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Sunday, February 25, 2007

Finding Inspiration in All Places

Yesterday I attended the California Reader's Luncheon. It was a lovely event bringing together librarians, educators, young students, authors, illustrators and book lovers. California Readers is an organization that supports school libraries through grants which provides selected schools with books and author visits. The generosity of spirit in the room was palpable. These are all people who understand the gift of reading, and aspire to place good books in the hands of children. The bonus was seeing the beautiful multi-media displays created by schools who won grants last year. What an incredible inspiration! As a writer, I was reminded of the significant role that books play in the lives of children - and the importance of school libraries and librarians and those who support them! Many thanks to the California Reader's for their contributions to our community.

On a completely different note, I arrived home after the luncheon to find my son and his "garage band" friends playing their loud music in my cluttered garage turned amateur music studio. My daughter, a book lover like me, was upstairs seeking respite from the noise, I mean music, after her "Hello Dolly" rehearsal at the high school. Of course there were dishes in the sink, empty pizza boxes, the dogs were jumping on me, and my husband bless him - was hanging out in the garage with the boys who were practicing for the Battle of the Bands this coming weekend. Part of me wanted to retreat back to my car - to the solitary confinement of my velour interior. But then I took a deep breath - between the dogs and the teenaged boys it didn't smell so great - and I realized that the greatest source of inspiration was all around me. I have a virtual stockpile of story ideas and cast of characters right in my own backyard! I've got four long-haired boys who love the Red Hot Chili Peppers and eat pizza like it's a magic elixir. I've got a sweet, sensitive teenaged girl who is a vegan, devours books, writes from her heart when no one is looking, and has a penchant for collecting coupons! I've got three dogs - all of whom are obedience school drop-outs. I haven't even mentioned teen angst or sibling dynamics! If I really need inspiration - I need to stay home!

Now that I think about it, I have no reason for writer's block. On the other hand - I could use a little peace and quiet!

Happy Writing to us all!

PS - I case they ever make it big - you heard it here first - my boys' band is called Hydro Hot and the Hybrid Buffalos - no, I am not kidding!

Labels: , , ,

posted by Barbara Bietz at 7:59 PM

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

barbara,
What a lovely life you must have! As an elder gal,my kids are outta my hair and living in next door and down the road. We live in Georgia,I love peaches!Anyway,I do have some very special animals living under my roof! My husband,Dick,and I have got three special cats;Mindy,FoxieLadie,and Georgette. I also have two chihuahuas-Gertrude and Eliazar,two gold fish,Tina and Francesca(or Francis!),a lizard,Natasha,a frog,Mipsy,a toad,Gary,and a parrot,Muhamed. They do take up most of my time,but I love 'em dearly!Oh,and I do have a beautiful grandson,Hilary Michelle(yes, its quite a long story!!)who keeps me young and vibrant! Okay,enough about me! LOL I would love to be a writer,and am seeking out blogs to find some inspiration! I'm out! Talk to you soon!
Yours Truly,
Eileen Moshley-Smith aka The Animal Lady!

February 25, 2007 at 8:17 PM  
Blogger Terry P. said...

Barbara,

Your home sounds like mine not to long ago, before my son moved away to college. I had to laugh about the band. My son's college band is a group of vigil ante space crusaders called "TurboJustice and the Rockinauts." Young people are so clever nowadays! (long gone are the days of "The Beatles" or "The Doors.").

I'd say you have plenty of writing inspiration all around you--pets and people abound! Soak it all in!

February 28, 2007 at 9:16 AM  
Blogger Barbara Bietz said...

Terry,

We have even more in common than I realized! You'll have to tell me more about your son's band!

February 28, 2007 at 11:02 AM  

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