Hollyworld: learning

Tuesday, February 04, 2020

What-Iffing

This week, Susan and I were asked what do we do if we get stuck on a manuscript. We have two magic words we both use. "What if?" They can lead us out of a dead zone. They create a path to the story.

But those two words are magic for more than writers. I think everyone needs to ask themselves, "What if?" on occasion.

For instance, I've always loved pottery. I've got a nice little collection. I asked myself, "What if I took a class?" (PS The answer to that question is, if I took a class I'd fall in love with making pottery.) Or what if I take the road less traveled? What if I try something new in the kitchen? What if read more about...(fill in any particular subject)? What if I volunteer my time? What if...

I've talked a lot about continuing to learn and try new things. What If? can lead to all of roads less traveled and roads never even considered.

So even if you're not a writer, try a bit of What If? soon! Or maybe you've already been What-Iffing? I'd love to hear about it!

Holly

PS Don't ever miss a Trippin' with Holly and Susan. Follow me on YouTube.

PSS Here's my newest series. If you've already read Crib Notes, I'd really appreciate a review at your favorite online book site!

OUT NOW: Crib Notes

Preorder: A Special Kind of Different

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Preorder: Homecoming
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The rest of the Hometown Hearts series will be coming soon.
Suddenly a Father will be out in September of 2020 and
Something Borrowed, Something Blue and Something Perfect in 2021!

Monday, August 27, 2018

Setting Goals: My Novel Freshman Experience

Setting Goals.

When I first started writing, I treated my attempts like work. I set a goal and did everything I could to meet it. I treated my writing like a business before it was a business. And that commitment worked for me and my vocation.

So as I'm starting my pottery avocation, I'm doing the same thing. My big goal for the term is to get better. I want to throw better (and better than not good should be doable. LOL) and I want to get better at the things I'm already happy with (my Santas and log mugs). And I want to learn more studio skills.

But I wanted a bigger goal. There's a group at school that does Empty Bowls Dinner in the spring...it raises money to fill empty stomachs. Guests have a simple meal of soup and bread...and you get to keep a handcrafted pottery bowl. They need a lot of bowls. So I said...I'll do fifty. Since I am so new to throwing, this is a hefty goal. But I'm hoping it improves my throwing and glazin. I'm hoping to learn to throw a shape and size consistently. And I need to find a design I like. And I like the idea of all that learning ultimately feeding people in need.

I made three smaller, wider bowls (on the left). They weren't bad, but I tried a taller, deeper bowl. I think that's a better design. I made three of those, then tried one a bit taller.

So seven. I'm seven bowls into my goal.

Now, along the way I threw a very small, bad bowl. But rather than let it go to waste, I tried my underglazing on it again. Another poppy. It'll make an acceptable change or key bowl.

Goals. They're a way of moving forward in a vocation or avocation. They SHOW you what you can do. Uh, yeah that was a lead-in to today's Trippin' with Holly and Susan. We're talking about Show Don't Tell. Yes, it's kind of a writerly topic, but even as a reader, understanding how a book goes together can enhance your reading experience. So check it out...

A viewer (how cool is that to say or write?) wanted us to talk about Show Don't Tell—so here it is. And we discover Susan gets "tangry" and Holly might be a bit of a smart a$$. LOL Hope it gives you Monday Glee!
Holly

PS There's a new episode of Able to Love Again out on Radish today. What's Radish? An app for your phone so you never run out of books to read. You can check out The Moments for free there as well!

PSS

Polished Off

Don't forget my new release Polished Off: A Maid in LA Mystery is out! Check out Quincy's newest adventure!

And there's a salespalooza this month. Check out:
Just One Thing
Hold Her Heart
Everything But...series

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