Today’s #WWoW! A Change of Scenery

Writer's Words of WisdomA Smart & Savvy Group of Authors who write a weekly feature for their blog -Writer’s Words of Wisdom- each Wednesday. The goal is to impart what we’ve learned about writing, editing, getting published, book promotion, and more along the way.

=======

View from Treasures Times, a Cabins For You retreat

View from Treasures Times, a Cabins For You retreat

When I lived in Georgia, I used to meet a writing friend at the local Starbucks to write and critique. We could have met at either of our homes, but we made it a point to not meet there in order to avoid the usual distractions. At first, I didn’t think the surrounding noise would work for me and I don’t even drink coffee! However, I tried it and was surprised. I was there to write. So write I did. We sometimes paused to brainstorm and plot, but I almost always came away energized about my story and writing again. Even the noise led me to concentrate on the words, on what really mattered – the story.

Last weekend, I took a trip to the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee with the express purpose of reconnecting with writers and my writing. We stayed at a lovely lodge/log cabin in Pigeon Forge. Treasured Times certainly lived up to its name. I do treasure the time I spent there, the conversations, the ideas, the quiet writing time with only the soft clack of working keyboards as background sounds.

For me, the change of scenery worked like a charm. I tend to get in a rut, sitting in the same place in my home. Sometimes, that translates to checking e-mail and social media first, rather than writing. Getting away, putting an emphasis on writing, or just putting yourself in a situation where distractions are few and writing is the goal can be wonderfully freeing for the mind. Try it. I think you’ll see it works for you.

=======

Another view from Treasures Times, a Cabins For You retreat

Snow coming down at Treasures Times, a Cabins For You retreat

Please check out the other authors participating in this week’s WWoW! and learn from them too.
Lacey Wolfe – Making time to write
Tammy Dennings Maggy – Avoiding the Diva Syndrome
Paloma Beck – Guests post WWow’s

Posted in Annie Rayburn, Carol Burnside, Everyday blather, Going Places | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Gr8 Smokie #Mtns #amWriting #Getaway !

 

L-R: Darcy Crowder, Anna Steffl, Brenna Lauren

L-R: Darcy Crowder, Anna Steffl, Brenna Lauren

I’m spending a few days in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee with some writer friends. We’re having a blast in our rustic Cabins For You getaway, though some would find our outing to be low-key.

The area has numerous attractions that (for us) aren’t the attraction at all. Rather, it’s the solitude, quiet and change of scenery that brought us to this place. You see, we’re all about the writing on this trip…well, that and the food. We did make a special trip to the local Wal-Mart grocery to grab fortification to sustain us through the strenuous work of writing. 😉

DSC03873At any time during the day, you can hear the soft click-clack of laptop keys being used with abandon. Words are flowing, pages of new story are appearing in part because of the great and relaxing surroundings. We’ve got a spacious living area on the lower floor, another off the kitchen complete with a fireplace. (What great ambiance for writing romance, right?) And if we need a little space from others, there’s a game room in the loft above the kitchen. DSC03867It’s really a lovely cabin.

If any of you are looking for a vacation getaway, we’re all impressed with the welcome we received here. But don’t take my word for it, check out the pics!

DSC03868

Posted in Annie Rayburn, Carol Burnside, Everyday blather, Going Places | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Cedarwoods Espresso “Beau” 2001-2013

Yesterday was a sad, sad day. Since I can’t seem to write about it and see at the same time, I’m going to post here what Hubby sent to his hunting buddies, the Pudelpointer breeder and some who’d hunted over Beau.  His sentiments follow:

Beau Fred and pheasants

It is with great sadness that I send you the details of Beau’s passing.  About a month ago we noticed that he was having trouble defecating so we took him to the Vet.  During surgery he noticed that Beau had a large growth in his abdomen so we closed him up, put him on steroids and antibiotics and made him comfortable.  Over the past month, he gained weight, was active and led the life of a spoiled bird dog.  Last Thursday we took a ride on the 4-wheeler and he was alert and as always didn’t miss a bird.  Then on Friday he started taking a turn for the worse and by Saturday he was pretty much down and stayed that way until 8 a.m. this morning when our Vet made a house call and we put him to sleep.
How do you put 12 years of companionship into words?  So many days in the field, nights with him curled up by the bed, and all the times he calmed my existence by just being there.  He was a NAVHDA Prize 1 Natural Ability and Utility Dog.  I will live years longer because of the exercise I got running behind him while he tracked those racing roosters.  I often said to folks who didn’t know what an excellent upland gun dog he was that “Beau can go on point, you can go to lunch and come back and he will still be on point.”  That was not too far from the truth.
One of my hunting buddies told me that the day you get a pup you are in for a day like today.  Well, it is tough to go through but I wouldn’t trade a minute of my time with my best friend Beau.  I can’t see the keyboard very well now so I will let it go at that.
Beau, I hope you are running in tall grass, full of scent, on a crisp fall day.
My best,
F.B.

We buried Beau, wrapped in a fine percale sheet, at the back edge of the property among some trees and beside Tabitha, our cat who died at 17 last year.

He is sorely missed.

Posted in Annie Rayburn, Carol Burnside, Everyday blather, Here at home | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments