Sarah Aronson's Blog, page 9

What are you resisting? What holds you back?

The other day, my husband told me that I should have been named Lucy. “You are your advice,” he said.

I don’t think it was a compliment.

But when it comes to writing, I find myself giving a lot of advice…especially to new writers…especially when it comes to finding the story you want to write. I call the process, “re-imagination.” (For some students, this triggers inner wrath!!)  I draft to know my characters, to find seeds of inspiration. Then I craft a structure. THEN I write.

Sometimes, it even works!

What it depends on: being flexible…being willing to try anything. The truth is, as bossy as I can be, It has never dawned on me not to try. I am happiest when I get new ideas from a reader–be it another writer, an editor, or agent. Suggestions offer me a place to see my work in a new way. I love revision.

But getting started?

That can be hard. I know a lot of people who feel stuck. Or uninspired. Afraid. I get it. If I’m not careful, I tend to obsess about starting. Unless prodded to move forward, I will shuffle words, waiting for inspiration, when I know in my heart that I need to just get to it, that only writing more and more will help me (and others) find the story I want to tell.

This weekend, I am off to meet with my agent. We have a WIP to discuss. I also have a few ideas to run by her. I also want to talk about playing…and what helps other writers get that motor running. What is the spark? Is it different every time? Or do you do something to trigger that feeling of urgency…that you must tell this story and must tell it now!

Yoga Wisdom

Dreams

Martin Luther King said, ““Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”  I love this idea. In my writing life, I try very hard to write about topics that will get my readers thinking and talking. I want to push them to join me in making the world better…in listening to our dreams.

Because our dreams matter.

***All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. -Walt Disney

***A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work. -Colin Powell

***Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before. -Edgar Allen Poe

Today, let’s talk about dreams. And listening to them.

This year, I learned that MLK spoke at my grandfather’s synagogue (he was the rabbi) and even shared a meal with my grandparents. My uncle found a recording of the speech and the great people at Northwestern University are restoring it and making it available in their archives. I can’t wait to hear what Martin Luther King said that day in 1958. I wish my grandfather had told me about it. I would have loved to know how he felt after meeting this great man. If he stirred something. If perhaps, he made my grandfather dream, too.

We all have dreams. Of a better world. Of grandeur. Of happiness. Some of this is visionary. Sometimes, we just want to be heard and understood. We want to connect with people who are like us and different.

This weekend, the night before I had to give a big speech, I dreamed that I lost my voice. It was actually a very strange dream. I was about to introduce Hilary Clinton! (I don’t know….I was in Iowa!) As I struggled unsuccessfully to be heard, I became more and more frustrated. I began to cry without making sound. At that point, I woke up in a sweat. Not being heard is something every writer knows something about. It’s probably why we began writing. Because we had something to say. Because something mattered to us.

The next morning, just before my speech, I met a young writer, a sixth grade girl. She asked me lots of great questions. That night, she sent me a lovely poem that she had written. I wrote back right away. I wanted her to know: I hear you. I see you. I know you. I respect you.

Dreams don’t become reality without hard work. But to stay motivated, we all need a little recognition.

Today, on this important day, I think it’s really important to remember to hear and acknowledge each other. It’s the first step to action. It’s the first step to being heard yourself.

So…if you are ready to stretch….LISTEN.

Reread a critique or ask for one. Or read something for someone else. Read it like a writer and tell that writer: I know you. I hear you. What you have to say is worthwhile. Call someone up and ask them how their writing is going. Call a relative you haven’t talked to in a while…

or eavesdrop.

or walk without your phone.

or just sit quietly.

Pay attention.

My life is made richer by these quiet moments. By listening. By hearing. By reading the words of my students and friends. Today let’s celebrate our dreams. Let’s recognize each other. Let’s listen to what others want.

I hope that for all of you; this is the year you have to pinch yourself. I hope all our dreams come true!

2014 is here!

Happy New Year!

I am a girl who LOVES her rituals, and that means…..it’s time for goals and resolutions!!! Last year, I did pretty well, so this year, I’m going to be a little more ambitious.

Maintain balance. Some writing. Some fun. Some teaching. Some learning. Some salad. Some chocolate.

Get that new idea on the page. I have two discovery drafts and one loosely formed idea sitting in a drawer. I need to make up my mind and go!

Volunteer for something to make my local community stronger. On a regular basis. Make a difference.

Send cards and gifts on time. YES. This may seem like a gimme to some, but in my family, it’s a big deal. I am going to ignore my genetic disposition, stop making excuses, and put things in the mail!

