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Posts Tagged ‘creativity’

The British Queen and an American Duke

Posted in Other, tagged , , , , , , , on September 19, 2022| Leave a Comment »

As the world says goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II, here’s an interesting story I’d never heard before, starring the British queen and an American duke.

When Duke Ellington Made a Record for Just One Person—Queen Elizabeth

By early 1959, the finished work was ready for performance. The Queen’s Suite was now a 20-minute work in six movements. The band recorded it over the course of three sessions in February and April 1959. A single golden disc was made, and sent to Buckingham Palace.

Now we can listen to it, too.

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Photo by Ryan Johns on Unsplash

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One Step at a Time

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , on September 7, 2022| Leave a Comment »

I drafted a drabble. I drafted a haiku. I drafted another drabble. None of these pieces are ready to share, so instead I’ll leave you with this back-to-school story from Fireside ok, that was too scary so I’ll just go submit a story to an anthology!

Such is the writing life.

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Photo by Kerin Gedge on Unsplash

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Daily Recommended Dose

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , on September 1, 2022| Leave a Comment »

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing — that’s why we recommend it daily.”

— Zig Ziglar

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Photo by Oscar Sutton on Unsplash

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A Good Lesson

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , on August 31, 2022| Leave a Comment »

I’m apparently out of practice balancing the day job with other things. I also spent a good part of my day interfacing with computers, so while I relearn time-management skills, here’s a story from Ken Liu.

/can’t find the story

/now where is that link hiding?

/AI help needed!

Ah, here we are.

50 Things Every AI Working with Humans Should Know – Uncanny Magazine

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Photo by Ian Battaglia on Unsplash

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Taking My Own Advice

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , on August 28, 2022| Leave a Comment »

For the past few days, my inbox has been filling up with emails on advice to writers. You know the type: listicles with “What every writer should know” and “Top ten tips for writers,” that sort of thing. That’s fine as far as it goes, and depending on your progress as a writer, many of these comments may very well be useful.

Still, I can’t help thinking that my own advice would be both shorter and more broadly applicable. (And yes, when it comes to recommendations like this I am my own best customer.)

You can’t finish what’s not started.

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Photo by Adam Winger on Unsplash

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The Trick

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , on August 27, 2022| Leave a Comment »

“We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.” 

― Ray Bradbury

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Photo by Nick Brunner on Unsplash

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Whoosh!

Posted in Holidays, Writing, tagged , , , on August 26, 2022| Leave a Comment »

And somehow the last bit of my break is over. What have I done? Not much and a lot. I originally considered setting some big dramatic goal, like writing a novel, but decided that I’d benefit much more by just… not. So I wrote some but read more, cooked some and ate more, hiked some and lounged more. Did I cross a lot off my list? Yes, but I decided not to worry too much about the remaining items.

I also had a little fun along the way. Here’s a birthday card I put together (with the relevant numbers removed to protect the innocent).

vroom vroom!

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Can’t Chat, Reading

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , on August 24, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Sorry, can’t chat right now, I’m too busy reading the new Ilona Andrews book, Ruby Fever.

While I do feel a bit bad that it will only take me a day to read what took months to write, I’m going to inhale the book anyway. Back soon!

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Photo by Mike L on Unsplash

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Mediocre Monday

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , on August 22, 2022| Leave a Comment »

It’s one of those days today, where the clouds hang low and only drizzle when you go to the mailbox or want to go for a walk. I’ve been working steadily but not getting as much done as I’d like. Such is the way of Mondays.

In honor of this deeply mediocre Monday, I give you my version of the Omnitaur. Here’s the original by xkcd:

And here is my own half-assed version. It needs more work and focus, and that’s just not happening today. And oh look, I just noticed that the bull segment disappeared somewhere along the way. Ah well!

Some days creativity doesn’t quite work. Still worth it.

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Something Silly

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , on August 19, 2022| 1 Comment »

Put Something In

Draw a crazy picture,
Write a nutty poem,
Sing a mumble-grumble song,
Whistle through your comb.
Do a loony-goony dance
‘Cross the kitchen floor,
Put something silly in the world
That ain’t been there before.

— Shel Silverstein

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Photo by Andrew Bui on Unsplash

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