*
This week has been all about the pressure of revisions for me.
So this song has filtered through my mind over and over.
It is Under Pressure by Queen/David Bowie. A classic from my youth. I hope it reminds you of yours (unless you're a young'un, in which case you missed out - imho)
you don't have to watch the whole thing, but maybe click on it while you read the rest of this post and go into the comments (if you so choose). It's good background music and fits my mood this week.
Anyway, in the spirit of revision
today's Free Stuff Friday is a look inward
What would you revise about yourself?
If there was one thing you could change - on the outside OR on the inside - what would it be?
In exchange for your comment and allowing us to be a little voyeuristic, your name will be entered in a drawing.
What for? Well *rubbing hands fiercely* how about
not one
not two
but THREE gift certificates to AMAZON.COM. Each for $10.
That should get you a nice quality used book of your choice plus shipping.
clarification and rules: there will be three winners of one gift certificate each - NOT one winner of three certs. let's spread the love, right? each person who comments gets one entry into the hat. I'd like it if you were an official follower of this blog, but won't require it this time.
alright, on we go...
I'll start:
if I could change anything about myself it would be a toss up between wishing for a quieter voice (mine booms, regardless of how quiet I think I'm being) and actual hair on my head. Honestly, my hair is so fine and I hate it. It's not terrible now, but someday I'm going to be one of those bald little old ladies with the four pieces of hair teased up high over their scalp *sigh*
how about you?
28 comments:
Hmm...I think I'd revise myself a naturally thin build and a smaller nose. Ooh, and I'd definitely make myself much more patient. That is one virtue that I'm severely lacking.
My posture and my lack of ability to keep my mouth shut when I really need to.
Bodywise....I wish I could just tone everything up...get rid of the baby belly.
I am an incredibly sensitive person and while I do like that about myself...sometimes it gets in the way of being a mature adult...I take things a little too much to heart. I'm sometimes that person who can't take a joke.
And confidence...I'm working on it...getting better at it....
Wow, I was going to write exactly the same thing as LiLa! I knew I was their long lost sister! But I will add poise. I've never had poise and truly, I could use a little!
It would be my hair style. I have long straight hair, something I swore I would never have once I had kids. Honestly I'm starting to look like a bad 'before' picture!
The one thing I'd change about me is that I would never be jealous. I'd just be content and happy. Maybe I should change that to, "I'd always, always be nice--no matter what." Then I have everything covered. But yeah...that green-eyed-monster kind of grabs a hold of me now and then. Me no likey him.
Great post, Tess!
Okay, my problem is the opposite of yours. If there was one thing I could change about myself it would be to have a louder voice & personality. All through school (and I'm talking grade school, high school, & college) I was known as a "quiet" girl, and always asked to speak a little louder. So I'm a little better about it now that I'm a wife & mother. But what I have to work on now is speaking in front of crowds . . . if I ever get published & have to do school presentations/visits, well, let's just say, I'm in for it!
Unsure whether this is inside/outside, but I'd definitely like to think about what I say before I speak. Unlike my characters who can talk themselves out of trouble, I don't always get across what I mean. Or I just put my foot in it.
How thought-provoking, Tess! And it's great of you to do such a giveaway. :)
I'd give myself more discipline. Not just with writing, but for life in general.
Tess. Did you do this to traumatize me? Me and my VAIN self? Okay... you asked for it. (AND BTW we have yet another thing in common. The booming voice thing.) If I could change something about the inside of me, I would give myself a thicker skin. I can't understand it when people are mean, or disrespectful, or displeased with something I've done. I hate to disappoint. When I feel I have failed at something or someone I want to curl up in a ball and die. I envy those who can shake it off and say "screw it!"
And then there is the fact that I am only five feet tall. I suppose I would like to grow taller. Or maybe not? XO
Outside: The fuzz on my hairline.
Inside: More patience.
:D
~ Wendy
I would like to be able to take a compliment without thinking it's undeserved. I'm not rude; I say thank you, but I'm always thinking it will be discovered that I wasn't worthy. I know I'm slipping into deep waters with this, because it is the outward manisfestation of terrible self-doubt. I forgive other people all sorts of things but not myself.
So there was the heavy load. On the other front, I'd love long, long legs but I'm not willing to go to Russia where they are currently doing plastic surgery to make legs longer. Nope. No broken bones for beauty.
Thanks for the cool contest, Tess. Sweet.
Mine is a combo of inside and outside. I'd like to be in better physical shape, and actually enjoy the exercise it takes to get there. It's largely a lack of motivation thing. Excercise? No thanks, I'd rather (pick one: write, read, knit, take a nap, bake)
The ability to eat anything I wanted without gaining a pound or having bad health.
