Friday, April 1, 2016

B is for BREATHE DEEP #AtoZChallenge


For this year's challenge, my theme is The Fun in Writing. Each of my 26 posts for April is aimed at illustrating fun parts of an author's day. A writer doesn't only write. Creating a story or an essay requires research, revision, editing, and lots and lots of coffee and chocolate.


B is for BREATHE DEEP
 
If you've ever gotten into a bind with your story line and wondered why you ever chose to write novels in the first place, you are in good company. Most writers, at one time or other, walk away from the computer to take a few deep breaths to clear their mind.
 
A fun writing experience I encountered was totally unplanned until the idea popped full-blown into my head. If you need a change of pace from writing your latest story, why not breathe deep, and switch gears? I took a break from writing murder mysteries to create a series of poems. Once the poetry was written and edited (very lightly), I formatted the collection and published the little book as a birthday gift to myself.
How's that for discovering
The Fun in Writing?
 
With the project completed, I was eager to return to my mystery writing!
 
 
One of the more fun, and light-hearted poems in ANOTHER NEW BEGINNING is:
 
#27
Breathe Deep
 
Apple pie
baking in the oven;
 
Lilacs
in bloom;
It only takes a moment to breathe deep.
 
Ocean breezes;
L’air du Temps;
Fresh bread cooling on the rack;
Baby’s powdered skin.
 
Breathe even deeper.
Spring
after another hard winter.


*****  *****  *****
 
 
The following is the next entry in my series of Sunday posts
 
Beginning October 18, 2015, and each succeeding Sunday for 70 weeks, my internet blogsite will feature a poem from
ANOTHER NEW BEGINNING. A short observation, sometimes informative, other times humorous, will accompany the poem, along with a complementary photograph.
 
 
The sense of smell is a strong trigger for memories. Who doesn’t get a warm feeling when reminded of a special food cooking on the stove or apple pie baking in the oven as you walked in the door after school? But how did you feel about the guy in the next cubicle at the office who wore too much aftershave? Did you need an alarm clock to wake you when bacon was frying in the kitchen?
 
When someone says, “The nose knows,” everyone nods an acknowledgement. Not all “bad” odors are bad, evidenced by a newborn baby’s soiled diaper. You’re just glad the baby is so healthy! Bed wetting, on the other hand, may conjure up completely different emotions.
 
Fragrant flowers (such as: Lilacs in bloom) recall a wide variety of memories ranging from weddings and birthdays to funerals. There is the carnation fragrance of a wrist corsage from your favorite prom date; the Hawaiian plumeria lei tossed in the ocean at the end a fantastic second-honeymoon vacation; the flowers for your son’s bar mitzvah; the table bouquets at your daughter’s baby shower.
 
During the editing process of writing a story, the writer is urged to embellish scenes with greater use of the senses for description. When the reader is drawn into the scene with their senses, they become much more emotionally involved in the story rather than being a mere observer.
 
With food, smell and taste often go hand in hand. What non-food odors, aromas, or fragrances are readily recognized and generate an immediate emotional reaction in you?


 

17 comments:

  1. Well, would you believe it? When I feel overwhlemed with my writing, cooking and clenaing my house relaxes me very much and often afterward I'm ready to go back to writing.
    Weird, isn't it? But it works for me :-)

    And yes, smells are incredible. All the senses are strong keeprs of memories, in my opinion.

    @JazzFeathers
    The Old Shelter - Jazz Age Jazz

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  2. With cooking and cleaning you can see immediate results of your work, also, Sarah. Spending four hours revising a sentence isn't as rewarding somehow.

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  3. cooking makes me happy, its therapeutic, so is reading & writing!
    Tina from The Sunny Side of Life

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    1. Yes, especially reading. Without the relaxation and pleasure of reading, I'm not sure I could enjoy the writing. Cooking, not so much these days, though.

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  4. I love your poem-I write poetry, too. Distractions help and this one is a great one. Time out is key~ I always think of Mad Men and how the main character would go to a movie. Breathing works, too~

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    1. Ella, before the cost of movie theaters shot up, I enjoyed the pure entertainment of movies - no input on my part required. DVDs serve the purpose for me now but it isn't quite the same.

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  5. Hi Gail! Thanks for stopping by my blog :) Taking a step back (or rather lots of steps back) from writing has really helped me see myself as a writer. I simply cannot NOT write! And keeping it fun is so important. I love your idea of trying something completely new. The poem is lovely! I never considered myself a poet but I had to write some years ago in college and enjoyed the experience. Perhaps I'll give it a go again!

    Enjoy the challenge!

    Cheers!
    Jen
    Jen Chandler was Here

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    1. Thanks, Jen. Looking forward to the rest of your alphabet posts. Writing does get into the blood. I'm not sure what I would do with my time if not for writing. Reading full time, walking the beach, taking photography? Nah, writing wins every time.

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  6. I like the concept of breathing deep. Enjoying what's around us, switching gears and mixing things up. I also like your poem!

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  7. Nice post! Wise words, a beautiful photograph, and poetry too! I enjoyed finding your blog through the A to Z Blog Challenge. Good luck with A to Z!
    Trisha Faye (www.trishafaye.wordpress.com
    Vintage Daze (www.vintagedazecolumn.com

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  8. Thanks, J.L. and Trisha. I like this: switching gears and mixing things up. Look forward to following you through Z.

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  9. Usually when I feel like I need a deep breath, I step away and do something like knitting or jewelry making. Sometimes naps happen too.

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    1. Ah, yes, naps! I've never been able to enjoy naps, but I've read that JFK took 5-minute cat naps to rejuvenate himself.

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  10. Absolutely loved the poem :)
    Couldn't't agree more on taking a breather and getting back to writing with a fresh mind.
    I get to reading a new book or cooking to break free,recharge and return anew.

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  12. Hi, Gail. I'm visiting from A-Z. How great to find another mystery writer! I agree totally with trying new genres. I started writing plays to take a break (thinking to sharpen my dialogues) and found that I really liked writing them. I also think it did help with my dialogues. Several of my short plays have been performed at community theaters. Win-win, right?

    Sharon Arthur Moore @good2tweat
    Parsley, Sage, and Rosemary Time

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  13. It's a lovely post Gail. Very light and I had a smile while reading. Non food odors generate immediate emotional reaction in me? Let me Breathe Deep :-) Nothing but those wet wipes and diaper smells . Lol! I am being very honest.

    @SarahVamshi from
    The Tin Trunk

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