Curtiss Ann Matlock's Blog, page 25

Gleanings: Writing Time Management and other struggles

Whether you’re published or not, feeling like you haven’t gotten anything done unless you’ve written even a paragraph is a good indication you are a writer. If you are in love with writing, or simply committed to it, you will take the time. When something is important, you find a way. ~ Barbara DeMarco-Barrett, Pen on Fire

Yesterday was my day to care for my mother. This means my day is given over to her needs, monitoring her when she’s making her way around, in case she falls, getting her mea...

Gleanings: If You’re no Longer in Love With Writing, and other places of commitment

“But if you’re no longer in love with writing, for whatever reasons, then there are only three choices. The first is to abandon writing and look for a new love. The second is to continue with your dull marriage, writing but not loving. The third is to fall in love again.” ~ Eric Maisel, Living the Writer’s Life

The relationship between a writer and writing is a type of marriage, and one thing I have learned from a long marriage union to my husband is that on any given day we arrive at one of t...

Gleanings: Pen on Fire and One Woman Caretaker Lets Go

“My women students, especially, grumble that there is never enough time to write and still get everything else done. Rarely do I hear a man complain about time, perhaps because–and I’m going to make a sweeping generalization here–men tend not to be the caretakers. Men make themselves and their needs a priority, after which they have time for everyone and everything else… But we women, we are so loaded down with commitments and obligations it’s no wonder we find little time to write.” ~ Barbar...

Gleanings: Writers’ Strengths, Self-direction, and Commitment

Self-direction, stubbornness, nonconformity, rebelliousness, and a love of freedom are writers’ strengths. Use them honorably. ~ Eric Maisel, The Writer’s Life

As I typed the above quote, I saw each word individually and more meaningfully than when I first read them. We can, and do, read words, and we know what they mean, but so often it is only scratching a surface. We read and move on, little impacted by the words. We don’t see the ideas at work, don’t put them to work, in our life.

Now that...

New Year, New Word

“Do not cling to old ways as you step into a new year.” ~ Sarah Young, Jesus Calling.

Of course the meaning is to let go of the old ways that don’t work. Hold on and carry with you to the things that are working. A friend of mine told me that rather than look back and see the things that didn’t go well and things she needs to change from the old year, she takes time to review her progress from the previous year. What a great idea! When you see your progress, you see what you’re doing right, wh...

Christmas Eve, a Puppy, and a Rug Shampooer story

I was exhausted with all the last-minute Christmas baking and wrapping. I headed to bed early. Puppy chose to sleep in her crate, rather than in the bed with me. I let her, fell into bed and fast asleep, with visions of sugarplums and happy family dancing in my head.

At 11:45, I awoke. Maybe I heard Santa on the rooftop. I got up and went to the bathroom, and when I came out…I smelled…a stench. Precious Puppy wiggled toward me out of the shadows. I did not see any Santa or stardust.

I followed...

Gleanings: A good thing to ponder, the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, The Right to Write…

A good thing to ponder:

“You have to be careful, Grace,” said Phuti. “You never know.”

You never know. She had pondered the words. No, one never knew, but just as you never knew what difficulties you might encounter, you also never knew about the positive things the future might hold. ~ Alexander McCall Smith, The Handsome Man’s De Luxe Cafe.

The New Year is fast upon us. I think I’ll spend some time pondering what good things the future might hold. This will take deliberate effort, and several...

Claiming Christmas Joy

Image by jennecy via Flickr

I published this post back in 2010, came across it today and decided to repost this reminder for myself and anyone else who may need it. We all have shattered dreams. Yet within them, there will be sparkles of joy. Let me not miss them.

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A friend was talking to me yesterday. She had struggled through an abusive marriage, painful divorce, trying to keep a roof over her head and raise three children. She has health problems, too, and it seemed that for twenty y...

Gleanings: The Right to Write and Miracle On I-40

“Aiming for that, I learned to write setting judgment aside…I called this new, freer writing ‘laying track’. For the first time I gave myself emotional permission to do rough drafts and for those rough drafts to be, well, rough.” ~Julia Cameron, The Right to Write.

Cameron writes that she learned to write more freely. She learned to give herself permission to do this. Learning involves repeated attempts. It is done with choice after choice, until one becomes good at it. You don’t have to be go...

Yippee! Miracle On I-40 hits the top 100 Kindle Holiday Romances!

Click for link to Amazon

I’m thrilled that Miracle On I-40 has gone onto the top 100 Kindle books in the Holiday Romances. Another generation of people are enjoying the story, conceived so long ago. Miracle On I-40 is a story about second chances, perseverence, and seeking joy. About choosing life, right in the midst of chaos. (Perhaps I know more about this perseverance than I have realized.) It is a feel-good, relaxing read.

It has always been my aim to write to give to others the same enjoym...