EXERCISE: Keeping On Track

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

original posting: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 22:13:07 -0400

One of the problems I hav (whoops, who's that on the phone?  Okay, back to . . . what was I doing?)

One of the problems I have is a steady stream of (knocking at the door.  One more crisis?)

INTERRUPTIONS!

and then there is the ever-growing stock of issues, problems, thoughts, etc. that I've put aside to deal with when there's a pause in the flood...

Along with that goes all the inadvertent elbows, heels, and other digs that happen as we all bumble along in our best ways.

So, I tend to keep a list.  What's on tap?  So I can quickly turn to it, pick up one of the top items, and stay focused.

Admittedly, I probably miss some things.  But I get a lot done.

How do you stay on track?

EXERCISE: What is Writing?

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

original posting: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 21:35:11 -0400

We've all heard about the big six (journey, game, war, machine, organism, society).  These are popular metaphors used by Americans (at least) for many purposes.

But, let's ask, what is writing to you?  What is the metaphor (or simile, if you prefer a little more distance in the equation) that keeps you writing, that makes you smile, that leaves you feeling as if "yes, that's it, that's what writing really is!"?

Writing is a bowl of blueberries?

A red, red wheelbarrow under the sun?

A never-ending fountain of...

Go ahead, what's your metaphor for writing?  Expand on it, pun with it, and let us know.

What is writing?