Or at least – that’s what the books that I’ve been reading state. And here I am placing myself in ‘win/lose’ situations. What am I talking about, you may ask?

I’m learning to play the fine game of ‘pickle-ball’ which is surging in popularity for those of us who want a challenge and would be considered ’mature adults’. For those who don’t know, it’s a court game, deceivingly simple and  very good exercise.

And pickle ball is as much a ‘head-game’ as much as it is a ‘physical game’. Believing in yourself, believing in your capacity to learn, believing in your body.

However, it’s the winner/loser theme that I’ve been exploring with myself. I can play six or seven games over a period of two hours and not win a game. I can have scores of up to 11 (which is the number one wants) -but not magically win. And then I walk away and feel despondent.

I’ve found myself wishing I had a different body, a different skill set, etc. Basically ‘wishing’ my life away. And I realize (intellectually) that thinking like this is so self-defeating. No kiddding. And obsessive and just plain un-healthy.

It’s the same thing with writing. I stopped for a period of time recognizing that after all these years of trying to learn to write commercial fiction that I will not be on The New York Times Best Seller List. So, does that mean I should stop writing? Should I stop dreaming? Should I stop creating my imaginary worlds?

Just because ’you’re not winning’ doesn’t mean that you should be categorized as a ‘loser’. I spent decades in schools, working with students, trying to improve their self-esteem so that they could learn to face the challenges in their lives.

I have to remember my own advice.

It’s all about the journey. Lighten up Jodie!

Ah yes! Life right now is all about transitions, as we pack up and head out. We’re traveling south to escape the rainy weather of Vancouver Island. And might I add at this point, we’re gone for five months.

I have, of course, packed enough books for a decade. Deciding which books to take and which to leave behind is a difficult exercise. I like to have a buffet of books. I like choices. I like books to catch my mood. Sometimes I want something thought-provoking, sad and grim. Other times I crave a book that is up-lifting and that gives guidance.

Sometimes I want a story of someone who is leading a life-style totally different than mine. I can escape into that world and often be thankful, sometimes, that by the end of the book that I don’t have to live in that world.

I suppose the simplest idea would be to travel with two items. My computer and my credit card. That would work in an ideal world. However, I have my favourite teas, recipe books, various kitchen items and spices.

So, onwards – and back to packing. The main goal of this adventure is supposed to be to live a simpler lifestyle. We shall see. Stay tuned.

This tiny book by Ray Bradbury (1996) is a classic. This  book is a gift. This book shares messages that one could revisit time and time again. Ray Bradbury created and composed scores of stories, novels, plays, poems, films, television programs and musicals. He had an admirable writing career.

As Bradbury declares in the preface -’these essays were written at various times over a thirty-year period, to express special discoveries, to serve special needs. But they all echo the same truths of self-revelation and continuous astonishment at what your deep well contains if you just haul off and shout down it.’

Wow! This morning in order to re-connect with myself I did the following. First rather than framing choices in the ‘I did not zone’, instead I will share what I did. I stayed quiet. I centered myself and offered affirmations for my daughter who is at a critical juncture in her life. I lit my candles. I made a list. A large list. With new markers to signify a fresh start.

Bradbury suggests that if one is not writing ‘the world would catch up with and try to sicken you. If you did not write every day, the poisons would accumulate and you would begin to die, or act crazy, or both.’

And finally he offers, ‘You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.’

For sure.

And I guess that’s the best way to end for today. When you stumble upon enlightenment, pay attention.

This past weekend I participated in a workshop led by Rachel Goldsworthy and hosted by The Vancouver Island Chapter of the RWA (Romance Writers of America).

Rachel is a keen participant in our writing group and always provides us with useful information whenever she offers a workshop. She is a freelance writer of magazine articles, a journalism instructor and a consummate blogger. You can find her at ’Heart of a Peahen’ and ‘Calorie Neutral’.

As a freelancer, she must convince each prospective client that she has written something that they will want. She has crafted her strategies into four elements of marketing.

For the short story or novel writer, she summarizes her information as follows:

1. Who am I talking to? Who is my target audience?

2. What am I offering? or What’s in it for the recipient?

3. How am I different? How am I special?

4. Why should they believe me?

You see there is a ‘great divide’ between one’s finished product and launching that product into the market place. The separation between the two adventures is more like the Grand Canyon.

Rachel’s suggestions give writers an opportunity, a way of looking at their work, that will launch their manuscripts up and over the precipice.

It is one thing – to have written. And that in itself is a huge accomplishment! Then one has to negotiate the next step.

Rachel urges us to identify ‘the difference between my story and every other press release, between my book and all the others on the same shelf, between my manuscript and the 800 others in the agent’s TBR pile.’

Over the next period of time, I will closely examine what makes my work special. How is my work different from other writers’work?

Rachel delivered a thought-provoking and timely workshop. I will return to her major points again and again.

A round of applause for Rachel and her timely tips!

I appreciated her expertise.

However, over the past month I’ve been doing just about everything else in the world, aside from writing.  Guilty, guilty. Yes, the guilt is flowing through my veins.

So it’s back to the writing board – that is notebooks, computer etc. I guess I just can’t escape my destiny. Time to focus on my last contest results and truly pay attention to the comments.

During this respite time, I’ve tried many other activities. Water aerobics, pickle ball, walking, and studying cook books. Total fun. It was a lovely holiday.

But now, realizing that the days are flowing by, I’m ready to re-focus and re-commit to my writing life.

The time has come. That is – once, I’ve left Boron, California – on the edge of the Mojave Desert.

And if you can believe it – it was almost snowing on the desert. A mere 32 degrees. How bizarre!

So, I’m on the homeward trail after four months on the road. Looking forward to the comforts of my home office.

When you take a writing break, do you return to your ‘pages’ with a more alert brain?

Onwards! And hopefully Upwards!