Stuff Writers Like

You'd think since this post is about writers and I like to consider myself one, I could at least think of a title that didn't have the word "stuff" in it. But nope. I'm still on vacation, and I refuse to think of a more descriptive word for a blog title.

This is probably going to seem random, but I'm so fascinated by the things (there I go with those awesome words again) writers seem to like, almost universally.

They usually like:

Pens

Paper

Computers

Those are obvious. They go along with w-r-i-t-i-n-g. Obvious, yes?

But the strange thing is that most writers I know also have an insane addiction/love for coffee. Black coffee. Flavored coffee. Lattes. Espresso. There are lots of different preferences. But interview ten random writers and I'm almost willing to promise you that 9 out of 10, as a minimum, will love coffee. I'm not talking tolerate. I'm talking love.

I also realized today that writers love Cary Grant. Ever noticed how many times he's referred to in books? I think it's because he's the epitome of a smooth, charismatic male hero. Or maybe just because his characters are so real. I'm not sure, but it's another thing writers love.

Anything else to add to this list? Writers? Readers? What do y'all think?

Summer Plans

Today I booked passage on a ferry to Alaska this summer. Unless you know me personally, which I think all....I don't know, 3 people who occasionally read this blog probably do, you have no idea how excited this makes me. Just in case you're unclear...

I'M PLANNING A TRIP TO ALASKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Off to make a list (I love lists. I know I've mentioned that lately, but really. Love them) of all the things I want to do/see/take pictures of while we're there.

Hurray!

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Blogging on a semi-regular schedule is something I'm hoping to start doing in January. This isn't a resolution, mind you. I don't like resolutions in the official sense of the word, mostly because it seems like they don't last past the third of January. So I kind of laugh at them, to be honest with you, which is probably terrible, but there you go. Anyway, I am planning to make a list of things I'd kind of like to do/pursue this year. But it's more like an idea list. Or an "in-a-perfect-world" list.

More to come on lists later. This was supposed to be a short post. Just to say that I hope you had a wonderful time celebrating Jesus' birth (and the fact that He came here to live as a human on earth so He could die for us), being with your family, opening cool presents, and eating yummy food.

On that note, there are Christmas cookies calling my name. Merry Christmas!

Black Friday

I learned several things about Black Friday shopping. And as I was driving somewhere...don't remember where now...I thought "hey, I should share those with the people (um, if there are any. haha) who read my blog!

And now my brain is too shopping fried to remember. So maybe tomorrow.

Those of you who get up even earlier than I did (4am) to shop? You're crazy. I admire you, but you're crazy. 4 in the morning is crazy enough for me, thanks. =)

Happy napping!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!

I hope everyone enjoyed your day. I hope you are thankful for something. I hope you ate lots of yummy food. =)

And I hope you got lots of rest if you're going to brave the Black Friday world tomorrow...

Neutral Territory

Okay, the title of this post sounds more like I'm talking about some kind of hard core warfare than how to love people more, but hey, that's what you get when you've got a very sleepy blog writer who tried to stop and get coffee this morning only to find out that the coffee shop where she tried to go does not open until 11am on Saturdays. Seriously?

I'm over it, though. Not bitter at all. Although I do think I'm going to go make myself a nice, hot shot or two of espresso when I'm done typing this.

Yesterday our church went on what is becoming sort of an annual camping trip. Now let me clarify before I keep going. I love the people in my church. Really, I do. But you know we could all do a better job loving each other and really getting to know each other. That's part of the reason I love this camping trip. When we're all sitting around a campfire eating dinner and marshmellows and smores...actually, eating anything, I'm not the pastor's wife. That person over there? She's not just the pianist. That man's not just an elder. My hubby is not just the pastor. We're all just people. We can let go of all the labels we've stuck on each other and just get to know each other as people. It's a very casual camping trip. No devotionals or anything like that. Just fellowship.

Do you have people in your life you'd like to get to know better? How can you do that? Are you a camper? (I'd recommend waiting till it's warmer, maybe. Our group about froze to death...those that didn't have heaters. Seriously? Heaters on a camping trip?) Do you like coffeeshops? Do you hit the stores on Black Friday every year? Think of a way you can get people you'd like to know better into "neutral territory." Not the church, not your house (I'm not knocking hospitality, there's just a different dynamic there).

Ideas, anyone?

Stories

We all have them. Stories are a part of our lives. As a writer, I love this concept. It's one of my favorites. I'm sitting at Starbucks right now--I know, terribly stereotypical of me--and on their winter coffee cup sleeve-thingy, it says:

Stories are gifts. Share.

It's true! They are gifts. Strange that Starbucks would be such an impact on my attitude about several things, but they have been. I knew there was a good reason, um, besides the awesome coffee, that I came here. Things I've been reminded of:

1. Stories are powerful tools to use to share the message of love, God's love specifically. While being a wife and mom is definitely my priority right now, I need to make more time for writing. I really believe this dream is not just from me.

2. We, the church, tend to be closed off from each other, at least here in America. I hear it's not like that as much in other places, but what do I know, I'm an American. In any case, we need to be willing to open up to each other and share our stories. We need to invest in one another's lives.

3. Stories can be hard to share. Whether you're a writer, or a person who has your own true story, sometimes they're hard to pass along. But (and you could technically count this as #4) stories really help people make decisions in their own lives.

Moral of the story? (Haha, that was totally on accident). We need stories. They're a vital part of our lives.

So read one.

Write one.

Tell one.

Share one.