Life Lessons: Writing Exercise

A professor of mine recently pointed out that sometimes, the greatest lessons in life don't happen in the classroom. That often, it is what we learn in between class, while on vacation, or stuck at work that leave the biggest impact. The more I thought about this, I realized just how right she is. This naturally led to me over thinking the subject, but maybe that was ok for this certain topic!

I am sharing a personal journal entry I made recently after this "life lesson." Normally, I wouldn't do this. However, I feel that these are great things to share, and it is a great writing exercise! So, below are the important lessons I have learned while not in the classroom. I invite you to try it too! Grab a pad of paper and a pen and write out what you have learned! Let's get started!

- I've learned that you can keep going in life long after you "can't do this anymore".
- I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
- I've learned that my best friend and I can do anything or quite frankly nothing and still have the best time while creating the greatest memories.
- I've learned that sometimes the people who are on you the most, constantly giving lectures about right and wrong and pointing out when you are messing up, are the ones who care the most.
- I've learned that maturity has more to do with the types of life experiences (most of which are out of the classroom) a person has had and what they've learned from them rather than how old they are. Furthermore, our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become and where we go in life.
- I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself which can often be even harder.
- I've learned that just because two people argue, doesn't mean they don't love each other. If there wasn't love, there wouldn't be a reason to fight to keep it together.
- I've learned that two people can look at the same situation and see completely different things.
- I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours, sometimes minutes, by people you have never met before, and may never meet.
- I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend needs you, you'll be there...chocolate in one hand, and tissues in the other.
- I've learned that the people you care about most in life are sometimes taken from you too soon...and often no matter how well you think you have prepared for it, you are still left wishing.
- I've learned that you can never figure out what real love is, but that when it happens, you'll know.
- I've learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.
- I've learned that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
- I've learned that it's not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that really counts.
- I've learned that it takes a long time to become the person you want to be; and once you start trying to rush the process, you often must start over at square one.
- I've learned that you never truly know who a person is, no matter how well you think you know them.
- I've learned that time doesn't always heal things.
- I've learned that if it is worth it, and if you want it bad enough, you will find a way no matter what obstacles stand in your path.
- I've learned that being a family doesn't always involve DNA.
- I've learned that life isn't like a Disney film, that there isn't always a happy ending; but rather a collection of beginnings and ends, both good and bad, that create a life worth living.
- I've learned that sometimes the experience comes first and the lesson from that comes later.
- I've learned that I will never run out of things to learn!

Life is made of both the little and big lessons. And the lessons come from both the mistakes and the victories. In the end, it all comes together to create life. Which, when you look at it, is a wonderful thing, no matter which point you are at in it. So create your own theory, but cherish the moments. And ask yourself, what have you learned so far?

Quote Writing Exercise

I am, and always have been, a big fan of inspirational quotes! They serve as little bits of inspiration and also, help me get out of a desperate state of writer's block. Journaling plays a huge role in my life, and there are days that I don't know where to start, but I feel like writing. So I simply pick a quote that applies to my life at that time, and write why it is that it does, how it makes me feel, and the in site it provides on situations!

I have decided to post a few of my favorite quotes to share! They are random, some from historical figures, others from television, and so many other people. All of which have inspired me in different points in my life with such simple, yet powerful words. Enjoy! And if these quotes don't fit you, that is ok! Find ones that do! The internet provides endless information and of course there are books that are filled with quotes! So find one that makes your mind start ticking, or your heart warm and fuzzy!


"He who hesitates is lost. We can't pretend we haven't been told, we've all heard the proverbs, heard the philosophers, heard our grandparents warning us about wasted time, heard the damn poets urging us to seize the day, still sometimes we have to see for ourselves, we have to make our own mistakes, we have to learn our own lessons, we have to sweep today's possibility under tomorrow's rug until we can't anymore, until we finally understand for ourselves that knowing is better than wondering, that waking is better than sleeping and that even the biggest failure, even the worst most intractable mistakes beats the hell out of never trying." - Meridith Gray, Greys Anatomy.

You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I liked you. After all, what's a life, anyway? We're born, we live a little while, we die. A spider's life can't help being something of a mess, with all this trapping and eating flies. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows anyone's life can stand a little of that. - Charlotte, "Charlotte's Web"

"Life resembles a novel more often than novels resemble life." - George Sand

"Many people die with their music still in them. Why is this so? Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out." - Oliver Wendell Holmes

"Denial ain't just a river in Egypt."- Mark Twain (1835-1910)

"The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense." - Tom Clancy

"Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent" Eleanor Roosevelt

"Have you ever wondered what marks our time here? If one life can really make an impact on the world...or if the choices we make matter? I believe they do. And I believe that one man can change many lives. For better...or worse." - Lucas, One Tree Hill

