The Universe

If you can't believe that the universe flows through us, breathes within us, and causes us to action - then you should open your mind to such an adventure.

D and I were talking about Claudia Taller's Word Lovers Retreat and the wonderful writers we met and the plethora of information we gleaned from just two days. Inviting D had been a second thought, but we both realized that the universe wanted D to be there. She's still flying high with the joy and encouragement she found there. I'm trying.

Besides that, C, creator and moderator of Westlake's Writers' Ink, shared a book with D. Tonight, D brought it over and we salivated as we turned the pages. Wow. It's an incredible book that has been out since 1990. How on earth we both missed it, I can't explain. The universe must have been in eclipse at the time. A new edition came out a few years ago and that's the one C lent to D.

The title of the book is 'Descriptionary'. I'm sure some of you have heard of it or perhaps use it as your writing bible. It's got so much to thrust at your creativity, it's astounding. As I was delving into the pages on weapons and animals and the environment, I thought, 'This really needs to meld with an etymology book'. Because of the genre I write in, I need to know what century the word is from. If it's too modern, I can't use it.

So I am delegated to using my old pal, the Online Etymology Dictionary, alongside the 'Descriptionary'. There are phrases in both that just set you off into the depths of words you had not even considered. It's fun.

Also, we were watching an interview with James Patterson in which he stated: 'There is one rule in writing. Break the rules'. D and I found that funny and freeing. We'll see how many rules we can break and still get published.

On the week-end, Trudy Brandenburg told us a little about a software called, 'Skivener'. I'm sure many of you use it or know of it. I've heard the name tossed about a few times, but Trudy's presentation showed how easy it is to use and what a great tool it can be for writers. It's called the complete writing studio and it really is about that. D's going to buy it next week and we'll look it over when next we get together.

Writing can be expensive. Skivener, Descriptionary, conferences, books, etc.... It is all worth it, though. You must pay yourself first to reap the benefits of your investment.

Life is learning.


http://claudiajtaller.com/word-lovers-events/

http://www.etymonline.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Descriptionary-Thematic-Dictionary-Marc-McCutcheon/dp/0816059268

http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php