Tag: Writing room

Writer’s Log – June 16, 2023

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Jim Kepler is a straw hat fedora at Starbucks

A Strange Record Heat

It’s Friday, June 16, 2023, and it’s hot. Dallas, Texas is where I call home. The heat index on Thursday was 109 F degrees. Thursday Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) tied a record. The dew point at DFW airport at 2 p.m. topped 80 degrees. The last time the dew point was this high was on June 14, 1997 (26 years ago). Wow! The dew point is how much water is in the air. The dew point plus temperature equals a misery index in my mind.

Slept Almost 12-Hours

Yesterday I slept for almost twelve hours. No, I didn’t stay up all night. My bedtime was just before eleven PM and I got up a few minutes before noon. I don’t know whether to say yea to me or what’s happening? Six out of seven nights a week, get eight hours of sleep and average eight hours a day almost every month. So, what’s up with staying in bed half the day?

After waking up, I took my RXs.

My daily devotional time followed The I jumped in the shower, and washing my hair.

Hair washing is a big deal with my to the shoulder blade’s length hair.

Drying the hair takes two to three hours if I let it air dry or ten to fifteen minutes with a blow dryer – which I hate using. I dressed, and it was time to dash out the door and take she who can’t be named on the Internet to lunch with a friend of ours. Both of the ladies and I have lost our spouses to death and cancer. We are all in the eighteen months to five years since our spouse passed time frame.

Lunch With Friends

We met a favorite Greek restaurant in Plano, Texas – Zorbas. I was there from just after 1 PM until I left at 5:30 to go to my Zoom meeting of the 540 Writing Community. The ladies retired to our friend’s house.

After the writing group meeting, I went to our lady friend’s house and visited for another hour.

They enjoyed their favorite adult beverage, made from grapes. I’m a teetotaler and abstain from alcoholic drink. Filling my designated drive role, I drove she who can’t be named on the Internet home before retiring for the evening.

Sleeping late yesterday got me the rest I needed. It did not do any walking or morning writing. As you might have noticed, no writer’s log for yesterday.

Value of Friends Reprised

On Wednesday, I wrote about the value of friends. I’m blessed to have three close male friends, and two other guy friends I know would drop whatever they’re doing if I need them.

As a sixty-nine years old widower, I’m blessed to have a girlfriend – she who can’t be named on the Internet as I call her as she doesn’t want me using her name, likeness or image on the open Internet. I share two other female friends with her. They are like sisters to me. I have a number of lady friends from my online line and local writing groups that from time to time check on me and I see in meetings or at conferences. Additionally, I have my three adult children and their families, plus my vast army of cousins, which I classify as family instead of friends. I am blessed to have these special people in my life. And, I always I room for one more.

Today – June 16th

This morning I got up, dressed, did my RXs, and devotional time and drove to Starbucks where I’m having coffee and writing. Walking at the air-conditioned mall later this morning is on the day’s agenda. We are expecting 100 + F degree weather for today and for at least the next ten days. So I try to walk.

I say try to walk as my right hip is causing me great pain. Watching a couple of videos by physical therapist Bob and Brad on YouTube, which show stretching exercises to help with hip pain, is my first step in resolving the problem. Should I call the rheumatologist and set up an appointment to get some relief? Taht is the question I’m debating.

Reading and a nap are in my afternoon plans. Tonight I am taking she who can’t be named to live community theater.

My rewrites of the recommended edits continue, but are going slow as my motivation is best described as procrastination, where I only do a chapter or two a day instead of knocking it all out in one or two marathon sessions.

And So It Goes

And so it goes.

Well, I wanted to end with “and so it goes” but as I typed the phrase I reflected on Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five” and the phrase. I first read “Slaughterhouse-Five” in 1973, four years after its publication. I was a twenty-year-old university student. Agreeing with writer Salman Rushdie interpretation of the phrase used on Vonnegut’s writing – Rushdie says “so it goes” has become one way in which we verbally shrug our shoulders and accept what life gives us – I see the phrase as more than just accepting what life hands you.

Vonnegut does not use it for that purpose in “Slaughterhouse-Five.”

“So it goes” is not a way of accepting life but, rather, of facing death. It occurs in the text almost every single time someone dies, and only when death is evoked.

I use the phrase as a hybrid of the two, accepting life as it is as I march toward my inevitable death at its unknown future date.

And of course, the selfie is from today.

Writer’s Log – June 14, 2023

Posted in @jimmiekepler, Blog, Christian Living, Christian Writers, Jim Kepler, Jimmie A. Kepler, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler, jimmiekepler.com, Poet, Poet's Life, Writer's Life, WritingLeave a comment
Jim Kepler at Starbucks
Jim Kepler at Starbucks

Five Reason Why Writers Need Local Friends

First, a personal note:

When I awoke this morning, my first thoughts were of my parents. They were married on this date in 1952 at the First Methodist Church in Seguin, Texas. Both are deceased but aren’t forgotten. Happy anniversary dad and mom.

Introduction:

Today is what I like to call a “lunch with Les” Wednesday. He’s been my best guy friend for a quarter of a century. We meet in the late 1990s when both of us worked as information technology support analysts for Interstate Batteries. I reflected on how lucky I am to have a couple of close friends who I talk to almost daily and have lunch with every week.

Having a friend, not just someone who’s an acquaintance, is important. As get get older, we may outlive our spouse (like me), and even start outliving friends. Having friends and adding new ones is important. Besides combating loneliness, having local friends (not just online friends) can be beneficial for writers in several ways.

