Writing | BulgingButtons

June 10, 2016
by BulgingButtons 4 Comments

3 Lessons From Broken Resolutions

So I set out these June Resolutions for myself. They were simple, really. You can read more about them here, but in a nutshell I was going to move more and be creative. Yeah, well, guess what? It’s not even half-way through the month and I’m already a long way from achieving this goal.

Lesson one: Goals to do something everyday ~~suck~~ are largely ineffective, because the first time you don’t do it there’s no way to redeem yourself, and little motivation to continue, since you’ve already messed up.

Lesson two: creativity can’t be mandated. Actions can be mandated, such as writing 1,000 words per day or sewing for one hour per day, but there’s no guarantee that the work you’re producing is any good. Of course it’s better than producing no work, and logically the more you do, the better you get, and the more idea will start coming to you. Still, it’s not a sure-fire way to create something jaw-dropping.

Lesson three: I don’t want to eat well right now. I just don’t. And a stupid little goal isn’t going to change that. I’m stubborn, and my brain will do what it wants to do, regardless of some little charade I’m trying to pull off. I can see right through myself.

Bonus Lesson: My resolve is currently weak. That doesn’t mean it always is, or always will be, but right now resolutions are not for me.

June 2, 2016
by BulgingButtons 4 Comments

Shake That Introvert Up

That’s my message to myself today. You see, it’s Comicon time again, and my sweetheart has purchased the full event pass for me. Why? Because there are authors at Comicon who generously offer their insights on writing and frankly, it’s really fun.

Now Comicon wouldn’t have been my first thought if someone had asked me where to go for writing support and instruction, but a few years back the sweetheart found out that there are real live authors there, and some of them are authors I’ve met through my various writing projects around town. Cool. So we went.

I was blown away! Not just by the author events, which were terrific, but by the whole thing. Costumes, people of all sorts (yes, ALL sorts, it was glorious!), and an energy that is infectious. I loved it. I still love it. But…

I have to confess, Comicon wears me out. And no, I don’t stay all day, or sleep in a hotel next to the Convention Center, or participate in CosPlay, or any of that. I just show up, go to my sessions, wander the vendors (miles of vendors), and go home again. But MAN, it drains me.

I’m self-aware enough to know that it’s because deep down I’m an introvert. Being anywhere with a lot of people for an extended period of time wears me out. It doesn’t mean I don’t like going places. I do. I just need to recharge after I’ve been there for a while. Some of my favorite memories have occurred at large family gatherings, quilting retreats, and scrapbooking conventions. Each of them, though, takes a toll.

It may sound silly if you’re not an introvert, but I have to psych myself up for these types of events. Yes, I’m looking forward to it, but really, I love being at home in the peace and quiet. Still, I’m going to check my parking map (he arranged that too, what a great guy), grab my lanyard, and head downtown. I’ve got this! Comicon, here I come!

February 6, 2016
by BulgingButtons 1 Comment

Why Does a Hockey Player Want to Follow Me?

I get notifications form WordPress and Twitter when I get new followers. This isn’t shocking. People click on follow buttons all the time, and while it’s nice to see that new people are discovering what I’m up to, it isn’t exactly groundbreaking news when it happens.

Every once in a while I spend a little time checking out those people, and I often follow them back. Sometimes I’ve already followed them, and they’re following me back. Cool.

Now I’m not someone who lives and dies by the numbers. Yes, I love knowing that my little thoughts are floating around in cyberspace and once in a while some of you lovelies read them, and maybe even respond to them. That really does delight me. But I’m not out to win the busiest blog award (is there such a thing?) or the Twitter tweeter with with the most twaffic (I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it). I’m not in the big leagues in either category, and I’m okay with that.

On Twitter, though, a lot of the people I follow ARE in the big leagues, at least in terms of their chosen professions. I follow big names in education, writing, politics, entertainment, art, and more. I like to see what makes these folks tick, and reading their tweets gives me some insight. The main take away? They tend to work really hard, and they put their pants on one leg at a time like the rest of us.

The other day, as I was looking through the new followers (seriously, it sounds like I’m leading a cult or something… I assure you I am not) I came across a fellow who’s a player in the NHL. Yes, folks, a real live professional hockey player. How cool is that?! I hadn’t followed him, and I’m not a huge hockey fan. I know nothing about his team. I don’t even keep up with the team from my childhood (although I did have hockey pictures on my wall the year they went for the Stanley Cup). I don’t DISLIKE hockey, it’s just not a part of my life. So how did this guy find me?

I don’t know, but I have to assume it was either my wit or my ravishing beauty that hooked him. Still, how he stumbled across something I’ve done is beyond me. I’m amazed at the way the internet works, and this is further proof that some things in the universe will never be explained. In the meantime, go Hurricanes!