In Others’ Words: Energizing the Blues

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, perspective, Writing 9 Comments

  I  love the quotes that set me back on my heels and make me go, “Huh.” That’s exactly how I reacted to what Duke Ellington said — only I smiled when I said, “Huh,” and then I told my husband he had to read the quote, too. Let’s just all admit we pout. The question isn’t really what do we do …

In Others’ Words: Fight the Recipe

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Quotes, Writing 6 Comments

When it comes to cooking and using a recipe … well, I’m not the most strict follower of outlined steps. Oh sure, I buy the recommended ingredients. But when it comes to measurements, I tend to eyeball a teaspoon of salt or a cup of sugar. Close enough is good enough, right? Follow the recipe to a point … and …

In Others’ Words: Lose the Fear

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Quotes 13 Comments

The word “wrong” can stop us in our tracks, can’t it? String “wrong” together with the words “You are” or “You could be” — and well, that forms a major roadblock to forward motion … and to creativity. In our pursuit of creativity, we are going to get it wrong. We’ll find ourselves staring at a dead end … or …

In Others’ Words: Not Afraid to Fail

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Quotes 19 Comments

I wish I’d learned sooner in life that it’s okay to be wrong. Mistakes happen … and sometimes mistakes lead us right to what we’ve been looking for all along … or to something gloriously unexpected. When we were younger, we had to learn a lot of things: how to tie our shoes, how to read a book, how to …

In Others’ Words: Creativity

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Quotes 30 Comments

Often when I’m trying to be creative — write a scene in my work-in-progress, for example — I strangle my muse because, well, I’m trying. I haul out all the techniques I’ve learned to write a strong, compelling scene. And then I back my scene up against the virtual wall because I’m trying so very hard to be creative. There …

In Others’ Words: Creativity

Beth VogtFun, In Others' Words 18 Comments

I’ve followed a few hunches in my life … sometimes I’ve walked through an open door and sometimes I’ve walked right into a brick wall. But at least I was moving forward, right? I love the idea of intertwining a hunch with creativity — splashing that “Maybe this will work” feeling with a bit of red and blue and purple …

In Others’ Words: The Blues

Beth VogtFun, Life, Quotes 7 Comments

“I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues.” ~Duke Ellington (1899-1974), composer & big band leader   Y’all know I love quotes. I especially love the quotes that set me back on my heels and make me go, “Huh.” That’s how I reacted to what Duke Ellington said — only I smiled when I said, …