I don't know... it may not be much of an accomplishment to anyone else - and I certainly won't bore you with the long, blah-blah-blah of why it's an accomplishment to me - but I'm claiming it and I'm very proud of myself.

Technically, I've just "published" my first literary work. A book of poetry...

OK! I'm busted! It's not a book! It's a calendar!

There are 13 incredible original photographs - some taken by me, some taken for me with my camera and others were given to me. And I wrote 13 original inspirational poems for each photo, put it all together and it's finally on sale.

So, yes, it's a calendar for a fundraiser. And yes, it is still a calendar, not a book.

But I did it. From start to finish, front to back, beginning to end. And that's really the accomplishment. That I had a goal, I had a vision and it's the first I've seen come to fruition - just as imagined.

Yea, me... for just doing it.

If you knew the blah-blah-blah of it all, I'm sure you would agree. This is quite a pride-worthy accomplishment, just for me.

And not only is it a beautiful calendar (if I do say so myself), it's also helping "at-risk" minority teens in So. Cal to get education and the work experience they might otherwise never be exposed to in the areas of art, entertainment and media.

A good buy for a good cause.

Is there such a thing?

As busy guilt?

Earlier I found myself wanting to justify, explain and/or minimize why I'm so busy. But I didn't - not fully anyway. Then, just now, as I considered writing a new blog, I suddenly was slammed with an instant of "busy guilt."

I am busy. I haven't written a new blog lately because I am busy.

I need to finish drawing the place marker pages for book 1 of my picture book series. I need to finish the cover graphics on my first Christian study booklet. I have 2 sci-fi short stories I need to either finish and/or finish editing for a podcast I've agreed to do. I need to finish editing that 10 year old manuscript I resurrected a few nights ago and, I need to really push that finished animated manuscript before the heat for this topic dies or someone else get theirs submitting first. Oh, yeah - and let's not forget the teen novel I want to finish editing as well. Scratch need; replace with "want."

But, it's all on hold because I've been busting my butt to complete an inspirational, scripture calendar. Technically, this will be my first publication, my first release for Christian independent publishing company Destination Publications. My self imposed deadline is November 2rd. And you know what? I'm proud to be so busy finishing it. The first tangible product of my writing.

And you know what? I'm proud to be so busy!

I've always been a multi-tasker like this. I've always read 2 or 3 books simultaneously. I get bored. Or different days have different moods, and different moods have a different motivation or topical interest that day. And I have found that if I stick to one project, then when the interest wanes, so does my productivity... duh! This way, the productivity remains and the motivation remains and best of all, it's finally paying off - I'm getting stuff done y'all!

So there you have it - the justification, explanation and maximization (Is that a real word??) of my busy guilt. And now that the guilt is vanquished, I think I'll call it my busy get...

Get busy y'all!

She is a photographer.
She is an experienced film editor.
She is a phenomenal writer, waiting to discover how good she is.
She said, "5 a week - it seems you could do more.
I guess I just see things visually."
She thought it would be easy for me.

I am a writer.
A singer, a reader, a sewer, crafter, dancer.
I see phenomenal stories in my mind and I write them down.
I said, "maybe I could do 5 week, but really no more."
I see things visually too.
But my fingers only translate in words.

She said, "just make them as a place marker."
And she showed me her friend's new book who did the same.
Congratulations to her friend - crazy, funky, sketches...
That the publisher kept.
And her book is now for sale.

And now I've got my pages
And they look all wrong.
Place marker pages.
Of funky, yucky sketches.
It's not her fault...
That I can't draw.

Salute ~
confessionalhighway.blogspot.com

How impressive is your art;
your work, your talent and skill.
How necessary is your ability
with oil, chalk, water, pencil, pen and quill.

I am but a writer,
my visions color in word.
The images I see allud me;
their transfer to paper seem absurd.

I wish that I could just capture
the vibrance of what you do.
To color my words with color -
Oh, how I long to illustrate too!

Instead I'm now looking
for the lost half of my soul;
a partner in artful expression,
One who shares my colorful goal.

Congratulations to you who do both,
Two halves of ability existing within.
And also you who have found your blend -
My search for what you've got will now begin.

Once upon a time in the land of Why,
There lived a little girl who was afraid to try.
Her mother said "We're proud."
Her father said, "You're good."
But their words only made her cry.

Each day she pretended that all was well,
And no one ever knew her personal hell.
Her mother never asked,
Her father never wondered,
And she never decided to tell.

Then one day she met a wonderful guy.
It seemed all he knew how to do was to try!
Her mother adored him,
Her father approved him,
Her attraction to his efforts was too strong to deny!

She tried and she tried, but her struggle was great.
She wondered if failure was her only fate.
Her hubby said he loved her.
Her hubby showed his pride.
But her efforts still did not rate.

Then God brought a son into their lives,
And suddenly she saw herself through his eyes!
Would he be proud?
Would he approve?
Of all her alibis, excuses and lies?

Life in Why cannot be as it seems!
It's time to end her silent screams.
So she packed up her baggage,
And moved with their luggage.
To the land of Whodunit and the home of her dreams.

It's a place to live life, since she's only got one;
A place where she's proud to raise a son.
Where Mommy feels proud,
And Daddy feels good,
And a little girl's tries, are now getting done!