Monday, March 7, 2011

Blue Birds, New Words

"Every time I see a bluebird, I say, well, hey, all this hard work is all worthwhile."--Ray Briggs

I saw my first bluebird of the year this morning on my walk. What a bright spot on an otherwise dreary day. Take heart--spring is really on its way. The bluebird told me so!

Then I went home, sat down at the computer, and got lost in revisions. My hubby came in at one point and asked if I'd been out of my chair in awhile. That's a problem. Too often I get engrossed and forget to stretch. And I've got a whole series of exercises lined out that I'm "supposed" to do while on the clock. Number one on the list of things to do to try to keep healthy. But that's another subject for another time.

Finally, I surfaced for air just in time to fix supper. Number two on the list: remember to eat. Number three: Don't forget to breathe.

But it's funny. As much work as revisions take, I still enjoy the process. It's getting those first few words down on paper that's the hardest for me. Maybe someone could drop words in my brain like people throw bread crumbs to ducks.

Whoops, wait a minute. That would be so not healthy. Gotta' do my own writing. Find my own healthy habits. Breathe spring's first bluebirds of words onto the blank computer screen, or notebook page, so the season of revisions can follow.

So, which is harder for you--those first words, or revisions?

"Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder,
It's the truth, it's actual, everything is satisfactual.
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay,
Wonderful feeling, wonderful day!"
                                                         --from the film The Song of the South, words by Ray Gilbert

p.s. sorry for the corniness of this post, but I needed an excuse to use this photo, one that I shot a couple of years ago in a city park in California. I've waited all year to use it. But I really did see a bluebird this morning!

10 comments:

  1. It's actually a hard question. I like both first words and revision. The story's are easy - come out like water. The revision is fun - like learning to putt - each page a new green. My problem is the sand traps - mine look like this.....I don't know why....I type a ....baziiillllion ellipses into every manuscript and pull words out. I call removing dots my penance phase of writing. I know I have to remove them but wake up from writing zone with them splattered around like blood at a crime scene. Grin.

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  2. We are all the same aren't we, spending far too long just sitting at the computer, the only reason I don't have help in the house at my age- it get's me onto my feet!

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  3. Love that photo and now I will be singing that song all day long. Hugs! :O)

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  4. If I had to choose I would choose revision every time. Getting a draft done is really hard for me. I get so intimated by the blank page. Now, a page with words on it? Ha, I can revise them. But a blank page. Ugh!

    P.S. I love the blue bird pic too! :)

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  5. Depends on the story...sometimes it's even both! Blue birds make me happy too! Your shot totally highlights his (?her) colors--very fun!

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  6. Bluebirds are my favorite...we get tons of them here in our yard. They're the bird of happiness. :) And your photo makes me happy.

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  7. Such a cute pic, good luck with the revisions :)

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  8. I didn't think it was corny. :) Sometimes starting is hard, sometimes revisions are hard...just kind of depends on the project and my mindset. Bottom line is that it is writing, and though hard sometimes, I love it.
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  9. I think its the first words that we all dread or are scared of putting on paper. Revisions are pretty easy.

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  10. My revisions are dragging on and on this time, So I think they are harder. I love putting the first words on the paper:) Happy SPring!

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