Bookworm

Reverb 10 | Day Two | Writing

Prompt: Writing. What do you do each day that doesn't contribute to your writing -- and can you eliminate it? [Leo Baubata]

I'm wrestling with this one a bit.  Leo is a writer, so it makes sense that this would be the type of thing he would ask himself regularly.  I am not a writer by trade, so should I be asking this about my professional work?  About my favorite hobbies/avocations?  Or should I quit wasting time and answer the question?

Most of my daily activities do not contribute to my writing.  I choose not to upend 90 percent of my existance in the service of my writing, therefore I am not sure anything will change with regard to this in 2011. 

I do enjoy writing.  I tweet, I blog, I write email to friends, I write stories that become part of my scrapbook pages.  Writing a book would be on my bucket list, if I had one.  I would like to work at home as a writer and photographer, but my deep desire for stability and the ability to support my family will likely keep me in my current profession until retirement age. 

If writing a book is important enough to me, at some point it will rise to the surface.  I will become as engaged with writing that book as I currently am with scrapbooking and writing will become my predominent passion outside of work. 

Reverb 10 | Day One | One Word

Reverb 10

December 1 | One Word.
Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?

Document (v.)

Earlier this year I chose the word "document" as my word of the year after reading a blog post on Ali Edwards' site.  This was to be the year I finally started scrapbooking pictures and stories about our lives. I've filled three scrapbooks, taken two online classes, and subscribed to another site that offers continuing inspiration and design education. This continues to feel like very important work to me.  These stories have value and will continue to have value, even if just to me.  Since my daughter is an only child, she will not have siblings to fill in the gaps of half-remembered childhood Christmases.  I want these scrapbook pages to do that for her.  This hobby pulls together my love of writing, photography, and creativity -- I am completely enraptured.

Live

The downside to doing a lot of documenting this year is that it is time-consuming and my time outside of work and other responsibilities is limited.  In 2011 I want to make sure I am not turning down opportunities to make memories, live my life, and spend time with loved ones simply so I can retreat to my den and create in solitude.  I am such an introvert and cherish my quiet time.  But my little girl is growing up and these are precious days to spend in her company while my husband and I are still high on her list of preferred playmates.  I want to answer "Yes," more often when she asks, "Will you play with me," or "Can I hang out with you?"