Words on the Page

It’s DAW-nee

Posted on by lwidmer

Sure, his yellow suit with the flood pants is way too reminiscent of Elvis Costello, but his sound is uniquely Donny Iris. Or DAW-nee, as he’s known in western PA, where he’s considered a local hero. Note the incredibly tight afro, thick-rimmed glasses, and dorky bow tie. Not to mention the shoulder-padded, long-skirted 80s queen…

Guest Post: Are Women Better Freelancers?

Posted on by lwidmer

It takes a courageous man to tackle gender issues. It’s even more courageous when he does so in terms of how women could possibly be better writers than men. Our chum Jake Poinier dives in with a style that is, well, purely Jake, which is to say purely entertaining and thought-provoking. Jake, you have moxie….

Guest Post: Working Through the Noise

Posted on by lwidmer

Today’s bits of wisdom come from our own Ashley Festa. Ashley joined us here not long ago to try to improve her career options. And she’s done a remarkable job of building the confidence necessary to get the job done. As a result, her client base is growing. All newbies should watch her, for she’s…

Guest Post: What’s Your Writing Dream?

Posted on by lwidmer

Many thanks once more to dear friend Anne Wayman, who has given us two great posts this week, this one included. I love Anne’s approach to writing – she brings it from her soul. What’s Your Writing Dream?By Anne Wayman Because I have a blog about freelance writing (AboutFreelanceWriting.com) and because I also coach writers,…

I Heart Singer Songwriters

Posted on by lwidmer

I love the Susan Boyles of the world – those people whose unassuming looks hide real talent. This guy is just like that. Brett Dennen’s solo version of his song “She’s Mine.” Share some of your favorite artists. Who are you listening to?

Guest Post: The Letter of Introduction

Posted on by lwidmer

When I put the call out for guest posts, there was one person I contacted directly. Paula Hendrickson, better known for her ongoing knitting extravaganza over on Paton’s Blog is a work horse. Okay, more than I think she should be, but hey, if she has the energy, who am I to say? She’s a…

Artful Delivery

Posted on by lwidmer

Boy meets girl. Boy and girl fall in love. Boy and girl break up. Boy sees girl afterward in bar. This song wins the award for best delivery of an emotional meltdown. Listen to the whole thing. The whole song is just brilliantly executed to convey the emotion. It’s the reason I started listening to…

Guest Post: How Much Time Do You Really Spend Writing?

Posted on by lwidmer

When the call went out for guest posts during my vacation, Anne Wayman was one of the first people with her hand up. I was excited to see what she’d provide because I’ve been one of her not-so-secret admirers for a while. Per usual, Anne has delivered a thought-provoking post. How Much Time Do You…

Expanding Your Musical Horizons (Or Not)

Posted on by lwidmer

While I’m gone, I thought it might be fun to introduce you to some of the music you see on my iPod updates. Just an attempt to share my favorites and maybe expand your music library a bit. Or make you glad you didn’t pick up my iPod by accident. Either way. I came across…

Guest Post: Life Lessons from Project Runway

Posted on by lwidmer

By the time you read this, I’ll be in Shannon, on soil that’s been calling me since birth. Hard to explain it, but I’ve never felt quite “complete” before. I’ve always felt there was a home I needed to get back to, even before I realized how Irish I was. Listen to the instincts. I…

Wendy

I'm impressed with your post, Cathy. Good job. I don't watch Project Runway, but I do like how you pulled the life lesson message from it.

A life lesson heard a lot in the area where I live is: Get fer goin'!
(It's pretty much the same as Larry the Cable guy's Get 'er done.) Basically, it translates to "What the heck are you waiting for? Go!"

If you have a book you want to write then get on your butt and do it or do what you need, to get it accomplished. If you want to catch that big fish, then get off your butt and ask people where the hot spots are or what baits are working the best. Sitting around and whining about it never gets us anywhere.

Cathy

Thanks, Wendy. I love your Get fer goin' and the sentiment behind it.

