A Creative Life

Jane Yolen is a veteran children’s book writer and is the 2012 recipient of the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion awarded annually for distinguished contributions in the field of children’s literature.  The medallion was the highlight of the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival that attended this past week.

All of this has much to do with running, so bare with me!

Her message to me in conversations and in her medallion acceptance address is to simply show up.  Put another way, sit down in the chair and write… or butt in chair- BIC! 

My interpretation of these words is that for a life of writing and running, there are times during the day for each.  Personally, I’m a morning person, so I have high levels of energy and focus at that time of the day.  Haggling with myself on whether or not to run in the cool of the morning or sitting down and throwing all that energy into my writing and illustrating projects is a personal struggle.

The choice is obvious- the morning time is gold for creativity, my stock in trade.  I’ll use running as a tool to clear my head and get the juices flowing again… later in the day, say early afternoon.

Now, back to Jane.  To write on a daily basis is her job.  For me, drawing and writing on a daily basis is my job.  To write and draw consistently is the challenge.  With all of life’s requirements with family, business and friends, the choice of how to prioritize them can be confusing.

As in planning a training schedule with a particular event in mind, a schedule of writing and drawing everyday is needed.  Put another way, simply plan and then show up.  It’s not always easy, but there it is.

Life lessons come at us in so many directions.  I’m happy to have been reminded of the hard work that goes into running and writing by a new friend, Jane Yolen.

Gotta run,

Chuck

The Vagabond Runner.