Ideas, like fireflies, swirl around my head. Which one should I catch? My eyes lose focus. Perhaps it’s best to capture them all and store them in a glass jar.
Sometimes writing is like that and I end up with a drawer full of Pulitzer wannabees. Like the flies in the jar that eventually die without air, so do all of my captive ideas. When I examine them again there is no spark. The light is gone.
I find that I’m a better writer when I am more purposeful. Instead of chasing elusive fireflies, no matter how bright, my focus becomes like a coloring book page of ‘Connect the Dots.’ You know, use a line to connect the numbers and you create a picture; what a writer might call a concept or idea.
There is so much disconnected information that zooms past us or bombards us, but it is the dots inside of us that represent the deep emotions and memorable events that have changed our lives. I discovered that writing is also a way of giving, of sharing a part of me with others.
So when I look for inspiration, I no longer reach for the fireflies. I search within myself for one of the dots that represent friendships I’ve made, issues I’ve championed, as well as events that trigger fear, anger, sorrow, or joy. Then that dot, eager to touch the hearts of others, sparks to life out of me and illuminates a page or two creating a great story.
Practice Random Acts of Reading
Veronica Jorge
Manager, Educator, and former Social Studies High School teacher, Veronica credits her love of history to the potpourri of cultures that make up her own life and to her upbringing in diverse Brooklyn, New York. Her genres of choice are Historical Fiction where she always makes new discoveries and Children’s Picture Books because there are so many wonderful worlds yet to be imagined and visited. She currently resides in Macungie, PA.
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Hopes and wishes: the stuff that dreams are made of. Remember hoping for the dream boat prom date? Remember hoping for your dream job? How many times have you wished upon a star with all of your heart for something that you truly desired to come true? Or wished that you could slide down the rainbow tasting all of the colors along the ride, and then discover the wonderful world waiting for you at the end?
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In my March 22nd post, As Young As Spring, I mentioned several nature themed books. Today, I’d like to offer a review of one of those titles.
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Don’t spend money on green drinks, wrinkle creams, and hair dyes to take out the grey. It’s Springtime. Immerse yourself in nature and rejuvenate!
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Every Valentine’s Day chocolate in all shapes and sizes: loose, bagged, heart-shaped boxes, can be found everywhere. Including in my pantry, in the candy dish, on my plate. Well, you get the picture. I like chocolate. (I indulge year round).
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Featured Author Veronica Jorge credits her love of history to the potpourri of cultures that make up her own life and to her upbringing in diverse Brooklyn, New York.
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Featured Books
LILIANA’S LETTER
Hired to help an heiress snare a titled husband, a down-on-her-luck lady dodges her own shadowy past and the titled Lord determined to uncover it.
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THE DAY BAILEY DEVLIN’S SHIP CAME IN
Oh, Boy! Oh, Bailey!
Just when you think it's going to be smooth sailing, Venus messes with your rudder.
Yes, yes, and yes! Love the post…
Hi Sally, Thank you for commenting on my first post. Since you are a minister and counselor, I imagine you connected with my ideas about sharing, giving, and light. I’m always focused on increasing in all three areas.
I enjoyed reading your post. Sweet way of looking at gathering ideas!
Hi Meriam, As you yourself wrote and know, ‘there is a little magic everywhere and in everyone.’ I’m thrilled by every new discovery. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment.
Hi Veronica! You live a little over an hour from where I grew up in Scranton, PA 🙂 I like your post – it reminds me of the end of The Wizard of Oz, because Dorothy had the power within her, all along. You’ve beautifully expressed an answer to the age old question posed to writers: “Where do you get your ideas?” <3
Hi Geralyn, It’s so interesting that you mentioned the Wizard of Oz. As a child I wondered what might really be found at the end of a rainbow. The thought filled me with awe. My other all time favorite movie was, and still is, Cinderella and the song, ‘Impossible…things are happening everyday.’ I became a very reflective person always searching within myself.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment to my post.