Writing Spark

Hello darlings!

As is becoming routine for this time of the year, offline life is presenting struggles. Couple that with an erratic work schedule, and you have the reason I’ve been absent here at Writing Spark.

For a while now I’ve been toying with the idea of changing things here at Writing Spark. Currently, www.writingspark.com is the direct link to my blog, and the link to my portfolio is an offshoot of that address. I want to switch it up. I’d rather www.writingspark.com become more of a landing page. That way, potential clients can go directly to information about my writing and editing services, rather than ramblings about Albus Dumbledore being gay.

So, what does this mean?

In short, I’ve decided to put my blogging on hold while I make the switch. Given offline life and the erratic work schedule, in addition to my ignorance of how to properly make that switch without completely screwing everything up, I don’t know how long it will take. However, when it’s complete, I’ll post the new blog address.

I realize this is probably going to cause me to lose some readers, so if you wander off I completely understand. If you stick around, you rock.

Apparently - well, more than apparently - according to J.K. Rowling, Albus Dumbledore is gay.

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Near the beginning of the month, Bhaswati tagged me for a Writing Strengths Meme. Not only do I have time to put some thought into it today; I also have a need for such a meme today.

First, the very specific rules, bolding added by me:

Make a list of five strengths that you possess as a writer/artist. It’s not really bragging, it’s an honest assessment (forced upon you by this darn meme). Please resist the urge to enumerate your weaknesses, or even mention them in contrast to each strong point you list. Tag four other writers or artists whom you’d like to see share their strengths.

I bolded that sentence because it struck me as very important to such a meme. We’re highlighting our strengths with this meme, so there’s no need to mention any kind of weakness, in any context, right? I thought so.

And now, without further ado,

As a writer, I am:

1. Truthful. A long, long time ago (no, I’m not getting off on Don McLean sing-a-long tangent), I decided that whatever I wrote would be true. The subject and everything supporting it would be true (aside from, of course, fiction). I would be true to myself - my beliefs, values, quirky ways of thinking, and writing style - and it would all freely shine in my writing. Thus far, with the exception of having no choice but to bend slightly to please an anal college professor here and there, I’ve been successful. (Wait…does that count as mentioning a weakness? No, no…I don’t think?)
2. Original. Whenever possible, I make each piece of writing my own. Sometimes that means breaking the rules a bit - the standards set forth by whomever requested the writing - but I’m always prepared to make necessary changes if need be, or politely refuse and either be happy it’s accepted anyway or part ways (the latter referring mostly to nonwork-related writing, of course - if I’m hired to do something a certain way, and agree to do it a certain way, then I do it that certain way).
3. Insightful/Perceptive. This swings two ways. One, I’m pretty good at honing in on what a client wants from the beginning. Sometimes, I know what a client wants beyond what s/he realizes s/he wants. Two, I’m insightful and perceptive in everyday life. I’m good at seeing outside the box - outside the frame of provided information - which makes for some interesting reading when I get started writing about something that has pleased, enraged, or otherwise affected me.
4. Organized. Or systematic. Or logical. Whatever word best describes it. I can look at copy, tell whether or not it makes sense the way it is (not really a gift, I know, haha), then remix it so that it does make sense - the information, the way and order in which it’s presented, etc.
5. Creative. This one’s pretty self-explanatory, I think, and it’s with me both when I am and when I’m not writing something “creative.” If that makes sense. Maybe I should say when the writing does or does not call for creativity.

I’m not sure who has or hasn’t been tagged for this yet, so I’m going to call on: KIWIWRITER, J.T., Kathy, and Lori.

So, my birthday turned out to be a pretty decent day. Rather, my birthday weekend turned out to be a pretty decent weekend. My birthday itself was basically back to the grindstone.

Despite the fact that it was on the agenda, we didn’t actually make it to the October Sky Festival. Sure, we had to drive through it, and could hear everything going on from my parents’, but for whatever reason we all decided we were fine with our own food, cake, presents, coffee, cigarettes, and conversation.

I ended up taking more pictures in the car than I did at my parents’. Some of absolutely nothing in particular, and some of how gorgeous the drive became right before arriving.

Once in Coalwood, I was pleased to see that everyone from the town drunk to the rednecks came out of the woods for the event - even if I didn’t really attend it, haha.

I received lots of nice presents - my favorite probably being the birthday card in which my sister’s gift card was enveloped. We’re so different, yet so the same.

Oh, and I got to meet her new boyfriend. He looks just like Elliot Yamin. Because it was our first meeting, I opted to save that bit of information for another time.

I’ve already put my father’s computer gadget gifts to good use, and once October decides to start feeling like October, I can start wearing the awesomely cute American Eagle zip up hoodie my mother so thoughtfully purchased after I indirectly pushed her toward it.

Of course, I used the time for some serious reflection, too.

And, that pretty much sums it up. Another year of survival under the ol’ belt. I’m not exactly where I thought I’d be at 26, but then again, that feeling of “being where I thought I’d be” ceased after graduating college. At this point, I’m just happy to be breathing, with food to eat, clothes to wear, a roof above me, and people to love.

And wise enough to recognize all that.

When I was younger, I used to be obsessed with my bedroom. Seriously. It was the only place in the world that was truly mine (aside from the fact that, you know, it technically belonged to my parents), and I’m grateful to have parents that allowed me that…privilege? joy? freedom?

For example, when I decided to dedicate an entire wall to an on-going collage of my life, i.e. cut out pictures, parts of magazines, etc. and super glue them to my wall), did my mother flip out?

Well, yes, but she eventually gave in to reason and later found revenge when she assigned me the task of coming home and scraping everything off when it was time for the room to be redecorated.

Anyway, most of my canvas - the entire bedroom, and not just the wall - was DIY. I preferred it that way. I did everything myself. Planned it all - or, didn’t plan it! - myself. Decorated it myself. Took pride in it myself.

However, I was stumbling around yesterday and found VisionBedding, a company that helps with decorating hurdles like childrens bedding and thought, This could have been something I would have taken advantage of as a child.

Of course, if I had known about something like this - beyond, you know, the usual bedding section of a department store catalog - my mom probably would have made me substitute my wall collage for a photo blanket or pillow, like the one pictured above.

These days my office is my canvas. The fact that I have to share a corner of it with the litter box? A mere unsavory detail. Too bad this company doesn’t have a section for offices.

Good thing I’m still very DIY.

Hmm…this all sets thoughts of another blog activity in motion in my head…