A Side Effect of Writing

Fourteen hours ago, I gleefully discovered that tons of writing pays off in unexpected, delightful ways.

A Little Background: I was asked to address a crowd of around 150 persons on the topic of professionalism yesterday. No biggie - I used to be a public speaker, I have 25+ years experience as a performer, and I enjoy motivating and educating others.

That being said, I commonly have "brain burps" during my presentations, moments where I just cannot find the right word(s) to fit the situation. Though those occurrences aren't earth-shattering, they are certainly annoying (probably to listeners, too.)

But last night's speech was very different. Incredibly, I was able to consistently pinpoint the correct word without affecting the flow of the talk. I felt like I was writing aloud.

It was lovely and somewhat surreal.

I can only attribute this new-found ability to focus to all the freelancing I've done over the past three years. Searching for the perfect way to phrase a sentence or make a point on paper or computer screen must have increased my capacity to do so while speaking, too.

Again, I know this isn't breaking news worthy of a press release. But it does deserve a big nod.

(nod)

When Objectivity Goes on Hiatus...

"Am I still any good at writing?"

It's a question I ask myself almost every day, longing for an answer but unconvinced that I'll ever truly know if what I'm composing is concise or appealing.

Part of the problem (though it's a good one to have) is the volume of work I've undertaken. If I'm not writing, I'm sleeping (or daydreaming about sleep.) Or I'm driving to the gym to work out (while thinking about writing.) Or I'm playing with my son (while thinking about writing.) Or I'm shopping for groceries (while thinking about writing.)

With all this focus on constantly creating fresh, relevant, and interesting copy, I've lost my objectivity. In fact, I sometimes look at sentences and articles I've written and wonder, "Is this even worth what I'm being paid?"

In my heart, I know I can write. And I know that my writing is still acceptable to 95% of the population (or at least 90%.) But the seeds of doubt are sprouting into weeds of destruction.

Quickly! Somebody throw me a trowel so I can dig 'em up before they take root!

Searching for the 25th Hour in the Day...

I love to read.

Not exactly shocking, right? After all, I'm a writer. Most writers love to read. Case closed.

But here's the problem: I almost never find time to read.

Oh, sure, I pick up the newspaper in the morning and plod through local, state, national, and international garbage that makes me angry, resentful, delighted, worried, or just plain sad. I also search online for job postings, so I guess that counts as "reading". Occasionally, I even allow myself the freedom to surf my favorite blogs for insights and/or laughs (check out CraigslistCurmudgeon for some funny tidbits.) And I can't forget to mention that my son and I love to share some of his youth-oriented books during our days and evenings.

But I don't read for fun anymore.

I'm almost ashamed to say that. But it's true.

Case in Point: I have a wonderful book sitting beside me at our dining room table (my writing desk most days), The Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier. I want to read it with every fiber of my being. I want to get lost in its pages. I want to know Poitier the man, the actor, the husband, the father, the writer. I want inspiration.

Dammit, I just want to read a couple of sentences before passing out from exhaustion at the end of a long day!

(Phew. That was a lot to unload in a small space.)

Anyway, I'm wondering if any other authors share this dilemma? I find that I write copiously, but read little... and, ideally, I believe there should be a 50-50 balance to help me continue with my literary evolution.

For now, though, I'm hopelessly salivating at the very mention of the Pointier book that was a Mother's Day present and remains untouched. Maybe I'll read it for Father's Day...

The Daily Dilemmas of a Writer

First, let me say that it's GOOD to write. It's GOOD to have clients. It's GOOD to make enough money to pay estimated taxes on a quarterly basis. (sort of...)

That being said, it's a bummer when you regularly encounter the daily dilemmas of writing-dom.

Take, for instance "The Never Ending Rewrite".

Scenario: You agree to create a unique 800-word document for a flat fee of $100. It's due in two weeks. You turn it in on time. The editor praises it, but does need a little more in some areas. You happily complete a rewrite. Now, the editor asks for even more. Skeptical, you add a bit here and there, certain this is your LAST rewrite. But wait! The editor AGAIN has changes...

This happens over and over to me, and I'm not sure why. Perhaps my writing isn't strong enough and the problem lies with me.

Or maybe the writing is decent, but I missed the point.

Or... and I think this is more likely in most cases... the editor wasn't quite sure what he/she wanted UNTIL he/she saw the completed article. At that point, the editor had a brainstorm and decided he/she wanted something different... and that it wasn't necessary to pay extra.

In any case, I know I could easily "tamp down" on such endless rewrites by adding a clause in all contracts and emails that I will only complete ONE rewrite and no more. But what if the editor legitimately has a problem and decides to ask for a second rewrite?

It's a conundrum, isn't it?

The Haiku

I'm not going to pontificate for long on this subject, but I just had to write it:

I LOVE THE HAIKU!

For some reason, this deceptively "simple" art form really gets me excited, and I'm planning on challenging myself to try some haiku of my own in the future.

If anyone has written haiku and wants to send it my way, go for it! I'd love to read what you've penned!

Until then...

Haikus Rock!

Good... Great...?

Another writer and I recently discussed a topic I've long pondered... is it better to hand in a GOOD assignment on time or a GREAT assignment a day late (after asking for an extension, of course)?

My gut reaction is that it depends on the situation, the publication, the article/story, the editor, the phases of the moon... okay, maybe not that last one...

What do you think? I'm curious and haven't seen this addressed anywhere...

Just for Laughs...

I love the Writer Beware blog, and a recent posting on the "Who's Who..." scam reminded me of an incident from when I was a teen.

I was so cocky then. I was literally a different person (two decades will change anyone, I suppose.) I really believed I could write anything I wanted and that talent oozed from every pore. (Unfortunately, so did hormonal yuckiness, resulting in years of acne-ridden torment... but I digress...) So when I was solicited by a "Who's Who..." anthology, I bought into it hook, line, and, well, you get the picture.

In the end, I never ended up publishing my breakthrough poem "Oh Goddamned, Blessed Rain". But now, I have decided to showcase it to the universe.

For the first time, in public, here is an excerpt of the poem I goofily believed would rock the poetry world and make people fall to my feet (I forget the rest of it, thankfully.)

Please, be kind. Fifteen was a bad age for writing poems!

"Oh Goddamned, Blessed Rain" (excerpt)
ALH, copyright 1987

Oh goddamned, blessed rain
You keep screaming
As you're streaming
Down my chilly window pane.

Once you told me I could dance
You were lying
Men are dying
By your cold and brutal hands.

Hilarious, no?