The Forest for the Trees....

Of all the books on writing I own, I started reading The Forest for the Trees: An Editor's Advice to Writers by Betsy Lerner. I checked out from the library. I've seen it at the bookstore and always wondered if I'd actually read it. Since I'm under a timeframe with the Omaha Public Library sytem - I got through the introduction and first chapter tonight. For being a person who enjoys writing, I sure don't read much.

Regardless, this book should give me the insight I'm looking for when it comes to my habits as a writer and what editors look for and other tips and tricks that I may never learn.

It is written for people like me. I'm glad to have found it.

Dare to Dream...

I just finished reading John C. Maxwell's Dare to Dream which is a compilation of some of this other books.

"Dare to dream... what the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve. ...dare to do it!"

In short: It is a book about dreaming big and doing something about those dreams despite all the oposition that you'll face. It consisted of stories of people who had big dream and worked hard to achieve it.

The book reminded me of The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson.

Soul Cravings...

I'm currently reading Soul Cravings by Erwin Raphael McManus.
While looking up what others have said, I found this quote from book that I haven't gotten to yet.

"Home is ultimately not about a place to live but about people with whom you are most fully alive. Home is about love, relationship, community, and belonging, and we are all searching for home."
~ Erwin McManus, Soul Cravings

myspace.com/soulcravings

If only I knew...

Last night, 'M' brought over some cookies for my roommate and I, a card thanking us, and two gift certificate to Baker's.
I used my gift certificate this morning and picked up a 'gift book' that always intrigued me (and some goodies for work)... If only I knew...
Some deep truths in there, some remind me of some Post Secret cards and Mitch Albom's new book, For One More Day.

I’ll provide an example or two once I’m done reading it.

Random stuff...

Christmas and 2007 are coming soon.

This weekend was a relaxing one. Took a few naps and did some Christmas shopping. First weekend in awhile I didn't check out any new films.
Every place I shopped, I ran into someone I knew from work or church. Small world.

I stopped at Borders and came across this book that looks interesting - The Elements of Influence: Introducing the Playmaker's Standard: The New Essential System for Managing Competition, Reputation, Brand, and Buzz

DVD sales for "Kitty Cats & Exit Signs" are sure increasing

One of many issues I'm having with Left Unsaid is a spot to write without distractions. Coffee shops are loud. My living room includes a distracting TV. My bedroom includes a place to nap. My basement is cold. Any suggestions of a place to concentrate?

This week: my fiction writer's group meeting. My Christmas letter will be sent. More Christmas shopping. And crazy times at work.

Hope for an author...

At 28, First-Time Author Hits Gold

Special Topics In Calamity Physics - A Novel By Marisha Pessl