Ruth Buchanan's Blog, page 9

Overcoming Fear of Creative Failure, Part 1: Managing Expectations

Here's a confession: the closer I inch to release dates for professional writing projects, the more I suffer from senseless eleventh-hour panic spirals.
Along with the more garden-variety worries (that I'll disappoint people by not living up to my last project or by not producing something "good enough" or by writing something that not everyone likes -- imagine!), one of my more persistent concerns is the irrational fear that I'll never have another good idea.
Now, this fear is silly for a numb...

10 Great Literary Mashup Ideas

Animal Farm-to-Table: The Art of Triggering Local Socialist MovementsAlice's Adventures in a Land RememberedRomeo and Julie of the WolvesLord Jim of the FliesEnder's Hunger GamesThe Time Traveler's Stepford WivesThe Devil in the Woman in White CityThe Princess Bride CollectorThe Man Who Mistook His Wife for the Red Hat ClubEats, Shoots, and Leaves of Grass: A Zero Tolerance Approach to Individualism
Somebody please make these happen.
* * *
Image Attribution:
Carl von Bergen [Public domain], via W...

A Reader's Guide to Husband Hunting

If classic literature has taught us anything, it's that we should ask our prospective spouses some very specific questions. Because you just never know about people. 
Might I suggest you start with the following:Have you ever dressed as a gypsy to trick a confession out of your crush?Have you ever donned a mask and spent a significant amount of time living under the Paris opera house?Have you ever, in case of misdirected rage, used a handkerchief to hang your girlfriend's dog?Have you eve...

Weeping Among Hobbit Holes

A few years ago, my sister Bethany and I visited New Zealand. We spent several weeks on the North Island: hiking, sightseeing, visiting with friends, drinking coffee, and stuffing ourselves with fresh butter and cheese. It was awesome. (The scenery, the coffee, the butter, the friends, the cheese. All of it.)
During the course of our trip, we also visited Hobbiton.

Nestled in the center of a 1,250-acre sheep farm in the lush hills of Waikato, Hobbiton was built for the filming of The Hobbi...

Annual Blog Hiatus: March 13-April 17

For the next few weeks, I'll be resting my little grey cells and gearing up for another year of spirited blogging. In addition, I'll be working on some non-blogging projects and focusing on long-range development.
Which brings us to an announcement.
Within the next few months, I plan to start dropping regular installments in an actual audio series aimed to help listeners become better readers, writers, and ignorance fighters. Monthly episodes will be short, punchy, geared toward analysis and pr...

Give It Silence

I want to be clear. We should not always keep silent.

As Christians, we have a responsibility to bring Scripture to bear on the human experience. The Gospel forever changes the heart, producing a natural resistance to injustice, hatred, crime, lies, deceit, and theological error.

However, in some areas, I suspect that silence is more effective than speech.
An example of this would be public boycotts.
While I don't willingly throw my money at companies and causes I can't in good faith support...

"Don't Be A Hotler!": Podling 1 Speaks Out

Note: I currently serve as nanny and educational assistant for five energetic podlings, ages six through sixteen. 
Today, Podling 1 speaks out.

Guest Post by Podling 1Age 16
Most of you know that [Ruth] is quite eccentric. However, you may not realize that her eccentricity leaks into her everyday conversations, usually while she is teaching. Whether she is reprimanding one of us podlings or teaching us about the subjunctive mood, words will randomly burst out of her mouth that will result i...

Failing Your Way to Success

I'm a struggling writer currently failing my way to success.

That doesn't make me special.

On the contrary: apart from a few exceptions, that's how most writers make it. They write and delete and write and delete. Their work is repeatedly rejected, forcing them to hone their craft and develop new skills. This process is good and necessary.

That doesn't mean that it feels good and necessary. For the most part, it just feels like hard work.

But we all go through this process. Even of the greats.

Esp...

The Doomed Romance of Fiction: A Literary Love Song

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Rochester proposed to JaneWith his wife upstairs.Rapunzel's storied love led herTo sacrifice her hair.Macbeth's sweet spouse seduced himInto grisly, blood-soaked killing.Dimmesdale didn't merit love,But Hester Prynne proved willing.Alas, for luckless Oedepus,Who gouged out his own eyesUpon the revelationThat his wife's his mom.
(Surprise!)
Oh, single friends and married friends(And those midway 'tween labels)Enlist in this, my festal song(Please harmonize, if able.)Lift loud and long in lusty p...

Three Reasons to Consider a Social Media Sabbatical

Lately the social media experience has been about as enjoyable as a voluntary root canal. If you identify with that statement, you might want to consider a social media sabbatical.

Three Reasons to Consider a Social Media Sabbatical
The internet is a terrible place to spend your time.
Some would argue that social media is a necessary evil for engaging with the current culture.
Those people have a point.
If you manage a business, maintain a platform, or promote a brand, you really can't avoid loggi...