Here are five reasons why writers need local friends:

Number One – Inspiration and collaboration: 

Local friends can provide inspiration and fresh perspectives that can fuel a writer’s creativity.

Engaging in conversations, sharing ideas, and collaborating on projects can help writers overcome creative blocks and find new directions for their work.

Number Two – Feedback and critique: 

Local friends who are familiar with the writer’s community or genre can provide valuable feedback and constructive criticism on the writer’s work.

Having trusted friends who can offer honest opinions can greatly enhance the quality of the writer’s writing.

Number Three – Networking opportunities: 

Local friends can introduce writers to other individuals in the writing and publishing industry.

They might be aware of literary events, workshops, or writing groups in the area where writers can connect with like-minded individuals, agents, publishers, or editors.

Networking can open doors to new opportunities and help writers advance their careers.

Number Four – Knowledge of local resources: 

Local friends can be a valuable source of information about local resources and opportunities available to writers.

They might be aware of writing retreats, grants, writing competitions, or local publications seeking submissions.

This knowledge can help writers tap into local resources that they may not have otherwise discovered.

Number Five – Emotional support: 

Writing can be a solitary and emotionally challenging endeavor.

Local friends who understand the writer’s struggles and aspirations can provide much-needed emotional support and encouragement.

They can be a sounding board for frustrations, celebrate successes, and offer a sense of belonging to a community of fellow writers.

Conclusion:

While having local friends can be beneficial, it’s worth noting that writers can also find similar support and advantages through online communities, writing groups, and virtual connections.

The key is to surround oneself with supportive individuals who understand the writing process and can provide the necessary support and feedback.

And remember, to have a friend you must be one, and show yourself as friendly.

Writer’s Log – June 13, 2023

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The Importance of a Good Writing Area for a Writer: Home Office vs. Coffee Shop

Yes, I’m a Writer

In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a writer. Yes, I confess an addiction to put words in an organized manner of a page. I even sell the collections of words I pen.

Writing Areas

For writers, having a dedicated and comfortable writing area is crucial for fostering creativity, focus, and productivity. A well-designed writing space not only provides a physical space to work but also creates an ambiance that promotes inspiration and concentration. 

Home Office or Coffee Shop Advantages

While both a home office and a coffee shop offer potential writing environments, each has its own unique benefits and drawbacks. In this essay, we will explore the importance of a good writing area and compare the pros and cons of a home office versus a coffee shop for writing.

Ownership and Familiarity

A good writing area provides writers with a sense of ownership and familiarity. 

A home office allows writers to personalize their space according to their preferences, with familiar objects, photographs, or inspirational quotes adorning the walls. This familiarity can create a comfortable and reassuring environment, enhancing one’s creative process. 

On the other hand, coffee shops offer a different kind of atmosphere, often bustling with activity and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Some writers find this ambiance stimulating, as it provides a dynamic backdrop that can inspire new ideas and fresh perspectives.

Facilitates Focus and Minimizes Distractions

A good writing area facilitates focus and minimizes distractions. 

A home office offers the advantage of privacy, allowing writers to shut out external disturbances and immerse themselves in their work. With the ability to control the environment, writers can minimize noise, interruptions, and other distractions that may hinder their concentration. However, a home office may present its own set of distractions, such as household chores, family members, or the temptation to procrastinate. 

In contrast, a coffee shop can provide a semi-public space that naturally limits distractions, as the writer is less likely to be interrupted by domestic responsibilities. The ambient noise in a coffee shop can also act as white noise, helping some writers enter a state of focused flow.

Productivity and Creative Output

A good writing area influences one’s productivity and creative output. 

In a well-organized home office, writers can have easy access to all the resources they need, including reference materials, books, and research documents. This convenience can streamline the writing process, allowing for efficient work and quick reference checks. Additionally, a home office eliminates the time and effort spent commuting to a coffee shop, providing more dedicated writing time. 

Conversely, a coffee shop can offer a change of scenery, which can be especially beneficial for those experiencing writer’s block or feeling uninspired. The lively atmosphere and the presence of other people can inject a sense of energy and motivation into the writing process.

Home Office or Coffee Shop Disadvantages

While both a home office and a coffee shop have their advantages, they also have some drawbacks. 

A home office, for instance, can sometimes become isolating, lacking the social interaction and sense of community that a coffee shop provides. Additionally, the solitude of a home office might result in feelings of loneliness or hinder collaboration opportunities. 

On the other hand, coffee shops may have limited seating availability, noisy patrons, or inconsistent Wi-Fi connections, which can impede productivity and concentration.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a good writing area plays a significant role in a writer’s creative process and overall productivity. Whether it is a home office or a coffee shop, each option offers unique benefits and drawbacks. 

A home office provides familiarity, privacy, and easy access to resources, while a coffee shop offers a dynamic atmosphere and the potential for inspiration. Ultimately, the choice between a home office and a coffee shop depends on individual preferences, working style, and the specific needs of the writer. 

Some writers may thrive in the solitude of a home office, while others may find inspiration in the lively ambiance of a coffee shop. 

The key is to find a writing area that cultivates focus, minimizes distractions, and ultimately fosters a conducive environment for the creative process. 

My Writing Areas Over Time

Starbucks 2023

Jim Kepler in hat at Starbucks
In this photo I am sitting at my writing area at Starbucks.

My writing area at Starbucks

Home office 2023

This is a tour of my bedroom office in The Colony, Texas in June 2023.

Home office 2013

This is a tour of my bedroom office in The Colony, Texas in August 2013.