing basketball and I didn’t want to practice, I would MAKE myself get on the court and push myself. And once there, sweat dripping and muscles aching, I loved it.
Tough writing days are not that much different. (Less the sweat) Today, I’m starting with this blog, now I’m on the court, my computer is out and my fingers are moving. Then I’ll write 10 minutes on the writing prompt and I’ll be warmed up and ready to play ball. I will have no excuses. My book will be at my finger tips and by then I will be having fun, writing. Playing the game.
Writing […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: FREE gift with purchase
It’s time to gear up and get ready for basketball season! (Or start shopping for Christmas.) Go to www.PeaceLoveBasketball.com and buy a stylish and comfy shirt, sweatshirt or baby onesie, and receive a free signed copy of my memoir Back on the Court: A Young Woman’s Triumphant Return to Life, Love & Basketball, with an order of $15 or more. (Special offer runs November 1 – November 15, 2013)
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Escape
Though I’ve been known to write on my lap in the locker room at the YMCA, it often takes the right environment to get me going. A cozy cafe’, Norah Jones on the stereo, a hot latte’, it’s not always easy, especially because life seems to get in the way.
This morning I’m heating up some red wine and mulling spices on the stove top. Not to drink with my breakfast, but to fill the room with, what to me is, the fragrance of fall. And when I finish this blog I will make a cup of “Constant Comment” tea, turn off my wi-fi, and escape to my writing.
How will you construct an environment in which to write, or create?
WRITING PROMPT: Write about a time when you felt inspired to write, or were simply inspired.
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Halloween Spirit
Halloween spirit
I finally put up a couple of skeletons, a gargoyle and some pumpkins yesterday to mark that Halloween is about to arrive. It’s almost basketball season so my mind has not been on this ghoulish holiday.
But yesterday, when my husband and I thought about costumes for a party this weekend, I realized that our family hadn’t carved pumpkins and there were no hints of the upcoming holiday to be seen in our house. This is what happens when the kids get older and priorities shift, I thought.
I used to always throw a party for the kids before Halloween. It was actually the only holiday that I didn’t leave out. The focus was decorating cupcakes. The kids dressed in costumes, bobbed for apples, unwound a yarn web that spun through the house and then loaded their cupcakes with candy. I always loved the creatures that they came up with. And now I had I found myself in a house lacking of Halloween spirit.
I don’t put decorations up early, not for any holiday. I like to wait until closer to the actual date before I bring its spirit to the house. But I definitely like to bring about a change.
I’m glad I didn’t let, life and basketball, stop me from this small task this year, because my husband and kids loved the transformation, and I have to admit, so did I.
Enjoy the season, basketball and the ghoulish one!
(below find a link to free Basketball worksheets & information on Halloween Cupcakes, for the upcoming season.)
Links to more ideas for Halloween Cupcakes: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/desserts/halloween-cupcakes-00100000087547/#7
Link to free Basketball worksheets and info: https://sonyaelliott.com/plb-free.html
Meet Sonya
Meet Sonya
Sonya Elliott’s memoir, Back on the Court: A Young Woman’s Triumphant Return to Life, Love & Basketball, is her story of finding hope in the wake of tragedy after she and her fiancé were hit by a train. She blogs about writing, basketball, and life and is currently working on a Young Adult Novel and a Non-Fiction Coaching book. Stories of her career as a fashion model are woven through her memoir, as both the Soloflex and Easy Spirit Shoes commercials were filmed during that time period, and this unique and intriguing business continues to be a part of her life.
Sonya played basketball at Eastern Washington University and was a starter for the Big Sky Champion team that went to the 1987 NCAA tournament. She coached for almost 25 years and was voted Seattle Times Coach of the Year, Seattle Officials Women’s Basketball Association Coach of the Year, and twice voted Metro League Coach of the Year. She loves the game of basketball and is thankful, not only for her husband and kids but for her ability to continue to get back on the court.
Blog
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Point of View
Last week in my Young Adult Fiction writing class, we talked about Point of View. We discussed the importance of keeping to a teen voice and having teen appropriate stakes. And then we looked at developing the setting, adding details and how to keep the action going, and the one thing that I noticed is that everybody does it differently. And that is what is great about writing. Yes, there are the basics, but each person makes the story their own. Usually, YA is written first-person (present or past tense) or third-person limited, but not always. And in our class we decided that whatever POV a writer chooses, they simply need to do it with purpose. With authority.
When I was writing my memoir, Back on the Court, I wrote the first draft in first-person present-tense. It felt right to me. (It took me […]
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Blog or No Blog?
Recently I had a fellow writer ask about blogging. They were trying to decide if they should blog. I wrangled with this idea myself when I first set up a website. I started out blogging on occasion and, as with many writers, I kept thinking, “Why am I doing this? Who really cares to read my blog?” And then I would fizzle out and my writing would stop. Finally, I had a little sit down with myself, and knowing that it would help my writing, I made a commitment to two blogs a week. And then I reminded myself that if just one person finds it helpful or enjoyable, it is worth it, and that keeps me on task.
So if writing a blog keeps you writing, follow your heart and blog!
WRITING PROMPT #1: Write your first blog now.
WRITING PROMPT #2: Write about your […]
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