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J. H. Authors

One Woman. Three Names. Many Books.

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Musings

The Artist’s Way–A New Approach

May 8, 2012 by jhauthors

A week ago I would have told you I had read The Artist’s Way. And I would have believed myself. I have a book copy, and a Kindle copy. I do morning pages on occasion. But when a friend was telling me about his process through the book, he told he that he was reading it all the way through before he started the week by week progression. “I like to know what my process is going to be before I jump into these things.” A ha.

I have never made it past chapter 3 of this book. This is very typical of me–I try to do the work, and then read/do the next chapter the next week. And I usually fall off the wagon. This is true of self help, of athletic pursuits (unless I am signed up for a race) and other self help pursuits. The “good girl” goes by the rules.

So here’s what I’ve learned this week. Screw the rules. Read the whole book. Make it your own. Not sketching my childhood bedroom won’t make me less of an artist. Be more holistic.

And here’ the second thing I’ve learned. Audiobooks rock. The book is 3 hours long. It will take me all week if I only listen on my commute to and from work. But what a great way to use that commute? Of course I’ll need to go back to the book book or the Kindle book to take notes and get the lesson plans. BUT I am getting the whole thing delivered to me as I walk. How cool is that?

So screw the rules, figure out an easy way to do it, and do it.

Morning pages, here I come.

Filed Under: Musings

“Hey” Hate

March 9, 2012 by jhauthors

I hate emails that start with “Hey Julie” as a salutation. My disdain is amplified if I don’t know the person sending the email. And I don’t use the word hate lightly. It sets my teeth on edge. I stop reading, sometimes for a while.

I realize emails are odd territory. “Dear” sounds stuffy. “Hello” or “Hi” work some of the time. Using the name alone can be dismissive or curt. But all of these are preferable to “Hey”. Aloud, as a greeting, “hey” works. Especially in certain circumstances. But in writing? Not for this girl.

Does this make me a fuddy duddy? Yes, probably. I’ll own that. But, after all, we were all taught that “hey is for horses”. And the “hey” meme that is going around? Also crazy making. With two exceptions. One is the Ryan Gosling Arts Management Tumblr. It makes me laugh. And then there’s this “Hey Girl”.

Don’t let these examples fool you though. “Hey Girl” emails are not welcome.

Am I alone in the “hey” hate camp?

Filed Under: Musings

Cooking for One

March 6, 2012 by jhauthors

As a single person, I am challenged to cook well for myself. I cook to entertain, and I cook large quantities. But as I am not super fond of left overs, I don’t cook for myself. I suspect that is going to change. At my friend Deb’s suggestion I bought The Pleasures of Cooking for One by Judith Jones. I just got it, and I love it already. Beautiful book, great recipes and all geared towards single servings, or with ideas for making them single by freezing part of it. Blueberry soup. Single Quiche. Chicken Divan.

As I am fighting the battle of the middle aged bulge, I considered going back on Jenny Craig or trying Weight Watchers. But here’s the deal. I don’t want to. Instead, I have committed to eating real food. Watching portions, but eating real food. Food I can pronounce. And this book has real food.  I will report back as I work through it.

Maybe a Julie and Judith riff.

Quality of life. Real food. Beautiful cookbook.

And truffle salt. Yay for truffle salt.

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: Recipes

Now This is Storytelling

March 2, 2012 by jhauthors

A friend shared this on Facebook. I love it. As a book lover, it resonates.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adzywe9xeIU&feature=share

Filed Under: Musings

Tick Tock Tick Tock

February 28, 2012 by jhauthors

Sunday was T – 6 months. 6 months before my birthday. A birthday that ends in a “0”.

6 months used to feel like a long time. Now it flies, FLIES by. So it is time to get the ducks lined up.

What do I want to be different in 6 months? And what am I going to do about it?

I want to get back in shape. Three years ago this fall I ran a half marathon. Two years ago this summer I did spring triathlons. Last year, nothing. I need goals–am thinking about signing up for a couple of 5Ks to get moving. Am not going to talk about losing x pounds or y inches. Just want to be in fierce shape.

Balance. Still trying, still losing. But reframing, realizing that I can’t have traditional 9-5 balance in my life. Need to figure it out, and steal time where I can.

Writing. I am revising my first novel again–getting rid of a character completely, shuffling a couple of scenes. Then back to #2 and continue shopping for an agent.

Reading. Less for work. More for pleasure. Much, much more.

Gratitude. I have a wonderful life. I am grateful for it, and want to keep being more conscious of how blessed I am. No matter what happens, I am blessed.

 

Filed Under: Balance, Books, Bucket Lists, Fitness

Resolutions

January 2, 2012 by jhauthors

I think I do this same blog post every few weeks. But here goes. I’ve either got to write this blog, or not. And New Years is a great time to take stock.

Been wavering, but then read a blog by a friend (who blogs every day, and has a book hidden in her posts). She posted this TED talk.

Brene Brown TED talk

And I realized this blog is that for me. Vulnerability. On my work blog, I am in work mode. On my writing blog with NHWN, I am part of a tribe. But this is me, hanging out there. So how about this–this blog is about my journey this year on accepting who I am (“I am enough”) but keeping it interesting. Challenging.

The last few days have been about cleaning, organizing. Regrouping. Last year, though fab, was incredibly challenging. And I feel like I was treading water a lot of the time. This year, got to get the systems back in place, and find new ones that work.

So, been going through piles, and getting rid of stuff. I have a lot of stuff. I could never buy a pen again and not run out. I have books upon books upon books. Half filled notebooks. Reams of paper from my thesis that I am saving for drafts. I have gotten off the exercise routine, even though I know it would help. A lot.  I have also gotten away from writing. I keep writing, talking about balance, and then I can’t find it. And then I beat myself up.

So in 2012, here are the goals:

  • Get a handle on the systems. Start today, and don’t look back.
  • Exercise.
  • Write. And the rest of that world choice (query, edit, submit and write).
  • Give up on the balance thing. Your life is nuts, but you like it. Hours blur. Work blurs. Stop trying to make your life 9 to 5 cause it isn’t possible, so make it what you need it to be. You’ve got 24 hours a day, sleep at least 7 of those hours and then figure out the rest.
  • Do the best you can, and don’t beat yourself up.
  • Sunday blogs to keep up.

Happy New Year folks.

 

Filed Under: Bucket Lists, Fitness, Musings

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