Handmade Bookmarks for Writers
Over the weekend, I made about a dozen of these stamped "write" bookmarks for a writer's group. These are tiny little bookmarks with room for 4-5 letters at most.
Someone asked me why I stamped "write" on these. After all, you need a pen or a computer to write, not a bookmark. Wouldn't "read" make more sense? I agree, the word "read" is great on a bookmark. (I do, in fact, sell those, too.) But smart writers know that in order to be a writer you must read.
NaNoWriMo
That's probably the one problem I have with NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) which occurs each November. There's a lot to like with that event: the pep talks (via email) by well-known authors are terrific, there's a whole energetic community of writers you can hang out with online or in person, and you do get a lot of writing done. But the reading ... I doubt most participants have the time to read and write that month. I know when I've participated in past years, I barely had enough time to write my allotted words ... or do the laundry!
Book Recommendation
I haven't had much time to read or write this month ('Tis the Season), but I have just finished one book that I would recommend: Don't Quit Your Day Job: Acclaimed Authors and the Day Jobs They Quit edited by Sonny Brewer.
The authors in this collection have worked all sorts of jobs waiting tables, driving garbage trucks, and fighting fires. For instance, did you know that John Grisham once worked selling underwear at Sears? Me neither. I'll admit, I hadn't heard of every author listed in this collection, but no matter. The essays are all well-written and fascinating ... and guaranteed to make you feel better about working whatever job you're currently doing, the one that's preventing you from writing or reading as much as you'd like.