morrigirl | Effective Communication

A few people have noticed that I've not been on AIM all month. There is a reason for this. My self-diagnosed carpel tunnel syndrome has been acting up something awful, so I've had to cut all non-essential typing out of my life. While AIM is the most convenient mode of communication for me, most of the people I want to speak to have my phone number and could just as easily give me a call. So, do not be alarmed. I am not avoiding anyone, I have not blocked you, I just have to take care of my hands right now. If you feel the pressing need to speak to me, please give me a call. I will probably pick up assuming Mad Men isn't on or I'm not on the other line with Greg.

According to these new rules of mine there is only one form of essential typing - that which is work related. What with all this trying to be a better employee I've found myself doing far more typing at work recently. I suppose this is as it should be. More typing means I'm doing more work and that's exactly what I want.

I've also been doing more creative writing recently, and since I still, for better or for worse, consider myself a writer any poetry or fiction related writing gets labelled essential as well. And it has become more essential lately. More essential than it has been to me at any point over the last four years.

You see, I read this really amazing book a couple weeks ago, "How to Become a Famous Writer Before You're Dead" by Ariel Gore, and it really inspired me. Ariel Gore is a single Mom who launched her career by starting a zine. Said zine became so popular she was able to wrangle an agent and publishing deal out of it. Unlike most other reference books on the subject of writing Gore focuses more on what the reader needs to hear rather than what they need to know. For example, writers need to know they will face loads of rejection. They need to hear that they are infinitely talented and their work is down right genius. She offers a lot of really unconventional advice. She champions self-publication of all types - zines, blogs, vanity presses. She thinks writers should be more concerned about getting their words out where poeple can read them rather than hiding work away until it is absolutely pristine. The entire book rang very true to me and...it was exactly what I needed to hear. It reminded me that, regardless of what anyone else says or thinks, I AM a writer. Not only that but I am a good writer and there are magazines and contests and agents and publishing houses that would love my work. This is the first time in nearly ten years that I have honestly believed that.

So, I've been writing. A lot. And it kills my hands after a long day at the office, but I push through because writing is important. I need to make time for it in my life. I have a submissions schedule, a list of all the magazines and contests I plan to submit to over the next two months. I am motivated. I am producing new poetry for the first time in three years, and hope to begin producing new fiction once I get some of the more pressing submissions off my plate.

I feel like I owe the entire world a phone call. Going to work then coming home and writing hasn't given me much time to return phone calls or emails. Not to mention that last month's cell bill was twice the normal amount because I've been using up minutes calling people before nine. So now I'm restricting my phone usage to nine and after, and that just sucks because I'm usually too tired to talk by then. But actual person to person communication is something I need to make time for as well. Let's see, I need to get in touch with...

James
Elisabeth
Katie
Gemma
Mr. Cibula
Angie
D.
Shameika

I want to get in touch with...

Rydia
Tina
Clark

Come September I will need to get in touch with...

Nancy Fennig
Libby
Jay

And the list keeps growing.