An Uncommon Life

This is an amazing little book, written by Brenda Ueland back in 1938. Do you want to write, draw, act or sing? Please read this book. I stumbled on it two decades ago, after which I bought a notebook and recorded daily thoughts for several weeks. I found that notebook not too long ago, and was amazed by the clarity and beauty of my scribbled notes,  so recently inspired by her book.

If anyone deserves the title of “creative writing teacher” it would be Ms. Ueland.

Here is what she says about you:

“Everybody is talented, original and has something important to say.”

One of the most irksome things ever said to me at one of my jewelry shows is “You are so talented! I could never do something like this!”

I want to say “Pshaw!” And sometimes I do, in so many words. After all, these are my fellow human beings.  I take it personally that my partners in life, my human relatives think they can’t create.

Read this book and change your mind! – Merry

I believe artists are crucial to the collective health of mankind. No matter the economy, the state of the environment, or how many wars our politicians manage to keep the rest of us involved in. Artists are the dream-makers and the condition changers.

My daughter knew this well. “I want to make a difference with my art,” she told me more than once. She was sensitive to the degrade of society, and really worried about the public schooling that her peers received. And she was tough, ready to take on society’s ills and do something positive. Her intention was to help send life spiraling back upward from the direction it was headed.

I think artists are more influential than politicians, because they can touch and change our hearts. – Merry

My (almost) 6 year old granddaughter is a storyteller. Sometimes, to my great delight, she enhances the ones I tell her.

For the past two Christmases Ada has received handmade books from her “Grammy.”  These are stories I have created involving the various races of fairies that inhabit both our yards. For instance, here in Florida we have  mango fairies, grapefruit tree fairies, mushroom fairies and even starfruit fairies.

The adventures these little people take part in are subject to alteration and elaboration  by Ada throughout the year. She informs me that they have  babies, engage in what we humans might consider noxious behavior (such as eating bugs) and so forth. As you can see, Ada herself is a fairy, so it makes sense she would be so knowledgeable.

After I finished writing my book, I had to locate a competent design and layout artist.

Eli and Merry

I wanted to work with someone local, so I could actually meet him or her in person. The search was a little daunting since I am very picky concerning anything  to do with aesthetics.

Enter Eli Blyden of Crunchtime Graphics. He was recommended by our printer, who said “He is a great artist.” My reaction to that was, I will be the judge of that. Coming from a family of professional artists, I can be a little snooty about that sort of thing.

So Eli drove to our home to meet us one evening. He showed me some  beautiful work he had done for other clients, and we talked. For hours. Then we showed him some of Cedar’s artwork and told him a bit about our daughter. I could tell he really got it.

Eli proceeded to design a cover that both my husband and I fell in love with. He even let me help a little. (Several weeks later, he brought his computer over and we worked together on some of the font and layout ideas.)  It was Eli’s idea to feature Cedar’s artwork in my book. Brilliant! It was the finishing touch.

Eli is a talented young man, and I am already looking forward to my next project with him! Plus, he actually likes my weird vegetarian cooking!