Welcome to Pencil Shavings, a blog that promotes the creative life. Wondering how to stay motivated to write and/or draw? Sharpen your pencil, bring your sense of humor and join me as we explore how to harness the creativity that drives the writer and artist in each of us.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Women’s History Trumps New Year’s Resolutions
As a woman, I find March to be a time of reflection much stronger than January first. After all, how can I find time to make an earth-shattering resolution, when I’m still recovering from two months of family obligations and the requisite cooking and cleaning?
February is when the chocolate heart holiday rolls around – hardly a good time to make a resolution of any sort. It’s also the time when my neighbors are probably wondering why my Christmas tree is still decorated and displayed in the front window. Hey – at least the lights aren’t turned on!
March is Women’s History Month. If that is not a motivator, I don’t know what is. I can’t loaf back on the couch, when the ghosts of historic women haunt my thoughts. The first woman seaplane pilot in my state was my grandmother-in-law. She was the inspiration for my first article on Women’s History Month. Documenting her adventures reinvigorated my writing career and I dedicate each March to making my own creative history in her honor.
This March, I finished the young adult novel I’ve been writing. For that feat, I thank my critique group. My SAWG colleagues are not afraid to tell me what is working and more importantly, what is not. If you haven’t found a good critique group yet, it’s time for you to sharpen your pencil and venture out of your creative cave. It’s really not that scary – trust me.
Woman, man or other sentient being scanning the Internet, I hope you make history this March. Join the critique group at your local library and if they don’t have one – start one. I’ll be back to cheer you on as you make your resolution to create.
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