Or maybe I'd just change myself so that I loved veggies instead of chocolate!
I'd revise away regrets. And my flab. And my lack of self-confidence.
Novice Writer Anonymous
Chronicles of a Novice Writer
Your free stuff Fridays rock, Tess! And I love that song. David Bowie is the epitome of the 80's!
If I could revise something about myself it would be how much I stick my foot in my mouth. I'm getting sick of that taste...
Good luck with your edits!
Self-confidence and patience are my big two that I could use more of. That's why the query process pains me so. It feeds into both of those issues.
Fun, fun! And Under Pressure IS a great song! Let's see...
If I could change something about myself it would be my ridiculous sensitivity to obnoxious noises. I've tried to ignore the offenders, but I'm incapable. Yes, that's what I'd change!
Good luck with revisions. I've been revising ALL SUMMER. I'm finally almost finished.
L&L: ah, patience...yes. I agree, it's a toughie.
Janice: me too! on both, actually :)
Stephanie: it's that sensitive side that makes you an artist and gives depth to your writing.
Solvang Sherrie: too funny..L and L are fun to follow and have things in common with. they are a laugh riot.
TAnne: the grass is always greener...long hair? I can only dream. Your comment made me giggle, however (the before pic thing) and that was a great start to my day - thanks.
LT: thanks for your comment and honesty - you just need to look at all the wonderful things that you are and everything else will fall away :)
Crystal: so maybe put together we are the perfect person, eh?
Yunaleska: yes! so glad you entered, it just takes an extra stamp - I have family in England so a little extra postage isn't scary to me.
Janna: ah, your comment strikes a chord with me this summer because I've let so much fall to the wayside .. cleaning, exercise....too much. I can relate :D
Suzanne: are you really 5 feet tall? I am 5'9" and always envied my friends who could wear the super cute, tall, spikey heels around the boys growing up. I'm limited to an inch or two. I'd love to see your shoe closet sometime :)
Wendy: patience is a good one, especially for us writers. ugh.
Tricia: I love your comment, thanks. It's so honest. I think we all have a tendency to be that way and it's a good reminder to ease up on ourselves a little.
Michelle: me too! okay, I'll pick one: nap
Stephanie: wouldn't it be great if what we ate had nothing to do with health? Ahhh...a beautiful thought...
NAW: revise away regrets. I like that one a lot.
Glam: glad you liked the song. I was a decent sized Bowie fan in the day..ahh...good times, good times. And, what are you talking about? foot in mouth? that may be me, but never you that I've seen.
Fiction Groupie: how interesting how alike we writers are. of course, your comment makes me realize that our chosen path can actually play on those patience/confidence issues. interesting thought.
Jill: Oh, I'm laughing because I remember your gum chewing husband post. that was sooo funny! and, congrats on being close to the revision end. hooray!
Great post Tess! I too am a Bowie fan.
The two things I would change about myself are (drum roll) I would be more confident in all aspects of my life and I would not worry so much. If I could accomplish those two my third goal to get back to a size eight might happen.
Inwardly, I'd be less fearful and indecisive and shy.
Outwardly, a few inches vertically never hurt anyone. I mean, except if they hit their head or something. Like maybe because the roof was so low and they'd suddenly become taller...
I might also ramble less.
Right now I would really love to edit my life and fast forward my pregnancy about 24 hours so it was over.
Barring that, patience is something I need. An ability to focus. I tend to be easily distracted and avoid work when I can. Not exactly shining virtues at all.
I'd wish for the ability to be a better mom.
Great song! I'd really love to have more confidence, especially about my writing. I also wish I could live in the moment more. Worry less, enjoy life and hopefully have a more positive outlook in that respect. All things I can work on, I guess :D
Revisions on myself? I wish I was less forgetful/absent-minded.
I am always to be a peacemaker. Sometimes I wish I could just say it like it is and not worry about how people feel afterwards.
Sharon: don't you dare shrink and inch. Some people would die for curves like yours!!
Sarah: hahahahaha....
Liana: what? are you due in 24 hours? must pop over to your blog...
Amy: what? you're an awesome mom! have you so quickly forgotten carnival duty? who but a super great mom does that?!
Cindy: love the comment, live in the moment more. so many of us seem alike in these ways.
Kate: is there a pill for that? I'm constantly forgetting things! let me know if you ever figure out a cure :D
Joyce: It is a blessing to be a peacemaker. I think I get what your saying though.
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