Laugh more. Make more time with family and friends. 

More yoga, if possible, too. Because it makes me feel great and puts everything else into perspective. 

What are your resolutions? If they include writing for young people, consider signing up for Monday Motivation (on my website under TIPS)–weekly thoughts and tips and exercises to help you write. Or take a class with me. Email me! I love working with aspiring writers! 

 

 

 

 

A Quick Look Back

 

This time last year, I wrote some pretty specific goals. We had just moved to Evanston, Illinois, and I was full of energy and optimism. I also knew this year would offer a lot of change and personal challenges.

Reflecting on those goals,

YES. In terms of writing, this has been an excellent year. BELIEVE was released. I also finished the work in progress that needed (what I thought was) an ending but as the year would prove, it also needed a new point of view, set of secondary characters, and yeah, an ending. It is now out of my hands. My fingers are crossed!

YES, I took a lot of chances. I got a part time job, went to new SCBWI regions, and introduced myself more times than I can count. I tried to tweet. I have a long way to go on that one!

Oh, YES, I enjoyed the boy’s last semester of high school. That said, the empty nest has taken some getting used to. My husband and I miss having the kids around. Now the girl is off to France. Does this mean I will finally get used to Skype? I guess it does.

I always eat good food, especially chocolate. This year, I tried cooking more vegetarian entrees. I also perfected my pizza making skills.

I hope all my friends and family know how much I appreciate and love who they are. It was my goal to keep reminding them of this. Every year offers challenges….and sometimes we all need a little privacy. But we also need to know that we are not alone.

A lot of people like to say, “Don’t look back,” but in reflection, I can see just how wonderful and challenging this year has been. Thanks to everyone! Thanks for being there for me during the rough patches. Thank you for celebrating the release of BELIEVE. Thank you for welcoming me to your community. Over the last few days, as the girl gets ready to go, we keep reflecting on the importance of community and how much happier we are when we feel secure. As I look forward to a new year, a new class, a new manuscript, and many  more challenges, I am secure in my knowledge that I’m not alone.

Enjoy the day!

xos

Quote of the Day

 

This is where all my books begin. With a story I have got to tell–an idea I’ve got to discuss–a character that won’t let me forget him. As I get ready to start a new project, I always begin thinking about the ideas/stories/people/images that won’t leave me alone. If something interests me, there is always a story lurking somewhere in my subconscious.

 

Yoga Wisdom

 

The advice I have needed to hear most in 2013 finally felt doable in class today:

Check your ego at the door.   

also known as

Leave your head outside the hot room. 

also known as

Let go of what you can’t control. 

This year, I’ve worked hard this year to not worry about the things in my life I can’t control. Like everything else, it’s a work in progress….but for the first time (at least in the hot room), it’s feeling doable.

 

Gratitude

The other day, my son, the baby, the newest college boy, invited me to spend the afternoon at the art museum. He wanted to see the “Art and Appetite” exhibit at The Art Institute of Chicago.

(It’s wonderful.)

After we enjoyed the galleries, we decided to get a snack. Two men with paper cups sat in front of the restaurant and asked us for help. It is easy to walk by people with cups or signs. But on that day, we didn’t. The boy reached into his wallet for a dollar. I did the same. He said, “Sometimes, I forget that they’re people. But I don’t want to. I don’t ever want to look away.” He remembers that once, we weren’t so lucky.

Today, on Thanksgiving, and on many other days, I count my blessings. I remember the times when I felt desperate, when I had to depend on the kindness and generosity of others (mostly, my parents) to be able to put food on the table. There was a time when health was not a given. There were many times when I had to be strong enough to ask for help.

It’s not an easy thing to do.

It doesn’t just hurt the ego. It hurts the soul. To need help–to have to say out loud that you cannot do it alone–is frightening. And that fear gnaws at every ounce of us. I really only began my productive life when that time passed, when I felt safe.

Today, I write with gratitude:

For my parents, who helped me when we were going through tough times, who now celebrate my triumphs. And they don’t think they did anything above and beyond. They don’t ask for repayment. They don’t know that they’re heroes.

To my spouse, who provides my daily dose of support and enthusiasm. It’s great to be married to someone you love.

To my kids: you are all amazing. You make me proud. You have all overcome different hardships, and I celebrate your happiness and successes today and tomorrow. We are here for you.

To all our friends and extended family: thank you for celebrating with us, for making us laugh, for caring about us.