"There comes a time when every life goes off course. In this desperate moment you must choose your direction. Will you fight to stay on the path while others tell you who you are? Or will you label yourself? Will you be honored by your choice? Or will you embrace your new path? Each morning you choose to move forward or to simply give up." - Lucas, One Tree Hill

"Because it´s only when you´re tested that you truly discover who you are. And it´s only when you´re tested that you discover who you can be. The person that you want to be does exist, somewhere in the other side of hard work and faith, and belief and beyond the HEARTACHE and fear of what life has." - Lucas, One Tree Hill

"To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing it's best, night and day, to make you everybody else, means to fight the hardest battle, which any human being can fight, and never stop fighting." - E.E. Cummings

"There seems to be a kind of order in the universe... in the movement of the stars and the turning of the Earth and the changing of the seasons. But human life is almost pure chaos. Everyone takes his stance, asserts his own right and feelings, mistaking the motives of others, and his own." - Katherine Anne Porter

"At the end of the day faith is a funny thing. It turns up when you don't really expect it. Its like one day you realize that the fairy tale may be slightly different than you dreamed. The castle, well, it may not be a castle. And its not so important happy ever after, just that its happy right now. See once in a while, once in a blue moon, people will surprise you , and once in a while people may even take your breath away." - Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy

"At the end of the day faith is a funny thing. It turns up when you don't really expect it. Its like one day you realize that the fairy tale may be slightly different than you dreamed. The castle, well, it may not be a castle. And its not so important happy ever after, just that its happy right now. See once in a while, once in a blue moon, people will surprise you , and once in a while people may even take your breath away" - Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy

"A couple of hundred years ago, Benjamin Franklin shared with the world the secret of his success. Never leave that till tomorrow, he said, which you can do today. This is the man who discovered electricity. You think more people would listen to what he had to say. I don't know why we put things off, but if I had to guess, I'd have to say it has a lot to do with fear. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, sometimes the fear is just of making a decision, because what if you're wrong? What if you're making a mistake you can't undo? The early bird catches the worm. A stitch in time saves nine. He who hesitates is lost. We can't pretend we hadn't been told. We've all heard the proverbs, heard the philosophers, heard our grandparents warning us about wasted time, heard the damn poets urging us to seize the day. Still sometimes we have to see for ourselves. We have to make our own mistakes. We have to learn our own lessons. We have to sweep today's possibility under tomorrow's rug until we can't anymore. Until we finally understand for ourselves what Benjamin Franklin really meant. That knowing is better than wondering, that waking is better than sleeping, and even the biggest failure, even the worst, beat the hell out of never trying." - Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy

“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” - Dr. Seuss

“Adults are just obsolete children and the hell with them.” - Dr. Seuss

“If I were invited to a dinner party with my characters, I wouldn't show up.” - Dr. Seuss

"The universe wants you to succeed..." - Original author unknown...but repeated numerous times by by high school art teacher!

"Fall down seven times...get up eight." - Unknown

Website Opening Announcement!!!!!!

I cannot believe I am doing this... but here it is! I am officially announcing the opening of my new and very first website! I invite everyone to take a look, and hope you like it! I made it fun and cute and creative and... well... you just need to go see it! Thanks everyone for your support!

Creatively yours,

Kat

http://www.freewebs.com/katcallaway

The Bird's and the Bee's: The Facts of the Creative Life

The two days I spent at the conference were two of the greatest days I have had in awhile! It was like finally living out a dream, only so much better! We arrived at the hotel shortly after 6 and check-in went smoothly.

The room was amazing, and it was by far one of the nicest rooms I had ever stayed in! The bathtub, (as you can see), was huge, the bed melted underneath you as you laid in it! But word to the wise, don't jump onto it because that.... is how I twisted my knee! A minor set-back, but soon I was getting ready for the The Buzz, the first night's event!

The Buzz seemed to go very quick, but it was interesting! We got to hear a variety of samples being read from a few author's, and the critique's. Then, a wonderful speech from Lin Oliver! It was short, but motivating!

That night, after being lost for almost an hour, we finally found an Applebee's and stopped for dinner. Ironically, they had kid's menu's with Eric Carle's artwork (Children's book illustrator)! Cute and a good way to pass the time as we waited for the food!


When we got back to the hotel, I was so excited for the next day I couldn't sleep! I reviewed my itinerary so many times, and just laid in bed imagining what the next day would bring!
Saturday morning, I woke bright and early...to a toothache! I was so nervous because it was SO painful, but there was NO way I was missing anything, so I took a few aspirin and put the rest in my purse. Then I rushed to get ready, and was on my way!


