Monday, December 8, 2014

Motivational Monday


JUST BECAUSE I CAN
PUBLISH A FEW BOOKS
DOES NOT MEAN I KNOW
WHAT TO WRITE IN A BIRTHDAY CARD,
SO NO MORE OF THAT
'YOU'RE A WRITER'
STUFF.
(Lauren DeStefano)

I laughed out loud when I read that line. Been there, done that! Same with Scrabble. Everyone expects me to be good at Scrabble because I'm a writer. I try to explain that as much as I love words, Scrabble is not about creating stories or characters. Still, whenever I lose, the others gloat because they beat a writer.

It's funny because as annoying as that is, I don't actually mind. At least people are seeing me as a writer. Since most of the people I know don't do that in "real life," I guess I'll take the recognition where I can get it. 

Let's all bask in our skills and talents, whatever they might be and however they come in handy. 

38 comments:

  1. Hah, yes, I recognize the Scrabble thing for sure!

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  2. You mean there's more to writing just Happy Birthday in a birthday card? :)

    Sympathy cards always give me trouble.

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  3. My friends gloat when they beat me at Trivia-Crack. But it's probably because I act like a know-it-all.

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  4. Oh wow, that is so true! I never know what to write in everyday sort of things. I have to think over text messages for several minutes before I send them...

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    1. It's almost like my brain becomes paralyzed in those moments....

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  5. Ha! Yes--Scrabble is a game about who knows the most shortish words. No advantage there. I tend to write with a focus on twisty plot and feel like complex language gets in the way of that (complex language goes FINE in a beautiful simple story, but people trying to keep track of twists shouldn't have to ALSO work at the language end... my job is making the language invisible so readers can see the character and story. (Doesn't make for a fabulous birthday card to be invisible)

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    1. Interesting idea on making the language invisible so the story can be seen....

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  6. Yeah, I relate to the birthday card bit. I am good at scrabble... or maybe hubby just really sucks at it.

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  7. When I was still teaching, every time we had to write something up as a department, I was stuck doing it. Didn't mind but yeah, people expect you to win scrabble every time.

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    1. I'd almost rather play Scrabble against the computer - no expectations or gloating that way. :)

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  8. I love that quote! It's so true. I'm not very good at scrabble either- too much pressure. But you're right, it is flattering that people assume you have boss skills.

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    1. It really is a lot of pressure, isn't it? I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling it. :)

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  9. I suck at Scrabble! I always feel like I must have the vocabulary of a toddler after playing LOL. This quote is too funny. :)

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    1. I hear you about the vocabulary. I have a pretty good have vocab but you'd never know it watching me play Scrabble. :)

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  10. Fortunately, I don't play Scrabble very often nowadays, but I know what you mean. Sometimes I think people think that since I write, I must always be great with verbally expressing myself. Funny thing is I find I can sometimes express myself better in writing than verbally.

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    1. I'm much better at expressing myself in writing than verbally. I get tongue-tied when put on the spot.

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  11. SO glad someone else said that. That same thing happens to me with games like Balderdash,w here you have to come up with creative words for things. I can come up with story ideas, but if you need me to come up with a name for a new product, I'm probably not your person! I don't do book titles very well, either, for that matter!

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    1. I know, right?! And don't get me started on how long it takes me to come up with titles. My husband is actually a big help with those. :)

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  12. Love this! I'm terrible at writing cards . . . I try, but summing up a moment in time with genuine emotion in a sentence or two is tough.

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  13. Really great quote. Haven't played Scrabble in years but when I did, I was NOT good at it. How do you do with word jumbles?

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    1. I haven't done any word jumbles in forever! I usually do okay at Scrabble or other word type games when I play by myself - less competition - or against the computer - less gloating. :)

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  14. I'll turn over the card writing to professionals. Me? I'll just sign 'em.

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  15. I am good at Scrabble and Upwords, and usually my biggest problem when faced with a blank card and a pen is restraining myself. That's me, and as you say, we're all different.

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    1. I haven't played Upwords in forever! I used to really like that game....

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  16. That gave me a smile -- thanks, Madeline. I need to start signing cards in haiku...

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  17. Hi Madeline, it made me smile. I get to hear this all the time. If I pronounce a word wrong, my nephew says "and you call yourself a writer." Just a few months back my uncle wanted me to be the compere for his daughter's engagement ceremony (where the family members would be dancing) when I refused my aunt said, "you are a writer so it should be easy for you." Now you tell me the relation between writing and compering at a party :(

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    1. Sigh. Some people just don't understand. But I am glad this quote made you smile. :)

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  18. I like your advice. Happily, I haven't had anyone gloat about beating me at Scrabble, despite being a writer. Shew.

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