No, as a matter of fact, you aren't

Every once in a while when I tell someone I am a writer, they tell me they are writers, too.

"I have a whole book in my head," they say. "Now all I have to do is put it on paper."

Honest. This has happened over and over.

I want to scream YOU ARE NOT A WRITER! Because the thing that separates writers from non-writers? Is that writers actually write. (I didn't say they write grammatically.)

You don't have to be good. You don't have to be prolific. You don't have to be published. But for goodness' sake, you have to write.

Having a book in your head and claiming that you are a writer is like having a Ben Serotta bicycle hanging in your garage and saying that you are a cyclist. No, you're not. You're a wannabe. Until you saddle up and ride, you're a poser. Until you put words on paper or pixel...well, shut up.

When I started reading at poetry readings, my friend Ray Clark Dickson taught me to say "I am a writer," and to say it proudly because I did, indeed, put words on paper and share them with other people.

At the time I was working in the graphics department of a large print shop, turning words and clip art into ugly newsletters and business cards. I was not among the more talented "graphic artists" in our department. I was not even among the more talented of the less talented designers in our department (I was, however, very fast. This kept me employed for 14 years).

Because of Ray's constant praise and nagging, I kept saying "I am a writer," though. It took a few years, but now people pay me to do it full-time. In my case, the belief came after the work and before the success. Crazy how it all worked out.

It does WHAT?

Sarah, of Sarah and the Goon Squad has a funny post up with a photo of plasticware that claims to be "extra clear."

It got me thinking about stupid copy you find on products in your home.

Like the John Freida "Brilliant Brunette" hair conditioner I use. It smells almost exactly like Raid Ant Spray, but it seems to work ok. The tube claims it has Light Enhancers^SM in it.

Um, I'm no Einstein, so you will have to explain how one enhances light? Mr. Spock? Dr. Feynmann? Anyone?

I also used to have shampoo that would help my hair when it was "Stressed." Ooh, poor stressed hair. Did you have a rough day?

Do you have any product copywriting stupidness around your home? Hit me with it.

Forty Years Ago today

...at this hour, the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated.

His words at his last speech before his death were prophetic and chilling:

Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

We want to think that, if we are good people, good things will happen to us, that somehow God will reward our goodness.

Wrong. Look at Jesus, look at Martin.

Do good things and people will most certainly despise you and you may be cut down in the prime of your life, slain in the most horrible way.

The lesson of the assassinations of Jesus and Dr. King is the same: the killing did not matter. Just because their bodies were stopped doesn't mean they stopped. They knew they were greater than death, as we all can be if only we have the heart, the courage.

The influence of the truly righteous continues after they die and it keeps getting stronger because goodness and truth are contagious.

This is a sad and hurting world and it needs all of us to work to make it better. We are a team and if we don't all help each other, no one wins.

I try to remember that everyone I meet is on my team. The mother struggling with the stroller and a heavy door is my teammate. The sad cashier at the grocery store is playing, too. The angry neighbor, the rookie cop - I may not like them, but these are the people who have showed up to the game today, and I have to make adjustments to accommodate them. When I help them, we score. If I refuse to help them, no one scores.

I don't have a big dream like Dr. King. I just want to be welcoming and to be kind and then to take it from there. I figure that is a good place to start.

And here's a little song...

I feel a need

To post SOMETHING to get McCain off the top of my blog, but I don't have anything to say.

I have been eagerly following the adventures of our friends at J&J Baby Camp on Twitter.

Photos are here.

I have never said this before, but I sort of wish I was in New Jersey!

Bloggers for McCain

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