So no sh*t, there I was...minding my own business, when out of no where I hear a voice that seemed to come out of no where: "If you are on the American Airlines flight from Pensacola to Miami, you're flight has been rescheduled because of mechanical issues.  If you have a connecting flight in Miami, you will miss it.  I will call you up, one by one, as soon as I can book you a new flight."

In light of this change of plans, our writing prompt has to do with flying:

You're on a plane, seated between a man in a Hawaiian shirt holding a camera and a man handcuffed to a briefcase.  You suddenly remember one of their faces from the file on your desk at work....

My flight was rescheduled for tomorrow.  Wish me luck!  When I get back, we're going camping for the weekend for one quick vacation, and then straight into work. the next day (or even perhaps the night we get back from camping).

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, amirite?

I am saddened to say that the events as of late have been keeping me from my blogging duties.  I hope to be more active on both "On the Writing Front" and my tumblr page. 

Along with my deepest apologies (not to mention excuses), I am also offering a link to a wonderful creative prompt blog called Dragon Writing Prompts.  It's a wonderfully whimsical site that I use often when I am feeling uninspired or need a boost of creativity.  With the blogger's permission, I will be posting a few of the prompts that appeal to me the most.  Unless, of course, she says no.  In which case, I will sob in my pillow, eat some chocolate, and chug some Sugar Free Red Bull.  Who knows, I may just do those last two things anyway.

But for now, I may be absent for a few more days until I get settled in Washington again.  I will be camping next week and, after that, starting a "new" job.  Although I will not be working for a publisher (as I had hoped), my "new" job will allow me plenty of time to write.  So that'll be good. 

Anyway, in my absence, know that I am sending you my most creative writery vibes, in your writing endeavors.  I am with you in spirit.  Not in a weird, stalker way.  More, in a motivational, hot, cheerleader way.  Rah rah!

~ iScribe

Productivity

I’ve seen some of the most creative methods for getting a desired result from parents.  I’ve also seen the opposite from parents, but that’s for a different day.  I’ve decided to condition myself using some of these methods as well.  As the days go on in Florida, my motivation for anything seems to have dwindled.  Although I still get things done, I do so with spite and disinterest.  Yes, I know…, that’s just a part of growing up.  However, I like being happy while I do things.  Call me crazy.  Anyway, I thought to myself, “Self, how will you motivate your kids to do their chores when you become a mom?”  My answer?  A “chore” reward chart.  Mine looks like this:

Task	Reward
Dishes (wash and put away)	2 minutes on tumblr
Clean off kitchen counter	2 minutes on facebook
Set up coffee pot	Cup of coffee (okay, this one was kind of silly)
Sweep and spot mop	2 minutes on the NaNoWriMo forum
Dust	1 cup of tea
Pledge furniture	1 can of Zero Carb Red Bull
Get something ready to be turned in to Critique Group	Upgrade the Red Bull to a sugar free
Write
1k of progress	Cupcake
2k of progress	Dessert with dinner
3k of progress	1 episode of “How I Met Your Mother”
4k of progress	1 episode of “Firefly”
5k of progress	Movie Nite (fill popcorn bucket)
6k of progress	Game Nite with Jake
Blog Post	30 minutes of reading

Most of the tasks weren’t really chores but writing goals that I need to accomplish.  I allowed myself less than 10 minutes of INTERNET time, hoping that would get me to be more productive.  Most of my rewards have to do with caffeine, which makes me happy and more productive.

I do this type of thing every day but I do it subconsciously.  "If I can write just one more page, I'll take a tumblr break."  However, seeing it on paper, reminds me of my goals and what I want to really achieve today.  It makes it seem more real.  What are your productivity techniques?  What do you do to keep yourself motivated?

Vulnerable

I believe that the world is a more peaceful place when I stay inside my writer bubble and don't let anyone else in.  Of course, that world wouldn't be very interesting.

Artists are silly people.  They pour their hearts and soul into everything they do, then place it in full view of the world.  If they let you in to see their work before it's finished.  Now that' something.  To be able to see something in its raw form.  It's a very special moment.  A very vulnerable moment.  They must think very highly of you if they let you into their bubbles like that.  You should cherish their vulnerability.  It's a critical moment as well because the feeling of vulnerability that they allow upon themselves is immense and can be overwhelming.  Don't take advantage of that.

Writers are artists.  They create visual works that are meant to stimulate the mind.  They create beautiful works and well as grotesque pieces as well.  They pour just as much of their hearts and souls into their work as painters and and other traditional artists do.