Charlene Lamy Edge Speaks about Writing

Greetings, writers. Here's something that's helped me. I hope you find it valuable. S.U.D.S. is simple, yet powerful. It's a helpful motto for many aspects of my own life, including writing projects. What is S.U.D.S.? The S.U.D. part of the acronym is from Arthur Ashe (famed tennis player). Click → here . The final “S” in S.U.D.S. is from me (famed blogger). Click → here . S  =  Start where you are. Acknowledge how you feel and what the problem or challenge actually is that you face. U  =  Use what you have. Consider also how to reuse, repair, recycle relevant resources. D  =  Do what you can. Take action regarding what you discovered with “S” and “U” to move toward your goal. S  = Stay in your lane.  I added this. It comes from staying in my lane when I swim laps at the gym. I try to focus on my own tasks and mind my own business. When I remind myself of S.U.D.S. while doing anything I do, I feel more grounded, focused, an...

We can all do with an extra dose of kindness these days, right? I happen to know a writer who dispenses just that in her book, Mini Horses, Mighty Hearts: Rootbeer and Edward . O’Bark Press, 2019. It’s a tender story accompanied by lovely illustrations. The author, Rene Townsend, is one of my dear friends. She wrote the story primarily for ages 7 – 12, but you’ll find that it’s appropriate for any age. Think about making it a holiday or birthday gift for the kids and grandkids in your life. Mini Horses, Mighty Hearts “Mini Horses, Mighty Hearts is entertaining and heartwarming, celebrating the positive connection between animals and humans. In an engaging way, the miniature horses’ adventures will bring you into their story and help you realize you are not alone. Working in animal welfare for over 50 years, I was touched by the animal-human bonds portrayed.” ~ Michael Arms, President/CEO, Helen Woodward Animal Center. “The days Rootbeer and Edward, two miniature horses, visited our sc...

                           Photo: Charlene Edge journals at airport in Peru. 2011. Love those boots! Photo by Hoyt Edge. Hello, readers! When something wonderful, momentous, or strange happens to you, do you ever think, “I’ve got to write about this!” If that’s true for you, then this post about memoir writing may help. At the end of this post, you’ll find my recommended books about writing memoirs. Memoirs are in the category of non-fiction, and they cover only a slice of an author’s life, not the whole pie, which would be an autobiography. The booklist is also tucked in my second book, From the Porch to the Page: A Guidebook for the Writing Life , in the section “Writing Memoir,” just in case you have it, hint, hint. But first… My favorite book about the writing life … …is Brenda Ueland’s, If You Want To Write: A Book About Art, Independence and Spirit . In it she gives the most delightful encouragements...