Some Valen-tiny Writing

I just love Susanna Leonard Hill and her holiday writing contests!

For Valentine’s Day, she’s asked for stories about guilt. And they have to be “tiny” – 214 words or less.

So, here’s my stab at some Valentiny writing (coming in at 202 words):

Jack Frost’s Valentine

“Cards and chocolate, hearts and love. Phooey.” Jack Frost scowled. “This year, we need a Jack Frosty Valentine’s Day!”

Jack blew his frosty breath harder than ever before. A white cloud of frost and cold covered the town.

Children shivered and froze in place. Adults pulled coats tighter, then froze mid-step. Dogs ran toward home, but froze, icicles dripping from their noses.

“Perfect.” Jack sat on his favorite cloud to watch his frozen Valentine’s Day.

Nothing moved.

“Ha!” Jack shouted. “Every year you exchange cards and candy and hugs. Next year you won’t forget the guy who brings winter!”

Jack watched the town. Even frozen, the children were smiling. The snowballs in their hands were like presents offered to Jack.

Jack squirmed on his cloud. His stomach felt tight. He squeezed his hands together and hung his head. A tear rolled down his cheek.

“I can’t let the kids miss sharing their love with each other,” Jack said. “I have to fix this.”

More tears dripped down his face. Each tear warmed what it touched, thawing the town.

Snowballs flew. Kids finished rolling a giant ball for a snowman.

Jack looked at the smiles on their faces. “Happy Valentine’s Day,” he said.

A New Year!

My goodness. What a whirlwind of a year! And now we’re already one month into 2019!

I most often like to talk about children’s books here, but every once in a while I share a glimpse into my world. This is one of those posts. It’s also a book review (of a sort).

In early 2018, I joined a group of folks who decided to do a virtual book group. We started off the year working together through The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. I lasted only a few weeks. Not because I wasn’t enjoying the book (in fact, I’ve recently started over again). But because it was creating too much havoc.

For those who haven’t heard of this book, it is a twelve-week course aimed at guiding participants to greater creativity. It’s not easy. The exercises push hard each week, forcing some deep analysis and exploration of subconscious doubts and beliefs.

It’s also revitalizing.

And it’s not just for authors. Or artists. Or musicians, dancers, or filmmakers. Ms. Cameron describes lawyers and CEOs and investors who have been through her course and excelled at their non-creative careers by letting their creative sides grow. We can all benefit.

So, here I am a year later, after Julia Cameron shook up my entire life, my career, my family. I barely recognize this new Liz when compared with the Liz of January 2018!

I can’t wait to see what the creative recovery journey will bring this time around. (My goal is to make it through to the end!) I highly encourage this book.

The Artist’s Way is just one of many books Julia Cameron has written. She also has a course available at Julia Cameron Live, she has live events, and she has appeared on many podcasts.

Have you read any great books lately?