Monday’s Pen to Paper: Time For You
I have a new routine. For a couple of weeks now I have been carving out time for myself at breakfast. Each weekday morning I make myself a little spread, complete with a cup of tea, and sit down (key words: SIT DOWN) to eat. I bring the paper, a magazine, or a book and take a few relaxing moments for myself. This often leads to pulling out my journal and writing, but at the very least it gives me a few minutes to peacefully gather myself for the day.
Don’t forget to carve out some time in the day just for you…
Today’s writing prompt: Jessica set her dishes in the sink, wiped the kitchen counter and placed a note on it’s clean surface. Then she picked up her bag and walked out the front door…
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: TEAM
“There is no “I” in team.” You’ve probably heard this before. Or perhaps, my assistant coach’s favorite, “TEAM. Together, Everyone, Achieves, More.”
There are a lot of quotes about the importance of TEAM. And there is a good reason for it; TEAM is the difference between a good team and championship team, between a miserable 5-15 team and a strong-hearted joyful 3-17 team. A group of athletes, or businessmen or women, who keep their focus on team, will reap the benefits. Not always in the win/loss column, but in life and how they learn to live it.
As a high school coach, I witnessed the power of TEAM first-hand this season. We had a lot of young talent and with that could easily have come team dissention. But players worked as a team to get to know and trust one another, find their roles and push themselves, and each other, to become better. Our Seniors, that lost some time on the court, demonstrated with near perfection, the power of TEAM. Their hard work and positive attitudes helped lead us to a winning season and the first division title in the history of the school. The girls believed in the importance of TEAM and were rewarded with wins, friendships and a lesson on how to live life.
How has the concept of TEAM affected you? What is your favorite TEAM quote?
Book Review: The Improv by M.J. McDermott
I met M.J. working on the book trailer for my memoir “Back on the Court”. She too is a writer and what a story she has to tell. Her novel, “The Improv” is based on her personal experience as an actress in college . After I finished her book, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I had to talk to my teenage daughter about it.
As an athlete and fashion model I grew up witnessing predators in action. A coach that dated his, much younger, players, photographers that suggested bras or panties be removed, agents that asked young men to remove ALL their clothing while they were measured. But what is revealed in “The Improv” brings the predators manipulation to a whole new level.
“The Improv” is a thought-provoking, oh-so-relevant, must-read. The novel (based on a true story) flawlessly weaves college life, youthful innocence, and a predator’s perversion, into a suspenseful, entertaining and at times haunting story. A story that needed to be told. Thank you Ms. McDermott.
From the back cover:
A novel based on a true story. For mature young adults. It is 1982 at a New England university, and drama major Margo Laughton is thrilled and terrified to be cast as “Sheila” in the rock musical Hair. The show’s director, Professor Harrison P. Adler, is known for his daring productions. Rumors have circulated for decades about how Harry gets actors to break through their inhibitions. He prefers working with boys, encouraging them to become violent and explore their sexuality in carefully guided improvisations or “improvs.” In 1969, an actor in one of Harry’s plays committed suicide. Is Harry a brilliant ground-breaking acting coach, or is he a manipulative voyeur who has found an academically and artistically sanctioned way to indulge his […]
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Change
Writing is not easy work. As Jane Yolen says, the key to writing, is just putting your damn butt in the chair and getting your pen moving. (I’m paraphrasing here) But sometimes CHANGE is inspiring. A new location, maybe a cafe, the beach, the back porch. Maybe it’s a beautiful new pen or journal. What about new music, a scented candle, a fresh bouquet of sunny daffodils?
What change helps keep your pen moving?
Today’s writing prompt: Devon knew it was time for a change. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and…
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.
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Monday’s Pen to Paper: Go With Your Gut
I like the expression Go With Your Gut. It’s a way of saying, “believe in yourself.” And it rings true in many areas of life.
I used the expression recently with my daughter. We are taking a writing class together where we receive a lot of critiquing. Critique groups are great and can help expand and strengthen writing, but I warned my daughter (and reminded myself), that when she was receiving input on her writing, to be open for suggestions, take in all the ideas and opinions, but in the end remember you’ve got to go with your gut, it’s your writing.
Let your writing be in enhanced by the critiques, but don’t allow the input to drag you down. Because it can. I’ve been in a group session that left me frustrated and upset and wondering why I bothered to write at all. This is not what classes and writing groups are […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Sometimes Rules Are Made To Be Broken
I have a rule to not play basketball in anything but basketball shoes. It started over 30 years ago when I sprained my ankle messing around on the court in running shoes. I broke my rule yesterday.
I couldn’t help myself.
It was my son’s fault. He walked past me, headed to the basketball court outside to shoot around, and I asked if he wanted a rebounder, and he said sure. Was that a “yes, I want my mom to rebound for me” from my 14-year-old son? I set my homework on the sofa and sprinted out the door. I was in my jeans, t-shirt, and my Adidas street shoes (not basketball shoes) and my hair was down. (not the norm for me). I started out rebounding and passing.
“Nice job.” Rebound. Pass. “Good follow through.” Rebound. Pass. Silence. Rebound. Pass. I try not to […]
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Remember
Sometimes it’s hard to think of my brother as an Army Airborne Ranger, I only saw him in uniform once. I was in college and he was stationed in Italy. It was during a time of peace. (I was glad.) Years later he left the Army due to injury and returned to the United States. For me it was like he’d never been gone, but not for him, because soon after his return, my brother began losing friends and soldiers in Operation Desert Storm.
Take a moment today to remember and honor the men and women that died serving our country, as well as those who continue to keep our country safe.
WRITING PROMPT: Write about someone you know that served or is serving in the Armed Forces.
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