Edited by Barbara Clough, Thursday, 10 Mar 2022, 01:10
Clearly, not keeping my blog up-to-date. It was the dark days of winter here in New England and I escape not once, but twice. January - a week sailing in the British Virgin Island, then home to the cold snowy weather. Back on track for a few weeks during which I submitted another project.
As soon as that project was done, I started on another, harder writing project. I tend not to be a particularly analytical reader but in working on this MA, that's exactly what I need to be. "Every hour spend reading is an hour spent learning to write." (Can't remember the author but it's not me!)
Practicing reading analytically and closely is a skill unto itself. One of my favorite exercises is taking an article in the New York Review of Books and mapping it out. Since these are already critical essays, it provides me the opportunity to understand how the best writers and reviewers in the world structure their essays.
Then February, away again for almost a week hiking in the snow covered White Mountains of New Hampshire. Being away from my computer and my tedious paying job is good for clearing my head, but then I find it hard to get back into my routine of writing and reading, reading and writing.
And always, trying to find 1.5 hours a day to get to the gym and back, to cook healthy meals packed with veggies, to meet with friends now that the world is reopening.
So today, I am back and I can do for 12 hours what would appal me if I had to keep it up for a life time. The days are getting longer and my winter blues have lifted to my energy levels are better. Being at my computer at 7:49 on a Saturday night is fine. No place I'd rather be.
Where I've been for 2 months
Clearly, not keeping my blog up-to-date. It was the dark days of winter here in New England and I escape not once, but twice. January - a week sailing in the British Virgin Island, then home to the cold snowy weather. Back on track for a few weeks during which I submitted another project.
As soon as that project was done, I started on another, harder writing project. I tend not to be a particularly analytical reader but in working on this MA, that's exactly what I need to be. "Every hour spend reading is an hour spent learning to write." (Can't remember the author but it's not me!)
Practicing reading analytically and closely is a skill unto itself. One of my favorite exercises is taking an article in the New York Review of Books and mapping it out. Since these are already critical essays, it provides me the opportunity to understand how the best writers and reviewers in the world structure their essays.
Then February, away again for almost a week hiking in the snow covered White Mountains of New Hampshire. Being away from my computer and my tedious paying job is good for clearing my head, but then I find it hard to get back into my routine of writing and reading, reading and writing.
And always, trying to find 1.5 hours a day to get to the gym and back, to cook healthy meals packed with veggies, to meet with friends now that the world is reopening.
So today, I am back and I can do for 12 hours what would appal me if I had to keep it up for a life time. The days are getting longer and my winter blues have lifted to my energy levels are better. Being at my computer at 7:49 on a Saturday night is fine. No place I'd rather be.