Favorite Quotes

I feature a writing quote every month in my newsletter. I enjoy looking for them, finding just the right one for that month. Even though they're geared toward writers, many of the quotes are great for everyday life.

Some of the quotes I've featured so far include:

"What no wife of a writer can understand is that a writer is working when he's staring out of the window." ~Burton Rascoe

"The best time for planning a book is while you're doing the dishes." ~Agatha Christie

"A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the other one." ~Baltasar Gracian

"Don't tell me the moon is shining. Show me the glint of light on broken glass." ~Anton Chekhov

"You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." ~Jack London

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." ~Scott Adams (I like this one for my scrapbooking.)

"If the sex scene doesn't make you want to do it--whatever it is they're doing--it hasn't been written right." ~Sloan Wilson

"Writing fiction is a solitary occupation, but not really a lonely one. The writer's head is mobbed with characters, images and language." ~Hilma Wolitzer

"Writing is the only profession where no one considers you ridiculous if you earn no money." ~Jules Renard

Is one of these my favorite? Yes and no. I love the last one because it's so true for writers. But my all-time favorite quote has nothing to do with writing:

"A friend is someone who sees through you and still enjoys the view." ~Wilma Askinas

Do you have a favorite quote? Share it with me. And if you want to receive my monthly newsletter, which includes all kinds of goodies along with the quotes, send an email to lynn@lynnlafleur.com.

Lynn

Sanity Savers

I’m overwhelmed at the moment. With work and life. To the point of tears.

Don’t worry. This isn’t a whining blog. We all get overwhelmed at times so I know I’m in good company.

I’ve been filling in for the morning shift guy while he’s been on jury duty for a month. And at the same time, I got assigned four major shows that will all hit in the next two weeks. I’m working long days. No days off. I get home in time to eat dinner before I have to go to bed so I can get up at 3:00 AM to do it again. It's starting to wear on me a bit.

I find I get a little more nuts—i.e., whiny, cranky, bitchy, teary, sanctimonious, etc.—when I don’t take a few minutes for stuff that centers me.

These are my Sanity Savers

A Time Limit: I know the trial my co-worker is on will be done this week and my shows will be done in two weeks. So, it might be a hellish few days but two weeks from today, it’s done. I’ll cling to that and start checking off days.

Knitting: Spending even a few minutes with my needles and yarn seems to calm something in my soul. I don’t even know if it’s the act of knitting or just being in my house, alone. I’m your basic introvert so this is the perfect way to re-energize.

Friends: This is one often adds to my busy days because I have to take time to see them but it really does help. I’ve got three meetings for coffee or breakfast this week. It’s on my calendar and I’ll just slip away from work for a few minutes and come back calmer.

Writing: I particularly feel this one. When I’m so busy with the day job that I don’t have time to write, it weighs on me. Not really a conscious thing but I just get discontented with life. Then I spend a few hours with my characters and suddenly my mind is working again. I’ve got happy little voices in my head. Doesn’t always help with the day job but it makes the time much more entertaining.

So what do you do to save your sanity when you’re overwhelmed with the pressures of life? I’m always looking for something new to try.