To my teachers and students, who continue to inspire me. You are my fairy godmothers, granting me wish after wish after wish.

I now live a privileged life, and I strive never to forget that. These days, I worry about things like art–how the words flow on a page–and if my characters are authentic. I think about religion and politics and I have enough time to watch TV and even go to the theater. There is money for retirement. I have a new idea for a book. There are events to look forward to.

I will never forget the years when I had to overcome hardships–when I couldn’t look forward–I wasn’t sure what I would see. Now I see so many possibilities. I am so lucky! I hope that this year, we can all strive to reach our goals and also help others–so that next year, they see possibilities, too.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

 

 

Happy Thanksgivukkah!!!!!

Holy Crazy Calendars! This year, we will experience the strange convergence of the Chanukkah and Thanksgiving holidays.

Normally, at Thanksgiving, my family eats a lot. We watch football. We donate to the soup kitchen. And we each state what we are grateful for. Then we each thank the other people at the table for specific acts of kindness, bravery, intelligence, or chutzpah. (Check in tomorrow for my post on gratitude.)

At Chanukkah, we eat a lot. We have a party called “latkefest,” which includes serving a latke I call the “liz taylor.” It features caviar and creme fraisch. We also usually host a debate about the best Jewish food: latke, hamantaschen, or the pastrami sandwich.

What are you doing?

This convergence isn’t going to happen again for a REALLY long time (Chabad.org says we will have to wait a very looooong time). Not everyone is happy about it!!! But I am.

Thanksgivingkah makes a lot more sense than Christmakas. Or a Chanukkah bush. When I was growing up, some of my friends referred to my house as “the dark house.” It was the only one without Christmas lights. It was always a little weird retelling the story of Judah Maccabee when everyone else was singing around Christmas trees. When I was a religious school director, I would totally have come up with a crazy program to celebrate this event.

So, let’s put our heads together.

Have you come up with a great ritual that includes lights, turkey, and oil?

Have you come up with a new food ritual? Family ritual? Song? Opportunity to lecture the children before they can open their presents?

Have you found or written a great midrash?

Are you going to postpone Chanukkah? You’re sick of it being upstaged by Christmas…this is its year to SHINE!!! 

Tell me YOUR Thanksgivingkah ideas on this blog and be entered to win FIVE copies of BELIEVE, perfect for your post-latke, post-turkey post yoga book club. If you are just going to eat a lot, that’s okay. Post a great recipe or latke idea and you’ll be entered to win, too.

The winner will be posted on the last day of Chanukkah!

L’chayim!!!!!

xos

Happy Thanksgivingkah!

Tomorrow night, we will experience the strange convergence of the Chanukkah and Thanksgiving holidays.

Normally, at Thanksgiving, my family eats a lot. We watch football. We donate to the soup kitchen. And we each state what we are grateful for. Then we each thank the other people at the table for specific acts of kindness, bravery, intelligence, or chutzpah. (Check in tomorrow for my post on gratitude.)

At Chanukkah, we eat a lot. We have a party called “latkefest,” which includes serving a latke I call the “liz taylor.” It features caviar and creme fraisch. We also usually host a debate about the best Jewish food: latke, hamantaschen, or the pastrami sandwich.

What are you doing?

This convergence isn’t going to happen again for a REALLY long time (Chabad.org says we have to wait until 2070). Not everyone is happy about it!!! But I am.

Thanksgivingkah makes a lot more sense than Christmakas. Or a Chanukkah bush. When I was growing up, some of my friends referred to my house as “the dark house.” It was the only one without Christmas lights. It was always a little weird retelling the story of Judah Maccabee when everyone else was singing around Christmas trees. When I was a religious school director, I would totally have come up with a crazy program to celebrate this event.

So, let’s put our heads together.

Have you come up with a great ritual that includes lights, turkey, and oil?

Have you come up with a new food ritual? Family ritual? Song? Opportunity to lecture the children before they can open their presents?

Have you found or written a great midrash?

Are you going to postpone Chanukkah? You’re sick of it being upstaged by Christmas…this is its year to SHINE!!! 

Tell me YOUR Thanksgivingkah ideas on this blog and be entered to win FIVE copies of BELIEVE, perfect for your post-latke, post-turkey post yoga book club. If you are just going to eat a lot, that’s okay. Post a great recipe or latke idea and you’ll be entered to win, too.

The winner will be posted on the last day of Chanukkah!

L’chayim!!!!!

xos