FRIENDS AND INSPIRATIONS
My first website, now defunct, had different pages and
somewhat different content.
When the platform I was using forced a change, I also let go
of one of my favorite original pages, one that had links to writing friends’
sites. I originally called that page “The Writing Life.”
It’s gone from the innerwebs. But writing friends,
thankfully, are not.
So this week, I choose to copy and paste the screenshot of that old page, because it continues to anchor my writing life.
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BRIEF
We know the saying, (some attribute to Mark Twain) “If I had
more time, I would have written you a shorter letter.”
Another version of this notion tells about a US senator who
was asked to address a high school and tell them about his job.
At question time, one of the students asked, “How long does it
take you to prepare a speech?"
The senator replied, “It depends on time. If you want a
fifteen-minute speech, I would need two weeks. If you want a five-minute speech,
I would require four weeks, and if you want an hour's speech, I can start
straight away.”
This is even more important in query letters. A few months
back, a writing friend gave me feedback on the “Bio” paragraph in mine. I had
two versions, one longer and more personal in tone, and one shorter and more businesslike.
I thought both were short and was happy with how I managed
to succinctly distill my life and writing journey into a single brief
paragraph.
My friend chopped away the branches, shaved off the bark,
and left my shorter version with only the heartwood. Her edit is the one I will now use
in queries.
It takes time, reflection, and the help of a good writing
friend to make it shorter.
©K. J. Lamb
The Sukkot holiday, now upon us, was meant to remind the
Jewish people of our time as a homeless nation, living in tents, on the way to
the promised land.
I have lived through many Sukkots, and it doesn’t seem to do
any such thing.
During the Great Depression, large shantytowns popped up all
over the land. They were nicknamed
“Hoovervilles,” in reverse honor of the then president, Herbert Hoover (1929-1932)
whose misfortune was to usher in the economic downturn. Today, our cities have homeless encampments
that don’t even get to be categorized as huts. They are tents stretching for
miles.
As such, the
commandment to dwell in tents that have porous roof covers (“Sukkot” in Hebrew)
could be a reminder of those who do not have solid roofs over their heads. But
as I have witnessed all my life, these happy super decorated lovely sukkots
are a place to party, leisurely sipping outsized drinks and hors d'oeuvres. They are
nothing if not lovely excuses for garden parties.
It’s nice, but no longer serves as it was intended.
I’m honoring Sukkot by being grateful for the roof over my
head. I’m skipping the party.
This evening, the yearly Jewish Day of Atonement begins at
sundown.
For reasons that are personal (and medical also) I do not
fast. By the Jewish Orthodox principals, there’s no “half-fasting” or modifying
of the commandment to do so. You either do, or don’t.
I disagree, but that’s because I am not orthodox.
There are ways to change the routines of the day and make it
strongly felt, opening a wider door to genuine atonement. My way is also
personal, and changing from year to year.
But regardless, it begins with asking for forgiveness to all
you have knowingly offended. I’m stymied, because I make sure not to knowingly
offend. This is distinct from being offensive just for being yourself and having
others not like what you are and what you think. No apologies for that.
What I do regret, and whole heartedly apologize for, are misjudgments
and not being a better more helpful person when I could have and should have been.
There is much wisdom of the ages in this yearly
account. It’s a gift to us, not punishment.
I wish all a good passage through the doors of atonement.
