SYWS – You Have the Right …

In America we have rights. We have the right to express ourselves freely. And we have the right to remain silent. I guess there’s a time and place for everything, because rights have consequences. So, if you can’t bear the consequences, don’t exercise the right.

I just read a great story in a lousy book. The story kept me wanting to know what happens next. The writing screamed, I don’t care if you can’t decipher the story. Okay, but if that’s the way you feel, then I have the right to think you should tell your stories around a campfire, but not in a book. In fact, I look forward to an invite to your next camp out. I just don’t want to buy your next book – unless you give it to a competent editor first.

With the flood of poorly edited books these days, maybe every book should include the editor’s name and email address. That would be an appropriate exercise of free speech.

Do you have thoughts on rights and responsibilities? Chime in with a comment.

SYWS – Do Your Own Homework

Here’s the difference between an argument and a discussion – in the latter all participants did their own homework. Arguments turn into yelling matches because at least one person is defending a position they don’t fully understand, something unsupported by facts and rooted in emotion. 

I think (I call this speculation, but if I get too vested before I research the notion, I’ve got good fodder for an argument) the problem became pervasive with the invention of objective questions – multiple choice, fill in the blank, true/false. From there it evolved to don’t explain the problem, just give me the answer. 

At one point we got all our opinions from the liberal media. Today both sides get brainwashed (thank you ‘fair & balanced plus talk radio for evening the playing field in a game where everyone still loses.) Hey, if a talking head can mold my brain, why do I have to put out the effort to think?

So the risk in arguing is that everyone could be wrong. But in a discussion there’s value added by each contribution.

So the next time some one wants to think for you, just say no (okay, ‘no thank you’ if your mother’s tuned in.) After all, that simplistic slogan won the war on drugs, right. 

SYWS – Give and Take

You know you want to. But you just eat your words and let the moment pass. Maybe that’s because you don’t know how to say it, or you think showing self restraint is polite. In either case, I’ll be devoting my Sunday morning blog post to Stuff You Want to Say (SYWS). Feel free to use my words. You can memorize them and play them back to end your weekend on a powerful note, or you can print them out and slip them onto a co-worker’s desk to show him/her you’re locked and loaded to survive the work week.

So here’s my next offering.

There are two kinds of people in the world. Givers and takers. Tell givers they can’t give enough to satisfy a taker. If you know one, tell them to practice discretion. I’m not talking about setting boundaries with takers. The only boundaries they understand are things like moats, rings of fire and the like. You have to avoid them like the plague. They don’t really get that their behavior is just plain wrong.

Takers. Do you know one of them? They’re the ones whose core value is: What’s mine is mine and what’s yours might has well be mine ‘cause I’m going to use you until you’re worn out. Another way to phrase it is: Use them then lose them. So what do you tell them? Start by realizing their going to be offended by anything you say other than “You want it? Okay. You can have it.”

Here’s how you handle a taker. Demand quid pro quo. Tell them it’ll cost something. After they have their little tantrum, they’ll move on to their next victim.

SYWS – Death Has it’s Upside

You know you want to. But you just eat your words and let the moment pass. Maybe that’s because you don’t know how to say it, or you think showing self-restraint is polite. In either case, I’ll be devoting my Sunday morning blog post to Stuff You Want to Say (SYWS). Feel free to use my words. You can memorize them and play them back to end your weekend on a powerful note, or you can print them out and slip them onto a co-worker’s desk to show him/her you’re locked and loaded to survive the work week.

So here’s my next offering.

If you have any takes on this subject, feel free to share with a comment.

 

SYWS – Different is not Deficient

Someone says to you, “They’re not listening to me.” What do you say back?

Well just in case you’ve lost your tongue, I’ve got an idea for you. If you want to use it, just print it out and slip it on ‘Someone’s’ desk. 

SYWS – I’m Not a Genius, I’m More Curious

I don’t know if it drives you up a wall to hear someone say, “Well … I wish I was that smart.” Or how about, “Gee … my little brain can just handle so much.”  OK, let me translate that - but first here’s a fact: We humans don’t use 20% of our brains, so if someone seems to be twice as smart, you only have to use 40% of your brain to catch up!

Now the translation: “Thinking make me tired.” 

Stuff You Want to Say (SYWS)

You know you want to. But you just eat your words and let the moment pass. Maybe that’s because you don’t know how to say it, or you think showing self restraint is polite. In either case, I’ll be devoting my Sunday morning blog post to Stuff You Want to Say (SYWS). Feel free to use my words. You can memorize them and play them back to end your weekend on a powerful note, or you can print them out and slip them onto a co-worker’s desk to show him/her you’re locked and loaded to survive the work week. 

So here’s my first offering.

(Part 2) How writing is like practicing Jungian psychology … or …

It’s not writer’s block. Two characters are arguing in my head and I’m waiting for them to finish.

There are three characters in the scene, only two are arguing. 

How writing is like practicing Jungian psychology … or …

It’s not writer’s block. Two characters are arguing in my head and I’m waiting for them to finish.  

Why Couldn’t McGyver Be a Girl?

Female protagonists often take on one of three equally unsatisfying personalities – WonderWoman, Nerd or Clueless. Why don’t we see more girl McGyvers?

McGyver wasn’t an action hero – he was an overcomer. But he wasn’t a geek, just resourceful. And he was neither a fool, nor a brainiac. Aren’t there girls who fit the same mold?

Making a female McGyver – that’s what I tried to achieve with Sarah Sue Morgan, the protagonist in LINCOLN’S DIARY – a novel. If you’ve read it, let me know if I came close.