Bad Writing
Happy Friday!
What’s Jack up to? As I write this (late Thursday night) the Jackster is right under me up under my bed snoring lightly. Poor thing, he’s worked so hard. Trying to sneak into the trash multiple times, but I was up on my game and thwarted him each time. I’m sure today he’ll come for me with extra strength. I’ll be ready. I hope.
What is bad writing?
I find it hard to define, but it’s something you know when you read it. Now being in a book club the subject of bad writing has become an interesting and lively debate.
For me it’s writing that doesn’t flow or hold my attention. It’s definitely writing that I have to go back and read a few times in order to understand or writing that doesn’t ring true and I don’t mean in a fantasy way I mean in an authentic way.
I’m very interested in this documentary Bad Writing with George Saunders and David Sedaris.
So how would you describe Bad Writing? This post maybe? Ouch!
Have a great day.
Best,
KwanaA Hot Mess!
I’m deep in editing mode right now and this project is taking me way longer than I thought and had hoped. I really hope it’s not for nothing but I keep holding onto the words that author, Jayne Ann Krentz aka Amanda Quick told me at Nationals last year, “No writing is wasted writing.”The story is improving. So that means I am improving.Where that will lead, I don’t know. As an artist and being close to my work it’s hard to tell exactly where I am on the craft scale compared to other writers. Now I know some may say you shouldn’t compare yourself to anyone else, but that’s not true. You have to know what’s out there and ultimately sell your story against what else is out there. I guess in the end all I can do is be true to myself and the story and do my best which is what I do with each book I write.Now on the the hot messery…So tonight The Real Housewives of Atlanta are back tonight. I’ll be watching. I can’t want to see all the crazy antics. Check out the trailer. Big Poppa is still on he scene. SHE by Sheree has some competition and NeNe is still NeNe. Yay! Will you be watching with me?Best,
Kwana2012
What’s Jack up to? Jack’s been enjoying peaceful warm days and wild evening with the dear twins. They give him no rest and he gives them none either. So with that I get none. The nights are …fun?
Not a big one for conspiracy theories, well, maybe a bit but not the scary ones I’m still still crazy drawn to this movie. It’s got John Cusack. Win there and it’s directed by Roland Emmerich director of Independence Day another win. I saw this trailer during Harry Potter with the Dear Twins and can’t get it out of my head. It’s wild.Don’t know where I’ll be in 2012, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be in the IMAX come November.
What movies are you looking forward to?
Oh and it’s Real Hot Mess of ATL Countdown time. Are you ready for tomorrow?
Best,
KwanaStyle Maven
I’m going back to my Anthro excursion for today’s post and another book that that I found while there. I mean you can’t help but love that store. You can find a top, skirt, candles, china and fun reading. Genius.But back to the book, well, books actually. The Little Black Book of Style and One Hundred: A Guide to The Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own by Nina Garcia our favorite tough no love judge from Project Runway and former fashion editor for Elle magazine.
Oh Nina How I miss you! I love how Nina makes the title for One Hundred so forceful using the word ‘must’. Go Nina.The books are beautiful with illustrations by famed illustrator Ruben Toledo, husband of designer Isabelle Toledo.
Here is the blurb from Little Black Book of Style:Every time you dress, you assert your identity. With style, you tell the world your story. In that way, style affords you opportunities to think about your appearance as a quality of your
creative character. The Little Black Book of Style helps you to explore your own fashion voice—the piece of you that joyously revels in the glamorous experience of creating your best self. From cultivating good taste to guarding against definite fashion faux pas, Nina Garcia offers readers the ultimate guide to follow when it comes to dressing their best. Including tips on how and when to wear an outfit, occasion-appropriate wear, advice on how to combine colors and textures, and inspiration on how to achieve your own signature look, you learn how to experiment, storyboard, archive, and play. Timeless and universal, this book seeks to remind women that eternal style is internal style, and that everyone has what it takes to discover themselves through the colorful palette that is fashion. And here is the blurb from The One Hundred:In the wildly popular The Little Black Book of Style, fashion authority Nina Garcia showed women how to think about personal style in an entirely new way. Encouraging readers to creatively assert their style identities, Nina showed women of all ages how to hone and self-edit a distinct fashion voice.
With her style philosophy firmly out in the world, Nina decided to address the most popular question readers consistently ask her: Exactly what are fashion’s timeless pieces?
The One Hundred answers this question and provides women with a tangible style map to follow when planning a shopping trip and stocking one’s closet. With illustrations from world-renowned fashion illustrator Ruben Toledo, The One Hundred contains the 100 items that Nina believes will never go out of style, and that have become absolutely indispensable for any woman reaching for her own eternal fashion look.What are some of your Wardrobe Must Haves? I’ll start: A great pair of jeans, perfect tees, good tailored shirt, classic black pants, ballet flats and LBD (I’m still working on finding the perfect one)
Best,
KwanaWWAD-What Would Audrey Do?
