Friday Faves 21 - Books, Journals and Writing Implements

Reading, writing and, well, not arithmetic! Not this week anyway. No, this week's Friday Faves is all about something I adore -- books, journals, pens and pencils. I have probably sent someone's kid to college with all of the paper, journals, pens, pencils and books that I have purchased through the years.

Hey, I can't help it -- I'm a writing junkie! I walk into an office supplies place or a bookstore and usually the first place I go is either the music section or whichever area carries all of those wonderful things that I can use to write on and with.

But I'm here to tell you that it's not just the big corporate stores who carry lots of writing goodies -- you can get some wonderful, nay, exquisite items of this nature on Etsy!

But before we begin our weekly Etsy shop browse, let's listen to a great old Beatle's hit called Paperback Writer (Psst! You can find those on Etsy too!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=634BCKHyvhM

Now, let's go shopping!

Reading and Writing Shop Number 1
Shop name: Gaëlle's Gallery

http://www.etsy.com/shop/GaellesGallery?ref=seller_info

When I was searching for one of a kind stories on Etsy I happened upon this one that was both enchanting and understandable in any language. The artwork is very original and inspiring. It would be a worthy addition to anyone's library. Heartwarming!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52994098/begegnung-a-story-original-silkscreened

Reading and Writing Shop Number 2
Shop name: GILD Book Binders

http://www.etsy.com/shop/GILDBookbinders?ref=seller_info

From this second shop comes something that is also a true one of a kind item. It is simply a stunning piece of workmanship. It was truly hard to find my favorite, because they are all so beautiful, so I went with The Book of Secrets with the teal cover. So gorgeous!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77979709/colorful-book-of-secrets-leather-journal

Reading and Writing Shop Number 3
Shop name: Bowls and Boxes and More

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BowlsandBoxes?ref=seller_info

This craftsman created a pen and pencil set made from mesquite, but can also create a set to your liking out of other exotic woods that he has on hand. The mesquite pen and pencil set is quite elegant and they look like they would feel really nice in the hand.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/21093288/mesquite-pen-and-pencil-set

Reading and Writing Shop Number 4
Shop name: Angel Hill

http://www.etsy.com/shop/angelhill?ref=seller_info

And, we'll need something to put our pens and pencils and other stuff in when we take our reading and writing on the road. So, when I saw this little cutie, well, I just couldn't pass it up! I bought one for myself. But you better hurry if you want one, too! She only has a few of these on hand.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74522501/cute-terrier-zipper-pencil-case

Reading and Writing Shop Number 5
Shop name: Sunrise Woodwork

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunriseWoodwork?ref=seller_info

Maybe your main writing implement is a computer -- I certainly use mine often enough myself. This computer monitor/printer/desk organizer is not only beautifully crafted, but a lovely addition to any writer's desk.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51725512/2-drawer-printer-and-monitor-stand

Well, we've finished our weekly Etsy shop hopping for this week, but be sure to stop back by next Friday (or any day of the week, because I try to update my content as often as possible) when our Friday Faves theme will be -- Bee Keeping!

I love bees and honey and bee's wax and royal jelly and all of the other wonderful things that bees produce and all of the wonderful things that bees do for our environment.

Until then, if you have any comments or questions about this week's Friday Faves, please feel free to leave your comments below.

Do you have a favorite pen or pencil for your writing or do you do your writing "old school" with a manual typewriter? I did for many years before joining in on all of the fun online.

Have a great weekend everyone and take care out there!

Overcoming Writer's Block

Ever look at that blank page or screen and see it as the ultimate enemy just sitting there staring at you with its gaping expressionless maw as if it's ready to swallow you? Okay. Me neither, but I thought it looked good on paper. And, that fits right in with my first tip for overcoming writer's block.

1. Just write something -- anything! You can always go back over it and change it or erase/delete it later. Writing is just putting something down on paper or a computer screen, it's not set in stone! As writers we don't have to worry about how silly or inane our writing can be -- that's why we have editors and other helpful sorts, like proofreaders.

2. Get outside! If it's too cold or too hot or too rainy or too... just get away from your desk (or wherever you write) and do something, get some exercise, play with your dog, cat or kids -- go to the store, to the park, a restaurant -- maybe even a different restaurant than you usually go to. The idea here is to get some sort of stimulation that takes you outside of your own head.

3. Eavesdrop. Yes, you read that correctly and I'm here to admit that I do listen in on your conversations when I'm out and about. I'm not doing it to be rude, I'm doing it to get ideas for stories, poetry and songs -- even paintings or drawings. And the funny thing about listening into other people's conversations is most of the time the writing ideas that come have very little or nothing all to do with what I've just overheard. I think it just has something to do with hearing other people's voices talking about different situations, especially when we're on the outside of things that helps get those creative juices flowing again.

4. People watch! Yep! There is nothing like seeing a little kid on his bicycle or an attractive person jogging by or a couple out walking their dog or... You get the idea! Seeing people doing what people do also helps to stimulate our creative processes.

5. Write on a schedule. If you can get up and go to work and perform those tasks every day, then you can write a few words every day at a particular time each day. Personally, I love to write just before I go to bed. There's just something that feels so wonderful to me about getting my shower, getting into my comfortable night clothes, sitting on the edge of my bed and just setting pen to paper -- or fingers to computer keyboard keys. It's soothing and I find that I'm in just the right frame of mind for creative things like writing. I once knew a man who went to bed one hour earlier just so he could write in his journal every night, and his family knew to absolutely leave him to it unless there was an actual real emergency. But if night time's not your thing, then you might want to consider setting your alarm an hour early so you can start your day with a brisk round of writing. It doesn't matter what time you choose to write as long as you write.

When it comes right down to it, I think most ideas about overcoming writer's block boil right back down to what I said in tip number 2. -- get outside of your own head. We're creative people, we writers, and so we do a lot of what we do right inside of our heads and sometimes it gets a bit crowded, dusty, rusty, boring and all of the rest of it in there. We have to do something to wake up our brain cells again.

Just remember, writer's block is really just your mind telling you that you've stopped seeing writing for what it can truly be -- fun! So go out and have some fun, then come back and have some more fun by writing that bestseller!

We can do it!

Why You Never Assign a Disciplinary Essay to a Kid Who Likes to Write

Wayyyyyyy back in 7th or 8th grade I got into trouble with my math teacher for passing notes in class.

Well sir, he assigned me a 500 word essay that night. Ahhh! Little did he know that I was already prepared for just such an occasion as that! ^_~

Have you ever heard The Bricklayer's Song/Why Paddy's Not At Work Today? Well, what I did was put this song down as an essay and rather than just copy the lyrics I turned it into a short story. The next day I handed it in and, as my math teacher said, he usually just tore it up right in front of the student but... something about it caused him to start reading it. (Now, keep in mind that he wasn't familiar with the song.) He read it through to the end, which was a bit over 500 words, and he called me up to his desk, and that's when he explained to me about his usual procedure with disciplinary essays and how this one was so good that not only did he read it, but he graded it, as well (he doubled as an English teacher, by the way).

I got an A+ on that 500 word essay and he gave it back to me to keep (heh!) for the next time -- rewritten, of course, thanks to that big ol' red A+ on it!

What got me thinking (and blogging) about this was because a friend of mine sent the song to me through email, and here's the song.

The Bricklayer's Song as performed by The Dubliners:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx7aoEBtPXA

And... this is why you don't assign disciplinary essays to a kid who likes to write. ^_~