inspiration
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Peru, September 2005 - Back when researching & writing this book was my job. And there was still lots of resistance. I spent most of 2013 knowing that I wanted – even needed – to be working on my novel again. I went on two amazing writing retreats and did some great, big-picture thinking about the book. I developed a solid plan for what I wanted to do now, coming back to this project after six years of being away from it. But in terms of actually working on the writing of it, I was stuck. I have two little kids, a husband who often travels for work, a thriving grantwriting business, a household to run, a meandering house remodel project greedy for attention, and significant needs for exercise in order to maintain a decent waistline and mental health. You know the reasons. We all have them. When on earth would I (re)write this book? I was mired in fear and resistance, which took the form of a lot of conversations in my head. Me: I could try to write 1 hour a day. My head: An hour! Totally impossible! Me: An hour on Tuesdays and ... more -
Rebecca - - No responsesMayacamas Ranch, May 2013 A few weeks ago, I went away to "book camp." It was a 4-day writing retreat organized by Laurie Wagner, a fabulous teacher who leads the weekly Wild Writing group that's been feeding my creative soul for nearly 2 years now. I was there to work on my novel. Oh, yeah, did I mention? I'm going back to writing my novel. What novel? you ask. Funny story that. So I wrote this historical novel, set during the Inca Empire. I started it over 10 years ago. I got the idea ... more -
Rebecca - - No responsesElan in full shagginess, March 2013 Post-bang trim, with the most beautiful lollipop You know what happens? I write a long, involved post, but then I get stopped somewhere along the way (usually at putting the pictures in), and then I just stop posting altogether. That one blockage just keeps everything else from flowing out around it. Maybe life is like this too. We get stuck on one thing that's not working, and it's difficult to shift our focus, to work around that one thing and keep going. So now it's spring, ... more -
Rebecca - - No responsesWay back when 2013 was just a newborn year, Mikhail and I got the chance to do our annual tradition of completing the year just past and setting our intentions for the year being born. And then we got to write them on the beach, cause that's a big part of the fun. Resilience. Which sometimes looks more like this: Nature's an excellent role model for resilience. Being connected. Powerful expression. Because Mikhail always likes to throw one in to really challenge me. Do you set intentions for the new year? I find ... more -
Rebecca - - 2 responsesRainy day beach sunset, December 2012 Happy 2013! Mikhail and I did something truly shocking on New Year's Eve: we went to bed before midnight. Since we regularly stay up till midnight or later, often regretting it when one of our human alarm clocks go off at 6 a.m., we decided to be truly radical on New Year's Eve and not stay up. This holiday time is about rest, restoration and rejuvenation for me. Matching alpaca slippers, December 2012 Getting well. Going for my first run in a month. Family time and beach time. I really, ... more -
Rebecca - - No responsesLemon mint water, September 2011Take one lemon, given to you by someone who grew it in their yard, and one bunch of mint, given to you by someone who grew it in their yard. Combine.Take the medicine before the headache comes fully on.Complete something, anything, but preferably something small that's been bugging you, like a mosquito whining in and out of your ear. Then recognize its completion.Cut the lemon into quarters. Pluck the mint leaves off the stem. For once, do not practice restraint. ... more
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Rebecca - - One responseJournal, March 2012I don't make a lot of New Year's Resolutions. I like to look back, set intentions for the future, create possibilities. But I don't "resolve" to do many things for an entire year. This year, however, I resolved to read more. Specifically, these awesome things called books. Even more specifically, these even more awesome things called novels.They say You are what you eat. For writers, they say You are what you read. I read a lot online, and while it's fun and ... more
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Rebecca - - No responsesMural, Cartagena, Colombia, April 2005What she really wants is a giant bed, white and high off the ground, layered in mosquito netting like the dream of a wedding veil, the covers tiered like a frothy white cake. A ceiling fan to stir the air. Windows open to sound of jungle, or waves. She chooses both. It's her fantasy.What she really wants is a tray with fresh-squeezed juice and perfect baguette, creamy butter and tart-sweet jam. Red. Has to be red.An infinity pool the color ... more
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Rebecca - - No responses
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Rebecca - - No responsesIn what has become a yearly tradition, right around New Year's, Mikhail and I took a walk on the beach and figured out some words to express what we are hoping for this year. I know it's March now, and I'm talking about January, but bear with me. I needed to let these words grow on me a little before I was ready to share them. Besides, being on time isn't one of my strengths. Once we figure out the words, we write them in the sand. Last year, we had this ... more
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Rebecca - - No responsesDriftwood burl, Washington, August 2011My friend Andrea posted a cool free downloadable worksheet that's about completing 2011 and looking forward to 2012. I think it will be a perfect way to ease into what Mikhail and I have done around new year's these last few years: picking our word (or two, or three) for the year to come. Looking back and looking forward, that's so much what this last week of the year is for me.
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