MY BLOG POSTS

Some writers need absolute silence. Others need music. Some write with lots of notes spread all over their desk. Others just write without stopping, going back when they’re done to fix their mistakes. I know writers who have their own specials spaces specifically designated for writing – a basement study, an attic apartment. One writer I know has a “writing tower” in her back yard.

Not me. Maybe someday. When I dream about writing spaces, I dream in Ikea. My perfect space looks something like this:

For now, though, my reality is this:

 I have the corner of my bedroom, a workspace I share with my husband. He is working on his doctorate, so he writes almost as much as do. It’s a cozy little space. I am surrounded by books – just like in my dream. And, yes, I sit on a ball. Believe it or not, it’s actually WAY more comfortable than a chair. And it takes up less space. And my son uses it to launch himself onto my bed when I’m not using it. (warning: one of his friends broke his arm on a failed launch, so beware!)

I wrote most of First Date at my local library. Much of Starring Me was written at my desk at school during my free periods. Right Where I Belong (out in December 2012) was finished at Panera, between sips of hazelnut coffee. Actually, most of my manuscripts were completed between sips of some kind of coffee.

I don’t need absolute silence, but I do prefer quiet. And I like big chunks of time — sitting for 5-6 hours straight is much more beneficial than grabbing an hour or two here and there (though there are times when I have to grab what I can when I can).

Someday I’ll have my dream room. But for now, I am thankful to have my dream — being able to sit on my ball and write the stories that God gives me to amazing readers like you. In between sips of coffee.

Life is good!

“Where’s the ketchup?”

That’s what I just heard in our sweet little Christian school lunchroom, from one of our sweet little Christian school first graders. Not, “May I have some ketchup, please?” Not even an “excuse me.” Just a condimentary demand, treating our hard-working and incredibly gracious cafeteria staff like a Smart phone – speak your desire and get what you want.

This annoys me. And it happens all the time. I was at my children’s baseball games recently and watched a kid – who wasn’t even on the team – walk up to the mom who brought snacks and say, “I want one! I want one! I want one!”

I understand that our world is changing, that life in the 21st century is going to be different from life in the 20th century. I am okay with that. But I am not okay with good manners becoming obsolete. I am not okay with allowing children to make demands of adults – and having adults give into those demands.

And it’s not just because it’s “polite.” Although it is. Using good manners shows respect. That little girl who demanded ketchup demonstrated self-centeredness in the extreme. She wanted ketchup. She expected ketchup. She was a little put out because the ketchup wasn’t right there on the counter for her to take right away. She had to wait an extra 30 seconds. Did she consider the woman behind the counter was doing several jobs? She is cooking the food, placing it in the containers, keeping everything clean, and on top of that, keeping the plasticware and condiment basket full. Imagine what a difference a polite request would have made. And imagine a polite request followed by *gasp* a “thank you”?

But that didn’t happen. The girl demanded the ketchup, got it, and walked off. The end.

I am feeling guilty as I type this because I am thinking of times I am at McDonalds or Olive Garden or Wal-Mart, and I do the same thing. “I need more Diet Coke.” “Where’s the sweetener?” “Check, please.”

I am glad I heard that little girl today because I see other people’s rudeness far easier than I see my own. I may not be able to stop that child from being rude, but I can stop myself. I can make a point to thank those around me, to be patient when I don’t have exactly what I need exactly when I need it. I can gently remind my own students and my children to focus on being appreciative rather than being demanding.

Let’s not allow manners to go the way of cassette tapes and phones with cords. Please.

And thank you.

Yesterday, I watched my kids play softball/baseball. They all did something in one inning that I never did in a whole season — run to first base.

In a whole season of soccer, the only goal I made was for the other team (I wondered why no one was trying to stop me!). In a whole season of softball, I never made a hit. Once, I tipped the ball and it went backwards. But that was it. In PE, I was always the last kid picked for kickball. Even now, I rarely join in a pick-up game of anything. Not because I don’t enjoy it. I actually find some sports enjoyable. But people who like winning get annoyed at me. Because I make goals for the other team and hit softballs backwards. So I just sit out and cheer for those who can actually play those games.

I’m also terrible at art. And decorating. And cooking. And organizing. And math.

But you know what? That’s okay. I don’t have to be great at everything.

And neither do you.

In fact, I think it’s a good thing that we stink at some stuff. Really. It makes us appreciate others’ abilities. It keeps us from getting too “puffed up.” Imagine how arrogant we’d be if we were good at everything. And if everyone were good at everything, there wouldn’t be anyone to sit in the stands or in the audience or in the gallery. We’d all be “doing” with no one “enjoying.”

So embrace your inabilities. Acknowledge them. Joke about them. It’s all right to be bad at things. And, no, you’re not bad at everything. God has given everyone gifts and abilities. It takes some of us longer than others to find ours, but they’re there. I promise.

So shrug off your strike-outs, giggle at your flat notes, wink at your stick people. God has made us with strengths and weaknesses. All of us. Besides, the world would be incredibly boring if everyone only made goals for their own teams 🙂

I’ve spent many years of my life doing plays: community theater plays, church plays, school plays, even dinner theater and a touring show. I love theater – love watching it, love performing it, and in the last few years, I have discovered that I love directing it.

(This is me, circa 1985. Where else but theater can you sing into an old phone on a stool while wearing pj’s and a huge bow??)

I am not a professional. I don’t claim to be the best – or even close. But I love theater – especially musical theater – and I want others to love it, too. I think everyone should be involved a production at least once in their lives.

Why?

I’m so glad you asked 🙂

• It builds confidence. If you have had to sing and dance in front of hundreds of people, giving a three-minute speech about your favorite pastime suddenly doesn’t seem so scary.
• It makes you a better audience member. Those of us who have been onstage have much more empathy as audience members. We know that the audience sets the tone – that if we clap and laugh, the performers will do even better.
• It creates unique bonds. Surviving a show with a group of people unites you like nothing else I know. You make memories, have inside jokes; certain smells or sounds or even colors make you laugh hysterically. And your castmates are the only ones who really understand that.
• It teaches you the importance of teamwork. While there may only be one or two “stars,” everyone involved in the production is vital. Just watch what happens when the lighting guy is gone, or the sound guy steps away.
• It forces you to think about others. The cast is only part of the equation in a show. The audience is the other part. They need to be drawn in, to enjoy what’s happening onstage. And it’s your job as the cast and crew to make sure that happens.

I could go on, but you get the idea.

This is “spring musical season” all around the country. Schools, churches, and community theaters are offering beautiful productions filled with folks who have sacrificed hours of their time, talents, and energy. You’ve seen the signs in the libraries and the Starbucks, on the marquis and maybe even in a flyer under your windshield. Go! Enjoy one of these shows. Clap and laugh and help those performers do a great job.

And then, if you’re really brave, look in those playbills for opportunities to be involved in a production yourself, even if it is behind the scenes. Paint a set, sew a costume, shop for props. Because….

“There’s no business like show business”!