What’s Jack up to? Jack’s had a fun filled weekend. A little BBQ and with extra tre
ats thrown in. Also plenty of wildness with the dear twins so now he’s ready for some naps and quiet time on this Monday. A little Jack chill time is in order. At least for a bit.While in Anthro world last week I came across a couple of delightful books that I really want for my go to library and one of them was this little gem: How to Be Lovely: The Audrey Hepburn Way of Life. Hence the title of today’s post WWAD (What Would Audrey Do?)I’m a huge Audrey fan. Always and admirer of her style and grace. Funny Face is one of my all time favorite movies along with My Fair Lady. I even have a My Fair Lady Barbie done of in that dress from the races. Just to die for and we won’t get into the emotion from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. “Cat!”
They just don’t make stars like that anymore.
Here’s the synopsis from How to Be Lovely:On many occasions, she was approached to pen her autobiography, the definitive book of Audrey Hepburn, yet she never agreed. A beloved icon who found success as an actress, a mother and an humanitarian, Audrey Hepburn perfected the art of gracious living.
More philosophy than biography, How to Be Lovely revisits the many interviews Audrey gave over the years, allowing us to hear her voice directly on universal topics of concern to women the world over: careers, love lives, motherhood and relationships. Enhanced by rarely seen photographs, behind-the-scenes stories, and insights from the friends who knew her well, How to Be Lovely uncovers the real Audrey, in her own words.
While she would have been the last to say so, Audrey Hepburn was an expert in the art of being a woman. How to Be Lovely imparts whatever wisdom and insight she found along the way to the millions who grew up, or will grow up, wanting to be just like her.Published to coincide with Audrey Hepburn’s would-be seventy-fifth birthday, How to Be Lovely offers a rare glimpse into the woman behind the mystique and the definitive guide to living genuinely with glamour and grace.
Who are some of your favorite stars from the past?Have a happy Monday!
Best,KwanaRose Colored View
I hope you have a Sunny Weekend. I guess it’s all in how you view it.
Best,
KwanaWhat Looks Like Crazy
Thanks to Pearl Cleage for the title of my post today. If you’ve never read her book What Looks Like Crazy On An Ordinary Day, it’s been many years since I’ve read it, but I highly recommend it.
Happy Friday. I hope you made it through the week without too many scars and lots of smiles. I’m sure there was some crazy thrown in. All you had to do was turn on the tv or maybe walk out your door and not be too careful but in that I may be bordering on the cynical. So to put a funny spin on it I’ll leave it to Jon Stewart.The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c The Born Identity Daily Show
Full EpisodesPolitical Humor Joke of the Day Have a happy!
Best,
KwanaLiving the Anthro Life
The other day I was in the city and found myself in front of Anthropologie on 5th ave. Of course I had to go in. Once you get anywhere near the air of Anthro and get a whiff of the scented candles that just so happen to linger out to you, well, you’re pulled in.
And once you’re in- you’re in. The Anthro world is so lovely and seductive. There is something about those slightly diffused inky colors that make it so hard to step back into the harsh light of day. It makes me say I want to live and Anthro life. How about you?
Best,
Kwana
Wordless Wednesday
What’s Jack up to? Doggy needs one of these.
And I can always use one of these. Yum!
I just love these Snickers ads.Have a happy hump day!Best,KwanaDoubt
“You need to learn to Doubt your Doubts.”
These were the best words that I heard over this weekend. They were spoken by my pastor in church this Sunday. The sermon topic was: “Faith that conquers fear”.Fear. My own dear friend and late night snack companion. Then the question came up: well, what do you do when you have doubts?Doubts. Those insidious little creatures that seep into your head telling you that you: can’t write it, have no talent, it won’t work out, you won’t succeed, all is lost, your looks are gone, your body is shot, you don’t have the smarts, it’s over or whatever else your nasty little creature like to whisper.We all have Doubts. But a good way to deal with doubts is to learn to doubt them.Hmm… Doubt the Doubts. Put them on the defensive (eek I hope I used that term right DH). Break the paralyzing hold they have, making them less effective and faith more powerful. Tell that little creature critic to SHUT UP. Brush it off your shoulder and move on. There is work to do. I’m feeling powerful.Sidebar: Um, friends remind me to give this speech to myself again in about 3 or 4 days when I’ll no Doubt (ha) be needing it again.On another note: I was quoted in The New York Times from my earlier post on Frank McCourt. You can read the Times article here. Thanks to all the new visitors who have stopped by. Welcome. I hope you come on back or better yet follow me. Gasp.
The best parts about being in The Times?
1. Honoring Mr. McCourt
2. It’s not that far a stretch from The Bestseller List.
3. Being called a romance writer without a bit of snark or a ripped bodice. WIN!Best,
Kwana
