Good Soul Stuff

I had lunch with a friend yesterday, a writer friend. So much more than a lunch, it was a reminder of a way of life.

I felt inspired to hear his views on plot ideas for stories he’s working on, and compelled to share a few things I’ve let wither and desiccate. That got me thinking about writing again.

Now I’m taking action in the run up to the year ahead, including:

It surprised me to learn that talking about writing might be a remedy for stagnating creativity.

And I had this pleasure to show for it. Today I signed up to participate in a writers’ group; I joined another community and will introduce myself there soon; I found a mid-January contest to submit to and will wade into all the clichés holding back that stubborn, loathed but loved WIP.

One more thing. I experienced the supreme joy of offering my thoughts on another writer’s work, a talented writer. There was something admirable in his discipline back in November when he turned down any insights I offered to share on his wry, light look at U.S.-Russian relations. He was in the middle of something he wanted to finish and didn’t want to get distracted. He wanted to finish.

He did finish, and he did submit, and now made time for that distraction. Making time to finish is the most important discipline there is, aside from making time for connections.

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