With recent events, I decided I needed to declutter and organize. This is a project where everything gets dumped on the floor. Then I take each item and decide to put in the garbage or give away or keep. The goal is to put more in the first two than the last. My intention is…
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Focus Fox: imagination
Focus Fox says: Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative. So if you randomly change your writing start time, you should therefore become more imaginative. paraphrasing Oscar Wilde
Pulling the Plug
I’m waiting for someone to die. Not in the literary sense, but in the tragic real world way things happen. My sister is on life support right now. She made a series of bad decisions that lead her to be brain-dead in the hospital being kept alive by machinery. As I wait for the switch…
Focus Fox: Writing Buddy
Focus Fox says: Find a buddy that you wouldn’t want to admit you spent the last 30 minutes ‘writing’ on Amazon while you were really looking at toys for the kids. Then either lie your butt off or actually write. Either way you will be making up a story.
Kidbit: Cartwheels and father’s day
“I can’t do a cartwheel.” My daughter puts her hands down and kicks her feet up, before slumping to the ground. “Maybe someone can show you and then you can practice,” I say. “Can you do cartwheels?” She adds that hopeful lilt at the end. “Nope, but Daddy can.” Her eyebrow juts up. She has…
Focus Fox: Book
Focus Fox says: Having a physical reminder of the things you want to achieve can be very helpful. Try sticking a book in your back pocket to remind you that writing is a pain in the butt.
KidBit: How I got cats
“You’re mean,” My six year old said to the 4 year old. “I am going to trade you for a cat,” “Oh yeah? I am going to trade YOU for a cat.” The other one retorts I guess I’m getting cats.
Focus Fox: Fear
Focus Fox says: The only thing we have to fear in writing is fear itself, well and acquisition editors… and agents… and bad reviews… and social media… and wolves… and cougars. Quick run to your dens.
KidBit: It might be a clue
I know my four-year-old has watched too much Scooby Doo when he lifts a plastic shovel and says, “This is a relic from an ancient civilization. We have a mystery to solve.” What do your kids say?
Focus Fox: Goals
Focus Fox says: If you are struggling with goals, change them up. Maybe instead of focusing on word count, you should focus on pages. But, if you have to lean in too close to focus, consider glasses.