After registration and picking up a few handouts, I entered into a room full of writers! The first speech, after an intro by Sue Ford, was given by Lynne Palvino, an Clarion Editor. It was very interesting. She spoke about what a slush pile was (where all the sent in manuscripts are placed, and one of a writer's biggest fears), about what would catch an editor's eye, and what would make them turn their eye. She presented it in a very fun way, and had the room rolling in laughter at different points!

Next Alexandra Penfold, a Simon and Schuster editor (who I really thought looked like Mia from the Princess Diaries Movies), spoke. She gave some great insight as well, hitting on some similar points that Palvino had, but adding her own little spark!

Both of these women really opened up my eyes! I have always had a fear of Editor's, pegged them as the big, scary, wolf kind of people! But they aren't! It really took away many of my fears, and even got me excited all over again about sending out my manuscripts!

Next, Lin Oliver gave her speech. She amazes me, and is truly an awesome lady! She spoke about the importance of never giving up, the importance of believing, and the importance of hard work. It was great!

After a break, we headed out to the various breakout sessions! I went to Pollination and Making Honey - From Idea to Finished Book Manuscript, first. I walked in and found myself looking at a lady who was as jumpy as a cricket, but the creativity radiated off of her! Vicki Grove was her name, and the next hour and ten minutes of my life were packed full of...well....creativeness! I have never met anyone quite like her. She was so shy, yet she wasn't! She was extremely honest, and went through each of her books telling us the story behind it. But my favorite of all her stories, was the personal one she told. When she was a young girl, she was bullied by a girl named Judy. But one day, she made a decision! She went home, painted her room blue, light a little ceremony candle, and declared herself a mermaid! Why? Because then, she was amazing and what did everyone else know! I loved it! And when she told the story, she absolutely radiated and it was like looking at a completely different person!

Next I went to Fledglings - The New Writer's Session, given by Susan Clymer. This was an interesting session. She wanted a volunteer to act out a scene, and everyone had to create a story from what happened! You will never guess who acted?! Me! I couldn't believe it either! I have NEVER done anything like that! I thought I was going to throw up I was so nervous! I acted out someone who was really REALLY angry (which was actually pretty easy for me to do), and I did it in front of two authors and a room full of people! Then we learned how to translate what we see into stories. The biggest tip she gave was that sometimes in order to get the picture in your head, you need to act it out. Have fun with your stories, jump into them! We also had to write down the answers to a variety of things. This included three things that made us happy, three things we were scared of, and three 'first times' that we remembered. We then had to make a few of them into a story that we read to the class. It was a great exercise!

Next, I went to Bird's Gotta Sing: Writing Effective Dialogue, with Lin Oliver. This session really helped me with how to write what my characters had to say properly! We did a variety of exercises, and were given lists of do's and don'ts that I will post in later blogs!
Then, last but not least, we had the final speech given by Stephen Fraser, an agent, about how an agent can help, how (or whether) to get one, and a few other important facts. This speech was called Leaving the Nest: Are You Ready to Fly. It was called this because he gave us the final facts and suggestions for really taking off as writers.

After the day was over, I got to go to a book signing, and spent a large amount of time just hanging out with the authors/illustrators downstairs. It was a booking signing, but people quickly filtered out and only a few remained. It was great to get to talk one on one with them about various subjects! I got to talk to Lin Oliver about my novel and she said it sounded great and that she would really like if I sent her a copy! And Vicki Grove spoke to me about my writing and said that she really thought I could be great, but to never give up! And Brad Sneed was just amazed (as was I) that our paths had crossed before when I was in Elementary school! He had come to Skelly Elementary for a school assembly presentation and signed a book for my little brother and I. He was one of the many reasons I wanted to be a writer when I grew up, and now, 12 years later, it was just awesome to see each other again!

We finally had to leave the building because they needed to lock it down, but I walked out with Lin Oliver. I really liked her because she was so funny, and confident, and just... a person! It felt good to talk to people who had had the same interests and dreams as I did. Being able to attend that conference was fulfilling a dream in itself! Being able to see, and talk to the author's was inspiring, and re-light the fire within.

That night, after dinner at the Macaroni Grill, I headed home, tired, but still twinkly eyed! I read the notes that the author's had written in my books and still was in awe that the last two days had happened! I learned so much, and met so many people. But the biggest thing I think I realized, was that this can, and is really happening! I am finally doing what I have always wanted to do! I'm a children's book writer!



Creatively yours as always,
Kat

Conference

I tried to post a blog Friday night, but for some reason my computer has decided to have issues and after writing a fairly long blog, it didn't save and the internet crashed. So! I will have to re-write that blog and more!

Because I am at work right now, I can't really write much! But I will have a ton tonight with pictures! The conference was a truly amazing experience and I have a feeling it will take me a few days to blog it all out! I was sad to come home, because that group of people were amazing and it just.... was great!

More to come this evening!

Creatively yours,
Kat