Whining doesn't move you forward so you might as well get fer goin' 🙂

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.

Sarah

Love this post! So true. Thanks for sharing.

Paula

Smack me upside the head, Cathy. I may write about TV, but have never watched Project Runway.

You'd think I would have tuned in after an editor wanted me to ask a bunch of actors and producer about what shows they watch. I can't tell you how many people said Project Runway (another big fave was Top Chef). Each person singled out the astounding creativity demonstrated by the contestants.

Apparently it offers good life lessons, too. Doggone it. I might just have to tune in now.

My biggest life lesson has helped in the current economy: Learn to make do with what you have. (Okay, so my dad really said, "Learn to make due with what you got," but I just had to clean it up.)

Cathy

@Sarah-thanks for the kudos-it was fun to do some non-business writing blogging 🙂

@Paula – I love Top Chef, too, and it is the creativity I admire. I hate the silly back-stabbing and both Lori & I thought the Project Runway episode after Mondo's announcement was full of the bad side of human nature. I watch for the creativity – the Mondo episode was an unexpected jewel.

I like that life lesson. I left 30+ years of Corporate and a 6-figure job to freelance so that really resonates with me.

Thanks to you and Sarah for dropping by and sharing your comments.

Meryl K. Evans

That was one incredible episode +++ !!! This is the first season I've ever watched of Project Runway. After hearing so much, I decided to take a peek though I'm hardly into fashion (and it shows in what I wear to work). Glad I did.

Not all reality TV is bad. I enjoy Top Chef and Undercover Boss (inspirational, a delight seeing humanity in companies).

Anyway, off track. Wonderful story to use to share a lesson. I've been a full-time freelancer since 2005 and love it. Every dream job has tough days and moments. But you handle them better because you already love what you do. In a corporate environment, those bad moments do more damage when you aren't happy in the job.

Ashley

Thanks for this thought-provoking post, Cathy. I especially like your observation: You never know what burdens other people bear. So true. It can be difficult to see outside our own little circle sometimes, especially when dealing with difficult stuff. But it's so important to realize that no one's life is perfect and everyone is dealing with something.

Jake P

Nice piece, Cathy. I haven't ever seen the show (not my style, haha), but you've made it sound compelling. Like Meryl, I am a fan of Top Chef and Undercover Boss. But my true reality favorites are all of the Discovery Channel fishing shows, since I used to lobster as a kid…and now I'm landlocked in AZ.

Cathy

@Meryl-thank you for sharing your comments. Is Undercover Boss still on? I only saw it once, but loved the stories that came out of it. The part of the reality TV I don't like is when the message is that you succeed by being the most devious & back-stabbing. That's why I like the ones where talent is what counts – like Project Runway & Top Chef. And I looove the creativity.

@Ashley – I always try to remember that observation above all. It's not always easy. 🙂 Thanks for the nice words and sharing your thoughts.

@Jake – I lived almost 30 years within blocks of the Pacific Ocean. Now I live in Boise, ID, so I understand the landlocked. 🙂 I used to love as a kid when my family rented a cabin and went fishing in Canada. Thanks for stopping by and the nice words, Jake.

I was afraid no one would visit while Lori was gone. I appreciate all the support. 🙂

blaza

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Sal

Cathy,

Great post! I am not a big fan of TV myself (I have 3 kids under 4, so if it is not on Disney Channel, I usually don't see it ;). You convinced me though, I am going to check out episode 10 on Hulu and hopefully I don't end up "leaking buckets" myself <– love that 🙂

Cathy

Hi Sal: Thanks for stopping by and the nice words.

I'm pretty selective about what I watch. I read far more than I watch TV. Like I said, my hook is one where it showcases creativity-in whatever form that takes.

This particular episode of Project Runway was special. I didn't like the next one too much because it was back to backstabbing. They are down to the last show (maybe two) where the finalists go to Fashion Week and have months to make their line.

Let us know what you think.